Category Archives: General news

Discover Recycle UoR Reading

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Recycle UoR Reading bookshelves

Explore the collection, or consider donating something yourself.

Are you ever in the Library and wish you could read something that wasn’t part of a reading list? Have you seen something about ‘Recycle UoR Reading’ and wondered what it was about? 

Look no further! 

‘Recycle UoR Reading’ is a relatively new scheme that was launched in September 2023 to help repurpose surplus Library stock and book donations, making them available to you. The display can be found in the Quiet Study and Holds area on the Ground Floor of the Library and all items are available to our users to take away free of charge. This is a great way to find potential leisure reading, or maybe to help supplement your study material at no cost to you. 

 

Got some items that you would like to donate?

A book donation box can be found near the display where you can deposit any unwanted items. These will be assessed and hopefully added to the display for someone else to enjoy.   

Recycle UoR reading donations box

Come to the Ground Floor Quiet Study and Holds area and find out more.

Since the launch of the scheme, 440 books have already found new homes, and 90 items have been donated. The selection is refreshed regularly so there will always be some new material on display, so why not drop into the Library and see what’s on offer? 

For more information or for any questions about the scheme, please contact Kate Devaney (Collections Services Manager) at k.r.devaney@reading.ac.uk

Wellbeing Collection

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Photograph of a shelf of books relating to wellbeing, with a small crochet succulent plant.

If you are feeling blue on Blue Monday, why not get together with friends and colleagues over a cuppa for ‘Brew Monday’? You can take advantage of a free regular tea or coffee and a space to talk in the Trilobite (in the Health and Life Sciences building) and Breakfast Box (in Edith Morley) cafes 14:00-15:00 on Monday 15 January.

You can also discover the Library’s collection of books and e-books relating to wellbeing. Starting from a generous donation from the Alumni and Supporter Engagement Team, the collection has been growing ever since.  The books can be found in our Wellbeing Collection, on the Ground Floor of the Library in the Quiet Study and Holds area.

We also have a list of the items available, including the e-books that can be borrowed.

The books cover lots of different topics including mindfulness, change, relationships, diet, gardening, emotions, anxiety and student life. A selection of 4 books from the Wellbeing Collection, spread out on a desk.

Students and staff are able to come and borrow any books they’d like to read using their campus cards, or just access the e-books using their University username and password.

If you are a Reading student and you need to talk to someone there’s lots of help and guidance available from the Counselling and Wellbeing Team, whilst staff can access support through the Health and Wellbeing Resources.

 

Ruth Ng & Karen Drury, Academic Liaison Librarians

Removing IP access from our online resources

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images of a search engine

We are working to make access to our e-resources as secure as possible. You may start to notice that, if you are on-campus and you go to a resource directly, rather than using a link from one of our catalogues, you’ll no longer be granted automatic access. Instead, you will need to find the institutional login option that appears on most platforms, usually in the top right-hand corner, and follow the steps. This is exactly the same process you use when you are accessing the resource off-campus. If no institutional login option exists, we recommend searching on one of the following, and using the link you’ll find there, which will authenticate you: 

If you have any questions or need any help, please contact eresourceshelp@reading.ac.uk. 

 Anne Taylor, E-resources Team

New student? Take our Study Smart course and get a head start

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Computer and lamp with Study Smart written on itAre you a new undergraduate or foundation year student? Then make sure you take our Study Smart online course, which has been specifically designed to help you with the transition to Uni. Join over 1000 UoR students who are already online and getting ahead of their studies.

 

Why should I bother?

Study Smart is a free online course which you are expected to take before you arrive. It offers essential insights as to what will be expected of you as a student and you can start your studies with confidence. It can be completed in a few short sessions and has videos, animations and resources covering 3 main areas:

  • Academic integrity
  • Communication at university
  • Independent learning

The course will help you to understand how these concepts apply to you and your studies. It also contains vital information on how you’ll be studying, including advice on engaging in seminars, getting the most out of course material and using our digital tools.

You’ll also be able to connect with other students, through the discussion boards. So, join over 1000 students who have already started the course.

 

How to access the course

If you are a new first year undergraduate student, you should have received an email with a link to the course on 29 August 2023.

 

If you have any queries or issues accessing Study Smart, please email: studyadvice@reading.ac.uk

You will need to enrol in the coming weeks, after which the course will close. Once you have enrolled you will get access to the resources for your entire time with us.

Don’t forget to download your certificate

Some courses and many academic tutors will ask to see your Study Smart certificate in your first term. You will find this in one of the last Steps of the course, so don’t forget to download it – you may need it for your portfolios.

Good luck!

Library is open Saturday 16 September

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Stay ahead of the term time rush and come and make the most of our final summer vacation Saturday opening.

On Saturday 16 September, we’re open 08:30 – 17:00 and our friendly staff will be on hand all day to answer your questions.

Student looking at laptop in study booth

Time to focus in one of our many study spaces

So, if you’d like to enjoy some quality study time, or maybe just browse and explore our resources before the busy autumn term kicks off, this is a date to put in your diary.

Looking for more specific help from a Library professional within your subject area? Visit our online guidance or make an appointment as we won’t be able to deal with specific one-to-one subject enquiries on the day.

Please be aware that the Library Café will not be open and the IT Service Desk will be working on Registration – further information about their service hours can be found on their webpages.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Your Library team

Your new, improved subject guide is coming soon

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Homepage of the new style subject guideDuring July the Academic Liaison Team will be revamping our subject guides. These are designed to bring together key resources and support tailored for your subject.

To make it easier to find what you need we are moving key information to the homepage of the guide and reducing the number of pages. Each guide will include the following:

  • Homepage – guidance, links and search boxes for finding books and journal articles for your assignments quickly and easily
  • Key resources page – databases and websites you can use to find relevant academic sources for your subject
  • Citing references page – information and guidance on the referencing style used by your department

Additional pages may be added by your librarian to highlight other relevant resources and guidance. We’re also giving the guides a cosmetic tweak to make them more attractive and ensure they are more mobile friendly.

Students who have reviewed the new design have described it as “compact and clear” and “easier to navigate” and have loved the new big banner. We hope you will like it too!

Please contact your Academic Liaison Librarian if you have any feedback about your new guide.

Jackie Skinner, Academic Liaison Team

The summer deep clean

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If you’re visiting the Library for access to study space, please be aware that deep cleaning works are underway.  

Member of staff filling up carpet cleaner with water from yellow bucket

The carpet cleaner is a vital part of the summer deep clean

During the summer vacation, Library Support Services work to clean and refresh the Library, ready for the upcoming Autumn term. As part of this essential maintenance, we go beyond the usual areas and reach into the spots which aren’t covered by the day-to-day clean. This includes relocating chewing gum to the bins and washing all the carpets.   

In order for this essential cleaning to be done as quickly as possible, some study areas will be temporarily closed off during the summer vacation. 

We apologise for the inconvenience. Please ask at the Welcome Desk if you need help finding an alternative study space. 

 

Your Library Team 

System upgrade 26 June – some services disrupted

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Tonight, we are upgrading our Library Management System. During the upgrade on Monday 26 June, between 19:00 and midnight, (after the Library buildings are closed) some services will be unavailable.

 

Open laptop

 

You will still be able to …

  • Search the Library catalogue, Enterprise.
  • Access all our E-resources – so any e-books or e-journals you find on the catalogue will still be available via the ‘Click here to access’ links.
  • Use Summon for online access to journal articles, book chapters, and much more!

But you won’t be able to …

The upgrade is planned to be finished by Tuesday 27 June, but the system will be ‘at risk’ for the rest of the week whilst our Systems Team make sure everything is working correctly. We will let you know if Enterprise will be unavailable for longer than initially planned. 

If you have trouble accessing e-resources, you can contact the E-resources Team at eresourceshelp@reading.ac.uk or you can fill in a Problem Report Form.

If you want to talk to someone about your account, you can contact the Library at library@reading.ac.uk.

 

Lewis Mills – Library Systems Team

 

Wi-Fi work on 4th Floor

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Image shows a deep blue sky with lit up silhouette buildings. Several buildings have wi-fi towers on the roof tops suggesting reliable broadband by the presence of consistent, concentric circles in the sky.

Our Wi-Fi is improving!

Contractors will be in the Library on Friday 23 to Tuesday 27 June to install extra Wi-Fi access points in the group study area on the 4th Floor of the Library. These extra access points will help to improve Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the building, making it easier and quicker for you to log on. 

Please bear with us through this short period of disruption.  

For your safety, this group study area will be closed but individual study spaces will still be available on this floor. There is also a range of alternative study space on the other floors and throughout campus to choose from, including group study spaces and PC labs.  

Visit Student essentials, Study space for more information about finding study spaces and booking a group study room.  

 

 

Your Library team 

University of Reading June Open Days

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Library building on a clear sunny day with hedge in the foreground.

Make sure to drop by the Library during your Open Day visit!

The Library will be welcoming Open Day visitors on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 June. Have you registered yet? If not, make sure to head over to our Open Days webpage to find out more.    

Throughout our Open Days, prospective students and their families are encouraged to visit the Library building. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff and Student Ambassadors will be on hand to answer questions and queries and provide in-person tours. Self-guided tours are also available for those who want to explore at their own pace. 

 While you’re here, make sure you check out: 

  • Study spaces: Whether you’re collaborating on a group project or prefer to study alone, we have a range of spaces to suit your needs. From bookable group study rooms to silent study spaces, you can be sure of finding your new favourite spot. 
  • Wide range of print resources: Explore our vast selection of print books and journals spanning across three floors. 
  • Study Advice desk: Learn about our Study Advisers and how they can help you get better results and discover how our Academic Liaison Librarians can help with your subject-specific queries. 

If you need to refuel, don’t forget to stop at the Library Café before exploring the rest of our beautiful campus. 

Out of time but still want to see the Library? Watch one of our self-paced tours to learn more at your leisure. 

No matter what you choose to study, the Library is ready to welcome you. Come and visit and find out how to make the most of your studies at the University of Reading. 

We look forward to seeing you. 

  

  

Your Library Team  

System maintenance 12 June – some services disrupted

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Tonight we are upgrading our Library Management System. During the upgrade, between 19:00 and midnight (after the Library buildings are closed), some services will be unavailable.

 

Open laptop

 

You will still be able to …

But you won’t be able to …

  • search the Library catalogue, Enterprise.
  • see the current location of a physical Library item, so you won’t be able to tell if it has been borrowed.

The upgrade is planned to be finished by Tuesday 13 June, but the system will be ‘at risk’ for the rest of the week whilst our Systems Team make sure everything is working correctly.

If you have trouble accessing e-resources you can contact the E-resources Team at eresourceshelp@reading.ac.uk or you can fill in a Problem Report Form. 

If you want to talk to someone about your account you can contact the Library at library@reading.ac.uk. 

 

Lewis Mills – Library Systems Team

 

Using the Library over summer vacation

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With the end of term and the beginning of summer vacation, there are a few changes coming to the Library. 

The Library building behind a green lawn

Opening hours 

Summer term will end on Friday 9 June, which means our opening hours will be changing too. Between 10 June – 17 September, we’ll be open between 08:30 – 17:00 during weekdays. The Library will be closed at the weekends except for our three Summer Saturdays on 15 July, 12 August and 16 September. If you’re returning Library materials outside of these hours, the external Book Drop is always open and can be found to the right of the main entrance. 

Vacation loans

If you’re an undergraduate or taught postgraduate student, you can borrow items for the whole summer without needing to renew, as long as your course doesn’t end before 26 September 2023. Find out more on our ‘Borrowing over the summer’ blog. 

Continued support from your Academic Liaison Librarian and the Study Advice Team 

Although the Library opening hours may have changed, your Academic Liaison librarians and Study advisors are still here to support you over the summer. Why not book a 1-2-1 appointment or check out the range of resources on our website? 

If you have any questions during the summer vacation, you can contact us at library@reading.ac.uk or call on 0118 378 8770.  

Enjoy the summer! 

 

 

Your Library Team