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Edinburgh Napier University

Easter Egg Hunt 2024

Easter Egg Hunt 2024

It’s that time of year again: Easter Egg Hunt 2024 edition.

Hooray the Easter Bunny has arrived at our libraries. Our annual Easter Egg Hunt is back and better than ever! Time to win some chocolate goodies. Hurry while stocks last!

What is the Egg Hunt?

If you aren’t familiar, we run this every year to the run of exams and Easter break. As a fun way to familiarise with Library Search and using the Library Catalogue machines.

It’s a chance to win chocolate goodies. Vegan options will be available. Each campus library will be hosting the egg hunt and it will be running all week starting today. So come along and join. Navigate LibrarySearch for specific book titles to find tokens and you can win a chocolate egg. Learn about LibrarySearch and win a prize, it’s a win-win. Instructions are listed below but you can also ask for more assistance at our help desks.

Easter Egg Hunt Instructions:

  1. Use the library catalogue/library search to find the details of all books listed. You will receive this at the help desk.
  2. Find the books on the shelf using the shelf marks.
  3. On the front page, you’ll find either Flowers, Small Creatures (like a rabbit) or Eggs
  4. Take one of each, there will be three in total.
  5. Take all three tokens to the help desk to receive a chocolate egg.

 

We are delighted to say that there will be a bonus challenge this year. Ask the help desk for more details because you will be in the chance to win a grander, chocolatier prize.

We wish you luck.

LibrarySearch 

You can read more about how to find books with our previous blog post.

Researcher Skills Forum 2024

Researcher Skills Forum 2024.

It’s that time of year again: Edinburgh Napier University’s Researcher Skills Forum – 2024.

Tomorrow is day one of our annual researcher development event which is brought you in proud partnership of Research, Innovation & Enterprise team and Information Services.

A fun and interesting line-up of speakers, workshops and activities aimed at researchers of all levels.

Tomorrow will be an in-person event at Sighthill LCR5 (top floor of the library) and the 20th will be our online event. You can register for either or both!

Researcher Skills Forum -13th March

Tomorrow will start off right with tea and coffees at 10.40 before diving into introductory talks. The day will cover academic publishing, transform presentations. And a career panel with career consultants going over how to get jobs but also how to build a career. Finally, there will be an opportunity for networking and there will be lunch covered.

Researcher Skills Forum – 20th March

This is will be held online on Microsoft Teams. Once you have registered, you will receive a link. The event will running all afternoon from 1pm till 4.30pm. It will include looking at systematic approaches to literature reviews, writing as a researcher and literature searching.

 

Both days are packed with research development and we hope to see you there. Remember you can register for both.

For more information and where to register: Researcher Skills Forum 2024

And you look at other ways the university supports research.

International Women’s Day – 8th March 2024

 International Women’s Day – 8th March 2024

Today  is International Women’s Day – 8th March 2024

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on the 8th of March each year and forms part of Women’s History Month. It has been running for over 100 years with the first International Women’s Day being held in March 1911.

The aim is to celebrate women’s achievements, promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and raise awareness about discrimination.

IWD is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It emphasises the progress which has already been made towards gender equality and shows what still has to be done to achieve these goals.

Inspire Inclusion

This year’s theme is Inspire Inclusion. Inspiring others to recognise and respect women’s inclusion can help us to create a better world.

Inspiring inclusion in women builds a community where women feel accepted, valued, and empowered.

What Can You Do?

Everyone can participate in International Women’s Day. This can be as organisations, groups and individuals, at work, at home and within the community.

Anyone can be involved in celebrating International Women’s Day through any activity which supports the progress of women and girls and will have a significant impact within their own environment.

We must celebrate the achievements of all women, fully embracing their age, race, faith, ability, body image, and how they identify. In the global spectrum, women must be welcomed and recognised in all fields, ensuring that their needs, interests, aspirations and creative talents are highly regarded throughout industry, business, education, health, sport and leisure.

For more than 100 years, International Women’s Day has endeavoured to create positive change for women and girls everywhere. Let us all inspire inclusion by celebrating not only the achievements of women in our own lives – from mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and colleagues – to women all around the world.

Strike the pose and inspire inclusion. Let’s work together to support each other, celebrate our achievements and be all we can be!

By Sharon McMichael

Find out more:

Celebrate Women Empowerment 

International Women’s Day 

Photo Source Library of congress

World Book Day: Edward Clark Collection

World Book Day: Edward Clark Collection

As it is World Book Day, we thought we could take the opportunity to write about our beloved Edward Clark Collection. What is the Edward Clark Collection you may ask or why is it relevant to World Book Day? Well, let’s begin:

Edward Clark Collection

The Edward Clark Collection is based at Merchiston Campus. It is part of our Hertiage Collections/Archives. We have been custodians of the collection since 1964.  It is one of the only two surviving examples of what was once a widespread phenomenon in Britain: printers’ libraries. The other survivor is St Brides Library in London.

Edward Clark Collection consists of around 5000 items.

The collection concentrates on the development of typography, the techniques of printing illustrations, and fine bindings.  It includes several rare imprints and some splendid examples of typographers, printers, illustrators and binders art and craft.

It has a wide range of books throughout the years, showcasing the changes in illustrations, typography, publishing and more. We think it would be a great opportunity to highlight this collection on World Book Day.

Edward Clark

Edward Clark was born in Edinburgh, to Robert and Emma Clark on 11 December 1864. His paternal grandmother Isabel was sister to Adam Black, Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh from 1843 to 1848, and a Member of Parliament from 1854 to 1865. Edward Clark  began business as a publisher in Edinburgh in 1815. And with his nephew founded the firm of A. & C. Black. Known to publish the Edinburgh Review for many years and acquired the copyright of Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Over the years, books that had publishing significance were bought in the name of Edward Clark, showing the development of publishing over the years.

Edward Clark Collection: Printers’ Libraries

The first Edinburgh printers’ library was established in 1858. The technical and reference collections continued to be used up until the end of the 19th century, after which it is not clear what happened to them. Formal educational requirements for printing apprentices were established after World War I. The Clark Collection was put together as a teaching resource, mainly in the 1930s, to illustrate printing technologies, type design and book production from the 15th century to the present day. As well as the treasures highlighted on the Collection website it is a treasure trove for the historian of print.

 

Heritage Collection:

The Edward Clark Collection is truly amazing, and we are grateful to the Heritage Collection team for all they do. Have a look at all they do here.

Any enquiries about our Heritage Collections at Napier including the War Poets and Jim Haynes, get in touch: Heritage@napier.ac.uk

Read about our previous Edward Clark Collection posts here

World Book Day 2024

World Book Day 2024

World Book Day 2024 – 7th March

When was the last time you got lost in a good book? Not a textbook. Not some dry academic thesis you have to crib for an exam. I mean a rollicking great thriller, or a classic Victorian spinechiller, or an autobiography of that sporting hero you’ve always admired. When was the last time you tucked yourself up in bed with Stephen King, Jane Austen or Terry Pratchett?

World Book Day promotes the idea of reading for pleasure. There is a wealth of evidence that shows that reading for pleasure – just the pure, unalloyed enjoyment of it – is important for personal development and helps in educational success. It stimulates the imagination, brings comfort, expands your horizons, helps to build social connections and promotes better health and well-being. All that from a book!

World Book Day is specifically aimed at children. But we want to remind you that reading for pleasure is like riding a bike – once learned, you never forget how to do it. So, if it’s been a while since you picked up a book just for the sake of it, why not do so today and re-discover that childlike state of wonder that only books create. As far as I’m concerned, the best thing about reading for pleasure is that I get lost in my own personal world and nobody else gets a look in.

World Book Day is celebrated on the first Thursday of March. But feel free to pick up a book on any day of the week, any month of the year. And if you happen to be in any of our libraries when you do so, why not pull up a chair, sit back and settle into your story.

Check out our relaxation space to settle into your story and find out more about World Book Day in Scotland.

By Lesley McRobb

A lover of books, read all our previous posts. 

Library Training

Library Training

The library offers a wide range of training events to help you with your studies.

Trimester 2 is rolling in and not to add panic but soon assignments and exams will be coming up. Here at the library, we want to help where we can. We run sessions that are in-person or online to help with your studies. Workshops and events are here to help you get started with the skills you need for success at University. There are bookable sessions on a range of different topics and regular drop-ins on different campuses.

Training Calendar

You can find them all on our training and events calendar. Sessions are available for all modules and levels and can range from a basic introduction to using LibrarySearch and academic journals for first-year students to subject-specific research sessions for postgraduate students and staff.

We have basic information sessions or more in-depth sessions looking at literature reviews, references management and copyright. These sessions run throughout the year so don’t worry, they are not a one-off.

If these times don’t work or you prefer a one-on-one session, you can contact your subject librarians or contact us via email, phone or ask at the help desk.

Subject Guide Training

We also have our subject guides that are created and designed by your subject librarian.  Here you will also find out more about the resources and support available from the Library.  ​You will also find libguides which are also created by subject librarians. There, you will find more information about courses and databases.

And you also read our previous posts about helpful library information.

Leap Year: Origins and Interesting Traditions

Leap Year: Origins and Interesting Traditions

Today is the 29th of February, so read about Leap Year: Origins and Interesting Traditions

Introduction: Why do we have a Leap Year?

Happy new (leap) year from the blog team everybody! Ever wondered why February has that one extra day added to the calendar every four years? It is all primarily to do with the sun, and how the Earth’s orbit around it is not completely aligned with its rotation on the sun’s axis. Because of this, it takes our planet 365 ¼ days to rotate around the sun.

Even though this is only a tiny discrepancy, it would eventually knock our calendar year off course. So an extra day was added to make up 366 days every four years to establish a strong synchronisation with the solar year and calendar year. Nevertheless, we also skip a leap year every century unless the year is divisible by 400 to maintain this synchronisation. You know just to make things seem even more confusing! So, for example, we have skipped a leap year in the years 1700 and 1900, but not in the years 1600 or 2000. This means that the year 2100 will be a common year in future terms.

History and Origins of Leap Year

For centuries, different cultures have strategized and tested various ways of keeping the calendar year aligned with the seasons. There were a few cultures who did not only add an extra day when the necessity arose. They would sometimes add an extra week or even an extra month! Then, in 46 B.C., Roman Emperor Julius Ceasar proposed adding an extra day to February every four years. This was the advice given by astronomer Sosigenes. From this emerged the Egyptian solar calendar which divided the 365 ¼ period into twelve months each containing 30 or 31 days in total, albeit February. This has been nicknamed the ‘Julian Calendar’ because of its founding father.

Nevertheless, a tiny discrepancy remained which led to the first introduction of the Gregorian Calendar in 1582. Several European countries such as Italy, France, Spain and Portugal were first to adopt the Gregorian Calendar in 1582. This reformed calendar saw the leap year being skipped when any ‘century’ years not divisible by 400 arose. By the time the Gregorian Calendar was introduced in England, this error had increased to a total of eleven days. A decision was made in the year 1752 for the 2nd of September to be followed by the 14th of September, skipping the days in between. These are often referred to as the ‘lost days’ – and their loss was felt majorly.  There were outbreaks of rioting and civil unrest, people demanding these eleven days to be brought back. These riots were known as The English Calendar riots of 1752.

Romantic Traditions of Leap Year

Love is in the air – across the world, leap year is known to have a few unique romantic traditions. The most notable one is that women will often propose to men on the 29th of February. This tradition emerged after Queen Margaret of Scotland brought in a new law that permitted women to propose to men on leap day in  1288. Women will also traditionally don a red petticoat on this day to make their intentions clear. If their man rejected the proposal, he was obligated by law to provide either enough fabric to make a dress or twelve pairs of gloves. It has since spread vastly across Europe and beyond.

Superstitions and Statistics…

The chances of being born on the 29th of February are extremely slim – one in 1,461, to be precise. This is effective because a leap day only occurs every 1,461 days. In Scotland, it is even believed to be unlucky to be born on a leap day.  The negative superstitions about leap years do not stop here as well. During the Roman era in Italy, the month of February was associated with death. And its extension was viewed to be prolonging this alleged period of doom and gloom. In Greece, it is widely believed that weddings which take place during a leap year will soon be followed by divorce.  It’s not all about those romantic traditions.

Celebrations

Despite the superstitions surrounding leap year, many still like to toast the occasion and celebrate it. In fact, there was a famous alcoholic beverage made to traditionally celebrate Leap Day at the Savoy Hotel located in London.  Invented by famous bartender Harry Craddock. Its ingredients consist of Grand Marnier, gin, lemon juice and vermouth.  The recipe for this cocktail can be found in Craddock’s famous The Savoy Cocktail Book, should you wish to mix your own this year.

Anthony, a small town in Texas, is recognised as the Leap Year Capital worldwide as it is a global hub for celebrations and festivals. This all began in 1988 when neighbours Birdie Lewis and Mary Ann Brown, who were both born on leap day, proposed the creation of a leap year festival. Since it’s approval, it has been celebrated every four years and evolved into a four-day-long event with people travelling from all over the world. It consists of parades, food, music, and even hot air balloon lifts. If you were born on a leap day, that sounds like the ideal location to celebrate!

To Conclude…

And this does indeed mean that our campus libraries will be open for one extra day this year.  We have just the book for you:  ‘The Observer’s Year: 366 Nights of the Universe Moore’ should you want to learn more about leap year. But otherwise, we hope you have found this blog post to be interesting and informative!

By Rachel Downie

Photo sources Glen Carrie

LIke superstitions, you can read previous articles here 

Changes at Craiglockhart Library

Changes at Craiglockhart Library

We wanted to let you know about some changes which have been made to the study spaces at Craiglockhart Library. Following the removal of the rolling stacks, a bright and spacious area was created and it was decided to move the collaborative desks there. Some social seating has been installed in the space created once the desks were moved, and this is already proving popular. The relaxation space will be made slightly larger too. We hope you like the changes!

Craiglockhart libraryCraiglockhart library Craiglockhart library

 

Feedback

Remember we always love feedback, you can email anytime at library@napier.ac.uk

Check out our library webpages for the latest updates 

 

And you read previous posts about the changes to our library

By Vivienne Hamilton

A History of Valentine’s Day

A History of Valentine’s Day

‍Love, Legends, and Lupercalia: A Fascinating Journey through the History of Valentine’s Day ‍

Valentine’s Day, a day filled with love, romance, and heartfelt gestures. But have you ever wondered about the origins and true history of this beloved holiday?

Origins of Valentine’s Day: Lupercalia and ancient Roman traditions

To truly understand the history of Valentine’s Day, we must travel back to ancient Rome and explore the festival known as Lupercalia. Celebrated on the ides of February, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture. It was a raucous affair, filled with feasting, dancing, and even a unique matchmaking ritual. Young men would draw the names of young women from a jar, and the pairings would last for the duration of the festival, often leading to lasting relationships and even marriage.

But where does St. Valentine come into the picture? The connection between Lupercalia and Valentine’s Day is believed to have been established by the early Christian church. To Christianize pagan traditions. Pope Gelasius I declared February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day, commemorating the martyrdom of St. Valentine, a priest who defied Emperor Claudius II’s ban on marriage and continued to perform weddings in secret. Thus, the celebration of love became intertwined with the story of St. Valentine.

The legend of St. Valentine: The real story behind the holiday

The true history of St. Valentine remains shrouded in mystery, with several legends and narratives surrounding his life and martyrdom. One popular story depicts St. Valentine as a compassionate and kind-hearted man who, while imprisoned, healed the blind daughter of his jailer. Before his execution, it is said that he wrote a heartfelt letter signed “Your Valentine” to the young girl, thus giving birth to the tradition of sending love letters on Valentine’s Day.

Interesting fact: Saint Valentine is also the patron saint of Epilepsy. Read more on this through Librarysearch.

However, it is important to note that the true history of St. Valentine is still a subject of debate among historians, and the details of his life may forever remain elusive. Nevertheless, the legend of St. Valentine has played a significant role in shaping the holiday we know and cherish today.

Valentine’s Day cards

Valentine’s Day cards, also known as “valentines,” have become synonymous with the holiday, but their origins can be traced back to the 15th century. It was during this time that handwritten love notes and tokens of affection began to gain popularity in Europe. These early valentines were often intricate and ornate, adorned with lace, ribbons, and even locks of hair. They were exchanged between lovers, friends, and family members as a heartfelt expression of love and admiration.

As the printing press revolutionized the way information was disseminated, the production of valentines became more widespread. In the 19th century, mass-produced Valentine cards became readily available, making it easier for people to express their affection to loved ones. These cards featured elaborate designs, sentimental verses, and whimsical illustrations, capturing the essence of romance and enchantment.

The commercialisation of Valentine’s Day

In the 20th century, Valentine’s Day transformed from a simple celebration of love to a commercialized extravaganza. The rise of the printing industry, advancements in technology, and the growth of consumer culture all contributed to the commercialisation of the holiday. Retailers seized the opportunity to capitalize on the emotions associated with Valentine’s Day, marketing everything from chocolates and flowers to jewellery and extravagant gifts.

As the holiday gained popularity, it became increasingly intertwined with popular culture, with movies, songs, and advertisements promoting the idea of lavish and grand gestures. Today, Valentine’s Day is a multi-billion dollar industry, with couples and singles alike participating in the festivities, whether through romantic dinners, gift exchanges, or simply expressing love and appreciation for those closest to them.

Valentine’s Day traditions around the world: Exploring unique customs and celebrations

While Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries, each culture has its own unique traditions and customs associated with the holiday. In Japan, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity for women to express their affection by giving chocolates to men. However, it is not only romantic love that is celebrated. On February 14th in Finland, for example, Valentine’s Day is known as “Friendship Day,” a time to honour and cherish friendships.

In South Korea, Valentine’s Day is not limited to a single day but is celebrated over an entire month. On February 14th, women give chocolates to men, and on March 14th, known as “White Day,” men reciprocate by giving gifts to women. These diverse traditions remind us that love is a universal language, transcending cultural boundaries and bringing people together.

Valentine’s isn’t just for couples! Don’t forget you can share the love with anyone, from family to friends (personally I love to celebrate Galentine’s Day with my friends). Whether you embrace the commercialised aspects of the holiday or opt for a more meaningful celebration, Valentine’s Day serves as a reminder to cherish and appreciate the people we hold dear.

Resources

Want to deep dive into all things romance? Why not check out an entire Journal dedicated to the subject: The Journal of Romance Studies. Alternatively, get comfy on the sofa with a wealth of romantic movies all freely available through Box of Broadcasts.

By Juliet Kinsey

Read about how wonderful your Library is here on the blog with our posts on “love your Library

Image Source: Image by Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay

World Radio Day

World Radio Day

13th February marks World Radio Day  🎶 play Radio Gaga by Queen 🎶

What is World Radio Day?

Declared by UNESCO in 2011 and then proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2012, February 13th became World Radio Day. The objective of the day is simple, to celebrate the radio, as a public service, as a network and communication. February 13th was chosen to celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Radio in 1946 (Wikipedia.org/World Radio Day). And as UNESCO states on their website ‘In an era marked by the dizzying speed of technological innovation, the radio beginning in its second century as dependable and widely utilize’ (UNESCO.org)

The History of the Radio

Canadian Reginald Fessenden is the pioneer of the radio and in December 1906, his voice was broadcasted.  The radio was crucial to the First World War and heavily relied upon. It wasn’t until the 1920s that radio resembled what it is today, filled with speakers and music. The 1950s saw a boom in radio broadcasting programmes (dramas to comedy), music and adverts.  it is considered the Golden Age.  One of the most famous programmes was the War of Worlds.  However, soon Radio would be competing with the world of television (Britannica/radio)

The radio was a huge revolution in the world of communication. News became instantly accessible. It changed consumer world with advertising. It transformed the world of music, making it the venture it is today. (university of Minnesota) 

The Radio and the Library

Interested in radio, you can browse our expansive library catalgoue till your hearts content.  This includes databases such as the wonderful world of Box of Broadcasts.   You can also browse the school of Creative Arts and Industries subject guides. Here you can find more of the impact of radio.

 

Interested in more United Nations Day, have a browse here

 

Photo Source Anmol Arora Unsplash 

 

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