Month: August 2024

Librarians on Holidays

29/08/2024 / mayagreen / 0 Comments

Librarians on Holidays

What do Librarians get up to when they go on Holiday? We go to and visit libraries around the world, of course.

Between the team, we have visited many libraries around the globe—enough to form a recommendation list. So when you are next travelling, why not pop into a library?

European Holidays

Starting off in France. An excerpt from one of our colleagues:

I visited the Conde Musee library at the Chateau de Chantilly near Paris several years ago. It was one of the most amazing libraries I’ve visited. We went to see the art gallery specifically but found that there was so much more to see. The library holds vast collections of books from the Middle Ages, and many rare illuminated manuscripts, mainly collected by Heni d’Orleans, who was one of the greatest collectors of his time. The reading room was designed to showcase all the manuscripts collected by Henri d’Orleans and many of the previous owners of the chateau, and many of the most beautifully bound books are also on display there. It holds the Très riches heures du duc de Berry. A book of hours by the Limbourg brothers, commissioned by the Duke of Berry in the 15^th century and said to be the most beautiful illuminated manuscript in the world. It was purchased by Henri d’Orleans in 1856. We were lucky to see it in the original but it is now displayed in digital form most of the time to preserve it. There is also a book on the life of St Denis, which is one of the few embroidered bindings made in France which has been preserved and has the initials of Marie de Medici enhanced with pearls on the front and dates from 1629. Certainly worth a visit if you’re in the area!

Looking elsewhere in Europe, may we recommend the following:

Trinity College Dublin Library: The largest library in Ireland dating back to 1592. The Book of Kells Exhibition has attracted visitors since the 18^th Century to see a 9th-century gospel manuscript. All inside the incredible Old Library You can visit 7 days a week and tour the magnificent library. (tcd.ie/library/about/history.php)

The Klementinum Astronomical Tower and Baroque Library: After Prague Castle, it is the second largest building in Prague. Albert Einstein taught there and Wolfgang Amademus Mozart played. Located in the old town, it was originally founded as a Jesuit College in 1556, before merging with Charles University in 1622. Baroque Library wasn’t founded till 1722. The library is decorated in frescoes and nods to Greek mythology. The library is home to over 6 million items and hosts the ‘longest continuous series of meteorological observations in Europe’ which dates back to 1775. (prague.eu/en/objevujte/the-clementinum-astronomical-tower-and-baroque-library) A tour is a must.

We also want to give mention to the Royal Danish Library. And if you are looking closer to home, we have Manchester Central Library, Bodleian Libraries in Oxford and Ornkey Public Library.

Libraries further Abroad

Starting off in the United States, we want to give special mentions to:

Boston Main Library: Founded in 1848 and ‘was the first large free municipal library in the United States’ (bpl.org/bpl-history/) and became a National Historic Landmark in 1986. You can find over 23 million items including works from Mozart and Shakespeare. The central library has been home to art and architecture spanning three centuries. One of the founding principles of the library was to be welcoming to all. The design keeps that in mind. It was ‘to be a palace of people’s own’ (bpl.org/art-architecture/).

New York Public Library : The largest public in the United States. The library is home to over 54 million items including originals from James Baldwin to Augusta Savage. The New York Public Library is an iconic feature of Midtown.

Moving from the States, the National Digital Library of Korea. The newest library on the list opened in 2009. Often refer as dibrary, combining library and digital. A Part of the National Library of Korea, it has over 264 million items. The building won an architecture award. The library was created in response to the growing digitisation of information and resources, to preserve the efforts of libraries for future generations.

Now we might be biased but we fully recommend visiting a library on your travels, you never know what you might find.

Like our recommendations, we also have a recommended reading list.

Photo by Alejandro Barba Unsplash

Librarians and libraries

28/08/2024 / mayagreen / 0 Comments

Librarians and libraries

Librarians go on holidays, of course, but that doesn’t make us less of passionate about Libraries in general. At least I personally find it difficult to go away and “switch off” the curiosity about a service that is more than ever-changing and its similarities and differences.

Public Libraries

Just a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit and use the public premises of the library I used to go in the town where I grew up. Despite the passage of time, and the different ways I have been involved in libraries (as a student, as a user, and finally as a professional), up to this day. It’s a trip that I could do blindsided.

Despite of the different locations and countries, the sense of familiarity among the shelves and, the endless enthusiasm about (free!) books, over time my conception of those spaces has been “challenged”, as its best.

Sadly, and beyond homesickness feelings, it is impossible to deny that Public Libraries have lost the important role/attention that they have had from Society and politicians in the past. There were fewer users, than I wished for, and that happens there and here.

If you want a first-hand testimony of how Public Libraries work and face challenges in Scotland. Plus some wider indirect conversations like Mental Health Awareness or Poverty, check the book “The Librarian: The Library Saved Her. Now She Wants To Save The Library”, by Allie Morgan.

Edinburgh Libraries

Just to bring this to your attention, the City of Edinburgh Council has been revising their service in their “Edinburgh Future Libraries strategy 2024 to 2029” plan. This aims to set up a new vision for Edinburgh’s Libraries to provide the framework. Looking at service delivery and development for public and school libraries over the next five years

As an avid reader, and an advocate for libraries I can’t help but wonder a bit about the outcome of those plans, especially in the long run.

Even in days when the overwhelming offer of entertainment that we have at hand (pun intended, I mean our smartphones!). I am still an advocate for Libraries, especially public ones. Possibly because I am glued to the idea and memories that. But among books, there is entertainment, learning and somehow solace, at a different and calmer pace.

E.Pastor Alventosa

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post about our international library visits.

Interested about studying at other libraries, we have SCONUL

Photo by Tobias Fischer

Edinburgh Napier at the Fringe

20/08/2024 / mayagreen / 0 Comments

Edinburgh Napier at the Fringe

August has come around again and while we’re all hard at work trying to get the campus libraries ready for the upcoming academic year, its hard not to get distracted by all the shows on at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It’s especially difficult to not get distracted this year because it turns out that Napier will be getting some representation in the festival.

The Fringe Show

Ted Carlson Webster is one of our PhD students at the university’s School of Applied Sciences. He specialises in researching the phenomenon of false memories, with a particular focus on how these relate to fake news. Last year Ted appeared at the Fringe as part of The Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas. A series of shows at The Stand comedy club combines academic research and stand-up comedy. Granting academics a platform to discuss and present their findings on under-discussed and overlooked research subjects. While stand-up comedian Susan Morrison hosts and helps to give the discussion a comedic spin. Last year, Ted presented his show “Fact Checking Fact Checks”. He looked at the spread of fake news. He analysed the common ways in which people try to combat its circulation. As well as looking into research around fact-checking to discuss if simply fact checking was an effective preventative measure.

This year, Ted returns to the Fringe as part of the 2024 slate for The Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas with his new show, “Make More Fake News!”. Returning again to his topic of expertise. This time, Ted will be looking into Inoculation Theory. A recent form of research which posits that people can be helped to better understand and resist fake news if they’ve seen firsthand how it is created. As part of the show, Ted will be teaching people how to create fake news articles.

Fringe Show Research

Ted’s research into fake news should of course be of interest to everyone. But we in the library are taking a particular interest in it. Especially because of how it overlaps with the growth in popularity of generative AI technology. A great deal of fake news material, particularly images, is created using AI tools. The university has taken an interest in wanting to educate our students about the role that AI has in their lives. We hope that Ted’s show will be a great opportunity for everyone. Learning how fake news operates, and how to spot it. As well as allowing them to better understand the potential dangers of AI images and content. Plus, it gives the public the chance to see some of the work that is being conducted by our research students!

If all this makes your show, “Make More Fake News!” will be performed at The Stand Comedy Club on the 24^th of August at 12:00 as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Further information, as well as where to buy tickets, can be found on the page for the event on the Edinburgh Fringe website: Make More Fake News! | Spoken Word | Edinburgh Festival Fringe (edfringe.com)

By Matthew Ferrie

Don’t forget our previous article about the Edinburgh International Book Festival

Photo by Chad Stembridge Unsplash

Edinburgh International Book Festival 2024

07/08/2024 / mayagreen / 0 Comments

Edinburgh International Book Festival

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is coming.

As the yearly Edinburgh Fringe Festival starts the emerge throughout the city centre of Edinburgh, the Edinburgh International Book Festival follows not long after. We as library staff, of course, were not going to pass on an opportunity to promote any events involving books, so do read on if you would like to find out more about what this yearly festival celebrating reading, writing and creativity truly has to offer!

General Information: About the Book Festival

Running from the 10^th until the 25^th of August. The Edinburgh International Book Festival hosts a range of famous and well-known authors, artists, performers, and thinkers from across the globe. It provides visitors with the opportunity to engage. Authors will usually sign copies of their books for visitors attending their event. There is also a variety of family-friendly, online, and late-night events to suit a range of different audiences. The festival itself is held at the Edinburgh Futures Institute. Which is situated near a wide variety of restaurants, so you are essentially spoiled for choice regarding food and drink! There are also many green spaces such as the Meadows and Holyrood Park close by should you prefer to take a picnic – weather-dependent.

What’s on – Edinburgh International Book 2024…

With just over 550 authors showing face at this year’s International Book Festival in Edinburgh, including well-known writers such as Margaret Atwood, Matt Haig, Ian Rankin and Val McDermid. There is an extensive range of events that visitors can attend. So meet the famous faces behind their favourite novels and literary works. Author events are also sometimes available to attend online. A full programme of these events with dates and times and a link to book them can be found on their Events List webpage.

Unsure of where to take the kids next these summer holidays? A large number of events held at the Edinburgh International Book Festival are family-friendly. Some of the most popular events include the Gruffalo Trail, Meet Pikachu, Rhymetime with Joy Tots, Are you Sitting Comfortably and several Bookbug sessions too. Want to know the best part about all these family-friendly events as well? They are completely free of charge to attend! The events are often held in the EFI Children’s tent, Courtyard Meeting Point or Venue C. Further information about these family-friendly events can be found on their What’s on? webpage under the ‘Events for families’ tab.

And for our night owls – the Edinburgh International Book Festival also hosts various late-night events, including a pub quiz and even a Ceilidh! These events often run up to 22:30pm and even 23:00pm at the very latest – you can find out more about these late-night functions on their What’s on? webpage under the ‘Late Night Events’ tab.

Accessibility and Inclusion…

Edinburgh International Book Festival is committed to promoting and practising accessibility and inclusivity. They provide a platform for the voices of individuals which are often overlooked. Making it one of their primary objectives to eliminate barriers to access for those who do not view themselves as a typical book-festival audience attendee or stereotype. In alignment with these values, they also work closely with the local community including educational institutions, public libraries, hospitals, the prison sector and various community hubs to promote a love of and engagement with reading throughout demographics of all ages and backgrounds.

As some events are held virtually, this also means that they are accessible for those who cannot attend in person. All live-streamed events and some in-person functions also offer a ‘Pay What You Can’ .

Library Recommendations…

Books by some of your favourite authors from the Edinburgh International Book Festival can be found in our three campus libraries. See below links to a couple of titles.

The Handmaids Tale/Margaret Atwood, 1996, London: Vintage, The handmaid’s tale – Edinburgh Napier University (exlibrisgroup.com)
Wilderness Tips/Margaret Atwood, 2010, London: Virago, Wilderness tips – Edinburgh Napier University (exlibrisgroup.com)
The Humans/Matt Haig, 2016, Edinburgh: Canongate Books, The humans – Edinburgh Napier University (exlibrisgroup.com)
The Comfort Book/Matt Haig, 2022, Edinburgh: Canongate, The comfort book – Edinburgh Napier University (exlibrisgroup.com)
Watchman/Ian Rankin, 2006, London: Orion, Watchman – Edinburgh Napier University (exlibrisgroup.com)
Hide and Seek/Ian Rankin, 2005, London: Orion, Hide & seek – Edinburgh Napier University (exlibrisgroup.com)

By Rachel Downie

Have a look at what to do in Edinburgh over the Summer.

Photo by Jessica Ruscello Unsplash

Sighthill facilities. Imacs in the library. Eresources and accessibility

New Reading Lists Interface

05/08/2024 / mayagreen / 0 Comments

New Reading Lists Interface

You have noticed something different if you have been looking at our reading lists lately. A new interface was launched on the 22^nd of July. All the key features remain the same, but a new and improved workflow. So what does this mean for creating a reading list.

Making reading lists using Leganto

Did you know that ENU has a tool that allows you to curate your own reading lists and share them with others? To have a go, log into Leganto and click on ‘create list’. For more information, go to our Reading List LibGuide.

If you are a lecturer, you can associate a reading list with your module code so that students can automatically view any course and further suggested readings. You can also add other resources such as videos, podcasts, and websites to the lists using the ‘Cite it’ feature.

If you’ve used Leganto before, you might have noticed that it looks a bit different. We upgraded to a new user interface in July. The new look of the reading lists makes things easier to navigate. Changes include making it easier to publish your reading lists and add resources to your favourites. If you’d like to learn more about the changes to Leganto or discover how to make your own reading list, sign up to one of our online training sessions.

Take a look at the updates and get inspired for summer reading by checking out this list of suggested summer readings. All the books are available from the library.

A look at the previous interface:

And a look at the new interface:

If you are not familiar with libguides, read about them here.

Month: August 2024

Librarians on Holidays

Librarians on Holidays