The Library Blog

Edinburgh Napier University

Month: September 2024

Merchiston Library and information

International Day of Universal Access to Information

28/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

International Day of Universal Access to Information

Universal access to information is not only recognised as possessing great significance worldwide, but is also viewed as a fundamental right protected by many constitutions across the globe. Access to information encourages transparency, democracy and progression. It also allows the public to hold public authorities and constituencies to account as well as allowing for informed debates and negotiations to occur, thus being more productive in practice. In today’s digital era today, it empowers individuals and groups across the world and fosters innovative practices and actions. The promotion of inclusivity, social progression, and the encouragement of informed negotiations, cannot be understated.

Background…

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) officially proclaimed the 28th of September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). This was declared on the 17th of November 2015 in recognition of the importance of universal access to information and the right to seek, receive and transmit information. Four years later, the International Day for Universal Access to information was also proclaimed on the 28th of September on a UN level by the 74th UN General Assembly in October 2019. From 2016 onwards, the International Day for Universal Access promoted by UNESCO had already spanned across roughly 26 countries around the world.

The International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) primarily promotes a worldwide commitment to ensure that individuals and groups across the globe can feasibly access, search for and openly communicate information. The right to universal access to information greatly coincides with the right to freedom of the press. As the media relies on the feasibility of receiving and seeking out information to provide the public with crucial updates or information about issues of interest. Another relevant act is the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), enacted in over 70 countries across the globe and enshrined in constituencies in over 80 countries overall.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOI)…

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) allows for citizens to access information held by public authorities. It does this by enforcing that public authorities publish certain or significant information about their activities as well as allowing for members of the public to request information from public authorities as a given right. The Act itself covers all information recorded and held by public authorities and institutions throughout England, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as UK-wide public authorities in Scotland. The key principles of the FOI act are as follows:

  • All individuals and groups have the right to access any information which is made official.
  • Applicants and requesters are not required to provide a reason behind their wish to access official information. Anyone can also make a freedom of information request without having to be a UK citizen or resident. Any refusal made toward a freedom of information request must be justified.
  • All freedom of information requests must be treated equally albeit situations involving vexatious requests or personal data. This also means that any information disclosed is information you would disclose to any other patron or group that asked for it.

    Digital Access and Poverty…

    Our digital era has made information more easily accessible than ever. And more so with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and e-governance which can be utilised to conquer the digital divide by providing tailored and accessible content. At the click of a button, individuals can find and gain access to information. Information regarding public authorities and government services. This is essential for maintaining a fair and equitable society. However, digital poverty remains a significant issue worldwide. In some areas and regions. According to the Digital Poverty Alliance website, 26% of young people do not have access to a laptop or relevant device. 53% of people also cannot afford an average monthly broadband bill. Digital exclusion and poverty, if unaddressed can have a detrimental effect on economic, financial circumstances of individuals and societies as well as exacerbating linguistic, racial and gender issues.

    How the library can help…

    Our libraries have a wide range of physical and digital resources and devices which can help you access all of the essential information you will require for your course and university career. As well as our physical resources and books, you can find many online versions and digitised copies of resources within our collection through LibrarySearch (exlibrisgroup.com). You can also find all of the information you may need when using our campus libraries through Library (napier.ac.uk).  In need of a laptop to access this information and our online resources? Our lapsafe laptops  can be loaned out to patrons for a maximum of 14 days before they have to be returned.  Our lapsafe lockers located in each campus library, the JKCC and Bainfield student accommodation. If you think you need a laptop for longer, we also have our Digital Access Scheme. Find out more about our laptop loans at Laptops to loan (napier.ac.uk).

     

    Further Reading…

    Freedom of information – Edinburgh Napier University (exlibrisgroup.com) – Available at Merchiston.

    An open Scotland: freedom of information: a consultation – Edinburgh Napier University (exlibrisgroup.com) – Available at Sighthill.

    Freedom of information manual – Edinburgh Napier University (exlibrisgroup.com) – Available at Craiglockhart Law Hub.

     

    More resources can be found in Craiglockhart Law Hub and through Librarysearch.

     

    By Rachel Downie

     

    Read about the library and information.

     

     

     

library review

Library Spaces

23/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

Library Spaces

All campus libraries at Edinburgh Napier offer a variety of different study spaces.  Let’s have a brief introduction to the library.

There are areas with PCs and Macs and sockets for laptop use. We also offer:

Group Study Rooms

These rooms are very popular for groups to study or work on presentations. They can be booked using the Resource Booker tile on the myNapier app. As well as a collaborative desk there is also a whiteboard in the rooms. We recommend booking as the rooms will be in high demand throughout the year.  Below is what looks like via the app,

Resource booker app

Collaborative desks

These desks offer additional space for group work, but not inside a room. They are available at Craiglockhart and Sighthill campuses on a first come first served basis and are not bookable. Priority is given to groups so individuals who use them may be asked to move.

Collaborative desks

Group Study pods

Craiglockhart and Merchiston campus libraries have pods which can accommodate several students, pods at Sighthill accommodate 2 people. They have a power supply and table. They are not bookable.

Study pod at Craiglockhart

 

Family rooms

Craiglockhart and Merchiston campus libraries offer a family study room which can be booked using Resource Booker. This room has a small selection of books and toys for children whose parents are coming onto campus to study.

Silent study rooms

Each campus has a silent study room for those who prefer peace and quiet whilst they are working. No talking is allowed and spaces are not bookable.

Individual booths

These are small booths for individual study and are not bookable. They are available at all campuses.

 

Silent area Merchiston library

Adjustable height desks and assistive technology PCs

All campus libraries have these desks and PCs with software installed to provide support to students with a range of disabilities. A selection of ergonomic keyboards and mice, noise-cancelling headphones, laptop riser stands and coloured overlays are available for everyone to borrow from the library.

Adjustable desk Craiglockhart

Rise Standing Desks

These are provided for students who prefer to stand whilst working.

Relaxation spaces

We have provided these spaces in each library to give students a space to take time out from their studies. Books, jigsaws and adult colouring are provided as well as information and suggestions on the benefits of taking some time out.

Relaxation area Sighthill

Here are a few things to bear in mind when using our library spaces:

Wifi

Log into Eduroam using your full Edinburgh Napier email address and password for free wifi.

Security gates

All libraries have security gates at the entrances and we ask that if the alarm sounds you come back to the library helpdesk.

Waste and recycling bins

In order to keep libraries clean and tidy please dispose of all food and drink waste in the bins provided.

If you have any questions about our library spaces please ask at any library helpdesk. We are happy to help.

By Vivienne Hamiliton

You can read more about our library spaces on our webpages

Or follow the blog for more library information.

Creepy community – The White Lady of Comiston

21/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

Creepy community – The White Lady of Comiston

A fan of local ghost stories? Have you heard about the White Lady of Cominston? A creepy community.

Not far from Craiglockhart campus lies the suburb of Oxgangs which borders onto the suburb of Comiston. This area used to be farmland until the local council constructed houses in Oxgangs in the 1950s and 1960s for Edinburgh’s growing population. There were several farms there previously. And this is reflected in some of the street names such as Oxgangs Farm Drive. When out walking in the area I came across a lane with a more unusual name – White Lady Walk.  There was ruined stonework nearby and I decided to investigate further!

The White Lady of Comiston

The lane is accessed from a main path called Cockmylane. This runs along the eastern border of the Oxgangs 1950s/60s housing development and what is now Pentland Primary School. Now a well-maintained path, it formed part of the route used by Robert Louis Stevenson to visit the family holiday home in Swanston village. Turning off Cockmylane, White Lady Walk cuts through woods. It is believed that a defensive structure stood from possibly as far back as the 14th century. Currently, only a tower remains which is said to date from the late 16th or early 17th century. It was used defensively but was later used as a dovecot. Later Old Comiston House stood here. It lay ruined for some time. And the tower now forms part of the wall around the property conversion of the house stables.

The area has clearly been inhabited for hundreds of years and it is quite eerie and secluded. It’s not hard to imagine that people sense something strange here but when did people start to see the White Lady?

The Ghost Story of Comiston

There is a written account of a ghostly encounter which featured in Edinburgh: Picturesque Notes by Robert Louis Stevenson published in 1878:

The district is dear to the superstitious. Hard by, at the back-gate of Comiston, a belated carter beheld a lady in white, ‘with the most beautiful, clear shoes upon her feet,’ who looked upon him in a very ghastly manner and then vanished.

There’s no more mention of the White Lady until the 1960s. In October 1965 some children from the nearby primary school at the time, Hunter’s Tryst (now closed), had gone up to the woods in their break and some of the schoolgirls claimed to have seen the White Lady. They were very frightened and the headmaster acted, banning the schoolchildren from visiting the old farm buildings and surrounding woods. The police also became involved. Children claim to have seen the lady again in the 1970s and she was spotted by another group at the window of the ruined buildings.

Nowadays there are many hillwalkers and mountain bikers using the main path to get to the Pentland Hills, but there don’t seem to be any current sightings of the lady, however dog walkers report that their dogs feel uneasy around the area. I decided to borrow a dog and take a walk along the lane to see if this was the case. We set off along the lane and at first Luna seemed perfectly happy. Around halfway along she stopped, pricked her ears up and was reluctant to go any further. Had she sensed something or was it just the noisy magpies unsettling her?

Unfortunately I have been unable to find out the supposed identity of the White Lady. A farmer’s wife or daughter, or perhaps an earlier inhabitant of the defensive structure? Whoever she was she has left an impression on several people, enough for the council to name the lane after her.

White lady walk Cockmylane sign

By Vivienne Hamiliton

 

Interested in ghost stories, we have plenty. 

 

 

Academic skills

Academic Skills

18/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

Academic Skills

Now that Freshers Week is finished classes have officially started for the year. And already we’ve had some new students asking us about what ways they can prepare for their coursework. And how to build up the confidence they need for their assignments later in the year. With this in mind, we think it would be a good idea to make everybody aware of the university’s Academic Skills team.

 

Academic Skills Team

The Academic Skills team are here to provide you with the advice and support you need to manage your university studies.  Helping you to develop the key skills and knowledge required to advance in your degree and achieve success in your coursework. The team are prepared to help students at every level of study. Any academic background, whether you’re a fresher just coming from school, a returning postgraduate, or a mature student. They even offer support to university staff members when we need it!
The support offered by the academic skills team covers practical aspects of the study. They cover advice for note-taking and planning out your workload, as well as more theoretical areas, such as critical thinking.

What do they do?

The Academic Skills team offer help in the form of one-on-one appointments with academic advisors. These can be arranged on the appointments page of myFuture.napier.ac.uk.  Or by contacting the team through their email address at academicskills@napier.ac.uk These sessions are informal and confidential. So don’t feel shy about getting in touch if you think you need some help with your studies.
You can also attend one of the team’s Academic Skills Workshops, which are live workshops hosted online to demonstrate and discuss fundamental skills needed for assessments and coursework. You can book a place for upcoming workshops on the Events & Workshops tab of MyFuture. There are also pre-recorded videos you can watch on Panopto, just in case you can’t attend any of the live sessions.

We’d also recommend you read the Academic Skills Blog. The blog is a great resource for keeping up to date with the Academic Skills team. As well as providing other quick support such as a page explaining some common academic words and phrases you might not be used to. There is a list of some useful guides explaining skills like referencing and essay structure. And a bank of helpful resources from a range of different places.

The Academic Skills team are happy to help you prepare for your studies and get you in the mindset to tackle the upcoming university year.

By Matthew Ferrie

Have a look at our previous study skills posts 

Or look at the mynapier study pages

Study Skills

Getting Started with the Library

10/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

Getting Started with the Library

Whether you are first-time student or coming back after a long Summer break. We understand that libraries can be daunting. Where to start is a big question. Starting today, we will run Getting Started with the Library to make it all easier.

The university library is a vital resource to support your studies.  So it is important to make the most of library services. This session will give you a quick introduction to using Edinburgh Napier University Library.

What will you find out from Getting Started with the Library

  • Find books, ebooks and journal articles using LibrarySearch.
  • Download the correct citation and permalink for items so that you can reference them in your University work.
  • Connect to Eduroam wifi and use the University App.
  • Use the library machines like our printer/scanners, self-service checkouts and laptop loan safes, and book our group study rooms.

If you have other questions, bring them along and we will answer them.

You must register for the sessions at our training and event calendar.

Here to Help

Can’t make a session but have a session. You can always get in touch by emailing library@napier.ac.uk, give us a call at 0131 455 3500 or pop along to the help desks.

Or check out our library webpages.

And you can keep with more information on the blog.

All the best with the upcoming academic year and don’t forget your library is here to support you.

welcome to our libraries

Welcome to ENU Libraries.

08/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

Welcome to ENU Libraries.

Welcome and welcome back to our libraries and to our library blog. Whether you are a new or returning student, you will find lots of useful information about the library, e.g., opening hours, services, and facilities, as well as information on special events so please keep an eye on the blog to keep up to date with what’s happening.

Here is some useful information to help you get started. Just click on the links for more details.

 

Our current library opening hours can be found here. The library help desks are staffed Monday – Friday from 08:45 – 16:45. Please be aware that our opening hours change during Trimester 3 and holiday periods. The NorMAN Out of Hours Service provides library support when the help desks are closed.

Welcome to Library Resources

LibrarySearch is the library catalogue which can be used to search for a wide range of books, articles, and ebooks. LibrarySearch provides details of all items on the library shelves as well as subscription databases including ebooks, ejournals, online multimedia and e-conference proceedings.

 

Library Loans. You can borrow and return books via the Self- Service Kiosks. They are really easy to use, just follow the on-screen instructions. When returning items, you can leave them in the return boxes beside the self-service kiosks after you have scanned them in.

 

Click and Collect services are available at each campus library. Items can be requested and will be held in our designated Click and Collect areas where you can pick them up at your convenience. The requested items will be held for seven days. Please remember to check your books out via the self-service kiosk.

 

Printing, scanning and copying is available using our Multi-Functional Devices (MFDs). MFDs are situated on all three campus libraries. You must ensure you have enough print credit to be able to print.

 

Laptops to Loan. Lapsafes are available at each campus library, JKCC and Bainfield where laptops can be borrowed for up to 14 days. The lapsafes are self-service and can be operated by scanning your student card.

 

Study Spaces.

We have a variety of study spaces available at each of our campus libraries. There are individual and collaborative study spaces as well as silent study areas.

Group Study Rooms are also available and can be booked up to 14 days in advance. You can check availability and book online via Resource Booker for a maximum of one two-hour slot per day.

 

Wellbeing Collections are available at each campus and have a range of books to support both your physical and mental health and well-being. There are also relaxation areas where you can take a break from studying and de-stress for a while by reading, playing games or doing some relaxing activities such as jigsaws and colouring.

 

Library Tours are available, either individually or as a group. We are more than happy to show you around our libraries whenever it is convenient for you.  This will highlight study areas, use facilities and how to search for and find books. Tours can be booked by completing a Personalised Library Tour Form.

 

LibCal is our training and events calendar. Be sure to look for any events which might help you to develop your academic skills and how to use the library. Check out our module Introduction to Computing and Library Services to find out about the services we offer.

Get Connected sessions are being run to help students set up access to Eduroam (our free University Wi-fi), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and the Edinburgh Napier App. The sessions will run across all three campuses from Monday 9th September until Friday 27th September 2024.

More information about our libraries is available on the My Napier Library Webpage so be sure to check it out.

Welcome to Edinburgh Napier University. We are looking forward to meeting you!

 

Contact Us

If you need help from the Library, please do not hesitate to contact us.

In Person at Library Help Desks (Mon -Fri: 08:45 – 16:45)

By Email: library@napier.ac.uk

By Phone: 0131 455 3500 (24/7)

You can also log and track your own issue and keep up to date with actions taken by using the Self-service desk.

By Sharon McMichael

Read about the changes over the Summer

Bright Red Triangle office

Bright Red Triangle

03/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

Bright Red Triangle

At Edinburgh Napier University, the spirit of entrepreneurship is alive and thriving, thanks to the Bright Red Triangle (BRT). Napier’s enterprise hub is not just a space; it’s a catalyst for innovation, offering a variety of resources and support to students, staff, and alumni with entrepreneurial ambitions.

Bright Red Triangle: A Supportive Network for All

Embarking on an entrepreneurial journey can be both exciting and daunting. Bright Red Triangle understands these challenges and has cultivated a supportive network that welcomes and values everyone. Whether you’re a student with a spark of an idea or an experienced professional looking to scale your business, BRT offers tailored support to help you succeed.

From Ideas to Impact

Transforming an idea into a successful business requires learning, growth, and collaboration. BRT facilitates this journey through initiatives like:

  • Free Business Advice from Enterprise Managers: The team provides mentorship, shares insights, and supports you throughout your entrepreneurial journey. For guidance, useful connections, or to bounce ideas, book an appointment here.
  • Offering free 24/7 Hotdesking: Our start-up studio provides a welcoming environment where entrepreneurs can connect, develop enterprise skills, and collaborate.
  • Freelance Academy: Tailored guidance for freelancers to thrive in their ventures.
  • Support for Women and Non-binary Leaders: Empowering underrepresented groups in entrepreneurship.

To further enrich this journey, BRT extends an international dimension through collaborations with global partners:

  • The Academic Programme for Entrepreneurship (APE): Connects students with global peers in Munich for an immersive enterprise bootcamp, enhancing their international business acumen and network.
  • Start for Future (SFF): An international consortium of entrepreneurial universities and business incubators working collaboratively to revolutionize university education. The SFF network provides a range of flexible programs tailored for students, graduates, researchers, and the wider community. Whether you wish to develop enterprise skills, connect with fellow researchers and academics, explore ways to embed entrepreneurship into your curriculum, or start and grow your startup, SFF offers the resources and connections to support every stage of your entrepreneurial journey.

Bright Red Triangle meeting

Lifelong Learning and Support
BRT’s commitment to its community extends beyond graduation. Alumni have access to a range of free support services, ensuring that the learning and growth continue long after leaving the university. Whether you’re looking to develop your business or simply stay connected with the entrepreneurial community, BRT is here to help.

Join the Bright Red Triangle Community

“I have been a member of BRT for a few years now, and they have had a massive impact on my journey! The whole team is absolutely brilliant, so supportive and friendly. I can see myself returning one day to give back and help support students and graduates. I would recommend BRT to any Napier student or graduate with an idea or plan.” – Adam Al-Khateb, AAL Property Solutions

Bright Red Triangle is more than just a hub; it’s a community of dreamers, doers, and innovators. It’s where ideas are nurtured, and success is celebrated.

Discover the opportunities and events at Bright Red Triangle – brightredtriangle.co.uk

Get started with BRT: brightredtriangle.co.uk/get-started-with-brt

bright red triangle

By Kendra Byers (Bright Red Triangle)

Contact Us

Email: library@napier.ac.uk

Telephone: 0131 455 3500

Bluesky: @ENULibrary

Instagram: @ENU_Library​

 

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