The Library Blog

Edinburgh Napier University

Month: September 2025 (Page 2 of 2)

Best online resources for finding news: Times Digital Archive & NexisUni

Inter library loans

12/09/2025 / / 0 Comments

Interlibrary loans

As a student or staff member at Edinburgh Napier, you can use our catalogue, Library Search, which provides access to thousands of books and articles. You can also use Google Scholar to search for articles which are free to access. Occasionally, you will be able to find book chapters and theses there too. Sometimes, even with these resources, it’s still not possible to get access to the item you need. That’s where our inter library loan (ILL) service comes in – all you have to do is fill out the appropriate form and the ILL team will check it and process it.

The ILL form can be found on the Library Search main page simply by clicking on the Interlibrary Loans tab

Inter Library Loan

First choose the correct form from the selection:

Inter Library Loan fees

It’s essential to select the correct form for either a book/book chapter request or an article request, as the two forms require different information. In both cases please provide as much information as possible. Choose the pickup location that suits you best and then submit the request. The request will show in our library management system, and the ILL team will check and process it and let you know if the item

  • is available in Edinburgh Napier stock
  • Is available using Google Scholar
  • if we are requesting the item from one of our partners.

Inter Library Loan Process

The team will use the JISC Library Hub Discover tool to determine which partner institution to request the item from. In the case of articles, the tool lets us see which years our partners are holding a journal for. If they hold the required year we will send the request to them, and they will then let us know if they can supply the item or not. There may be embargoes and they will be unable to do so. Our main partner was the British Librar,y but following a cyber-attack in 2023, they have been unable to supply and we are now sourcing from other universities and institutions such as the Royal Society of Medicine. Requests are processed all year round apart from during the festive break around Christmas and New Year.

Article and book chapter requests are supplied electronically and can be supplied very quickly. Books take much longer to be supplied and it can take as long as 3 weeks for a book to arrive with us. Books will be sent to the campus selected on the request form and you will receive an email notification that the book is available for collection. Please note that inter-library loans must be collected from the Library Helpdesk during staffed hours Monday-Friday, 8.45-16.45 and please bring your student/staff card.

There is no charge for ILL requests; however, Edinburgh Napier University Library is charged for items that are lost or damaged by our borrowers. We pass on this charge, plus any administrative costs, to the borrower.

Books can also be recalled by the external lending library who can ask us to return an ILL before its due date. If this happens, the ILL team will send an email to your university email account asking you to return it as soon as possible. You can return books at any point before their due date to library helpdesks during staffed hours, and it may be possible to ask the partner to extend the loan. We allow a maximum of 3 renewals.

So far this year we have requested over 500 items from our partners, and we have found many others for our users which were freely available. It’s been quite a busy year for inter library loans and we hope to continue providing this service to assist with your studies. If you have any questions you can contact us at ill@napier.ac.uk and if you are sure of which items you would like to access, feel free to place your requests.

 

By Vivienne Hamilton

Cyber attack on the british library

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

wellbeing study skills inclusion

Study Skills, Wellbeing and Inclusion

11/09/2025 / / 0 Comments

Study Skills, Wellbeing and Inclusion

Studying effectively, wellbeing and inclusion are three things that tend to go hand in hand when it comes to students’ progression and getting the best out of their experience as a university student. A big part of our role as a university institution is to provide our student community with the necessary tools, resources, and support. All tailored to meet all three of these needs throughout each phase of their university journey. We at the Edinburgh Napier libraries also love to see our student community and patrons thrive. Thrive in academic terms, in their career progression and in their own personal lives and development. Read on to see some of the resources, services we have available at the library to support you. Getting you through your studies in terms of study skills development, inclusion and accessibility, and personal wellbeing.

 

Study Skills…

In terms of books and resources, our research collection has an abundance of material. All of which can help you develop new study skills or enhance your current skillset as well. Our Research Collection resources and materials can be found in all three of our campus libraries. Within these collections there are most specific titles on literature searching and research. These are, of course, tailored to subjects within all Edinburgh Napier schools. We also have books and study guides on conducting qualitative and quantitative analyses, as well as referencing. And how to write a great dissertation or research paper. All available resources can be found and requested through LibrarySearch. You may even find one or even a couple more books you didn’t even realise you needed! All books can be checked out at our self-service kiosks and will automatically renew for up to four months, unless requested by another user. You will be notified if this is the case and will have seven days to return the book from when you are notified via email.

Study Skills: LibGuides

Our LibGuide is also a very useful webpage of ours regarding advice and tips on how to develop your study skills. There is even a page where you can measure your research performance as well! Each school also has a specific page created and written by our subject librarians with links to useful and relevant databases and websites for each course. You can find an A-Z list of all the relevant databases which we are subscribed to here as well, such as CINAHL, British Standards Online, EBSCO and many, many more.

There are also pages on literature reviewing, critical thinking and referencing – all of which are some of the fundamental study skills you will need throughout your university career. A section on the use and effective utilisation of reference management systems has also been added should students wish to use ones such as EndNote or Mendeley.

If you have read through our Libguide and still feel that you need a bit of extra support with developing your study skillset, you can email library@napier.ac.uk and we can put you in touch with one of our subject librarians, and most often one that is also specialised in the field and subject of which you are studying. They can arrange a one-to-one appointment with you in person or through a Teams call if needed. Our Libcal also consistently advertises any related tutorials and workshops we have regarding specific study skills such as literature searching, referencing and even getting the most out of using the library for your research.

Wellbeing…

As well as your studies, our libraries also try to support the well-being of our student community as much as we can. As we are aware, there can be stressful periods, particularly when it comes to exam season and looming assignment deadlines. It is important to take regular breaks when you can . Our campus libraries  have relaxation spaces to unwind. These corners usually consist of a few comfortable couches in a section of the library with plenty of natural lighting. We also have our  Wellbeing Collection where the contents and resources available within this collection can be viewed online and physical. Topics covered include mental health, neurodiversity, sleep, body image and university life. Our library staff have also curated displays of physical books and resources from our Wellbeing Collection in each campus library.

 

<p>We always welcome suggestions for our Wellbeing Collection – if you have any that spring to mind, do email library@napier.ac.uk and we will carefully consider all suggestions for our displays and catalogue. Links and contact details for various helplines and support services both within and external to the university are also listed in the Wellbeing Collection page of our Libguide.

 

Inclusion…

Accessibility and inclusion are very important to us at Edinburgh Napier libraries and are two of our most fundamental values. We aim to support the individual needs of all of our patrons by providing equal and equitable access to our resources, collections and services. We frequently collaborate with the Student Wellbeing and Inclusion team. And other relevant departments to help us help you in the best possible way.  Also, we always welcome any feedback, suggestions and comments that come our way regarding the service we provide at the library.

Some examples of accessibility tools we have are…

  • Read Aloud Functionality for E-Resources.
  • Keyboard navigation.
  • A Helperbird browser extension which allows users to change text size, colour and spacing as well as adjust colour contrast.
  • Height-adjustable desks.
  • Accessible toilets.
  • Ergonomic Equipment such as mice and keyboards.
  • Laptop riser stands.
  • Noise-Cancelling headphones.

 

More information on our Accessibility and Inclusion webpage.

 

By Rachel Downie

More Study Skills Posts

Best online resources for finding news: Times Digital Archive & NexisUni

SCONUL – Accessing other libraries in the UK and Ireland

11/09/2025 / / 0 Comments

SCONUL – Accessing other libraries in the UK and Ireland

Accessing other libraries in the UK and Ireland.

SCONUL (Society of College, National and University Libraries) is the professional association for academic and research libraries in the UK and Ireland, providing leadership and support to their partner institutions through advocacy, policy development, sharing knowledge and good practice and direct services to members.

Members include national libraries, research-intensive institutions, higher education providers and other libraries which hold important national collections.

SCONUL represents members on strategic issues within the sector, promoting the importance of libraries in teaching and learning and in the research process.

The SCONUL Access Scheme covers most of the university libraries in the UK and Ireland. It allows university library users to access study spaces, books and journals at other libraries which are part of the scheme. The scheme allows staff, full-time postgraduate, part-time, distance and placement students to borrow material from other university libraries. Undergraduate full-time students can have access to other institutions for reference purposes only.

Join Sconul

To join the SCONUL Access scheme, please visit the SCONUL Access website for information and follow the simple application process.

You will need your Library or ID Card Number from your home institution and your institutional email address to complete your application. You will also need to indicate what type of library user you are (e.g. staff, full-time post-graduate, distance learner, etc.). If you do not have a physical student ID card with a photo, other forms of ID (including virtual IDs) are acceptable as long as they include a photo. Please check this list of acceptable ID.

To qualify for SCONUL access, you must be a registered library user and be in good standing with no debts/fines at your home institution or any serious violation of the rules.

Your application will be processed by your home institution’s library. Waiting times can vary, so you should contact your home institution for more information about processing applications. Once your application is processed, you will receive a confirmation email with further details on how to take part in the scheme.

Visiting Other Libraries

When you wish to visit another library, check the website for opening hours and any other local conditions. Take a copy of your confirmation email with you when you go to the library you want to visit, along with your ID card or library card from your home institution. This will allow other libraries to identify you as a genuine member of the scheme. Admission to other libraries will be at the discretion of the host institution.

When you arrive, you may be issued with a library card for that institution. This allows you to use and possibly borrow from the host institution until your SCONUL membership expires.

Full-time undergraduates may be issued with a reference card, allowing the user reference access to member libraries but no borrowing rights.

Host libraries may restrict the number and range of items that can be borrowed. The number of books you can borrow may be limited,and you may not be permitted to borrow items from specific collections (e.g. short loans or DVDs).

Please note that SCONUL Access does not provide automatic rights to computer facilities, including access to electronic journals and databases to which the host library subscribes. Some member institutions may provide limited electronic access.

You only need to apply for SCONUL access once. When you have received your confirmation email, you can use this to access different libraries. You do not need to reapply for each individual institution.

You can find out more about using other libraries on our Library intranet pages..

By Sharon McMichael

Find out more about the library here

Library Search

10/09/2025 / / 0 Comments

Library Search

During your time at Napier, you’ll find that by far one of the most important tools to help in your studies is our university Library Search.

Library Search is the search engine you can use to browse the library catalogue here at Napier. This includes giving you information about the location of physical books on our library shelves, as well as links to read e-books or online journal articles available through the databases the university has access to. Please keep in mind that some of our more specialised databases, such as EBSCO are not included in library search results; those ones will have to be searched separately.
You can also use Library Search to request books or to check your library account if you want to see the return date for any of your books.

Accessing Library Search

You can get to Library Search through the tile on your student app, and each of our campus libraries has computers set up as designated catalogue machines that are set to only be able to access Library Search.

From the homepage of Library Search, you’ll also find helpful links for information about the library; you might have even found this blog through the link under the social media header.
Above the search bar, you’ll see there are some other library-related links, such as one for our interlibrary loan service, but you’ll learn more about these in other blog posts.

Firstly, before looking for something on Library Search its best to make sure you’re signed in, which you can do by pressing Sign In on the top right, then selecting University Member from the pop-up.

Library Search Sign In

This is important because many online resources, such as e-books or journal articles, require you to be signed in to access them, and you also have to be signed in if you see a physical book you’d like to request.

Once you’re signed in, you can also click your name from the top right and select Library Card to see your library account listing the books you have on loan.
You can also select the pin icon in the top right corner to look at your favourites.

Library Search Results

Through Library Search, you can browse through our library catalogue, searching by title or author, with options to filter results based on format (such as physical books or online articles), campus library, author, and subject matter. This can be useful as some searches can bring back an overwhelming number of results (you can see in my screenshot below that I got back over 2000 results!), and it can help to use filters to make your search more specific.

Library Search results

When you click on one of the search results, you’ll be taken to an information page about resource. Here is an example of what the information page looks like for a physical book:

library search results

 

This gives you the basic information you would need on where to find the book in the library, how many copies are available, and the option to request that the book be held in reserve for you.

Library Search Requests

As you can see under “Location Items” you’ll be told which of our campus libraries the book is being held at, if it is part of the main book stock or a different collection (such as the research collection) and the call number for the book which you can use to find the book on the shelf. Books are organised on the shelves in order of call number and within that call number are in alphabetical order based on the three letters at the end.

Selecting Request under Get It will give you the option to have the book be set aside for you to collect at one of our libraries.  You can also select for the book to be sent to whichever of our libraries is most convenient for you to get to. Please note that books will only be set aside for one week.

You can also use the links under Send To to make links that lead to this library record. This can be helpful if, for example, you’re helping another student with their work and you’re trying to direct them to a helpful source they can use. You’re even given options to make the link in different formats

You can also press the red pin icon next to the spanner to pin the record to your favourites bar, just in case there is a record you need to keep coming back to.

When looking at an online record instead of seeing the shelf information or an option to reserve the material, instead you’ll see the different links you can use to access the material. Your university account grants you permission to read this material, so make sure you are signed in to your account on Library Search.

You’ll also be able to search further in this journal to see if they’ll be other articles relevant to your research.

Library Search results ebook

Library Search Issues

If you’re having issues accessing a link through library search, such as if the link is broken, then you can report the issue by clicking on the red spanner icon at the top of the record. Fill out some quick information about the issue you are having.  And a member of the library team will investigate and get back to you.

This was intended to be a short introduction to Library Search, but as you can see, it went a bit long just because there’s so much to talk about!

Library Search might seem a bit daunting at first. But as you use it, you’ll find yourself getting familiar quickly.
Remember that if you have any questions at all, the library staff are more than happy to lend a hand.

By Matthew Ferrie

Laptops

Laptops

09/09/2025 / / 0 Comments

Laptops

Laptops Laptops Laptops!

Library loans are not exclusive to books; we’ve got laptops too.

Laptops have become a crucial part of student life, from taking notes in class to writing up assignments. And there is nothing worse when yours goes kaput.

 

Lapsafe laptops

At each library campus, along with the Jack Kilbly Centre and Bainfield Student Accommodation, you can find a Lapsafe locker. They are like a self-service laptop vending machine. These laptops are available to all Edinburgh Napier Students, you do need your student card, in physical or digital format to borrow and return.

You can check laptop availability through the my Napier dashboard before you make the trek to campus.

Additionally, you can find out if laptops are available at the LAPSafe. If you see blue lights, then you are good to go.

Tap your card and follow the on-screen instructions.

 

Laptops are available to loan for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, we can’t extend the loan period; they need to be returned within two weeks. If you still need a laptop, you can borrow one as soon as you return the other. Please be aware that the laptop loans are subject to terms and conditions.

Please don’t save any work to the laptop; copies of work should also be backed up. If anything happens to the laptop, we can’t recover unsaved files.

 

Long-Term Laptops

We understand that two weeks isn’t enough. That is why there are long-term laptops that are available through the Digital Access Scheme. You can find out more on their webpages as well as any contact information for enquiries. These laptops are for each academic year and renewed for each year you return to study.

 

Still figuring things out at Napier, our geography of campuses post might do the trick

National Read a Book Day

National Read a Book Day

06/09/2025 / / 0 Comments

National Read a Book Day

 

If there is anything us library workers love to promote consistently, is a love of reading. Whether it is a book, eBook, journal, article – you name it, we will always make a point of advertising the benefits of reading. As well as what resources we have to offer. Therefore, National Read a Book Day provides us with a great opportunity to promote both our resources at the library, how to access them (and how accessible they are), and the benefits of reading for literary and personal development, academic progression and overall wellbeing. Although it has unclear origins, National Read a Book Day is widely observed annually throughout the UK on the 6th of September by book lovers, advocates for reading and, of course, us library workers.

 

National Read a Book Day itself primarily encourages the celebration of reading as a simple pleasure and leisurely activity that has many benefits. Did you know that reading for at least thirty minutes a day is thought to potentially increase your life expectancy? This is due to the cognitive enhancement that reading can provide, including better memory, attention to detail and a reduction in stress levels. Stress is a major contributor to the development of heart disease, cancer and stroke, which are all leading causes of earlier fatality. Therefore, reading can potentially act as a preventative measure against stress progressing to a stage where your risk of developing these conditions and illnesses significantly increases.

Reading as a Pastime

 

Many individuals would say that reading is their favourite pastime and recreational activity for relaxation; however, some individuals feel that reading can seem like a chore at times. If you are a student and have been doing a lot of heavy reading and studying for exams and upcoming assignments, that can most definitely be the case, especially if you feel your head has never left a textbook in weeks! The last thing you probably want to do after or during the midst of this is pick up a book. Nevertheless, finding the right book, or even just a fun, light and heartwarming read can feel like a bit of leisure during stressful periods like this. Even if it’s just for a short period of time a day – on your lunch break, just before going to sleep, or even on your daily commute to make it go by a little faster. Audiobooks are also a great way to get lost in a good story on the move – whether you are on the train, bus, or even a walk.

Our Library Catalogue

Although a majority of the stock we hold at our campus libraries consists of academic resources and textbooks, we do have some lighter and more leisurely reads available to borrow and request at Sighthill, Merchiston and Craiglockhart campus. If you happen to be passing by one of our campus libraries and come across a book that interests you on one of our shelves (or displays, we love a display), you can use your student card to take it out on loan at one of our self-service kiosks.

Alternatively, if you have a specific book in mind, you can check if we have it on LibrarySearch and put in a request for it to be kept on our hold shelves for you to collect later on. We will keep it on hold for you for up to seven days. If we do not have the book which you are looking for, you can submit an Inter Library Loan request form, and we can check if another library has it in stock, then request it from them to lend to you through us. Books borrowed from our own campus libraries can automatically renew for up to four months unless requested by another patron and there are no other copies available to meet this request. When it is requested, you will be notified via email and will have seven days to return the book from when this email is sent to you.

 

Here are some recommendations from us at the library for National Read a Book Day…

  • The Comfort Book, Haig, Matt, 1975- author. 2022. Available at Sighthill Library Wellbeing Collection.
  • The salt path, Winn, Raynor, author. 2019. Available at Sighthill Library Wellbeing Collection.
  • The perks of being a wallflower. Chbosky, Stephen author. 2012. Available at Merchiston Library Wellbeing Collection.

 

By Rachel Downie

Photo credit goes to Polina Tankilevitch at Pexels.

Welcome to the Libraries

Welcome to ENU Libraries

05/09/2025 / / 0 Comments

Welcome to ENU Libraries

Welcome to our ENU 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, 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.

Library Services

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 holiday periods. The NorMAN Out of Hours Service provides library support when the help desks are closed.

 

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 machines. 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 machines after you have scanned them.

 

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. Requested items will be held for seven days. Please remember to check your books out via the self-service machine.

 

Printing, scanning and copying is available using our Multi-Functional Devices (MFDs). MFDs are situated in 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 physical student card or your digital ID 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.

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 in.

 

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, using facilities and how to search for and find books.

 

LibCal is our training and events calendar. Be sure to look for any events which might help you with how to use the library and how to develop your academic skills. 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 Eduroamprint credit (our free University Wi-fi), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and the Edinburgh Napier App. The sessions will run across all three campuses from Monday 8th September until Friday 26th September 2025.

 

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

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

Welcome to the Napier Libraries

 

Dear Library

Dear Library

02/09/2025 / / 0 Comments

Dear Library

A love letter to library institutions all over the world…

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the National Library of Scotland, the NLS has curated a special exhibition called ‘Dear Library’, which runs from June 20th this year until April 18th, 2026. It is free to attend and was put together in collaboration with partners across the UK. Each display within this wonderful exhibition ultimately represents how libraries can help and support their patrons, and equally, how you can also support them. As a library worker myself, I was instantly drawn to visiting this exhibition when I saw it advertised on the National Library of Scotland’s webpages and would like to share some of the highlights of this intriguing and galvanising experience.

 

The Love Letter Display Board…

The exhibition itself is essentially advertised as one giant ‘love letter’ to libraries across the world and the library sector altogether. It was also inspired by the works of Jackie Kay and her poem ‘Dear Library,’ which the exhibition was also named after. Libraries serve as vital community hubs and public spaces where the pursuit of knowledge, reading and digital access is accessible and free to all. In addition to bridging the digital divide, libraries also host programs that promote community, connection, and well-being worldwide. They are also seen as safe spaces by many, and one where individuals do not feel pressure or obligation to spend money to access resources or simply spend time there. As part of the ‘Dear Library’ exhibition, a display board was put up by National Library of Scotland staff for patrons to stick a post-it note with their own love letters to the library sector, including what libraries have done for them and the positive impact they have had on their lives. To see so many of these post-it notes displayed on the board expressing people’s love for the library sector truly warmed my heart. I decided to leave my own little love note to the library sector, which expresses both my own love for both being a patron and regular customer of local libraries in my area and for working in the library sector itself.

dear library display

dear library

 

The Library Marathon Display.

Now here is a very passionate patron of the library sector! From 2019-2023, author and poet Joseph Coelho commenced a four-year-long mission where he became a member of a library in all the local authorities throughout the UK. Altogether, he visited a total of 213 libraries during his ‘library marathon’ – some of the cards he collected on this UK-wide expedition are displayed on the wall photographed below. His primary goal was to promote libraries as vital public and community spaces in the UK as well as to inspire a love of reading in young people – a mission us library workers can definitely get behind! It was also essentially a call for everyone to join their local library within their catchment area. Below you will see a photograph of the breathtaking wall of library cards he accumulated during this expedition.

library

The Bookshelves with recommendations from the public and famous Scottish figures…

 

At the centre of one of the exhibition rooms was an open reading room of bookshelves stacked with a variety of genres, all of which are recommendations put forward by widely-known Scottish figures as well as the general public. In each of these novels was also a note left by individuals expressing their love for the book, the impact it had on them and sometimes even how it shaped them in years to come. I saw many well-known titles such as The Handmaid’s Tale and The Perks of Being a Wallflower, as well as many which I had not heard of but was intrigued by – several were most definitely added to my Goodreads reading list! One patron even noted that a book they put forward as a recommendation had inspired them to pursue a career in the library sector. It was a truly incredible and heart-warming display – it not only gave me some great recommendations to look forward to but also highlighted the joys of reading and the positive impact reading can have on individuals, as well as how significant of a role libraries can play in fostering this love of reading.

dear library exhibition

The Save our Library Display…

 

Despite libraries being widely viewed as essential community and support hubs, they usually end up being at the frontline of any government funding cuts in the UK, which can result in closures (usually of small, localised institutions), hours being cut and reduced staffing. This can have a detrimental impact on deprived areas where many patrons may rely on libraries in terms of open access to resources, digital access or even access to a safe and ‘warm’ space. A powerful quote is framed within this display, reading ‘A library card in your hand is your democracy.’ This statement essentially advocates for libraries as vital community hubs where information, literacy skills and digital access are all free and accessible to all. This significantly aligns with freedom of access to information and freedom of information laws in society and helps to ensure that everyone can access information held by public authorities. Ultimately, it reveals how important it is to have publicly accessible institutions like libraries as it aligns with various principles regarding freedom of information and access to it. Part of keeping libraries accessible can also involve having localised institutions located in as many different vicinities as possible within a single catchment area. I therefore felt that the ‘Save Whiteinch Library’ banner featured in this display was particularly relevant in reflecting the importance of small, localised library institutions, and a powerful attribute within this display overall.

save our library

 

Recommendations…

 

Here are some recommendations from us if you would like to read more about libraries…

 

Wahler, Elizabeth A., author.; Johnson, Sarah C., author.

2024

Available at Sighthill Library.

 

2014

Available at Merchiston Library.

 

By Rachel Downie

We love our library

Campus Guide

Campus Guides 

01/09/2025 / / 0 Comments

Campus Guides 

First things first: the two core things a university student (or staff member for that matter!) needs are food and hydration. Our canteens on all campuses are open for Breakfast from 8am to 11am and Lunch from 11.30am to 2.45pm, serving a changing menu every day of the week, from burritos to Bolognese, with a few firm favourites (Baked Potatoes, soup, sandwiches).

In addition, our campus coffee shops (‘Espresso Labs’) are open from Monday to Thursday 8am to 5pm and Friday 8am to 4pm. They serve a range of hot and cold drinks, cookies and crisps. A personal highlight for me has been their iced coffee – perfect for the hot and humid weather we’ve experienced this summer.

 

Campus Guides  Merchiston

 

The Merchiston campus is the oldest dedicated campus in Edinburgh Napier University, home to the arts and humanities collections, as well as the site of Merchiston tower. Like many spaces in Edinburgh, late 20th century architecture mixes with medieval or early Modern structures. Merchiston Tower ties the site to its history as the seat of the Napier family, who give the name to our university – specifically, named after John Napier, the inventor of logarithms. Today, the tower hosts various office spaces, and tours can be arranged of it.

It is the busiest of our campuses, an unsurprising fact given that it’s situated in the middle of the student-heavy Southside of Edinburgh. The campus is a short walk from inner suburbs Bruntsfield, Marchmont, Morningside and Polwarth.

Many key university’s services are headquartered here – e.g sports societies, radio, as well as the JKCC (Jack Kilby Computer Centre). Like the Merchiston library, the JKCC is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during term time – perfect for working late on an upcoming assignment.

 

Campus Guides  Sighthill

 

Social and life sciences are the major subjects studied here, and the core collection extends over two floors. The roof top conference suited offers amazing panoramic views of the city of Edinburgh. Sighthill is also the location of the main campus gym. The area surrounding the campus was developed mainly as housing estates by Edinburgh City Council in the 1960s and 1970s. While less conventionally attractive compared to the other Napier campuses, the building is modern and energy efficient, and provides an excellent workout should you choose to habitually take the stairs.  Sighthill campus is open from 8am to 9pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends.

 

Campus Guides  Craiglockhart

Last but certainly not least. The main building of Craiglockhart campus, built in the late 1800s, originally served as a hydropathic centre where people could go for the ‘water cure’.  It is a bucolic setting, in the shadow of the beautiful Craiglockhart hill. When the sun is out, there is no better place to have your lunch.

A modern extension was made to the building in the early 2000s, exemplified by ‘the Egg’ (the iconic Lindsay Stewart Lecture Theatre). It houses the Business and Law Schools of Edinburgh Napier, as well as the most charming of our libraries (I’m biased of course).

The best-known fact about Craiglockhart is that the building was requisition by the British government during World War 1 to serve as a psychiatric hospital for shell-shocked soldiers. Many officers convalesced here, including the revered anti-war poets Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen. There is a collection of books, ephemera and documents from this period collected as The War Poets collection, which is housed on the 1st floor. Visitors are free to come and see the collection for themselves, as well as to explore the grounds. The magazine produced by the officers – The Hydra – is memorialised today in the name of our campus’ canteen.

Craiglockhart campus is from open 8am-9pm weekdays and 9am-5pm weekends.

By Kieran Curran

 

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