The Library Blog

Edinburgh Napier University Library blog. Filled with useful and fun blog articles on using the Library, the University, Edinburgh and many other fun topics.

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Chinese New year

Chinese New Year 2026

15/02/2026 / / 0 Comments

Chinese New Year 2026

(新年快乐)  Xīn nián kuài lè” (Shin-Nyen-Kwhy-Luh)

Happy New Year!

 

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, begins on Tuesday, 17th February 2026 and ends with a Lantern Festival on 3rd March 2026. The holiday begins on the date of the second new moon after the winter solstice each December. This year, the second new moon occurs simultaneously with both a rare “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse and the first sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon, making it one of the most important celestial and cultural days of the year. It is one of the most important holidays in the Chinese calendar and was placed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2024.

The Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse, which was last seen in 1966. The Chinese Zodiac consists of twelve animals and five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water – so each animal-element coupling occurs only once every 60 years. Following on from the Year of the Wood Snake, the Year of the Fire Horse begins on 17th February 2026, and will end on 5th February 2027, when the Year of the Fire Goat begins.

 

The Year of the Fire Horse

The Year of the Fire Horse is considered to be one of the most potent fusions in the Chinese Zodiac cycle, combining two very powerful symbols in the calendar.

The symbol of fire represents energy and rushfulness, and the horse symbol represents vitality, speed, passion, hard work, bravery and resilience. Joining both of these symbols gives a powerful combination of vitality, passion, speed and courage.

However, it has been said that each Chinese zodiac animal has both positive and negative traits. For the horse, negative traits include being volatile, restless, impulsive and difficult to manage.

During this Year of the Fire Horse, people are encouraged not to hesitate when making decisions and to embrace the traits of the horse. This is a year which rewards boldness, courage and dedication, and penalises indecision, hesitation or apathy.

 

Chinese New Year Celebrations.

Traditions focus on seeing out the old year and welcoming in the luck and prosperity of a new year.

Chinese New Year origins are steeped in legend. Thousands of years ago, a monster named Nian (“Year”) attacked villagers at the beginning of each new year. The monster feared loud noises, bright lights, and the colour red, so villagers used these to chase the beast away.

Red signifies prosperity and energy, which ward off evil spirits and negativity. Red lanterns are hung in the streets, and red couplets are pasted on doors. Celebrations include visiting family members, feasting, and respecting ancestors. Money is often gifted in red envelopes for good fortune. Celebrations include firecrackers, fireworks and watching lion and dragon dances. Some customs include cleaning the house and eating symbolic foods.

Many businesses close their doors for a week’s holiday during the celebrations. Hotels and large retail outlets stay open and are often busier than normal. School holidays last for four weeks and many migrant workers leave their factory and construction jobs for weeks to return home.

So, however you choose to celebrate, enjoy the Chinese New Year, and remember – fortune favours the brave – this might just be your lucky year!

 

Links

Read more about New Year Traditions in our post New Year Traditions From Around The World

Find more resources at Library Search

By Sharon McMichael

Image by Jason Leung Unsplash 

love heart for books on give a book day

Give a Book Day

14/02/2026 / / 0 Comments

Give a Book Day

 

The Edinburgh Napier University Library Team would like to not only wish everyone a very happy Valentine’s Day, but also a happy International Book Giving Day as well! Annually coinciding with Valentine’s Day on the 14th of February every year, International Book Giving Day was introduced as a worldwide initiative and movement to promote a love of reading, literature and books of all genres. And while love is in the air on this particular day of the year in general, we feel we might as well show and spread our love of reading and books (after all, we are ENUs library team!) by writing this dedicated blog post.

 

Origins, and how we participate…

 

International Book Giving Day emerged from groups of individuals with a shared love of reading and passion for books, engaging in and organising book-sharing events and activities. Since then, it has become a global initiative and primarily encourages individuals, communities and organisations to gift books to others where possible. This includes both adults and children, particularly those who may experience barriers to literary access. One of its other objectives is to try to foster a love of reading and literature in children from a young age. At present, International Book Giving Day is recognised and celebrated in approximately 44 countries worldwide.

 

When we withdraw old stock at any of our three campus libraries, we often box it up and send it to an online bookseller company named Better World Books. This company was founded in the year 2002 and sells both new and second-hand books at affordable prices. Its primary values and mission coincide with those of International Book Giving Day: to promote literacy and literary initiatives, sustainability, and encourage better access to as well as a love of, books and literature overall. Better World Books currently delivers books to over 200 countries across the globe. A lot of their stock is sourced from educational institutions, public libraries, bookshops and wholesalers. Individuals can also donate old books to Better World Books by using one of their drop boxes – locations for these can be found on their main webpage.

How you can participate too…

 

  • Give the gift of a book: Got a book that you recently finished reading and couldn’t put down? Want to share your love of that particular book? If you don’t feel too sentimental about giving it away, you can participate in International Book Giving Day by gifting the book to a friend, family member, or someone you know who you think would enjoy it as well! You can even leave a heartfelt message or dedication inside if you like.
  • Make a donation (or several): If you have been intending to clear out some of your old books, why not donate them to your local library, a community centre or school? This can help to widen the span of literature and book genres which people have access to. You can also, as mentioned above, bring them to your nearest drop-box for Better World Books.
  • Give recommendations and share them on social media: Spread the word! Promote this international day and global initiative to others and encourage them to get on board. Use relevant hashtags in any posts you make or share – also share any great recommendations you may have for any titles you have read recently and couldn’t put down!

 

By Rachel Downie

 

Photo by Jo Anaya Unsplash

Love reading, we’ve got some recommendations

Valentines Day

The world’s love story with Valentine’s Day

14/02/2026 / / 0 Comments

The world’s love story with Valentine’s Day

Today is coming up rosy, literally. Happy Valentine’s Day, readers. And while it may feel like just chocolate and flowers, there is a much deeper heart-shaped history that made Valentine’s the holiday it is today. Valentines day dates all the way back to ancient times, took on a bit of a romantic evolution in the medieval ages, with the popularisation of heart-shaped chocolates in the Victorian period. Let’s take a little stroll through the history of Valentines, the world’s love story with Valentine’s Day.

Story of Lupercalia

Going back to the ancient pagan ages for a minute. As you see, the ancient pagans in the middle of February celebrated the Lupercalia festival. Lupercalia isn’t exactly the celebration of Valentine’s Day we know today; it was a fertility festival to welcome in spring and good health. And if you want to read more, we have the perfect blog post for you. Over time, the Lupercalia festival faded, especially with the spread of Christianity across Europe. However, the middle of February kept its significance for the holiday.

And then there is, of course, the origins of Cupid. While he is based on the Ancient Greek God of Eros. Cupid took a more familiar form in Ancient Rome. Primarily evolving from a winged youth to the recognised chubby baby with wings.

Romantic Medieval Knights

With the Medieval ages, there was a bit of a romantic revolution taking place and who knew, it would be led by Medieval poets and knights. Medieval Poets based in England and France were amongst the first to give Valentines Day a set date of February 14th. The reason being, it was believed that birds would mate around this period, which became the metaphor of human love and romance.

It was during this time that Valentines took on more of a romantic turn, setting the stage for rom-coms to come.

It was during this period that the first valentines message was ever sent, dating back to 1415. Written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, for his wife. And he wrote while being imprisoned at the Tower of London, after being captured in a battle. In this letter, he refer to his wife as his “gentle Valentine”, a lot better than the cheesy cards found today.

The phrase wearing your heart on your sleeve” can possibly be traced back to medieval knights. It is believed that knights would wear tokens or ribbons given to them by their sweetheart as they went into battle.

The Medieval era had a lot of transformations and upheavel but there were tender moments.

Bringing Valentines into the Modern Age

Valentine’s Day has since become a global celebration, rivalling Christmas and Halloween. Around 250 million roses are produced for the U.S alone for this holiday. Whereas for chocolates.  Heart shaped chocolates became popularised by Cadbury in the 1860s. It is estimated that $1.8 billion is spent on chocolates in the US alone.  And it is the second favourite season to exchange cards, number one being Christmas.

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!!

Love Your Library

We have displays at all our campus Libraries asking you what you love about your Library, and what you think might need some improvements. Please don’t forget to add feedback to our love your library displays.  We love to hear from you. What do you love about the library, and what isn’t working? If you can’t make it on campus, you can always contact us

Photo by Ed Robertson Unsplash 

 

 

 

 

Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day

10/02/2026 / / 0 Comments

Safer Internet Day

The internet has revolutionised many elements of our lives. How we search for information, how we conduct administrative tasks, entertainment streaming, and ultimately how we communicate, connect and network with each other globally. These technologies, including social media, have a variety of benefits and advantages in all of these different aspects of our lives; nevertheless, individuals and online users need to be aware of how to utilise and use the internet in a responsible, ethical and safe manner.

Safer Internet Day was established in 2004 and evolved into a worldwide movement dedicated to raising awareness of and promoting responsible and safe use of the internet and online platforms for all demographics, particularly young people. There are many risks and dangers present within the online world: misinformation, scams, phishing, cyberbullying, revenge pornography and sextortion are just a few of the key dangers present within the internet and online world. This makes it even more significant that awareness is raised regarding how to protect yourself and stay safe online.

 

Tips on how to stay safe online…

 

  • Safeguard your personal details, information and passwords. This can mitigate the chances of you being a victim of identity fraud and other kinds of theft as well. Be wary of whom you also give out these details to. Avoid giving out passwords, especially to someone you do not know well, and try to change them regularly as well.
  • Be mindful about what you post and share online. Once something is posted, whether it is a comment, picture or video, it will be very difficult (if not impossible) to take it back or remove it. Those who see the post may also be able to screenshot, download or share it, which will be completely out of your control.
  • Make sure to keep your device updated with the newest firewall and anti-virus software. Protect your phone, tablet, or laptop from new cyber and online threats by installing and downloading all updates when prompted. This will help to significantly enhance your device security.
  • Be wary of scams, online fraud and fake websites. Always be sceptical of any deals or offers which seem ‘too good to be true’, such as free money or significant investment returns. Look out for grammatical errors in URLs or in the message they may have been forwarded in. Watch out for any messages that also prompt you to take urgent action. If you are unsure about an email, text or phone call you have received claiming to be your bank, HMRC or the police, etc., get in touch with them directly to check legitimacy. Official companies and organisations do not ask for any passwords, PIN numbers, personal details or financial information via text or email.
  • Learn how to identify suspicious emails and phishing scams. Always check the original email address of the sender by clicking on the drop-down arrow under their name, especially if you are unsure of their legitimacy. Look out for misspellings and do not click on any suspicious links or scan any QR codes if the message seems suspicious.

 

Interested in learning more about cybersecurity?…

 

Edinburgh Napier University runs a BEng (Hons) four-year course in Cybersecurity and Forensics. If this happens to be a field of study or work that interests you, we have some recommendations from the ENU library team which can be found, accessed and requested via LibrarySearch.

 

  • Cyber Security Essentials, Graham, James (James J.), editor.; Howard, Richard, 1959- editor.; Olson, Ryan, 1981- editor. 2017. Available at Merchiston Campus Library and Online.
  • GDPR and Cyber Security for Business Information Systems, Gobeo, Antoni, author.; Fowler, Connor, author.; Buchanan, William, author. 2018. Available at Merchiston Campus Library and Online.
  • Cyber Security: Law and Guidance, Tse, Helen, 1977- author, editor., 2018. Available at Merchiston Campus Library.

 

By Rachel Downie

 

Thinking about studying with our School of Computing, read more here 

 

 

World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day 2026 

04/02/2026 / / 0 Comments

World Cancer Day 2026

 

Cancer is medically recognised and defined as a disease in which abnormal cells begin to multiply and spread throughout the body uncontrollably, and generally arises from alterations (or mutations specifically) in cell DNA. There are over 200 different kinds of cancer – all of which can sometimes present corresponding signs and symptoms, and other times have symptoms which differ completely. Cancer is also known to have two stages: the primary stage, when it starts to emerge, and the secondary stage, when it then begins to spread throughout the body. This is also recognised as metastatic cancer. A cancer diagnosis can very often be very emotionally challenging and devastating for individuals who receive one and can cause a range of emotions such as shock, anxiety, anger, and sadness – both for the person diagnosed and their loved ones.  

 

Objectives of World Cancer Day… 

 

The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) established World Cancer Day as a global initiative at the beginning of the 21st century, and it has since been observed annually on the 4th of February. It emerged primarily with intentions of promoting awareness of cancer, early detection and screening, quick and effective treatment, and ultimately, better access to healthcare for patients diagnosed with cancer. 

In alignment with these objectives, it also aims to encourage individuals, communities, healthcare institutions, public services, private companies and government bodies worldwide to collaborate and contribute toward the fight against cancer. It also honours the resilience and bravery of individuals diagnosed globally every year. With more and more individuals each year experiencing the devastating effects and impact that cancer can have, and well over 420,000 people being diagnosed annually with cancer, this emphasises the significance of continually and collectively working to improve access to healthcare globally as well as actively promoting and raising awareness of cancer and accessible, effective and suitable treatment options.  

 

Every Story Matters… 

 

People’s experiences of being diagnosed with cancer often differ greatly – there is so much more that can come with being diagnosed with cancer than the diagnosis, biological factors and physical symptoms alone. It can affect several parts of an individual’s life: their employment, financial circumstances and stability, relationships, quality of life and ultimately their mental health and emotional being as well as their physical health. Often, the effects and impact overall can be life-changing. In some cases, for example, it can affect a person’s employment and potentially the feasibility of them continuing with their current job role. This can then impact their financial situation and coincide with a decline in their emotional well-being and mental health if they experience great financial trouble and turmoil.

Significant healthcare costs can also hurt financial circumstances and stability, or access to the appropriate and effective treatments and care needed, which in turn can make the physical and mental health of the diagnosed individual worse. The psychological and emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis from feelings such as stress, uncertainty, fear, sadness and grief can also severely impact individuals as well as their loved ones and families.

These effects, overall, which are separate from the biological and physical ones, can often influence the level and type of support that a patient needs when facing a cancer diagnosis or dealing with disease progression. This makes actively listening to the patient extremely significant when assessing, considering and fulfilling their needs to the greatest extent possible in the healthcare industry.  

 

How you can participate and contribute… 

 

  • You can show solidarity by wearing a unity band, which can come in the form of pins, ribbons or bracelets. These are sold by various companies, and the money you pay will often go toward cancer research and relevant charitable organisations.  
  • Advocacy and information-sharing online and through various communication channels,s such as social media, is another way you can get involved and contribute. Sharing information, tips regarding preventative measures and actions, stories of individuals diagnosed with cancer and signs and symptoms to look out for are great ways to raise awareness and dispel any misconceptions or inaccurate beliefs about cancer.  
  • Making a monthly or one-off donation to organisations and hospitals specialised in oncology, cancer treatment and care for diagnosed individuals. This can lead to enhanced treatments and procedures being discovered, as well as better outcomes for patients with cancer in the long term. Participation in fundraising events such as runs, community gatherings, coffee mornings and workshops can also be a great way to raise and contribute money toward cancer research and relevant charitable organisations.  

 

Recommendations… 

 

Here are some recommendations from the Edinburgh Napier University library team which may be useful to our students studying nursing, biological sciences and in other relevant fields. All of these recommendations can be found and requested via LibrarySearch. 

 

  • Cancer biology and treatment, Divan, Aysha, author.; Royds, Janice, author.; Royal Society of Biology, publisher. 2020. Available at Sighthill Campus Library. 
  • Experiencing Cancer: quality of life in treatment, Schou, Kirsten Costain.; Hewison, Jenny, 1950-1999. Available at Sighthill Campus Library. 
  • An introduction to cancer care: Tracey McCready, Julie M. MacDonald. McCready, Tracey.; MacDonald, Julie. 2006. Available at Sighthill Campus Library. 
library study skills

Library study skills

30/01/2026 / / 0 Comments

Library study skills

Now that the new trimester has started and we’ve all woken up from our winter hibernation, we’ve started to notice a lot of students coming into the library to ask us for advice about studying. Some of these are new students who are excited to get started here at Napier, and some are returning students who seem to have forgotten how to study over the winter break. So, we decided it would be a good idea to just quickly remind everyone about the different ways that the library at Edinburgh Napier can support you during your time studying here.

Study Guides

Firstly, the library provides you with LibGuides, which are specialised guides teaching you the skills you need to navigate the library and how to best use the resources the university provides to you. These include guides to referencing using APA 7th style, more general guides such as advice on Critical Thinking, as well as specialised guides for each of our schools.
The other handy thing about the LibGuides is that they can provide you with a full list of the databases the university has access to. Through your student account, you can access 184 research databases that provide you with access to research articles, e-books, and other publications covering a range of different subject areas. These databases are a great way to expand your research and find a wide range of sources to help you when studying specialised topics.

These guides for our schools are written by the Subject Librarian for that school, providing you with detailed help from an experienced professional who specialises in that field. For example, if you’re a student at our business school, you can check out the guide to the business school library written by Keith Walker, who has been with the university for years and knows exactly what a business student needs to know for their studies. You can also contact the Subject Librarians directly if you have any questions for them. Contact details can be found on the MyNapier Subject Librarians page.

You can also find some helpful study advice through the MyNapier pages on our libraries. Here, you can find guides on how to access the different study resources that the university provides to you, such as how to search for books in the library or how to use the different academic journals that the library provides you with access.

Library Collections

Each of our libraries also includes a Research Collection, where we have books that will give you advice on how to carry out research in your subject area. These collections are tailored to the campus that they are at, so you can expect to find advice on studying as a nurse at our Sighthill campus library, while at Craiglockhart you’ll find books on business research.
Our libraries also have a Wellbeing Collection, with books focused on providing advice on mental health and personal development issues. Although this might not immediately seem relevant, it is important to look after yourself during intensive research periods, and these books can help advise you on how to balance completing your university work with staying healthy and happy during your time at Napier.

In particular, I’d recommend some of the books we have on how to avoid procrastination, as this was definitely one of the biggest issues I faced as a student!
Like with most things, you can learn more about the collection through our Wellbeing Collection LibGuides page.

You can also check out the Training and Events calendar to see if there are any upcoming workshops covering skills you may need help with. These workshops can include sessions by our Subject Librarians on how to use referencing software (very useful for big assignments like your dissertation!) or drop-in sessions with the academic skills team to see if they can support you in any way.
You can learn more about the academic skills team at the Improve Your Academic Skills page on MyNapier.

And lastly, please remember that you’re always welcome to ask a member of the team at one of our Library Helpdesks if you have any questions during your time at Napier.

By Matthew Ferrie

Australia Day

Australia Day

26/01/2026 / / 0 Comments

Australia Day

 

Today is Australia Day, which is also a national holiday in Australia that commemorates the First Fleet’s arrival into Warrane (Sydney Cove) on the 26th of January 1788 with 11 British ships coming over from Portsmouth in the UK and led by Captain Arthur Phillip. On arrival, Captain Phillip raised the Union Jack flag and commenced the colonial invasion of occupied lands across the continent. From this began the Colonial Frontier Wars between British settlers and indigenous Australians (also including both Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders) and marked the birth date of the New South Wales colony.

 

Some History and Background…

 

Violence and conflict occurred throughout various areas of Australia from 1788 onwards after the arrival and settlement of the First Fleet, with much of Australia’s Aboriginal population being killed by British colonists over many years. The massacres that occurred within these years were so vast that it has been difficult to provide an accurate estimate of the number of Aboriginal and indigenous individuals that died during this period, as it is believed to have been extremely high. It has also rarely been addressed in history, but because of these wide-scale massacres of indigenous individuals by British colonists, this national holiday has generated controversy and criticism regarding what is seen by many to have been a ‘robbery’ and an invasion of Aboriginal Australian land.

 

Celebrations and Controversies…

 

Many Australians celebrate Australia Day as a national holiday on the 26th of January every year – the date on which the First Fleet and their commander Captain Arthur Philip arrived at Port Jackson (now known as Sydney Harbour). Much of Australia’s population of approximately 24 million people has gathered annually on this day to host barbecues, regattas and outdoor events and concerts on beaches and in parks in a unified celebration of Australian diversity, culture, democracy and liberation. Nevertheless, this national day is not supported nor celebrated by all. In 1988, a march took place consisting of around 40,000 indigenous and non-indigenous Australians throughout Sydney protesting against celebrations of this annual event and national holiday referring to it as “invasion day” and “survival day.” These protests are still ongoing to this day and have encouraged local councils in Melbourne to cancel and stop Australia Day events.

 

Conclusion…

 

Although a majority of Australian individuals still celebrate and participate in Australia Day events, a poll conducted in 2018 found that 49% of individuals surveyed believe that Australia should not host the 26th of January each year in respect to the impact that colonisation had on indigenous people, their culture and communities from 1788 onwards. Many also did not seem particularly fixated on what day the national holiday is held on, as long as there is an annual celebration of Australian culture, identity and democracy. Australia Day carries a different meaning to many is observed and understood differently by different individuals and communities. It is emphasised significantly that recognition and awareness of the effect colonialism had on Aboriginal and indigenous communities and populations.

By Rachel Downie

Photo by photoholgic unsplash

Read more about awareness day

Robert Burns

Robert Burns – Scotland’s National Poet

25/01/2026 / / 0 Comments

.Robert Burns – Scotland’s National Poet

 

Robert Burns was born on 25th January 1759. He is well-known for writing many poems and songs. And is considered to be Scotland’s National Poet, also known as Scotland’s National Bard.

Burns was born in Alloway in Ayrshire, on the west coast of Scotland, to parents William and Agnes Brown Burns. And he was the eldest of seven children and lived in a cosy four-room cottage, built by his father. Robert and his family lived alongside their farm animals. The kitchen was the heart of the home where they ate their meals together, read by the fireside and received their earliest education. His parents insisted that he was educated, even though they were not a wealthy family, and he was given opportunities to read, study a variety of subjects and listen to music.

As he grew up, Robert Burns was known to enjoy female company, and he married Jean Armour in 1788 and had nine children. Robert Burns died at the age of 37 on July 21st, 1796, in Dumfries.

 

Songs and Poems.

Many of his poems and songs are written in the Scots language as well as some being written in English or a Scottish dialect, so that people who lived outside Scotland could also understand them.

His most famous song, “Auld Lang Syne”, is sung around the world to celebrate the New Year. It is a song about friendship and remembering good times, but it does not specifically refer to the New Year.

He has many other poems and songs, including Tam O’Shanter, To a Mouse, Ae fond kiss and A Red, Red Rose.

On 31 July 178,6 John Wilson published Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, known as the Kilmarnock Volume. It sold for three shillings and contained many of Robert’s best works. The success of the work was immediate, and Robert became well-known for his writing. This made him change his plans from travelling to Jamaica to becoming a writer.

 

Burns Suppers

On 25 Jan 1859, on the centenary of the birth of Robert Burns, memorial events were held all over Scotland. And still continue today. The celebrations begin with a welcome and announcements, which are followed by the Selkirk Grace. Scotland’s national dish, the haggis, is then led into the room by a piper before being addressed with Burns’ own poem To a Haggis. Then it and is cut open. After the meal, a series of toasts takes place. This usually includes a “Toast to the Lassies” followed by replies. A summary of the life and work of Robert Burns is given in the toast to the “Immortal memory”, and the supper concludes with everyone singing “Auld Lang Syne”. These suppers honour the life of Robert Burns, where his poems are read, his songs are sung, and plenty of whisky is drunk!

 

The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway is cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. You can visit Burns Cottage, the home of Robert Burns, where he was born and grew up. Follow a trail through the village to see places and landmarks which were known to Robert Burns. And follow in the footsteps of Tam O’Shanter to Alloway Auld Kirk and over the Brig o’ Doon. Stroll along the Poet’s Path and see the creative sculptures related to Robert Burns’ work, celebrating scenes from Burns’s Tam o’ Shanter, the not-so ‘wee mouse’ and a larger-than-life granite haggis.

By Sharon McMichael

 

Find works by Robert Burns on Library Search and have a look at more Scottish posts

Photo by John Cardamone Unsplash 

 

 

 

welcome week

Welcome Week and an Introduction to our ENU Libraries

22/01/2026 / / 0 Comments

Welcome Week and an Introduction to our ENU Libraries

Hello and welcome to all of our new and returning students for the second trimester of the academic year. We have started to see many of you passing through all three of our campus libraries and often looking around with much curiosity and wonder at our library spaces, bookshelves and study areas. We may have even already met a few of you who have come to our campus library helpdesks to ask us about our libraries, services and other general queries about the university facilities and technology.

Don’t forget we are always happy to help and have prepared this blog post to give you a rough outline of what resources and services that ENU libraries have to offer, how to utilise and get the best out of them and how we can support you with your studies. You can of course, email us at library@napier.ac.uk or alternatively phone 0131 455 3500 if you have any specific or further questions you would like to ask us, as well as visit us at our library helpdesk,s should you wish to speak to us in person during our staffed hours. Also, follow our @ENU-Library Instagram page for regular updates and daily posts about the resources and services we have to offer.

 

Opening Hours and Locations…

 

Our general Opening Hours can be found on our My Napier webpages via the library tab.  Staffed hours in all of our campus libraries are 8:45am-16:45pm Monday to Friday. Our libraries are unstaffed at weekends but still free to use from 9am-5pm, albeit Merchiston library zones 1-4, which are free to use 24 hours every day of the week. Opening hours can be subject to change during holiday periods and seasons throughout the year – we will update them and inform you of any temporary changes to them accordingly.

 

Our three campus buildings are the Sighthill campus, the Merchiston campus and the Craiglockhart campus. Each campus library has resources tailored to the specific school hosted within each campus building.

  • Sighthill hosts the School of Health and Social Care (SHSC) and School of Applied Sciences (SAS), so in this campus library you will find a variety of resources and textbooks on nursing, pharmacology, physiology, psychology, chemistry, biology and biomedical sciences to give a few examples.
  • Our Merchiston campus hosts the School of Arts and Creative Industries (SACI) and School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment (SCEBE), so in this campus library you will find a variety of resources and textbooks on film, photography, literature, music and composition, surveying, engineering, construction, transportation and computing and computer science to give a few examples.
  • Our Craiglockhart campus hosts The Business School (TBS), so in this campus library you will find a variety of resources and textbooks on topics such as management, finance, accounting, marketing, recruitment, human resources and entrepreneurship, to give a few examples. Craiglockhart campus library also hosts our law hub with a range of up-to-date and varied material regarding current laws and legal matters in various areas.

 

This is not to say that each campus library only has books on these specific topics and subject areas, as you may well find a book on human resource management at our Sighthill campus, for example! We also have our Wellbeing Collection with a variety of resources covering topics such as mental health, wellbeing, neurodiversity and settling into university life. You can find out more about what our Wellbeing Collection has to offer in our LibGuide, which also has useful guidance and information about literature searching, critical thinking and evaluation, utilising reading lists and referencing – all of which will be extremely useful to you when assignments, exams and deadlines start to pop up throughout the year!

So how do I request and borrow a book?…

 

You can search for and request books and resources through our LibrarySearch catalogue, which is also where you have access to all of our physical and online resources, which we have in our library stock or through institutional access. To request a book to be kept on hold for you, you will need to sign into LibrarySearch with your student number and password. Once you have done this, you will need to search for the desired item in the search bar and click on the item record.

If you scroll down the item record, you will then find a link that says ‘Request’ which, once clicked, will prompt you to fill out a request form for the item, including a section where you can choose your preferred campus to collect your request item or resources from as well. We keep all requested items on our hold shelves for a maximum of seven days before we reshelve them – you will receive an email from us once your requests are ready to collect!

 

If there is a book or article you need which you cannot find in our LibrarySearch catalogue, we also have an Inter Library Loans service where you can submit a request form for a chosen title that we do not have in our library stock. Once we receive this form, we will then see if another library institution in the UK can lend us a copy they may have to lend to you through us.

 

Can I borrow a laptop from ENU libraries?…

 

Need to borrow laptop? Well you certainly can! You can borrow one of our Lapsafe laptops from any of our campus libraries, the JKCC or Bainfield student accommodation for a maximum of 14 days from one of our Lapsafe locker self-service machines. Find more information in our Laptops to loan My Napier webpages.

 

We hope this has given a decent overview of what our ENU campus libraries have to offer and how we can support you, although do feel free to contact us or come to one of our library helpdesks if you have any questions or queries!

 

By Rachel Downie

 

Have a look at our campus guides

Trimester Two

Trimester Two

15/01/2026 / / 0 Comments

Trimester Two

It’s cold, dark, and the Christmas lights are down, which means one thing. January is here. And January means the start of the second trimester two and honestly, we can’t wait.  For some, it means returning from a break, while for others, it means embarking on their journey at Edinburgh Napier. You might be starting at an international college or a postgraduate program.  In this blog post, we’ll have you cover, having a look at the library essentials to help you start at Edinburgh Napier. Or have a refresher course.

Library Essential

Each campus has a library, so you don’t have to travel far from class. That library reflects the schools based at that campus, for example, what books are available at each library. For example, business books will be located at Craiglockhart, while computing, engineering, and built environments are housed at Merchiston. And of course, nursing at Sighthill.

Merchiston Library is perhaps more central and will be open 24/7 as a study space from the end of the month.

Finding information: reading lists, subject guides and subject librarians

Each course has a reading list. You will find these items through LibrarySearch. Please log in at the top right corner as this will allow you to access E-resources.  We also have subject guides and research guides that have been created by your subject librarian. These guides are designed to help you find information and develop research skills.

Each subject area has a subject librarian. You can contact your subject librarian for more information or arrange a 1: 1 appointment for extra guidance. Your subject librarian can help with finding resources and information about your course. And help build library skills. You can find your subject librarian on our web pages.

Library Services: Books, Databases and more

We have an extensive catalogue, and it is all available through library search. Here, you will have access to all our online resources and be able to locate where our physical resources are. You will also find access to journals and databases. You can borrow up to 30 physical items. Books are 7-day loans, but they renew automatically up to 4 months unless requested.  If you are looking for something we don’t have, we have an inter-library loan service where you can request books from other libraries. This is available through the LibrarySearch tab.

Library Services: Physical and Online

At the library, you will find plenty of study spaces: we have silent areas and areas for talking if you have group work. There are study rooms, PCs and Macs, with printers and scanners. Each library has a relaxation space with games, colouring sheets and comfy sofas to relax. We have a well-being collection that focuses on shelf help. If you can’t make it to campus, most of these resources are now available online.

Our trusty LibGuides are tailored to effectively assist you with finding relevant information in a specific subject area. They feature information and advice on searching for relevant print and e-resources such as books and journal articles, and recommend websites and databases. And information about how to get in touch with your subject librarian for additional assistance with accessing any further resources you may require. You can also find our A-Z list of databases we are subscribed to for all your research needs, with trial access included. Our detailed subject guides also cover every school within the university. We also have guides for conducting a literature review, critical thinking skills, reference management systems and referencing styles such as APA 7th.

 

Training and Events Calendar

Throughout the year, library staff run a variety of workshops and training sessions. These are to assist you in developing and enhancing your academic skillset. The sessions are easily bookable through Libcal for students and staff. Like our Libguide, the sessions and workshops cover research skills such as conducting literature reviews, utilising reference management systems such as Endnote and Mendeley. Library help for your specific subject area and database searching skills. These are only a few examples of the training sessions we offer. Do not worry if one of the sessions you wish to attend is fully booked as well – our library staff often run several of the same workshops throughout the year to provide students and staff with the most opportunity possible to attend!

Find out more about our training and events calendar in our Home – Edinburgh Napier University webpage. You can also access our full and up-to-date calendar through here as well.

Have a look at more study support 

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Email: library@napier.ac.uk

Telephone: 0131 455 3500

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