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.

Author: mayagreen (Page 1 of 26)

Turtle

World Turtle

23/05/2026 / / 0 Comments

World Turtle Day

World Turtle Day 2026 is celebrated on Saturday, 23rd May this year. It aims to raise awareness of the threats faced by turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world as well as encouraging human action to help them survive and thrive.

Researching and protecting the turtle and tortoise populations is essential. By feeding on dead fish that have washed up on the shores, they help to keep our beaches clean and preserve the ecological balance of our oceans. As turtles travel between their coastal feeding grounds and beaches, they transport vital nutrients, helping these ecosystems thrive.

Turtles

Turtles are known as amniotes because they breathe air and lay their eggs on land. They must return to the surface to breathe as they cannot breathe underwater. Of the 300 species of turtles in the world,129 species are endangered. There are seven species of marine turtles: hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, olive ridley, green, flatback, and Kemp’s ridley. The largest turtle species is the leatherback, which can reach up to 180cm long and weigh 500kg, competing with crocodiles and Komodo dragons for the title of the largest reptiles in the world. Kemp’s ridley is the smallest marine turtle, measuring about 70cm long and weighing up to 40kg. Six of these seven species are at risk of extinction. This is due to the rise in human activity and increased plastic waste found in our oceans.

As part of one of the oldest reptile groups in the world, dating back to the time of the dinosaurs – over 200 million years ago – turtles are considerably older than snakes, crocodiles and alligators. They are cold-blooded animals, meaning they can live much longer. Tu”i Malila was the longest-living turtle and lived on Tonga Island, passing away at the ripe old age of 128! However, only 1 in 1,000 marine turtle hatchlings reach adulthood due to the time it takes to reach maturity and threats from predators and marine plastic pollution. They often get caught in fishing nets and plastic waste, leading to drowning.

A bony shell, made from cartilage, protects turtles from predators – some can even tuck themselves in their shells for extra protection. Turtle shells consist of 50 different bones which have fused together. They also have light, spongy bones that help them float. Turtle shells are popular as jewellery and collectable items which has threatened their survival since the 18th century.

Climate change presents a major threat to turtle habitats. Approximately half of the world’s coral reefs no longer exist, and scientists believe the remaining reefs could disappear by 2050 if climate change is not effectively managed. The sex of a turtle is dependent on the temperature when it is born – if the egg is warmer than 28 degrees Celsius, it is born female. Higher sand temperatures can produce more females than males, affecting sex ratios. Rises in sea levels can flood nests, and increased storm events can affect hatchling survival.

Turtles use the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate their way around the oceans. Using their built-in navigation system, they can cross thousands of miles of ocean and still remember their way back to the beach where they laid their eggs. Turtles return to the beach where they hatched to nest their own young. This increases their chance of survival when moving around the ocean. Female leatherback turtles make some curious noises when they are nesting – some of which sound like a human belch!

Turtles travel extensively within the oceans in large groups and are highly sociable creatures. A female leatherback holds the longest known record for swimming nearly 13,000 miles over 647 days from Indonesia to the west coast of America – that’s more than 20 miles a day! Turtles are highly sought after, with a huge illegal trade in their meat, eggs, and shells, and are kept as exotic pets. They are also used for traditional medicines. These, along with climate change, fishing nets, and plastic waste, are the most significant threats to turtles today.

 

Celebrating World Turtle Day

World Turtle Day is celebrated worldwide in various ways. A variety of events and activities are organised to help preserve turtles. People often rescue turtles from roads and highways and return them to their natural habitats.

There are many fun and easy ways to celebrate World Turtle Day. Dress up as a turtle, wear something green, do a sponsored walk or host a bake sale to raise money for a charity that helps turtles.

Use World Turtle Day to learn more about turtles and share what you learn with others to raise awareness and knowledge of the species.

Learn how turtles are threatened by the exotic pet trade and how this impacts their survival.

Join a conservation organisation which campaigns to protect turtles and their habitats.

 

Find out more about turtles in this video from Box of Broadcasts.

A Slow Odyssey: A Turle’s Journey

Experience an immersive journey into the world of turtles. Ride with a green sea turtle as it swims in the beautiful waters of its coral reef home in Sipidan, Malaysia.

By Sharon McMichael

Photo by David Courbit Unsplash 

World Goth Day

World Goth Day

22/05/2026 / / 0 Comments

World Goth Day 

May 22nd is World Goth Day – a chance to celebrate all things gothic from music and film to fashion. It all began in 2009 when BBC Radio 6 Music ran a series which spotlighted different subcultures. Goth music was featured on 22nd May, and the event has taken place on that date each year since. There will be events locally, such as Midnight Solar Market, and more worldwide. 

In the beginning.. 

Musically, the goth subculture started out as a movement celebrating a style of music that followed punk, new wave, and the new romantic movements of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Some bands, such as Siouxsie and the Banshees, tweaked their sound and style to appeal to a new audience, and along with emerging bands such as Bauhaus, soundtracked the new subculture. Clubs began opening, playing the music of the new genre, and fashion fans began refining their look with their own style of make-up, hair, and clothes. Goth subculture also embraces literature, film and art. 

Fashion 

Many subcultures have their own fashion style, and the goth movement is no exception. Influenced by the Victorian cult of mourning, it combines black clothing with the odd flash of purple or red, black dyed hair, black eyeliner, nail varnish and lipstick. The clothing fabrics used are often lace, velvet, fishnet, and leather, with long dresses, corsets, frock coats, and top hats. 

Film and tv 

There’s a wealth of goth films and tv series which explore the themes of love, loss, and the supernatural that define the genre. They are typically set in strange, eerie locations with an air of mystery such as a gothic mansion or in areas like Transylvania. If you dare, here are some recommendations to view to get a feel for the subculture: 

Dracula (1931) 

Beetlejuice (1988) 

The Crow (1994) 

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) 

Sleepy Hollow (1999) 

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) 

The Addams Family (1964-1966) 

 

Literature 

Gothic literature has been around a bit longer than the music and subculture we are used to today. Its origins are in the late 18th century and there are key elements: 

Typical settings are castles, mansions, ruins, isolated landscapes. 

Suspenseful atmosphere: Decay, darkness, mystery, family secrets and curses. 

Characters: Female in danger or distress, repressive male, doppelganger. 

Supernatural elements: Ghosts, vampires, strange events, shadows. 

Psychological terror: Nightmares, madness.  

Here is a list of novels which set the gothic mood:  

  • Frankenstein (1818) – Mary Shelley: The classic tale of scientific, existential horror. 
  • The Vampyre (1819) – John Polidori: The story that created the modern, aristocratic vampire trope. 
  • Wuthering Heights (1847) – Emily Brontë: Intense, brooding romance set on the Yorkshire moors. 
  • Jane Eyre (1847) – Charlotte Brontë: Features a young governess, a brooding master, and a dark secret. 
  • Dracula (1897) – Bram Stoker 
  • Rebecca (1938) – Daphne du Maurier: A young bride is haunted by the lingering presence of her husband’s first wife. 
  • The Woman in Black (1983) – Susan Hill: A young lawyer travels to a remote village and discovers a vengeful ghost is terrorizing the locals. 

 

 

Whitby 

This town in the north of England has become a destination of choice for goths. With a strong connection to Bram Stoker’s Dracula (he set the opening of the novel there after visiting in 1890), along with ruined architecture dominating the skyline, eerie fog rolling in off the sea and local legends of ghosts and witchcraft it meant that it became the perfect place to visit and celebrate their culture. It has also become the setting for the Whitby Goth Weekend. Held twice a year it attracts thousands of gothic individuals from across the globe.

This 3 day long alternative festival celebrates the goth subculture through a series of displays, stalls, and live music events. Additionally, Whitby jet, an organic gemstone formed from fossilized wood, is found in the area and during the Victorian era was fashioned into mourning jewellery. Due to its black colour and the association with mourning it became a natural choice of gemstone for goths and there are several shops in Whitby selling the gemstone jewellery. 

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation 

On 11th August 2007 Sophie Lancaster was attacked by a group of boys simply because, as a goth, she looked and dressed differently. Her boyfriend was also attacked and survived, but 13 days after the attack Sophie died. Sophie had often been subjected to abuse due to the way she looked and dressed. Her mother, Sylvia, made it her mission to promote tolerance and acceptance of others from different subcultures. In 2008 the Sophie Lancaster Foundation (SLF) got up and running with the aim of educating, celebrating and stimulating conversations about accepting alternative people in communities. 

The Foundation also campaigned to extend UK Hate Crime legislation to include people from alternative subcultures. In 2013 Greater Manchester Police (GMP) become the first police authority to record and monitor hate crimes and incidents against people from alternative subcultures. 
GMP stated: ‘Crimes against people from alternative subcultures will be recorded as a crime by GMP in the same capacity as disability, racist, religious, sexual orientation and transgender Hate Crime to provide better support to victims and repeat victims.’ 

Today, the charity works with anyone aged 7 and above, delivering workshops and presentations, raising awareness of alternative subcultures, and preventing judgment of others based on their appearance. 

Sophie’s killers were brought to justice and received lengthy custodial sentences. At present one of Sophie’s killers is due for release, but SLF feels that rather than comment on the decision they would prefer to honour Sophie’s memory by carrying on with their work to Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere (SOPHIE) and to remember all victims of hate crime. 

Sophie’s story has been turned into a stage play which in turn was made into a BBC drama which can be viewed using the Box of Broadcasts database available using Library Search 

 

 

How to celebrate World Goth Day 

Attend a local event such as an art or fashion show or a music event. 

Host your own goth party with relevant music, clothes and decorations. 

Read a classic Gothic novel. 

Watch a movie featuring goth characters. 

Listen to some goth music. 

Make a donation to the Sophie Lancaster Foundation which campaigns against image-based prejudice. 

Check out all the gothic material available to Edinburgh Napier staff and students using Library Search 

 

By Vivienne Hamilton

Photo by Alexander Grey Unsplash 

 

 

 

 

 

Craiglockhart campus

21 Years of Craiglockhart campus library

20/05/2026 / / 0 Comments

21 Years of Craiglockhart campus library

Merchiston library is partially closed over the summer. We’ve went in our archives to dig out a post regarding last time one of our campus libraries had a refurb.

In the summer of 2004 the refurbished Craiglockhart campus was getting ready to re-open. It had acquired a modern extension to cope with increased student numbers. So the library was now housed in the lower floor below the foyer. Controversially, the main library area lacked a ceiling. Whilst the works were taking place the book stock and library staff were accommodated at Sighthill campus.  Which would later get its own refurbishment.

Back then, at Sighthill, the staff offices and library were quite old-fashioned looking, with lots of dark wood. The library desk was not near the book stock; in fact, it wasn’t even on the same floor. Without a lift capable of taking trollies between floors, books had to be loaded into a dumbwaiter-style lift, sent up to the correct floor, then unloaded from the lift onto another trolley. Packing the books for the move back to Craiglockhart was a massive task. Books were packed in crates in Dewey Decimal order, and journals were alphabetised by title, then by date. Crates were then labelled and transported to Craiglockhart.

Craiglockhart campus library

The new Craiglockhart library was very different. There was light coloured metal shelving and large windows making the area seem much brighter. Book and journal stock was held on the same floor as the library desk making returning items to the correct place much easier. Once the stock had been transported back from Sighthill it had to be unpacked and put onto the shelves in the correct order which required a lot of concentration! The crates served as seating for library staff at breaks and lunchtime, as the library furniture had not yet arrived.

At the time, there were two rows of main book stock, which, due to the increase in e-book usage and no longer teaching languages, have now been reduced to one. Almost all journals stocked were in print format and these were stored in large rolling stacks situated where the collaborative desks are now. It would be a few years before self-service kiosks for issuing and returning books came to the library and even longer until a Click and Collect shelf for requests. Until then if you requested a book and wanted to collect it you had to wait to be served at the library helpdesk.

A few years after returning to Craiglockhart the size of the staff office was reduced to create the quiet room. Low-level talking and discussion are allowed here, but it tends to be more of a silent study room.

As time passed and print journal subscriptions moved to electronic ones the rolling stacks became obsolete and collaborative desks were fitted in this space. Over the years computers have been upgraded regularly and Macs were added. The lapsafe provides access to laptops which can be borrowed.

With increased space due to reduced print stock it was possible to create the relaxation space. This is a space to take time out from studies. Books, colouring sheets, games and origami paper are provided.

At the time Craiglockhart library re-opened no-one could have guessed how many changes there would be over the years. Let’s see what the next 21 years bring!

 

Read more about the changes of Craiglockhart over the years

By Vivienne Hamilton

Museum of Scotland

International Museum Day

18/05/2026 / / 0 Comments

International Museum Day

The 18th of May marks International Museum Day, an event organised by the International Council of Museums to celebrate local museums and raise public awareness of the role museums play in society. Observed since 1977, International Museum Day is celebrated in hundreds of countries and tens of thousands of museums worldwide. These celebrations are usually formed around a theme that allows museums to coordinate their message to the public and provide a topic for discussion and events. Past themes have examined the role museums play in the lives of young people, their connections to environmental struggles, and how museum objects can be used to preserve memories of the past.
This year’s theme is Museums Uniting a Divided World, focusing on how museums can foster dialogue and understanding between communities and cultures through the shared exchange of objects and information.

Edinburgh Museums

So in the spirit of the day, we’d like to talk a little about the local museums here in Edinburgh, as well as tell you about the historical collections we have on display at Napier.
One of the great things about Edinburgh is the abundance of museums dedicated to preserving the art, culture, and lived experience of others, whether from other cultures or from those who came before us.
A wonderful example of just such a museum can be found on the Royal Mile: The People’s Story Museum, dedicated to recording the everyday lives of working-class people in Edinburgh from the late 18th century to today. At the museum, you can step into galleries depicting life in 18th-century tenement houses, letting you see how the people of Edinburgh would have lived over two hundred years ago.

Edinburgh is also home to Europe’s only Palestinian museum, located not far from Princes Street. The museum is dedicated to chronicling the art and culture of the Palestinian people and how they have persevered through generations of hardship. The founder of the museum, Faisal Saleh, says that the goal of the project is to demonstrate that Palestinians are “human, creative, and resilient”.
There is also the Museum of Childhood, which preserves the history and interests of local children going back hundreds of years, with the oldest item on display being a doll of Queen Anne that dates to the mid-18th century! This little museum can be a great way to understand the youthful hobbies and toys from past generations and how the role of children in society has changed over the centuries.

Little Museum at Craiglockhart

If you’re interested in something a little bit closer to campus, you can have a look at some of our university’s Heritage Collections, perhaps the most famous of which is the War Poets Collection housed at our Craiglockhart campus.
Our Craiglockhart campus has a long and storied history before it became part of the university, with the building originally constructed in the Victorian era as a Hydropathic – a building dedicated to providing water therapy to those suffering from sickness and other ailments. When the First World War began in 1914, Craiglockhart was converted into a military psychiatric hospital where it treated military officers believed to be suffering from Shellshock.

Two officers who recovered at Craiglockhart were Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen, both poets who were inspired by their experiences in the First World War to create art as a way of processing what they had been through. Their time at Craiglockhart was important in the development of both men’s work. Especially Owen, who was still an aspiring poet at the time and who used his time at Craiglockhart to surround himself with other artists who were staying at the hospital, as well as becoming involved in The Hydra, a magazine run by patients at the hospital in order for them to remain active and productive during their recovery.

War Poets

Today, our War Poets Collection holds hundreds of items related to the men who recovered at Craiglockhart. These include first editions of Sassoon’s and Owen’s writings, along with collections of letters written by patients, and photographs and other items from throughout the history of Craiglockhart.
You can find these items on permanent display in our War Poets exhibition on the ground floor of Craiglockhart, and they provide a great insight into the inner lives of men struggling with the trauma of the First World War, and lets us better understand the experiences of those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder in a time before that was understood.
The next time you’re at Craiglockhart, why don’t you take the opportunity to have a quick look at the collection and learn some more about the history of one of our campuses

By Matthew Ferrie

Read about Merchiston Tower, 500 years standing proud at Merchiston Campus

Photo by Serenay Bay Unsplash

Return items

Returning Items and Summer Opening Hours

14/05/2026 / / 0 Comments

Returning Items and Summer Opening Hours

 

Are you a student with us who is graduating or leaving the university this summer? We hope you have enjoyed your time with us, and gotten the best out of our library resources and services as well. You may still have some books or a laptop on loan from us – if you are coming towards the end of your course, it’s time to bring these back to us! The good news is that our return processes for both laptops and books are straightforward and self-service.

 

Returning Books…

 

All of our campus libraries have return boxes throughout the building, usually next to our self-service kiosks. To return a book to us and ensure the loan is cleared from your account, bring your books or items to a self-service kiosk in the library, click the red ‘Return’ button, and place the item or items under the kiosk screen to scan and process them as returns. Once you have done this, you can then place them in our return bins, and our library staff will re-shelve them again.

Don’t worry if you have forgotten to scan it through our library self-service kiosks when you drop it into our boxes however, our library staff scan all books we find in our return bins through the kiosks again to check if they have been requested by another patron, or simply sent to one of our other campus libraries to be reshelved. Which means yes – you can indeed return your books to a different campus library from which you retrieved or collected them! We also have return boxes in all Edinburgh Napier student accommodation buildings as well.

 

Can’t get to campus? You can also post any books or items you need to return to us by mailing them to one of our three campus addresses. We would recommend posting them in a padded envelope as items remain your responsibility until they arrive with us.

 

Returning Laptops…

 

Our Lapsafe lockers in all three of our campus libraries, the JKCC and Bainfield Student Accommodation, are self-service, and the returns process for our Lapsafe laptops is similar to the borrowing process. All you need to do is scan your physical or digital student card at the machine, click on the ‘Return’ button when this comes up on the screen and the locker from which you retrieved the laptop when you borrowed it will start flashing. You will then be able to open the locker and return the laptop along with the charger. Please ensure that you plug it into the USB-C charging cable inside as well to ensure it processes as a return. All Lapsafe laptops must be returned to the original campus or building locker from which they were borrowed.

 

If you are having trouble getting to campus to return a Lapsafe laptop device to us, we generally recommend asking someone to return it for you or arranging a courier service to deliver it to us. The person or courier returning the laptop to us on your behalf must have your student card on hand. We do not recommend sending the laptop to us, as it may be damaged in transit.

 

Opening Hours and Contact Details…

 

If you are having trouble returning any items or a Lapsafe laptop to us, or if you have any extenuating circumstances affecting this, you can get in touch with us by emailing library@napier.ac.uk or phoning 01314553500. We are more than happy to help! Our opening hours remain the same over the summer period, with our helpdesks open and helpdesk staff available from 8:45am-16:45pm to take any calls or answer any queries at our helpdesks or via email. You can find more information about our Opening Hours, staffed and unstaffed, in our My Napier webpages. This also includes further information about the essential works taking place at Merchiston campus library this summer, from the 18th of May until Friday 4 September 2026, and how this will also affect their opening hours and library space access.

 

By Rachel Downie

 

Read more about Merchiston library over the summer

International nurses day
Induction Lecture

International Nurses Day 2026

12/05/2026 / / 0 Comments

International Nurses Day 2026

 

What would we do without nurses? Nurses serve a critical purpose and role within the NHS and healthcare industries across the globe. Their roles are safety-critical and require a great degree of professionalism, initiative, emotional resilience, compassion and the ability to think on your feet. This year, the International Nursing Council has declared the theme and central focus of International Nurses Day to be ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.’ This message essentially promotes fair pay, improved working conditions, and robust career pathways for nurses to enhance and build a more robust and resilient healthcare system.

 

A little bit of history…

 

International Nurses Day falls on the 12th of May every year – the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is recognised as the founder of modern nursing practices. Florence Nightingale, often referred to as ‘Lady of the Lamp,’ served as a nurse in Turkey during the Crimean War, caring for sick and wounded allied and British soldiers. She also led, trained and managed teams of fellow nurses and worked to improve nursing and sanitation standards within the Scutari hospital wards.

With funding from the London Times, Nightingale purchased equipment and cleaning supplies and worked to establish higher standards and a higher quality of care by making bathing, laundry, sanitary dressings, and adequate meals an essential part of nursing practice and sanitation within the wards. She would support and help patients in the wards all through the night as well – her efforts and advocacy eventually led to a decrease in the mortality rates within the wards that she supervised and worked in. She also worked to formalise nursing education by organising training for nursing and midwifery trainees in workhouse infirmary buildings.

 

Eventually, her work laid the foundations for the first scientifically based nursing institute and academy to open at St Thomas’s Hospital in London in 1860, named The Nightingale School of Nursing in honour of her contributions and efforts in this field, as well as the positive change she advocated for in general nursing practice. In 1883, she was awarded the Royal Red Cross (RRC) by Queen Victoria for her exceptional service during the war, before going on to earn the Order of Merit in 1907, Britain’s most prestigious civilian award, presented to her by King Edward VII. The annual observance of International Nurses Day on the 12th of May commemorates her contributions to nursing and the fundamental role this profession plays within the healthcare industry.

 

How to celebrate International Nurses Day…

 

Nurses carry out a variety of different tasks and duties daily within hospital wards as well as in other various settings, often under challenging and time-pressured circumstances. They will carry out regular duties such as assessing and monitoring patients, administering medication, treating wounds, communicating with patients and their families, checking vital signs, keeping accurate patient records, and much, much more. International Nurses Day promotes recognition and appreciation of the hard work that our nurses do. Here is some of the ways in which you can show your appreciation for and raise awareness of the valuable contributions nurses make within the healthcare industry and society as a whole:

  • Advocacy and Support: Advocate for and promote improved working conditions, fair pay, and strong policies that support our nurses and their career progression.
  • Make a Donation: There are many charities that help provide essentials and vital resources for nursing education and professional development, to which you can donate.
  • Educate and Raise Awareness: Share inspiring stories and perspectives from nurses and healthcare professionals about the significant and vast contributions nurses make to the healthcare sector. Social media is a great platform for sharing this information widely.

 

Want to learn and read more about nurses and nursing as a profession?…

 And we have more posts

Here are some recommendations from ENU libraries:

  • Dear NHS: 100 stories to say thank you, Kay, Adam, 1980- editor. 2020. Available in Sighthill Campus Library Main Stock.
  • The Nightingale model of nursing, Peet, Rob van der.; Nightingale, Florence, 1820-1910.1995. Available in Sighthill Campus Library Main Stock.
  • Nursing models for nursing students, Wilson, Sally, editor. 2026. Great one for our nursing students! Available in Sighthill Campus Library Main Stock.

 

By Rachel Downie

Micro to Macro

Napier Exhibition: Micro to Macro

07/05/2026 / / 0 Comments

Napier Exhibition: Micro to Macro

Edinburgh Napier’s School of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment Exhibition will return for its 5th year on 13th & 14th May (1pm-4pm) at our Merchiston campus.

Get up close and hands-on with the exciting technologies and equipment our lecturers and researchers use to push the boundaries of science and engineering.

Zoom in and try your hand at being a ‘micro-detective’.  See if you can identify what’s under our microscope.  Or learn how nano-fibres on your shoes are being used to power batteries.  Or chat with Euclid, Moira, and friends – our resident group of humanoid robots.  There’s so much to do and see, so come along to Merchiston campus and discover something amazing.

Our lecturers and researchers are constantly pushing boundaries to make everyday life easier, more productive, and more enjoyable. Their work spans every scale imaginable — from unlocking the secrets of the tiniest molecules to tackling some of the biggest challenges we face. It’s innovation at every level, from micro to macro, all driven by a passion to improve how we live.

Join us to explore the wealth of research and innovation that the School of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment is developing to solve all types of problems, big or small.

The event is open to the public on 13th & 14th May.  More details are on our webpage, and people can register their interest:  Exhibition: Micro to Macro | Worlds within Worlds

Check out the video here

 

 

Merchiston summer

Merchiston Library: Changes to access during Summer 2026 

05/05/2026 / / 0 Comments

Merchiston Library: Changes to access during Summer 2026 

 

During Trimester 3 (Summer 2026), essential building works will take place in Merchiston Library. 
These works mean access to library spaces, and resources will be limited over the summer. 

 

We also expect noise and disruption throughout. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will provide further updates as the works progress.

From Monday 18 May to Friday 4 September (inclusive):

Access to the Library 

  • Zone 1, the area near the helpdesk (including Group Study Room 8), will remain open. The Library helpdesk will remain open, with the usual Opening Hours.
     
  • All other library areas will be closed. This means no access to quiet, silent study spaces, print books, journals, and other items on shelves.  

 

Accessing library materials 

  • You can access many of our books and journals online using LibrarySearch. 
  • If you need print books from Merchiston Library, please request them in advance using the Click and Collect service, and library staff will have them ready for you near the helpdesk.  
  • Please allow extra time, as there may be delays and limited access to certain areas during the works. 
  • Access to some items, such as print journals, may be limited. 
    Please email library@napier.ac.uk if this will cause you any issues. 

 

Alternative study/work spaces 

 

You can also study or work in: 

  • The Jack Kilby Computer Centre at Merchiston 
  • Libraries or computer suites at Craiglockhart or Sighthill. 

 

Please note that you can find silent study spaces in Craiglockhart Library or Sighthill LRC and a Family Room is available at Craiglockhart Library. 

 

If you have any questions or need help, please contact the Library team. 
Email library@napier.ac.uk or call 0131 455 3500. 

Bringing back your lapsafe laptop

28/04/2026 / / 0 Comments

Bringing back your lapsafe laptop

Summertime is upon us – followed by the coming end to the exam and deadline season, hooray! You may have borrowed a Lapsafe laptop from us during this period to work on assignments, finish writing up essays and reports, or ultimately to study for upcoming exams and deadlines. If you were also lucky enough to get one during exam season (they go out so quickly at this time of year!), you may still have it on loan and may also be ready to return it to us again. The good news is that the return process is very quick and straightforward!

 

How to borrow a Lapsafe Laptop…

 

If you are in urgent need of a laptop, no matter what the reason may be, you can borrow a Lapsafe laptop from us at all three of our campus libraries, the JKCC and Bainfield Student Accommodation. Ensure that you have your physical or digital student ID card with you when borrowing from our self-service laptop lockers on campus. If there are any laptops available inside the Lapsafe tower you have scanned your card at, you will be assigned a locker that will flash when you click the ‘Borrow’ button. You will then be able to open the locker and retrieve your laptop and charger. This laptop is now yours for two weeks!

 

How to return a Lapsafe Laptop…

 

To return your Lapsafe laptop to us, you must go to the Lapsafe locker on campus or to the building where you originally borrowed the device. You must also have your physical or digital student card ready to scan at the Lapsafe locker. Once you have done so, click the ‘Return’ tab on the screen. The locker from which you borrowed the laptop will then start to flash, which means you can then open it and return the laptop along with the charging cable that came with it. There is a short USB-C cable in all Lapsafe lockers as well – please ensure to plug the device you are returning into this lead as this will fully process the device as returned!

 

If you feel it may be difficult or unfeasible for you to return the Lapsafe laptop by its due date, you can arrange for a courier or friend to return the device for you – just make sure they have your student card to hand when they return it. Still unsure if you will be able to return the laptop to us on time? Email us at library@napier.ac.uk or phone 0131 455 3500 to speak to one of our friendly library staff here at Edinburgh Napier University libraries.

 

Lapsafe Laptop Loan Policy…

 

Our Lapsafe laptops can be borrowed for up to two weeks maximum if needed. Due to these laptops being in such high demand, we cannot offer extensions on their loan periods as we generally can with our books and other physical resources. You can, however, take out another Lapsafe laptop right after you return the one you had on loan previously for another two weeks, provided that you do not have any fines or blocks on your library account. This is also dependent on the availability of our Lapsafe laptops as well – you can check if we have any available to borrow in all campuses and buildings by going into the Napier app, signing into your Napier account and selecting the ‘Laptop Availability’ tile.

 

All Lapsafe laptops must be returned to us on time – otherwise, access to the laptop, including the ability to log in, will likely be blocked. See our laptop loan guidance and terms and conditions on our Laptops to loan My Napier webpages.

 

By Rachel Downie

Exam support, we have a wide range to support 

 

 

 

 

English language

English Language Day

23/04/2026 / / 0 Comments

English Language Day

Whether English is your first language or you have learned it as a second language, you will be using a language that is spoken worldwide by billions of people. The United Nations first established English Language Day (ELD) in 2010 to inform people about the history, culture and achievements of English as it is one of the two working languages of the UN Secretariat and one of the organisation’s six official languages. ELD takes place on 23rd April, the date was chosen as it is the date of Shakespeare’s birth and death, and he is one of the most famous writers in English.

History of English

English has absorbed many influences over the centuries. It can trace its roots to a Germanic language which would have come to Britain when tribes such as the Angles, Saxons and Jutes began to arrive in Britain around the 5th century. Later, the language absorbed Norse vocabulary from Viking invaders, Latin from Christian missionaries, and French following the Norman Conquest in 1066. By the time Shakespeare was writing in the 16th and 17th centuries, English had many influences.

In later centuries, colonialism and trade fuelled the spread of English, and it gained prominence across the globe. In modern times, music, film, and social media continue to extend the reach of the language. Since 1932, the BBC has broadcast its World Service across many parts of the world, and this is how many living abroad with no access to language education have been able to learn English.

In modern times, English has continued to absorb words from other languages. There are also new words created to reflect changing technology and culture, which, through general widespread use, get added to the dictionary. In the past few years, words such as meme, deepfake and selfie, along with many more, have become so commonly used that they are now found in English dictionaries.

Common words from other languages

Some of our everyday English words have their roots in other languages – you may be surprised!

Shampoo – Originates from the Hindi word champo, meaning to massage or knead.

Rucksack – German

Cafe – French

Lemon – Arabic

Accents and dialects

Throughout the English-speaking world there are a huge range of accents and dialects. An American or Australian accent is instantly recognizable. Within the UK itself there’s a diverse range of accents – Scots, Geordie (Newcastle and surrounding area, England), Yorkshire, Cockney (London), and dialects which can reflect past influences in that area:

Scots/Geordie – The word “bairn” meaning child comes from the Norse “barn”. Barn is still used in Norwegian and Swedish to mean child.

Yorkshire – If someone from Yorkshire refers to laiking they are talking about playing. This comes from the Norse leika. Today in Norway “leke” means play.

Scots – Many Scots people talk about the “kirk” meaning church coming from the Norse “kirkja”. Today “kirke” is still used in Norwegian for church.

 

English Literature

Many of the world’s classic novels and texts have been written by authors using the English language. These texts are still read, taught and studied today.

Literature

William Shakespeare – Wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long narrative poems. Works include Hamlet, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet.

Charles Dickens – Through his vivid depictions of London life Dickens raised awareness of the poverty and hardships faced by the poorest of the population. Works include Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol and David Copperfield.

Bronte Sisters – Classic novels Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall all feature strong female characters and touch on societal expectations and emotions of the time, all set in the dramatic Yorkshire countryside.

Mary Shelley – Her novel Frankenstein is an early example of the science fiction genre. She wrote other novels, short stories and travel books.

Jane Austen – Her novels’ plots often focus on the importance of a good marriage for women to secure financial stability and social standing.

JK Rowling – The Harry Potter series has become a modern literary classic.

Scientific texts

Many respected and influential scientific texts were written and first published in English, some of which are mentioned below:

Charles Darwin – On the Origin of Species. Fundamental texts on evolution and natural history.

Stephen Hawking – A Brief History of Time. Explores cosmology, the Big Bang, and black holes for a general audience.

Isaac Newton – Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. Established the laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Social commentary

Many writers have used their works to raise awareness of issues important to them. Examples include:

George Orwell – Animal Farm. Focuses on Political Corruption & Totalitarianism.

William Golding – Lord of the Flies. Features social breakdown.

Aldous Huxley – Brave New World. Explores technological control.

Classic films

There are endless classic films in the English language, probably because Hollywood in America is one of the most prolific centres of film production. Some of the novels written by the authors mentioned above have been turned into films, some with multiple versions.

Would you like to take part in ELD? Why not try:

Reading a classic English Literature book, watching the film version or doing both to compare.

Attending a classic play at the theatre.

Have a listen to some regional dialects.

Hosting or joining a book club.

Whether it’s for study or pleasure, we hope you find English interesting, and there are many novels available to borrow from Merchiston campus library.

By Vivienne Hamilton

We have more language posts if you are interested? 

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