The Library Blog

Edinburgh Napier University

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Sighthill Library

Library Spaces

23/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

Library Spaces

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

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

Group Study Rooms

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

Resource booker app

Collaborative desks

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

Collaborative desks

Group Study pods

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

Study pod at Craiglockhart

 

Family rooms

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

Silent study rooms

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

Individual booths

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

 

Silent area Merchiston library

Adjustable height desks and assistive technology PCs

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

Adjustable desk Craiglockhart

Rise Standing Desks

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

Relaxation spaces

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

Relaxation area Sighthill

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

Wifi

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

Security gates

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

Waste and recycling bins

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

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

By Vivienne Hamiliton

You can read more about our library spaces on our webpages

Or follow the blog for more library information.

Creepy community – The White Lady of Comiston

21/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

Creepy community – The White Lady of Comiston

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

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

The White Lady of Comiston

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

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

The Ghost Story of Comiston

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

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

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

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

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

White lady walk Cockmylane sign

By Vivienne Hamiliton

 

Interested in ghost stories, we have plenty. 

 

 

Academic skills

Academic Skills

18/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

Academic Skills

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

 

Academic Skills Team

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

What do they do?

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

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

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

By Matthew Ferrie

Have a look at our previous study skills posts 

Or look at the mynapier study pages

Picture of the Library Bookshelves

Getting Started with the Library

10/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

Getting Started with the Library

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

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

What will you find out from Getting Started with the Library

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

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

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

Here to Help

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

Or check out our library webpages.

And you can keep with more information on the blog.

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

Wellbeing space

Wellbeing for Freshers

10/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

At the Wellbeing for Freshers:

Your first year at university…

It’s Freshers Week and while you settle in, taking care of your wellbeing is important.

It’s your first week at university? Excited? Inspired? Lost? Terrified? An overwhelming flurry of all these emotions and more? Overwhelmed may be the best way to describe how you are feeling currently. As many freshers will feel in the first few weeks of university life.

Support services and resources…

Whatever it is you may be going through, Edinburgh Napier University has a wide range of well-being and support services to assist you. Whether it be with the transition into university life, personal life or your studies. Our Wellbeing and Inclusion team are here to help. Providing a variety of support services and resources to aid you with getting the most out of your university experience. Point you in the right direction, listen and provide advice when needed. Ultimately help you to feel supported, safe and confident in your potential. At the campus libraries also offer a range of well-being resources and relaxation spaces to encourage our student community to take breaks and opportunities to wind down throughout their studies and prioritise their health and well-being.

Our study and relaxation spaces…

So, what can the library offer you regarding health and well-being support? Firstly, each campus offers a range of different study spaces and rooms which

are tailored to the needs of our student community and regular patrons. Whether you need a group-friendly study space with specific learning technology to collaborate or simply a quiet space to study where distractions and noise are kept at bay, our campus library have many which are all available to book through Resource Booker. For students with young children, we also have our family study room at Merchiston campus library which is equipped with a small table and chair set, toyboxes and child-sized bean bags to keep your little ones occupied while you are working away. Study rooms can be booked for up to one two-hour slot per day and can be booked up to 14 days in advance. Group study rooms must be booked in advance to avoid disappointment or clashes. Find out more about our group study spaces on Group Study Rooms (napier.ac.uk).

 

Need a break? All three of our campus libraries have a relaxation space with comfy, colourful couches, plants, jigsaw puzzles, colouring sheets, and craft materials to allow you the opportunity to wind down and de-stress whilst channelling some inner creativity. All of our relaxation spaces are also located next to the windows of each campus library to let in some natural light. You can find out more about where each relaxation space can be found in each campus library by visiting Relaxation Spaces (napier.ac.uk). We have an online relaxation space here right on our blog.

Our Libguide and Wellbeing Resources…

If you do end up taking a well-deserved break in one of our three campus relaxation spaces, you will also see that each of them hosts our well-being book stands and displays with resources covering a variety of topics and issues. From stories and real-life accounts of recovery and resilience to advice and discussions about settling into university and other life matters, we very likely will have a book on our well-being book display that you knew (or did not even know) that you were looking for!

All the books displayed are part of our Wellbeing Collection. Here, you will find books which cover subject areas and issues such as addiction, health, mental well-being, neurodiversity, body image, race, sleep, family & relationships,

environment and of course, university life itself. We are open to suggestions for new books to add to our Wellbeing displays, and even though we cannot always guarantee that every suggestion can be purchased, each one will be significantly considered. Email library@napier.ac.uk with any ideas or for more information.

 

You can find out more about our Wellbeing Collection, our wellbeing resources and additional support services in our LibGuide.

 

Book Recommendations from our collection…

 

Below are some well-being resources which may be useful to both new and returning students this year.

 

 

By Rachel Downie.

ENSA Napier

ENSA: Your Students’ Association

09/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

ENSA: Your Students’ Association

To all Napier students old and new, welcome (back!)

We wanted to give you a brief overview of ENSA (Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association). And how you can use the services we provide to make the most of your time at Edinburgh Napier.

Firstly, if you don’t already know, ENSA is a not a university department, we are an independent charity representing Edinburgh Napier’s students.

We are based in our office at B34 in Merchiston. But have advice offices at both Sighthill and Craiglockhart too. And now have shared use of the Upper Apex at Merchiston and the Hangout (the seating area just across from the Cafe) at Sighthill. We will be holding events in both spaces. Creating a less formal space for students to spend time.

We’re now going to give you a brief overview of ENSA’s areas of work – and how YOU can get involved!

ENSA REPRESENTATION

ENSA exists to both represent the students at Edinburgh Napier University and to facilitate students representing themselves to the university. This is done in a variety of different ways.

Every year the students of Edinburgh Napier elect our 3 Sabbatical Officers, who work with ENSA staff to fulfil their election manifestos and to represent Napier students to key decision-makers at the university. You can find out more about your 3 presidents, Evans, Chika and Ryan, and the work they’ll be doing this year, here.

If you want to get involved in student politics yourself. We have several ways to do so!

Student Council is the place where students come together to debate issues, propose solutions and create positive change.  And if you want to have a say in your education and represent students academically why not become a Programme Rep. Programme leaders will be looking for volunteers at the start of term!

ENSA representation

ENSA ADVICE

ENSA offers Edinburgh Napier students free advice on a range of education and welfare rights issues. We have offices at all 3 campuses and a team of 4 trained, professional advisers to provide students with up-to-date, practical advice, helping them to make informed choices.

ENSA Advice is independent of the University which means that we can give you the best advice possible when it comes to issues. The service is also completely confidential, and the team will not share any information without your consent.

Our Advice service can help you with:

  • Academic appeals
  • Extenuating circumstances and “Fit to Sit”
  • Academic and non-academic misconduct
  • Fitness to practice
  • Complaints
  • Issues with courses
  • Housing
  • Other welfare matters
  • Money advice (student funding, fees, benefits and budgeting)

Students can book appointments online or in person at napierstudents.com/advice

 

ENSA Advice

EVENTS and CAMPAIGNS

Obviously, one of the biggest events in ENSA’s calendar, Welcome Week, is just around the corner, but we also hold many events throughout the year, both on-and-off campus, featuring everything from club nights to cultural celebrations, craft sessions and more.

A lot of events have a focus on student wellbeing, including our Movember and Feel Fab Feb campaigns, and our World Mental Health Day event coming up in October. You can read about how the university and ENSA work together to support student mental health in our recently launched Student Mental Health Agreement.

We also hold regular Give-It-a-Go sessions to encourage students to try new things and encourage a focus on sustainability through regular clothes, book and household items swaps along with other environmentally focussed activities.

The academic year finishes on a high with our all-day Varsity event against QMU and our Societies and Sports Awards Ball, and we offer students the chance to give positive feedback to their lecturers and tutors via our ENSA Excellence Awards.

Events like these all aim to help students make friends and create a sense of community and belonging. So please do come and join in!

SPORTS and SOCIETIES

We have over 30 sports clubs and over 40 societies, providing something for everyone whether you’re into Dance or Dungeons and Dragons, Rugby or Rock and Metal! Whether you want to try something new, or meet people who share your passion, joining a sports

club or society is a great way to make new friends, and get involved in a whole host of events and activities.

Most of our Sports Clubs and Societies run taster sessions at the start of term so why not browse their upcoming events and get involved!

ENSa

By Catherine Jones (ENSA)

 

welcome to our libraries

Welcome to ENU Libraries.

08/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

Welcome to ENU Libraries.

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

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

 

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

Welcome to Library Resources

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Study Spaces.

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

Contact Us

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

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

By Email: library@napier.ac.uk

By Phone: 0131 455 3500 (24/7)

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

By Sharon McMichael

Read about the changes over the Summer

Bright Red Triangle office

Bright Red Triangle

03/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

Bright Red Triangle

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

Bright Red Triangle: A Supportive Network for All

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

From Ideas to Impact

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

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

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

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

Bright Red Triangle meeting

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

Join the Bright Red Triangle Community

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

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

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

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

bright red triangle

By Kendra Byers (Bright Red Triangle)

New York Public Library

Librarians on Holidays

29/08/2024 / / 0 Comments

Librarians on Holidays

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

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

European Holidays

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

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

Looking elsewhere in Europe, may we recommend the following:

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

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

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

Libraries further Abroad

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

Photo by Alejandro Barba Unsplash 

Stuggart Library by Tobias Fischer

Librarians and libraries

28/08/2024 / / 0 Comments

Librarians and libraries

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

Public Libraries

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

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

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

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

Edinburgh Libraries

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

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

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

E.Pastor Alventosa

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

Interested about studying at other libraries, we have SCONUL

Photo by Tobias Fischer 

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Contact Us

Email: library@napier.ac.uk

Telephone: 0131 455 3500

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Instagram: @ENU_Library​

 

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