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 5 of 27)

Christmastime Edinburgh

Christmastime in the City of Edinburgh

14/12/2025 / / 0 Comments

Christmastime in the City of Edinburgh

 

 

 

It’s that time of year again where Edinburgh City Centre becomes a bustling hive of activity as well as a glorious winter wonderland. With it’s yearly Christmas markets, festive food and drink stalls, live outdoor events and the dazzling light trails being showcased within the Castle of Light and Botanic Gardens, the City of Edinburgh an ideal place to spend to get into the festive spirits and make wonderful Christmas memories with family, friends and partners. Read on if we have sparked your curiosity regarding what EdWinterFest has to offer this year!

 

Edinburgh’s Famous Christmas Markets…

 

Edinburgh’s world-renowned Christmas Markets are back this year! Stalls ran by various independent retailers and artists will have now filled the east side of Princes Street Gardens, as well as many festive food and drink stalls, fairground rides and of course, the iconic big wheel will be lit up and running for the occasion! A wide range of items and gifts are sold yearly at Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets including woolly scarves, hats, gloves, bags as well as hand-crafted jewellery, ornaments, toys and various other miscellany. Hungry, or have a thirst that needs quenched? The food and drink stalls also serve a variety of hearty options including mac and cheese, haggis, Yorkshire pudding wraps, and loaded fries, as well as mulled wines and ciders, hot drinks including hot chocolates, and soft drinks. Room for dessert? Some of the stalls also giant stuffed cookies, waffles, pancakes and warm churros as well.

 

The west side of Princes Street Gardens also hosts the yearly Santas Stories event – a magical experience for both children and their parents to meet Santa and have the magic of Christmas brought to life with stories of the North Pole as well as other festive tales. This event takes place inside a small cabin, with warm blankets and hot chocolates also provided! All sessions last for up to 20 minutes in total. The Starflyer ride is also close by and located in the west side of Princes Street Gardens, making this end of the Christmas markets very family-focused and orientated.

 

Christmas Lights and Light Trails…

 

One of the most magical parts of Christmas is indeed when the Christmas lights come on all throughout different cities and local towns – including the City of Edinburgh! Victoria Street in particular is famous for it’s dazzling Christmas lights and the picturesque way they look against the charming, architecturally unique cobblestone buildings. It provides the perfect scenic background for festive photos and strolling through shops whilst doing your Christmas shopping. Edinburgh also hosts dazzling light trails in both the Royal Botanical Gardens and Edinburgh Castle with illuminated and colourful walkways which also provide scenic backgrounds for photos or simply walking through to take in the festive magic. Festive music is played and food is also provided at the Royal Botanical Gardens Christmas lights trail.

 

The Torchlight Procession…

 

The festivities do not end after Christmas Day! Hogmanay approaches not long after and as part of this, the City of Edinburgh hosts both a Torchlight Procession on the 29th of December and Street Party on the 31st just before the New Year kicks in! The Torchlight Procession is a family-friendly event which takes place annually on the 29th of December where at least 15,000 torches are lit and carried through the streets of Edinburgh. It is also a charitable event as the torches are carried in aid of national and local charities such as Social Bite and One City Trust. Street theatre and fire performers also fill the streets of Edinburgh as well, ultimately establishing a carnival-like atmosphere.

 

The City of Edinburgh certainly knows how to celebrate Christmas and get everyone in the festive spirit!

 

By Rachel Downie

It’s festive time at the library blog

 

Christmas authors

Christmas Authors

06/12/2025 / / 0 Comments

Christmas Authors

 

The festive season is upon us! Christmas markets are bustling as the Christmas shopping rush begins. Christmas lights are filling the streets of Edinburgh City Centre, and many of us are getting ready. And also very excited for the festive season and holidays to commence. The lead-up to Christmas time and the festive holiday season evokes thoughts and excitement for many things and special moments. Moments of festive foods and treats, Christmas decorations put up throughout the city streets, Christmas movies, as well as Christmas shows at the theatre and pantomime, and of course, time with our loved ones.

Nevertheless, the commencing weeks of December also often consist of assignment deadlines and exams for much of our student and staff community. It can be easy to forget during this stressful and overwhelming time. In this blog post, to possibly encourage some of you to rekindle a love of reading again. We are going to list some famous and popular Christmas authors and their works. Some of which you may be tempted to read in front of the fireplace with a hot drink this year!

 

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) …

 

Charles Dickens is a 19th-century novelist and journalist who is also the author of many famous works. His works include Oliver Twist (1838) and Great Expectations (1861). One of his most famous and popular novels is also A Christmas Carol, which tells the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge. A penny-pinching and bitter businessman who believes Christmas to be like every other day of the year, even saying he “despises Christmas.” One evening, the spirit of an old business partner of his, named Jacob Marley, pays Scrooge a visit to warn him of the need to change his ways. And that he will be visited by three different spirits during the night: the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.

Each spirit takes him on a journey through various scenes from Scrooge’s childhood, when he was a young, adolescent man, a present-day Christmas party hosted by his nephew Fred and then a Christmas dinner hosted at his employee Bob Cratchett’s house. Lastly, he is shown his future by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come – all these journeys through the past, present and future end up having a significant influence on Scrooge and essentially encourage him to reflect and change his ways, as well as his perception of Christmas overall.

 

The first edition of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was published in the year 1843 on the 19th of December by Chapman & Hall in London. It ended up being a sell-out story by Christmas Eve, and since then, thirteen other editions have been published. It can be viewed as a reflection and essentially a reminder of the most important and valuable aspects of Christmas: festive magnanimity, kindness, celebration and time with our loved ones.

 

Chris Van Allsburg…

 

Chris Van Allsburg is the author of the award-winning The Polar Express novel – another Christmas classic which won the reputable Caldecott Medal in the year 1986 not long after it was published on the 28th of October 1985. It has gone on to become a well-loved Christmas movie, as well as being adapted into various stage productions during the festive season.

It tells the story of a young boy who boards a train at night, which takes him to the North Pole, where he meets Santa, who then offers him any Christmas present of his choice. He chooses a bell from one of the reindeer harnesses, but on his journey back home, he loses the bell. Nevertheless, he finds it underneath the Christmas tree on Christmas morning – only he and his younger sister can hear it ring in their household, though. Their parents cannot, as they are deemed not to fully believe in the magic of Christmas.

 

Hidden messages in books can often be subject to interpretation. One of the most famous, well-known quotes from this book is “seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.” This can be interpreted as a hidden message regarding how the magic and essentially the joy of Christmas becomes ‘real’ to those who truly believe in it – and who actively try to make it magical for themselves and others around them.

 

Jenny Colgan…

 

Jenny Colgan is a Scottish author who has written books ranging from genres such as science fiction and romantic comedy. She is also the author of many Christmas-themed books and stories. These include An Island Christmas, The Christmas Surprise, The Secret Christmas Library and The Christmas Bookshop series.

All of these Christmassy reads are very light-hearted and equally heart-warming, with The Christmas Bookshop being one of her most popular festive novels. It tells the story of two estranged sisters who reunite to work together in running an old bookshop over the Christmas period. The Secret Christmas Library features two antiquarian book hunters on the search for a rare book held within a library inside a huge, archaic castle. With a hint of both romance and mystery as well as much festive spirit, this also makes an ideal Christmas read for the holiday season!

 

Recommendations…

 

At Edinburgh Napier University libraries, we have A Christmas Carol available to read as an eBook for our student community and staff. This eBook can be accessed via our LibrarySearch catalogue. Check out our other Christmas reads and also DVDs including Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! in our catalogue as well.

 

All other books mentioned in this blog article can be found in and borrowed.

 

By Rachel Downie

We love Christmas here at the library blog. Get in the festive spirit with us.

 

 

 

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

03/12/2025 / / 0 Comments

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

 

Within the UK alone, approximately 16.8 million individuals were recorded as having a disability in a research briefing published on the House of Commons Library webpages. This makes up a quarter of the UK population. This is also a 41% increase from the number of persons reporting a disability within the last decade.  Anyone can, at any point in time, develop and be diagnosed with a disability. A disability is recognised under the Equality Act 2010 as being a physical or mental impairment which has a prolonged and substantially negative impact on their ability to carry out regular tasks and day-to-day activities.

 

Living with a disability can come with many challenges and hardships. And can have a profound effect on the physical and mental well-being. International Day of Persons with Disabilities takes place annually on the 3rd of December. And is a UN-led, global observance and advocacy of the rights of persons with disabilities in the workplace and society. As well as a promotion of their achievements and contributions worldwide.

 

The Equality Act 2010…

 

The International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992 by the UN.  Since served as an important reminder to government bodies, organisations and public institutions to regularly evaluate and enhance their policies and practices to promote inclusion and accessibility. As well as ensuring that their rights are respected and that they are not discriminated against. This is also something which the Equality Act 2010 adheres to, particularly in workplace practices and employment law. It ensures that everyone, regardless of disability and other protected characteristics, has legal protections in the workplace. This makes it unlawful for someone else or their overall employer to discriminate against them. It also ensures that employers put accommodations in place to meet the needs of employees regarded as having a disability or disabling condition.

 

Not every disability is visible, and not every disability presents the same way. The Sunflower Lanyard scheme was launched in the UK in 2016 to help those with hidden disabilities voluntarily indicate that they may require assistance at work, on transport, in public places, and in shops. It also encourages others to be mindful.

The sunflower lanyard scheme has achieved great success, to the point that it has been implemented across many airlines globally and in the UK, as well as in the NHS and other public services. Many private organisations have implemented the scheme as well. Overall, it has allowed for patrons with hidden disabilities and conditions to easily access support and help from the outset of the journey, trip or experience.

 

How can our libraries support

 

Accessibility and inclusion are very important to us at our Edinburgh Napier campus libraries. We aim to support patrons with disabilities or disabling conditions as much as we can and create a welcoming, inclusive and accessible environment and service for all. In terms of e-resource accessibility, we have a variety of tools and digital features, including:

  • Our Read-Aloud Functionality. This allows patrons to listen to online resources being read aloud to them. They can also adjust the speed, tone and pitch of the voiceover to suit their own individual preferences and needs. The Edge browser feature allows for PDFs to be read aloud as well.
  • The HelperBird Extension. This browser extension allows patrons to choose between a range of text colours, sizes and spacings, as well as the option to add overlays and innovative ruler overlay technology. Colour contrasts can also be edited.
  • Reader View Browser Extension. This helps to enhance intelligibility in different webpages as well as clearing sidebars, adverts and menus – anything which can be deemed to be distracting.

 

You can find more information about our accessibility tools in our Eresource Accessibility Tools My Napier webpage.

 

By Rachel Downie

Photo by Julius Carmine

librarians

Your subject librarians

27/11/2025 / / 0 Comments

ubject librarianYour Subject Librarians

Here at the library, we try our best to provide students with the support they need during their studies. Alongside information Assistants who provide support at our library helpdesks, we also have a team of specialised Subject Librarians. They have specialised knowledge in the different schools and subjects at Napier, and they are prepared to give you more in-depth support. As they aren’t an immediately visible team, it can be easy for students to not realise the amount of work that the Subject Librarians do for the university. And it ranges from managing our catalogue of books, writing the LibGuides, or hosting training sessions related to library and research matters.
For that reason, we’d just like to take a moment to quickly explain who our subject librarians are. And go over some of the ways they help you study.

Who is your subject librarian?

We have five Subject Librarians here at Napier, one for each of our schools. And you can usually find them at their respective campus libraries. A list of our Subject Librarians (along with their contact details) is on the MyNapier library help page.
At our Sighthill campus library, we have Catriona Robertson as the Subject Librarian for the School of Applied Sciences (as well as the Department of Learning and Teaching), and Dawn Adams for the School of Health and Social Care.
At Merchiston, we have Joyce Templeton at the School of Computing, Engineering & Built Environment, and Sarah Jeffcot with the School of Arts and Creative Industries.
And at Craiglockhart, we have Keith Walker for the Business School, which includes our law degree courses.

What is a subject librarian?

You can contact our Subject Librarian team using the details above. Or you can arrange a  1:1 appointment. These 1-on-1 sessions are great if you have any research concerns. For example, if you’re unsure about how to use some of the more specialised and complicated databases, then you can get in touch with the Subject Librarian for your school and get the guidance you need.
The Subject Librarians can also advise you on understanding different referencing styles, a skill that is especially helpful during assessment season!

However, the 1-on-1 sessions are not the only way that the Subject Librarians support your research. The first line of support is our  LibGuides, a collection of in-depth guides that walk you through different aspects of research. These guides are tailored to each of our schools and various aspects of research (such as reference management or literature reviews), so you can get the exact help you need. If you ever find yourself with a question about how to go about your research, then be sure to go have a look at the appropriate LibGuide page before contacting the Subject Librarian, because they may have already written up a guide that answers your exact question!

Subject Librarian and Reading Lists

Alongside handling your questions directly, the Subject Librarians also support your learning by working with university academics and the library’s Resource Acquisitions team to help manage the catalogue of books we have available.
Each Subject Librarian is responsible for helping oversee the library collection for their respective schools. When your lecturers put together the reading lists for your course, the Subject Librarians help manage them. And make sure the reading material is easily available to you, either physical or online via Library Search.
Before we start a new trimester, the lecturers review their reading list. And if they feel books are needed for the upcoming trimester, they will inform the Subject Librarians. Who, in turn, will see where we get access to the book. This way, the Subject Librarians are also doing a great deal of admin work to support you.

We hope that this brief overview has helped you to better understand the role of our Subject Librarians.  And the roles they play to support your learning.
And we hope that those of you who feel you need extra support in your studies.

We have loads of library support posts to help with upcoming deadlines.

By Matthew Ferrie

 

Book Week Scotland

Book Week Scotland 2025

19/11/2025 / / 0 Comments

 Book Week Scotland 2025

Book Week Scotland is an annual celebration of reading which takes place throughout Scotland from 17th – 23rd November 2025.  It is a way of bringing together people of all ages and from all walks of life to celebrate the joy of books and reading.

The theme of Book Week Scotland 2025 is Friendship. People from across Scotland were invited to share their stories, all of which are available to read on the Scottish Book Trust website, along with stories from previous years’ themes, including Hope, Adventure, Scotland’s Stories, Celebration, Future and others. A selection of these short stories are published in a free book issued specially for Book Week Scotland every year. This year’s collection has been written by people all over the country, reflecting a theme of Friendship, as part of the Scottish Book Trust’s annual writing opportunity, Scotland’s Stories. The books are widely distributed at venues throughout Scotland.

There are numerous events and activities taking place across the country to celebrate the power of reading and its transformative impact on lives. Many of Scotland’s authors, poets, playwrights, storytellers, and illustrators participate in events and activities, bringing their work to life for many people. You can find out more about these events on the Scottish Book Trust website. You can also follow Scottish Book Trust on social media via Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

If you are interested in writing yourself, there are lots of hints and tips on the Scottish Book Trust’s Writing and Authors web pages including the 50 Word Fiction Competition where you can write your own story about friendshi,p and the New Writer’s Award so why not try your hand at writing your own story?

Free copies of Book Week Scotland’s Friendship stories are available to students and staff from each of our campus libraries and student accommodation buildings so be sure to collect your copy before they are all gone!

Happy reading!

Links:

Scottish Book Trust

Book Week Scotland

Book Week Scotland Events

By Sharon McMichael

Have a look at our virtual bookshelves

Academic Skills and Study Support

Academic Skills and Study Support

16/11/2025 / / 1 Comment

Academic Skills and Study Support.

Academic Skills is a vital part of your academic journey; it’s why at Edinburgh Napier, we have an incredible team dedicated to the cause.

You will find resources through the library to help you build up your academic skills for study support.

Dive in with this post to find out more.

Academic Skills Team

The Academic Skills Team is here to help you get the most out of university and strengthen the skills you learn in lectures and practicals. They are on a mission to provide advice and guidance for your studies so you can excel.

They are also available at any level of your study, whether it be starting your undergraduate or returning as a postgraduate or in your fourth year during exams. And they are also available to staff.

The support you can receive from the Academic Skills covers practical skills and theory for studying. Help with essentials such as note-taking, time management and organising your workload. And then more advanced advice with critical thinking, reading strategies and academic writing.

The team is there to develop key academic and study skills to help you along your degree, but also for long-term learning.

One-to-one appointments with advisors, and there are drop-in sessions as well. We also recommend you have a glance at their blog. This can keep you up to date, guides like explaining academic lingo and other guides such as essay structuring.

Academic Skills and the Library:

You can find a wide range of books regarding Academic Skills through Library Search, these will be available both online and in physical books.

As well as the academic skills team, you can contact your subject librarian, someone who specialises in your subject area. They can help you navigate databases, references and finding resources. Additionally, they have crafted lib guides that are tailored to your courses, as well as helping build research skills. Appointments with subject librarians are available through the library training and events calendar, or you can email them as well. Our training and events calendar also offers sessions dedicated to referencing management and how to use the journal collection.

Resources for Study Skills

We have a study and research tab on our library web pages. We have a section on study skills which covers how to evaluate information, essay writing tips and tricks and even grammar guides. You will also find a wide selection of study skill books available on Library Search. There are even more specialised sections for Postgraduate and International Students.

 

Maths Plus

Starting Monday, Maths Plus is back at Merchiston Library. Running between Monday and Thursday, 2pm to 4pm. This is arranged by the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment. You can contact them for more information, scebe@napier.ac.uk.

Maths Plus is for anyone who needs mathematical help, from numbers to data analysis. Ideal study help for computing, built environment or engineering, but anyone is welcome. And these sessions make sure you can get 1.1 help.

Additionally, there is Engineering Plus, but you can contact the school office for more information.

Do you ever wonder about Napier graduates and if they have advice to pass down? Wonder no more, we have our “What do you wish you had known earlier”  guide.
exam support

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

15/11/2025 / / 0 Comments

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

You probably know how to search for journal articles and ebooks, but have you explored the library’s news eresources? Whether you’re researching historical events or tracking current affairs, you will find plenty of material in Times Digital Archive and NexisUni. Let’s take a closer look at these two resources.

Times Digital Archive

If you’re curious about how events were reported in the past, Times Digital Archive is a treasure trove. It provides full-text access to The Times from 1785 to 2024, making it ideal for anyone studying, literature, politics, or media. You can browse original articles, editorials, letters, and even vintage advertisements—each offering a glimpse into the public discourse of its time.

The interface allows you to search by keyword or date, so whether you’re investigating the coverage of the suffragette movement or the cultural impact of the Beatles, you’ll find rich primary sources. Or you will come across little gems like this letter from a reader worried that nursing is not an interesting profession for young people anymore… 100 year ago!

Want to learn how to use it effectively? Join our online workshop on 27th November (11:00-12:00) to discover tips and tricks for navigating the Times Digital Archive.

NexisUni

For those focused on current events, NexisUni is your go-to. It offers access to thousands of newspapers and media outlets from around the world. It’s perfect for students in journalism, business, law, or anyone needing reliable, up-to-date information.

Beyond newspapers, NexisUni includes broadcast transcripts, legal documents, and company profiles, making it a versatile tool for research. Whether you’re comparing global coverage of climate policy or looking into corporate mergers, NexisUni helps you stay informed with credible sources.

Sign up for an online session on 20th November (11:00-12:00) to see all that NexisUni has to offer.

How to access these eresources?

Both platforms are available through the Databases tab in the LibrarySearch. They’re easy to use and offer much more than a typical web search.

Need help getting started? Check out our LibGuides for step-by-step instructions and research tips.

By Patrycja Respondek

Read more about our databases

Nature Reviews Immunology Journal

Nature Reviews Immunology Journal

14/11/2025 / / 0 Comments

Nature Reviews Immunology Journal

The Nature Reviews Immunology journal is a scientific journal which covers all topics associated with immunology in great detail and depth. This includes applied features as well as fundamental mechanisms. Immunology itself is the study of how the body protects itself against infection and fights against disease, as well as what can happen when our immune system and responses work against us. Immunology itself is a very varied and diverse topic where interest and research have grown in recent years of aspects such as cells, molecules and tissues which act as hosts for protective mechanisms. This is one of our ‘Spotlight’ journals currently at Sighthill campus library as most of its content addresses current research and discoveries in immunology, which makes it an ideal journal to consult if you are a Biomedical Sciences student or researcher specialising in this specific area.

 

What makes Nature Reviews Immunology a ‘Spotlight’ Journal…

 

The Nature Reviews Immunology journal covers various subjects and areas of immunology in significant detail and spotlights any current developments and discoveries in the field that have been raised in new articles. You can find a list of the subjects covered in their Aims & Scope Nature Reviews Immunology webpages. Some of these consist of topics such as Autoimmunity, Immunotherapy, Transplantation and Vaccine Development.

 

Because it covers a wide scope of current trends and advances made in the field of immunology, this makes it a great resource for Biomedical students and researchers to consult to stay informed and updated about the latest developments within this area. It also highlights and draws attention to papers, events, work and individuals who have contributed to the development and progression of immunology and immunological discoveries, so most of the articles and papers within this journal will have information and updates within relevant fields, which is current and up to date.

 

Nature Reviews Portfolio and other Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Journals…

 

The Nature Reviews Immunology journal is part of a wider portfolio of Nature Reviews journals, which publishes the most current and up-to-date scientific papers and literature to keep students, academics and clinicians up to date with the most relevant and recent findings and discoveries in various scientific fields. For example, one of their most recent review articles titled Astro immunology: The effects of Spaceflight and its associated Stressors on the Immune System was published just recently on the 16th of October this year!

Other Nature Reviews titles in this journal portfolio include Nature Reviews Clinical, Nature Reviews Cancer, Nature Reviews Disease and Nature Reviews Drug Discovery to give a few examples of relevant titles within this collection. There are also more relevant and related titles which Edinburgh University subscribes to and can provide you with access to, such as the Immunity journal, Seminars in Immunology, Current Research in Immunology and Immunotherapy Advances.

 

All of these titles as well as a list of the most popular and highly accredited journals, can be found in BrowZine, a desktop and mobile application which allows patrons to search for and access scholarly journals and academic papers which their library and academic institution subscribes to.

 

Also check out our Journal Search tab in LibrarySearch to see which other journals and e-resources you can access through Edinburgh Napier University libraries.

 

By Rachel Downie

Photo by Daniel Dan Pixels

Craiglockhart Remembrance

Remembrance Day

11/11/2025 / / 0 Comments

Remembrance Day

 

Remembrance Day takes place on the 11th of November each year. It is also known as Armistice Day.

 

The Armistice was an agreement signed by the Germans and the Allies to mark the end of fighting in World War I. The signing of the Armistice took place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month and is still recognised today with a two-minute silence held at 11am on that day.

 

Remembrance Sunday occurs on the second Sunday of November. It is a time to reflect on the service and sacrifice made by those in the Armed Forces, and their families, from Britain and the Commonwealth, who have fought to protect our freedom and our way of life. We also remember the important role of emergency services and those who have lost their lives due to conflict or terrorism.

Memorial Services are held throughout the United Kingdom, bringing together people from different faiths, cultures and backgrounds

 

The poppy has been used as a symbol of Remembrance for over 100 years. It is also a symbol of hope for a peaceful future. During the devastation of World War I, the landscape became fields of mud where very little could grow.  Over time, the countryside healed, and beautiful, bright red Flanders poppies grew in their thousands. The sight of poppies growing in former battlefields inspired Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae to write his now famous poem, In Flanders Fields, after he lost a friend in Ypres in 1915.

 

Click the link to read the poem In Flanders Fields

 

We Will Remember Them

By Sharon McMichael

Our War Poets Collection

 

welcome

Library Support during Exams

09/11/2025 / / 0 Comments

Library Support during exams.

 

It’s the time of year again, and I think we say nearly every time. Exams and assignments creep up quickly. We understand this time can feel like a lot. And the library wants to support you in the best way possible.

If things feel like they are way too much, there is wider support through the Wellbeing and Inclusion team; their webpages are filled with wonderful advice and contact information.

Exam Support Resources

We have a wide range of Exam Support Resources. Starting off with our Training and Events Calendar. Here you can find introductory sessions to advance research support to 1.1 appointments with subject librarians and academic skills advisors to help you along your academic journey.

Sessions are available online and in person, so double-check the information listed just in case. And if these times don’t suit, you can contact your subject librarian directly.  Not sure who your subject librarian is? Information is listed on the myNapier pages.

We also have study skills webpages, with helpful tips and tricks. Full of material that will help you with essays and dissertations, report structure, help with collecting data and grammar.

Here you can also find our libguides, which are divided into two types.:

  • Our subject guides have been specially designed by your subject librarians. These guides are filled with the best and most relevant resources to journals, databases and reference material to whatever subject you are studying.
  • Our Research Guides are created by the library team to help build research and digital information skills, covering things like analysis and data collection.

Together, these guides will give you ways to study more effectively and help you handle any assignment you may be facing.

 

Wellbeing and Exams Support at the Library

Exams can be stressful, and we want to help with that stress. Again, if things feel too much, please contact our wellbeing and inclusion team.

Each campus library has a relaxation space to help you take your mind off things. If you feel like you need a break, please visit them. Filled with comfy sofas, plants, and some games just to provide a bit of distraction.

We also have our wellbeing collection, which is available both in person and online. Through the wellbeing ligbuide, you can access a wide range of books to help combat that exam stress.

And from a previous post, we have some top tips to beat exam stress:

Here are our top tips to help get you through.

Top Tips for Beating Exam Stress

  1. Timetable and prepare a study plan.
  2. Create a study space that is comfortable, quiet, well-lit, organised, and has no distractions nearby.
  3. Put your information into a format that allows you to absorb it best.
  4. Take regular study breaks. Alternating subjects you’re studying will also help.
  5. Remember self-care!
  6. Schedule fun activities to reduce your stress.
  7. Eat nutritious foods and exercise regularly to keep your brain power and energy up!
  8. Make sure you have all the items you need for any exams. Get them ready the day before to avoid rushing on the day.
  9. Remove anything distracting to help you focus. Try putting your phone in a different room when revising.
  10. Write down revision targets for the day, review your progress, and update your revision timetable and targets appropriately.

Most of all:  Remember to rest – get a good night’s sleep – and also relax! Check out our Virtual Relaxation Space,

 

« Older posts Newer posts »

Contact Us

Email: library@napier.ac.uk

Telephone: 0131 455 3500

Bluesky: @ENULibrary

Instagram: @ENU_Library​

 

© 2026 The Library Blog

Theme by Anders Norén — Up ↑