Book Week Scotland 2024 is an annual celebration of reading which takes place from 18- 24 November throughout Scotland. 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.
There are many events and activities taking place across the country to celebrate the power of reading. And look how it can change lives. Many of Scotland’s authors, poets, playwrights, storytellers and illustrators participate in events and activities, bringing them to life for so many people. You can find out more about these events on the Scottish Book Trust website. You can also follow on social media via Facebook, X and LinkedIn.
The theme of Book Week Scotland 2024 is Hope. People from across Scotland are 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 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. The books are widely distributed at venues throughout Scotland. Free copies of the book 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 none left!
It has now been a year since a cyber attack impacted nearly every aspect of the British Library’s (BL) public services. Over the past 12 months, BL has worked hard to restore as many services as possible.
On December 20, 2023, the British Library Board approved a new Rebuild & Renew program. This program, designed for an 18-month period, will coordinate the Library’s long-term recovery efforts across three focused phases:
Respond: Immediate crisis management.
Adapt: A six-month phase focused on identifying and implementing interim solutions to restore services, internal processes, and partnerships.
Renew: An 18-month phase dedicated to creating a resilient infrastructure and delivering lasting solutions, either by upgrading or adapting current systems or implementing new ones as needed.
BL is now deeply engaged in planning the next recovery phase, which will continue into the new year. This phase will prioritize the restoration of key resources, including the Sound Archive and the popular Ethos database of 600,000 digitized theses.
Currently, we cannot use our institutional account to request books and articles through the inter-library loan form on Library Search. We continue to rely on other libraries and institutions to supply these items. Although book deliveries vary in timing, articles generally arrive within a few days. Our inter-lending team is also managing requests from other universities, supplying books and articles promptly.
Digitisation
Requests for Digitised items are now available once again. However please be aware that it will take longer for the British Library to process them. University staff can request digitised items from our web pages.
If you have a personal BL account and plan to visit the reading rooms, you can now order items online for consultation at either Boston Spa or St. Pancras.
BL remains committed to restoring all services, with a goal to modernise and enhance its operations. Meanwhile, we will do our best to source materials for you from other institutions. Remember, the National Library of Scotland on George IV Bridge also offers extensive resources that may be helpful.
Grove Music Online: Unlocking the World of Music Research
In today’s world, reliable resources for music research can be hard to find. That’s where Grove Music Online comes in. This essential database serves musicians, scholars, and enthusiasts alike. It offers a wealth of information across all musical knowledge, making it a must-have tool for anyone eager to explore music more deeply.
What is Grove Music Online?
Grove Music Online is a digital platform housing the Oxford Music Online database, which includes the esteemed Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. It provides access to thousands of articles covering everything from historical composers to specific works and theoretical concepts. Experts regularly update the content, ensuring it remains a reliable reference for both casual readers and serious researchers. With over 52,000 articles, it boasts a publication history spanning more than a century!
Why Use Grove Music Online?
Comprehensive Content: Find entries on a wide range of topics. Explore well-known figures like Bach and Beethoven, as well as lesser-known composers and global musical traditions.
User-Friendly Interface: The platform’s intuitive layout makes searching easy. Browse categories or use the search bar for specific queries—accessibility is a priority for users at any experience level.
Multimedia Resources: Grove Music Online includes not just text-based articles but also audio samples and visuals. This multimedia approach enriches the research experience and deepens user engagement.
Regular Updates: The database continually reflects the latest research and developments in music. Users can rely on it for the most current information available.
Cross-Referencing and Bibliographies: Each article includes hyperlinks to related topics, encouraging further exploration. Bibliographies offer curated lists for deeper dives into specific subjects.
Grove Music Online is a vital resource for anyone passionate about music. Whether you’re a student researching a paper, a musician expanding your repertoire, or a curious listener exploring a new style, this platform provides a treasure trove of knowledge. Dive into the world of music research with Grove Music Online and unlock new dimensions in your musical journey!
Access Grove Music online through our LibrarySearch Database List: Grove Music Don’t forget to sign in!
Read more on finding Music with the Library using our LibGuides
Find more music related Articles on the blog with our posts on World Music Day and Music festivals
In the centre of Merchiston Tower, you will find Merchiston Tower.
Bang in the middle.
Have you ever wondered what’s inside? What’s its history? Wanted to peek inside?
Let us take you on a brief digital walk through the Tower in the blog post. But before we go any further, we would like to add that you can tour the Tower in person and see its 500 years of history in person for free. Email us at heritage@napier.ac.uk or library@napier.ac.uk. Please bear in mind that we need at least 24 hours’ notice. Group tours are available, but no more than 15 people can attend.
History of Merchiston Tower
Merchiston Tower has stood firm for over 500 years. Built in the middle of the 1400s, either by Andrew Napier or his son Sir Alexander Napier, both served as Provost of Edinburgh, and both moved in royal circles.
John Napier (Alexander’s grandson) was born in the Tower in 1550. Specifically, the University is named after John Napier. His inventions and contributions to Mathematics are longstanding, with his most known invention being logarithms. There is a lot of “myth, mystery, and intrigue” (John Napier napier.ac.uk) about the man, and you can read about him in a previous blog post on Edinburgh Napier University’s webpages.
The Tower remained in the Napier family until the beginning od the 1800s. It was then owned by the Merchiston Castle School, followed by Edinburgh Council. For a while, it was also a storage space for fire hoses during the Second World War. By the 1950s, the Tower was set for demolition. It was in ruined. However, in 1958, a new technical college was coming to Edinburgh. A college that needed a campus. Napier College was formed around the Tower, saving from it demolition and beginning a work of restoration. These restorations would uncover ceilings and stairwells that had been hidden for a century.
The hallway ceiling of the Tower now proudly displays the University’s crest and showcases the Tower’s timeline, a nod to the Napier family, Merchiston Castle School, and Edinburgh Council.
Inside the Tower
Can’t wait to have look. Let’s go on a digital walkthrough. And while, we have lovely pictures, nothing compares in person.
The original great hall stands to the left as you enter. In this hall, you will find a stunning, decorative ceiling that was commemorated during the reign of Charles II, the decorations showcasing the Napier family’s loyalty to the crown. The massive fireplace is thought to be original to the Tower. The north and south windows are original, while, the east window dates from the 17th century. During the restoration in the 1950s, a staircase in the thick walls was found.
The once hidden staircase leads to the Boardroom that now stretches across the third and fourth floors. The fourth floor would have been a loft area, home to servants but it has now been opened up to make the room fell bigger, and to properly showcase.
The magnificent Prestongrange Ceiling, it dates from 1581. A rare example of a Scottish Renaissance painted ceiling, it was from Prestongrange House to Merchiston Tower in 1964 for preservation purposes. The ceiling is filled with art, featuring many motifs from folk plays. Truly Unique!
Merchiston Tower and John Napier
In 1550, John Napier was born in the tower house. Over 400 years later, the Tower was saved from demolition and restoration work began for a new college to be named after John Napier. Now, it stands proud in the middle of our biggest campus, home to two of our schools; School of Arts and Creative Industries and School of Computing, Engineering & Built Environment.
Doors Open Day
On the 28th of September, we opened up the Tower to the public to celebrate Doors Open Day. Our second year running, we were delighted to welcome over 180 visitors.
If you are interested in visiting Merchiston Tower in person, please get in touch by emailing heritage@napier.ac.uk or library@napier.ac.uk. Tours are free but are dependent on staff and room availability so will require booking in advance.
Please note that – due to the steep and uneven medieval staircases – the Tower is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.
For more information about the University’s Heritage Collections, have a look at our website.
The Construction Information Service (CIS) is a major database for anyone working in architecture, civil and structural engineering, building control, mechanical and electrical engineering, surveying, building contracting and other areas within the construction industry.
The CIS database is updated daily and covers every phase of the construction process. It is an online tool which provides access to current construction regulations, construction standards, technical advice, construction project management tools, and industry news on building, engineering, design, and construction processes in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
Construction Information Services and You
The CIS database has over 20,000 documents from over 300 publishers. And contains essential sources providing the most up-to-date information from within the construction industry.
You can find CIS by clicking on the Databases tab within LibrarySearch and then searching for Construction Information Service. Two options will appear. Namely Knowledge Workspace: Occupational Health and Safety Information Service (OHSIS): and Environmental Management and Construction Information Service (CIS). Select Construction Information Service (CIS).
The database provides access to a wide range of content that is not available anywhere else. Users can conduct a standard search or use the Advanced Search option to find information. Using keywords relevant to your topic will help to narrow down the number of results and there are filters available to help you narrow your search further and find relevant content.
CIS provides access to a wide range of UK construction catalogues. As well as equipment information and CAD drawings as well as access to product catalogues from manufacturers both within the UK and overseas. CIS offers a single search point for the widest set of Eurocodes, UK National Annexes and Non-contradictory Complimentary Information (NCCI) material. Users can also have direct access to other publications. As well as extensive coverage of healthcare building and construction information. CIS Building Regulations Interest areas are available covering Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to help with compliance.
Using CIS will help users to create designs and construction methods, and keep up with advances in new technology. And ensure that their designs are compliant and sustainable. The entire construction process from beginning to end is supported which will help projects to be completed precisely within designated time frames.
Subject Guides are designed by our team of specialist subject librarians who have handpicked key resources such as databases, readings and more. You will find a guide for each subject area available at Edinburgh Napier. Subject librarians constantly update these guides to help you get the most relevant and useful information available for your topic.
Your subject librarian is available to go through these guides with you.
LibGuides: Research Guides
Our Research Guides are outlines that help you develop research and digital skills, including writing, referencing, data collection, and much more.
LibGuide: Referencing
One of our most popular guides is our reference guide. Referencing is a must-skill in academia. You will expect to be able to reference all your sources in academic work. Referencing helps us avoid plagiarism, shows that read sources, be able to back up arguments. We have two guides, one for reference management software which are tools to help you. And a guide on APA 7th Style.
Please remember if you are stuck, you can contact your subject librarian or programme leader.
Our Reference Management guide goes over Endnote and Mendeley. Both are software that collect references and PDFS of papers, organises references and automatically outputs a bibliography. Our guide breaks down which one might be better suited to you. And how you can install and use it.
Additionally, we have a deep dive into APA 7th referencing. This guide details how citations work. Always double-check which referencing style you are expected to use for your course and if you are unsure, please speak to your programme leader.
Wellbeing
We can’t end this post without the mention of our Wellbeing Collection. We also have our Wellbeing Collection featured on our LibGuides. University life can be stressful. The collection covers a range of topics and guided self-help approaches to help University life a little bit easier.
We will leave you to enjoy the world of LibGuides.
It’s almost the end of term and time to take a break from studies and relax. You may be planning to return home, go on holiday or do some work experience, but before you go-just a quick reminder to return the books, laptops and ergonomic equipment which you might not need to use over the summer. It’s time to return borrowed items to the library.
Information on returning borrowed items
Books and laptops can be returned even when the helpdesks are closed, as long as there is access to campus. Ergonomic equipment should be returned to the helpdesks during staffed hours.
Libraries will be open throughout the summer should you wish to bring items back later in the summer. And if you have any questions, you can always ask.
If you have fines which you would like to query, you can submit a fine appeal form along with any supporting evidence, and you will receive an answer promptly. Information on fines and charges can be found here.
We hope you enjoy your summer break and look forward to seeing you again in September. Remember- it’s never too late to return items to us! One book was returned over a hundred years later to a San Francisco public library. And you can read about some rather valuable late returns
Continuing with our induction, we are going to look at laptop loans.
If you don’t have access to a laptop for your studies here at Edinburgh Napier there are laptops which can be borrowed from our lapsafe lockers. Lapsafe lockers exist in all 3 campus libraries, in the JKCC and at Bainfield student accommodation. They are self-service, so as long as the premises are open and a laptop is available, you can borrow a laptop.
Accessing a laptop
You can check the availability of laptops at each site using the tile on your account.
All laptop cabinets have a coloured light to indicate availability.
Light colour
What it means
Blue
Laptop available
Red
Laptop updating, available soon
Purple
Laptop in repair
No light
Laptop is on loan
You will need to have your plastic student card or digital student card on your phone to swipe on the lapsafe reader, then follow the on-screen instructions. Once you have swiped your card the lapsafe will allocate a laptop to you and the cabinet door will unlock. A charger is also provided don’t forget to take this. Only one laptop can be borrowed at a time so you must return one before borrowing another.
Loan Period
Laptop loans are for 2 weeks and are on a first-come, first-served basis. After 2 weeks laptops should be returned to the lapsafe locker they were borrowed from. You will be able to take another one if one is available, or if not you can wait for the one you have returned to become available (the cabinet light will be red whilst the laptop updates). If you don’t return the laptop, it will be locked making the laptop unusable. Full terms and conditions for laptop loans can be found on our webpage
Saving work
Work should not be saved on the desktop, instead, save to One Drive.
Digital Access Scheme
The Digital Access Scheme (DAS) is a service which provides long-term laptop loans to students who are having difficulty accessing appropriate IT resources. The loan is for the academic year and will be renewed for each year you are returning to study. To find out more and if you are eligible check the DAS webpage
If you have any questions regarding laptop loans please don’t hesitate to ask us in the library and staff will do their best to assist you.
It’s World Mental Health Day 2024. Celebrated every October 10th. Everyone is encouraged to come together and talk, showing that mental health matters. Check in on the people in your family and how they are doing.
Mental Health Support at the Library
“Here in the Library, we believe that looking after your physical and emotional health is just as important as your studies. We are committed to supporting positive mental health and wellbeing, and believe that the key to wellbeing is the care and balance of different aspects of our lives.” We have curated a collection of books and other resources to support the different areas of your well-being. “Our collection covers a range of topics and includes guided self-help approaches to supporting mental health, personal development and achievement. You’ll find stories of resilience and recovery, discussions of family matters, and practical tools to help with the everyday realities of University life, such as finance and exam stress.”
And on each campus library, all books are loanable.
Mental Health Support at the University
At Edinburgh Napier University, we understand things might not be “plain sailing”.
“Being at University is about finding your own way – but that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone” especially when things get difficult. The Wellbeing and Inclusion team at the university are incredible. A team of “professional staff are here to listen, offer support and guidance, and aim to point you in the right direction at every turn so you feel safe, supported, healthy and able to fulfil your potential”. The Counselling and Mental well-being team would like to highlight that “Our goal is to help you feel content, healthy, and well-supported. If you are facing challenges with your mental health, we are here to help.”
There is also free, online and anonymous support available through Togtherall and Silver Cloud.
The myNapier webpages provide information about all the services and support available to staff and students. And how to contact them.
Are deadlines coming up? Assignments due? And Google just won’t do. Our quick guide to finding a book with LibrarySearch that will save the day!
There are books, journals, peer-reviewed articles and much more. We have over 225 databases, 33 000 journals, 100 000 books and well over 300 000 e-books all available at your fingertips at LibrarySearch. We can’t sing the praises of LibrarySearch enough!!
That’s all great and everything but the question now is how does it work?
Simply go to librarysearch.napier.ac.uk, access it through our web pages or click the shortcut here.
Don’t forget to sign in the right-hand corner to give you full access.
In the search bar, type the book title. If you don’t have any books in mind, you can type the keywords for your subject area and let LibrarySearch do its magic. There are filters on the side to narrow down your search for example if you only want books and books for a certain decade and books from a certain campus.
Once you’ve spotted a book that looks useful click on the link. You will be able to see if it’s available online or in one of our Campus Libraries. If it’s available online just click on the links to take you right on through to your book. If the book is on one of our shelves note down the Dewey Decimal number. It will tell you where your book is positioned. Afterwards, If you get stuck check out our guide or ask one of our lovely Librarians who will be happy to help!
All there to make life easier. Like we said LibrarySearch is there to save the day
