The Library Blog

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

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Support for Exams during the Summer 2025 Image of student study desk cluttered this objects

Support for Exams during the Summer 2025

14/07/2025 / / 0 Comments

Support for Exams during the Summer 2025

It’s summertime – yay! For most of our student community at Edinburgh Napier University, exams and assignment deadlines will be over and out of the way for now. Nevertheless, whether it’s resits or Trimester 3 exams, some of our students may still have upcoming exams and tests to sit during these summer months. No matter what time of year it is as well, exams and upcoming finals can always be extremely daunting. Nevertheless, our campus libraries are still open over the summer with a varied abundance of resources and services to support and assist you with exam revision and preparation for any upcoming exams and finals you may have. The best part – all resources and services alluded to in this article, as well as exam revision tips, will be both relevant and accessible all year round.

Our Libguide and Libcal

Our detailed LibGuide can be found and accessed through our My Napier webpages and cover all schools, with detailed subject guides for Arts and Creative Industries, Applied Sciences, Health and Social Care, The Business School and Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment. It also has sections about referencing, utilising reading lists, an A-Z list of databases and literature reviewing to assist you with these elements of your revision and research as well. There is even a section on how to measure your research performance. You can also access our Wellbeing Collection guide through our Libguide as well, which includes resources with various tips regarding how to manage stress, eat well, stay organised and tackle procrastination – if applied, these are all extremely helpful when it comes to exam revision!

Training and Events

You may notice on the front page of our LibGuide that we also have a link which takes you to our Training and Events Calendar. Our information services team regularly run a variety of training events and workshops on areas such as literature searching, learning technologies, copyright and publishing, referencing and getting started with the library sessions, to name a few. They are mainly run by our subject librarians, learning technologists and academic skills team – all of whom are extremely helpful and more than happy to answer any questions you may have. If you feel that you would perhaps benefit from one-to-one support, you can also book a personal appointment with one of our academic skills advisors through our My Napier webpages or alternatively one of our subject librarians by emailing library@napier.ac.uk. Each of our subject librarians also has specialisms in specific subjects and schools at Edinburgh Napier, so you may well be referred to one which can help you with search queries and referencing relevant to your school or specialism!

Study Spaces and Resources

All bookable study rooms and spaces can be booked through Resource Booker or by emailing library@napier.ac.uk.

If you need a quiet space to study for exams without distraction, or alternatively, a space to collaborate about an upcoming exam with friends or course mates, our three campus libraries have spaces tailored to any of these specific needs regarding your preferred study environment. All study spaces have PCS, which are free for students and staff to use, some of which also have dual monitors as well should a bit of multitasking be required. We also have MFDs for printing, scanning and copying in each campus library, which you can use by scanning your student card on the machine once you have sent your documents to the printer through one of our PCs or through Papercut. This application can be found in your student account and the My Napier app. Do not worry if you do not have your physical student card on you as well – all MFDs can also be manually logged into if needed. More information about our three campus libraries and study spaces can be found in our My Napier webpages in our About the Library section.

Borrowing Items

Each campus library also has a varied abundance of books and resources, which are tailored to meet the research needs of all schools at Edinburgh Napier University. Once borrowed, all books will automatically renew for up to four months unless they are requested by another patron, in which case you will receive an email asking you to return the book 7 days from when this email is sent. Many of our books can also be accessed online as eBooks. Should it be the case that we do not have a physical copy available, you are unable to come to campus to retrieve the physical version, or even if it is down to personal preference. All the physical resources and eBooks we have in stock can be found and requested through LibrarySearch.

Inter Library Loans

Can’t find the book that you need for your exam research and studies? We also have a Inter Library Loans service where we can request a book that you need from another library that we do not have within our own stock, then pick it up from us once it has arrived at one of our campus libraries. You can also access the Inter Library Loan request form through LibrarySearch as well.

All of our campus libraries also host our varied Research Collection with a range of resources covering basic research and referencing skills as well as study skills relevant to specific subjects and schools. Our Wellbeing Collection, on the other hand, has a range of resources which can provide advice regarding how to manage stress (because we all know exam season is a stressful time), how to eat well and how to optimise energy levels and motivation when revising to get the results that you want.

Recommendations

Here are some recommendations from both collections from us!

  • Stay balanced while you study: Make the most of your student experience, Thompson, Dominique, author. 2020. Available at Merchiston and Craiglockhart Campus Libraries.
  • Pass your exam, Anderson, Lorraine, 1964- author.; Spark, Gordon, author. 2020. Available at All Campus Libraries.
  • Ace your exam, Northedge, Andrew, author. 2021. Available at All Campus Libraries and Online.

by Rachel Downie

Read more about library information to help you and your studies 

Image: Photo by Julia M Cameron from Pexels

 

Filmhouse

The Filmhouse Re-Opens

11/07/2025 / / 0 Comments

The Filmhouse Re-Opens

 

Rejoice as the Filmhouse re-opens.

After a three-year closure due to pre-existing financial issues combined with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Edinburgh cinematic institution The Filmhouse reopened on Friday, the 27th of June. Due to a combination of business backing, government grants, crowdfunding and protests, the Filmhouse has finally rejoined Edinburgh’s cultural firmament.

Originally built as a Presbyterian church in the 19th century, the Filmhouse became Edinburgh’s first dedicated arthouse cinema in 1979. The area around it on Lothian Road is a major thoroughfare, known for a ‘lively’ nighttime scene. It has long been a significant spot for culture – The Usher Hall (which also hosts Napier graduations), the Lyceum, the Traverse, as well as sadly departed music venues like Henry’s Cellar Bar and The Citrus Club.

In its new incarnation, the building has undergone comprehensive renovation inside, with all three cinema screens refurbished. The largest screen, cinema 1, now looks better than ever. The much-loved café also returns, as well as spaces for film education. On that last point: Edinburgh film-maker Charlotte Wells (best known as the director of Aftersun), in an interview with Sight and Sound, described the crucial role of the Filmhouse in her artistic education:

When I was about 14, I took part in an Ideas Factory competition where we had to pitch an idea for a short documentary; I pitched one about female footballers and got an opportunity to meet Nick Broomfield, who did a masterclass, and Mark Cousins. Through that, I found a place on the Filmhouse’s Scottish Kids Are Making Movies (SKAMM) initiative…Discovering what it felt like to point the camera wherever you wanted to shoot, and to work collaboratively, was a very early introduction to filmmaking, which was like any art form when I grew up – it was not considered a viable career. SKAMM provided a vision of filmmaking as a possibility. As did walking through the Filmhouse doors every Saturday morning.

Cinemas are palaces of dreams – intimate places, where people gather to see the vision of a director and the collective work of a cast and crew manifested on the big screen. You can watch pictures from a range of time periods, nationalities, big names and small names, the established classic (the Filmhouse’s first screening on re-opening was Cinema Paradiso), as well as the up-and-coming creative force (it is back as the main host of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, which is primarily focused on new work). They are also, of course, places for communities to come together, to celebrate culture and to thrive. Edinburgh – like any city – needs this. Support it if you can.

 

by Kieran Curran

Photo by Jeremy Yap

 

Keep the cinematic flow, we have a post on how Barbie conquered the cinema world of 2023

Green and Sustainability

Green and Sustainability Libraries

10/07/2025 / / 0 Comments

Green and Sustainability Libraries

Libraries are perfect hubs for green and sustainability awareness. Filled with information and resources, but also play a role in being environmentally conscious.

Green and Sustainability at Edinburgh Napier Library

Academic books can go out of date, particularly in computing, health and sciences. Do you ever wonder what happens with these? We donate our outdated stock to Better World Books. Better World Books is a “for-profit social-minded business that collects and sells books online with each sale generating funds for literacy initiatives around the world”. Books typically go to landfills, but Better World Books sells these books, with profits funding library programmes. If books are not able to make a sale, they are recycled and used for animal bedding.

We have reduced our physical footprint, with more digitisation and e-resources to save paper and trees.

Green and Sustainability at Edinburgh Napier.

At the university, we are committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as well as Scotland’s National Performance Framework. Much of our research and curriculum is dedicated to the SDG14, there are embedded toolkits and case studies that are available for academics to frame their programmes to meet these. In the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment,  sustainable construction is focused on heavy.

On top of this, we have made strides from biodiversity to reducing waste.  80% of our waste is recycled, while the remaining 20% is used for fuel production. All our campuses and accommodation’s energy usage is monitored, and LED lighting is used throughout.

Did you know that Craiglockhart campus contains around 50 different plant species, which include a rare fungus and a yellow barista. We also have the Lion Gates Garden that sits just outside Merchiston Library, or you can take part in a gardening club at Sighthill. And we are proud that all our campuses are hedgehog-friendly.

Green Libraries

Upon reading for this article, I stumbled across the Warsaw University Library, and I helped myself not to talk about it. It is one of the most impressive green libraries, is Warsaw University library. To such an extent that it has become a major tourist attraction in the city. In 2002, a garden was opened on the University of Warsaw library’s rooftop. It is one of Europe’s largest rooftop gardens. The garden is divided into two sections: the lower section and the upper section. The lower section even includes a fish pond that ducks have taken kindly to. It is open to the public from April to October, and it’s a must-visit if you’re ever in Warsaw.

 

Read about International Forest Day that happened earlier this year.

 

Discovering the Future: Research at Edinburgh Napier University image of 3 researchers and a robot

Discovering the Future: Research at Edinburgh Napier University

05/07/2025 / / 0 Comments

Discovering the Future: Research at Edinburgh Napier University

When you think of cutting-edge research, you might picture sprawling labs, scientists in white coats, and complex algorithms running on glowing screens. You’ll find all that—and much more—at Edinburgh Napier University (ENU).

Whether it’s developing AI systems to solve real-world problems, helping veterans reintegrate into civilian life, or leading the charge in sustainable construction, ENU is quietly making a big impact. It’s not just a place to study—it’s a place where ideas come to life.

Let’s take a look at some of the exciting research happening across the university—and how you can get involved.

Research with Purpose

One of the things that makes research at ENU so dynamic is its clear focus on real-world challenges. The university’s work is guided by four key themes:

  • AI & Advanced Technologies

  • Health

  • Culture & Communities

  • Environment

These aren’t just buzzwords. They shape everything from collaborative projects to the kinds of PhDs being offered. You can read more on our research webpages.

Cutting-Edge Tech on Campus

In 2024, ENU took a big leap forward by launching ENUCC—a brand-new high-performance computing (HPC) and AI cluster. It gives researchers and students serious computing power to run simulations, analyse big data, and build AI models.

It’s part of a wider push to make sure students and staff have access to the kind of tech that fuels innovation. Read more about it here: ENU launches new HPC and AI cluster

Cool Projects You Should Know About

Cool Projects You Should Know About

ENU is home to some seriously innovative projects and research centres. Here are just a few standouts:

Swarmchestrate: An EU-funded project using swarm computing and blockchain to develop smart, autonomous digital systems. Think of it as nature-inspired tech!

In 2023, a team of Edinburgh Napier University students participated in a pioneering construction project in Guangxi, China. They collaborated with local universities to build the world’s first bamboo-timber composite gridshell structure. This innovative project aimed to explore sustainable building methods to combat climate change. Among the participants were female students like Devika Vijayan, Alice June Davyson, and Zara Anam Rafiq, who contributed their expertise in architectural technology and civil engineering. The project was led by PhD student Yanghao Pei and supervised by faculty members, including Dr. Ahmed Mohamed.

Research into supporting Scotland’s armed forces at the Centre for Military Research and Public Engagement: Housed at the historic Craiglockhart campus, this centre explores topics like PTSD, military transitions, and veteran education.

Innovation Support & Opportunities

If you’re a student, early-career researcher, or even an entrepreneur, ENU has support for you through its Innovation Hub. From Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) to funding for start-ups and seed grants, the university is serious about turning ideas into action.

You can check out what’s on offer here:
ENU Innovation Hub
Research, Innovation & Enterprise Blog

Events & Community

From the ENclusion Conference on equity and inclusion to innovation meetups, ENU offers loads of opportunities to get involved, network, and learn.

One highlight is the annual ENclusion Conference, a day-long event packed with talks, panels, and practical sessions.

The Library

Libraries are essential to research because they provide access to high-quality, credible resources—books, journals, databases, and archives—that researchers need to build on existing knowledge. They offer expert support in information literacy, data management, and referencing, helping researchers work efficiently and ethically. Libraries also preserve knowledge and ensure long-term access to scholarly work, including open-access materials and institutional repositories. Simply put, libraries are the backbone of academic research, connecting people with the information and tools they need to discover, question, and innovate. Start your research journey at one of our campus Libraries or by using our wealth of online resources found at librarysearch.napier.ac.uk.

Don’t forget all the useful information on our Library webpages, including study guides and lists of resources.

——————————————————————————————————————————————-

Edinburgh Napier University is fast becoming a major leader in Research. Whether it’s AI, sustainability, social justice, or health tech, ENU’s research is focused on creating a better future.

So if you’re curious, creative, and ready to make a difference, this is a great place to start.

Want to know more? Dive into ENU’s Research and Innovation pages or explore funding and partnership opportunities through the Innovation Hub.

By Juliet Kinsey

Read more on research at Edinburgh Napier University here on our Blog, with our latest post on Women in Stem

Graduation

ENU Alumni Network

03/07/2025 / / 0 Comments

ENU Alumni Network

Graduations are soon, and we want to say many congratulations to the class of 2025 but it doesn’t mean your time with Edinburgh Napier is over.

Join the ENU Alumni network today.

ENU Alumni Network

165,000 members

183 countries

1 ENU Alumni Network

What is ENU Alumni Network

The alumni community has members across the world. There is no sign-up required as alumni are automatically enrolled on graduation day. The Alumni Team is responsible for helping these graduates stay in touch with each other and the University and organising opportunities that will help them advance in their careers.

Benefits of Joining Alumni Network:

There are opportunities to get involved with the alumni community all over the world. This network can help you take your career to the next level, breathe new life into your business, help you reminisce about University life and more.

Events programme

The Alumni Team runs a robust international events programme. Activities include business networking events, programme celebration reunions and alumni receptions.

Career opportunities

Alumni retain access to Student Futures’ careers support for two years after graduation. Entrepreneurial graduates have lifelong access to Bright Red Triangle, the University’s enterprise hub. The Alumni Team also organises other initiatives that will support graduates throughout their careers, such as digital networking groups.

Study Opportunities:

Looking to do a postgraduate degree at Edinburgh Napier, as an alumni member, you can receive a 20% discount on tuition fees for the first of your full-time course (Terms and conditions apply). Library access is free when applying 12 months after graduation. After this, it is 50% off library membership meaning for £20, you can have full access to library books and spaces. Please note you won’t have access to e-resources.

Keeping in touch

The above are just a couple of examples of how the Alumni Team supports the Edinburgh Napier alumni community, however, there are many other opportunities and benefits available to graduates. It’s important that alumni to keep their contact information up to date and follow the alumni’s social media channels so the Alumni Team to share information with them.

Learn more about the ENU Alumni Network: https://www.napier.ac.uk/alumni

Or contact the Alumni Team on: alumni@napier.ac.uk

Alumni can join networking groups to meet fellow alumni, share ideas or ask for advice. By keeping in touch with the University after graduation, you will also receive invitations to networking events, reunion get-togethers, further study opportunities and hear about upcoming activities that will help you in your future career.

Keep in touch and stay connected.

And remember the library blog for all updates.

 

create

Create Week

02/07/2025 / / 0 Comments

Create Week

 

“Every human being is an artist”. This is a quote from the German artist, philosopher and environmentalist Joseph Beuys from a lecture he delivered in 1973. What I understand this to mean is that every human is a creative being, can thus understand and reflect the world, and craft an artistic vision on their own terms.

Interestingly, Beuys worked across a wide variety of fields – painting, sculpture, but also environmental art (his 7,000 Oaks project, which involved planting – you guessed it – 7,000 oak trees). He also has a connection to Edinburgh, famously visiting the Edinburgh College of Art in 1970.

Nearly 40 years on from his death, this eclectic vision of art is now commonplace. It is rare nowadays for people working as artists to only pursue one medium (e.g painting) – think of the work of Tracey Emin, or the recent winner of the 2024 Turner Prize, Glasgow artist Jasleen Kaur.

Likewise, social media platforms – especially video streaming platforms such as Youtube and Tiktok – are full of creators doing their thing, with the freedom to upload what they like, without gatekeeping.

Of course, being creative is not just confined to what is thought of as Art and Culture (note the capital letters!). In 2005, the critic and Oxford don John Carey wrote a book called What Good Are The Arts? In it, he argues against the elitism of ‘High Art’, and advocates for the valuing of pursuits of everyday creativity and technical skill: things like gardening, woodwork, and knitting. These are, of course, creative activities that require dedication and time. And anyone who has watched Interior Design Masters will know, designing and planning a room is something that requires a hell of a lot of creativity, focus and skill. Perhaps more importantly than anything else, it can really lift our spirits.

As we are now in Create Week, do something that scratches that creative itch: write a poem (it can even be something as simple as capturing a single image, like William Carlos Williams does here). Make sounds on your laptop with GarageBand. Take a photo of the environment around you, and draw a sketch. Make a story, or, like me, write a blog post.

By Kieran Curran

Photo by russn_fckr

Read more Arts-based posts

Wimbledon

Wimbledon

01/07/2025 / / 0 Comments

Wimbledon

Wimbledon Championships is one of the 4 Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and this year it runs from 30th June until 13th July, making it the third in the series. Top tennis players from around the world will compete in the prestigious tournament in men’s and women’s singles and doubles, mixed doubles and wheelchair competitions. The tournament is organised by the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in collaboration with the Lawn Tennis Association and has been held since 1877, play taking place on grass courts. The main court, or Centre Court, is surrounded by 17 other grass courts, but there are also practice courts and clay courts on site. The finals of each competition are on the Centre Court.

 

Background

The first championship was held in 1877 and played on grass courts. This is still the case today, and it is the only Grand Slam played on grass. Back then, the only event was the men’s singles competition, but in 188,4 women’s singles and men’s doubles were introduced.

The tournament was initially only open to top amateur players, but in 1968, Grand Slam tournaments agreed to open up to professional players, beginning what is known as the Open Era.

 

Traditions

Unlike other tennis tournaments, Wimbledon has a strict dress code for competitors. They must wear all white clothing, including undergarments, caps, socks, headbands, bandanas and wristbands.

Children from local schools provide ball girls and boys to collect fallen balls from the courts. Around 170 are chosen from hundreds of applicants. Training begins in February, and the children are organised into teams of 6 to cover all the courts. Until 1976, only ball boys were used, but the following year, 1977, ball girls were introduced.

The tradition of serving strawberries and cream goes all the way back to the first tournament in 1877 but it is not clear as to how it began. However, the tradition probably came about due to the seasonal availability of strawberries reaching its peak at the same time the tournament took place.

Slazenger has provided the balls for the tournament since 1902. This is the world’s longest-running sports sponsorship.

 

Changes

Wimbledon has seen many changes since the first championship. One of the biggest has been the introduction of the retractable roof over the Centre Court in 2009. The British weather is always unpredictable, and even in summer, there can be a lot of rain. In the past, this delayed play forced matches to be played late into the evening. Covers were rolled out over the courts, and play would be suspended until the rain stopped. Now the roof can be closed, and play can continue no matter what the weather. A second retractable roof was installed over No. 1 court in 2019.

In 2025, after 147 years, Wimbledon will replace all line judges with automated electronic line calling (ELC). The technology will be in place for all qualifying and main draw matches and will replace the judges who were responsible for calling shots “out” and “fault” on a serve.

In 1973, the US Open became the first of the Grand Slams to award equal prize money to men and women. Previously, the prize money for women was less. It was only in 2007 that the Wimbledon Championships awarded equal payments to both. They had previously argued that the men’s game drew bigger tv audiences and played best three-of-five sets instead of two-of-three, as the women did. By 200,7, the difference in prize money was so small that it made sense to create parity.

In 1997 a giant tv screen was erected for people without show court tickets to watch the tennis matches live on a giant screen at the side of No.1 Court. Fans sat on the grassy slope nearby, and at the time, Tim Henman was the British No. 1 ,and the slope became known as Henman Hill.

Wimbledon heroes

Over the years, Wimbledon has seen many tense and hard-fought matches between some giants of tennis.

In the 1970s and 80s fans were excited to watch men such as Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker and the fiery-tempered John McEnroe and women such as Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova and Stefi Graf.

In the 1990s, we cheered on Pete Sampras, Stefan Edberg, Andre Agassi, Martina Hingis and Jana Novotna.

The 2000s saw Venus and Serena Williams dominate the women’s game, whilst the men’s game saw Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic,c and of course Britain’s very own Andy Murray dominate.

 

British Successes

Many British players didn’t quite make it all the way at Wimbledon – think Sue Barker, Annabel Croft, Andrew Castle, Heather Watson and Tim Henman, there are too many to mention. Year on year the crowds got behind them, but they couldn’t make the final push to win at the championships. A few British players have managed to do so.

In 1936, Fred Perry won the men’s singles title, and it took until 2013 before Andy Murray claimed the title, a gap of 77 years.

Since the Open Era began, the women’s singles title has been won twice by British women – Ann Jones in 1969 and Virginia Wade in 1977.

For the past 2 year,s a British man has been one of the winning finalists in the men’s doubles, but you have to go all the way back to 1956 to find a British winner of the women’s doubles final. In 2021 and 2022 there was a British win in the mixed doubles final for Neal Skupski and his partner Desirae Marie Krawczyk.

Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid are 2 of our most successful male wheelchair tennis players, racking up several wins in recent years in singles and doubles finals. Jordanne Whiley is the only British female wheelchair tennis champion, being a women’s doubles winner from 2014 to 2017 and again in 2021.

This year we can dream again of another British win, but if it doesn’t happen, the players will at least know that the crowd and tv audience is right behind them. Best of luck to Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter, Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie!

 

You can find books and articles on sport and fitness using Library Search.

By Vivienne Hamilton

 

 

photo by Shep McAllister

Get Sporty

Safer Internet Day

AI and Libraries

26/06/2025 / / 0 Comments

AI and Libraries

AI (Artificial Intelligence) has several “connotations arising from strong public imagination fuelled by scientific fiction and other popular media forms”.  It can be viewed as an “evolving” technology rather than a single idea, which includes and not limited to, machine learning, solving and making decisions (Davis 2024). AI can be found in healthcare, transport and finance, growing and expanding rapidly into different services and industries.

With this, AI has been a topic of discussion in academia for a while, with much of the talk focusing on its implications for higher education. And this conversation includes libraries.

What does AI mean for libraries?

It’s not a unique question. Nearly 30 years ago, libraries were wrangling the exact same question regarding Google and Audiobooks/readers. However, libraries are still here. We simply adapted, something we have been doing throughout our 1000-year history.

We adapt, adjust and reinvent.

Digital advancements have brought a reinvention and transformation of our resources, spaces and technologies.

The demand for physical items has declined while the e-book format has thrived. E-book circulation in the United States was 662 million in 2023 and is expected to surge to 1 billion by 2030. In a span of 10 years, libraries in the USA have seen computer usage go from 4 million in 2010 to 250 million in 2020 (Meesad, 2024).

These figures don’t reflect a threat but a change. They reflect the augmentation of library services and engagement.

“Librarians are uniquely positioned to rise to the challenge that AI presents to their field. Libraries and their like have existed for millennia; they progress with society, altering and adapting their services to meet the information needs of their communities. Academic libraries today have greatly expanded their digital offerings, not just to include electronic books or journal articles but also to support software application discovery and use. Some academic libraries might say they lack a fundamental knowledge of AI or that they are ill-equipped to speak on the subject, and yet they have likely been interacting with AI through the different types of software applications they support. At the very least, they have accounted for and mastered the art of the search algorithm.” (Nevis 2022)

Libraries are already becoming increasingly digital, with e-versions of print items becoming more popular than their physical counterpart. Study spaces are more reflective of digital needs. AI is perhaps more present in libraries than some people might know. The introduction of chatbots, sleeker interfaces, and predictive searching in catalogues.

Smart Libraries

We are hearing about smart libraries. Although the term dates to the 1960s with the emergence of tagging books (Farkhari, F., CheshmehSohrabi, M., & Karshenas, H. (2024). It has seen a resurgence in conservation. The term smart libraries is flexible in definition. Smart stands for Services, Methods, Automation, Resources and Technology. For a library to be deemed smart, it can be because the library offers self-service for patrons, e-resources, wifi, printers, green technology and even automated doors (Orji, Anyira 2021). Smart libraries are really libraries with some form of digital offering (Kumar, G. Chikkamanju, (2024).

Smart Library services include

  • Library marketing and engagement
  • Discussion forms
  • Electronic board services
  • Contact the librarian
  • Digital references
  • Portals
  • Virtual library tours

 

(Kumar, Chikkamanju 2024)

 

As the term smart libraries is not a new term, the qualification for being smart is to have some digital aspect. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that libraries are currently in their smart era. But when technology evolves, so will this concept.

Future technologies aren’t far away for libraries, and some of these technologies are already integrated or will be. And while it can be seen to bring opportunities for libraries rather than threatening their existence, that doesn’t mean there aren’t limitations, risks, or concerns.

 

The Risks of AI in Libraries

For every pro for AI in libraries, there is a flipside with a con.  It is important to acknowledge the risks and concerns before proceeding.

AI is known for finding information, and it is used in search engines. All you need to do is search for a question for ChatGPT. And it can assist librarians and library systems in this regard, but it is not without issues. AI poses issues regarding the privacy and confidentiality of library users.

It’s great for patrons to have more personalised searches than general ones. AI can provide more results that patrons want. However, it poses problems of limiting information for the patron. AI has cultural bias; being Western-centric, which can skew information provided (Darrell Gunter 2024).  Providing a certain representation limits different opinions and views, which shrinks the understanding of results.  And back to the point of personalised searches, it means offering information that you think the user would like, rather than what would be useful or interesting, which again limits search results and information (Liblime 2024). Libraries are information hubs; this is what makes them wonderful. A library user can enter a library knowing nothing about a topic but leave knowing everything. AI personalising results and having a Western focus can take away from that.

And then there are ethical issues to consider. For these personalised searches to occur, AI needs to learn from users and access their personal data. Libraries are committed to user confidentiality, which AI can jeopardise by learning from the users.

AI can assist with searching, but there is a possibility of bias and narrow results.  And it might reduce the art of searching itself. AI can create co-dependency. Why do you need to filter search thousands of options on a catalogue when AI can bring up the direct results? This adds to the concern of library users not using libraries to their full potential, but instead receiving limited knowledge.  And in turn can ruin critical thinking.

Again, sticking with the flip side of the coin regarding the pros and cons. AI-assisted tools can aid digital literacy skills by making understanding easier.  It can also deepen the divide. People who already have a basic knowledge of digital skills will grasp these technologies more easily, given an unfair start. To combat this divide, libraries would require more resources, funding to teach users, which not all libraries can provide. Libraries in poorer areas will be disadvantaged already in covering this divide.

 

Conclusion

It is clear that for every benefit that AI can provide, there is a counterargument. It is important to acknowledge both pros and cons. These technologies are impending for libraries, and it is up to libraries to implement and use them. AI is the future technology; it is available in every service and industry, and libraries will not be the exception.

Libraries can work with these technologies, but we need to understand the wider picture before taking up the brush.

By Maya Green

 

References

 

Davis, J. (2024). Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Academic Libraries: A Leadership Perspective. College & Research Libraries News, 85(8), 347. doi:https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.85.8.347

Farkhari, F., CheshmehSohrabi, M., & Karshenas, H. (2024). Smart library: Reflections on concepts, aspects and technologies. Journal of Information Science, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/01655515241260715

Kumar, G. Chikkamanju, (2024) Smart Libraries in the Digital Era: An Overview. Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2401582.pdf

Meesad, P., Mingkhwan, A. (2024). AI-Powered Smart Digital Libraries. In: Libraries in Transformation. Studies in Big Data, vol 157. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-69216-

Meesad, P., Mingkhwan, A. (2024). Future Vision: Libraries as Digital-Era Beacons. In: Libraries in Transformation. Studies in Big Data, vol 157. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-69216-1_5

Nevi, E. (2022) New from ACRL The Rise of AI https://acrl.ala.org/acrlinsider/new-from-acrl-the-rise-of-ai/

Orji, Sotonye & Anyira, Isaac. (2021). What is “Smart” About Smart Libraries?. International Journal of Research in Library Science. 7. 265-271. 10.26761/IJRLS.7.4.2021.1482.

Unwelcome AI: Examining the negative impacts on Libraries, Liblime Empowering Librarians 2024

Senthilkumar, K. R. (Ed.). (2024). AI-Assisted Library Reconstruction (First edition.). Information Science Reference.

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Writing

National Writing Day 2025

25/06/2025 / / 0 Comments

National Writing Day 2025

It’s National Writing Day – an annual celebration of the power that writing holds as well as the joy that can be found in writing recreationally and creatively. National Writing Day normally takes place in the third week of June every year and was first established in 2017 a charity organisation named First Story, whose fundamental objectives primarily centre around enhancing literacy skills and creative thinking among young people. Writing itself is a potent tool fostering effective communication, personal growth and development, active learning and the sharing of ideas among individuals, communities and across the globe as a whole.

Since its launch, National Writing Day has evolved into a nationwide annual celebration, with thousands of participants engaging with it on a yearly basis. It has helped many individuals to rekindle with or develop a love of and passion for writing. Writing takes many different forms as well. Some of these can include:

  • Short stories.
  • Novels
  • Non-fiction books and studies.
  • Poetry
  • Essays
  • Journals
  • Letters
  • Transcripts

 

There are, of course, many more! In terms of writing styles, the four main styles of writing are descriptive, persuasive, narrative and expository. Writing empowers individuals through communication and allows them to express themselves or their ideas in various ways, as well as share unique perspectives and have their voices heard. A love of writing and reading also coincides significantly, meaning that this annual celebration of writing ultimately fosters a love of storytelling and reading as well, which are fundamental aspects of education and lifelong learning. This is a huge part of why this yearly event is celebrated widely across educational institutions and schools as well as cultural organisations across the nation. It is promoted to individuals of all ages, backgrounds and literary skills, with each institution celebrating or promoting the event, often hosting a writing challenge or competition with a set unique theme.

 

How can you celebrate National Writing Day…

If you are a university student currently, it is very likely (in fact, we can pretty much guarantee) that you have been doing a lot of writing over this semester and year for assignments, essays and exams. Your hand probably hurts just thinking about writing. Nevertheless, the summertime for many presents an ideal opportunity to make creative writing a newfound hobby (or perhaps a former hobby to rekindle with!) Maybe there was a novel, short story or poem you were working on before exam and deadline season kicked into full swing, or perhaps you had been previously finishing up a personal piece or blog post? Either way, there are many more ways in which you can take part in National Writing Day, including:

  • Joining a creative writing group, club or event hosted at a local school, community centre or library.
  • Taking part in writing challenges advertised online and sharing your work on social media platforms.
  • Checking out events or free resources centred around National Writing Day to inspire creativity.

 

Want to learn more about creative writing and the art of storytelling? Here are some book recommendations from Edinburgh Napier libraries – all of which can be found and requested though our library catalogue LibrarySearch.

 

  • The Creative Writing Handbook: Techniques for New Writers, Singleton, John, 1938-; Luckhurst, Mary. 2nd ed.; 2000. Available at Merchiston Campus Library.
  • The Story Factor: Secrets of Influence from the Art of Storytelling. Simmons, Annette. Author. Revised edition.; 2006. Available at Sighthill Campus Library.

 

By Rachel Downie

 

Photo credit goes to Ylanite Koppens at Pexels.

 

Read about Shakespeare Day

International Women in Engineering Day image of woman doing some engineering

International Women in Engineering Day

23/06/2025 / / 1 Comment

International Women in Engineering Day

Celebrating Women Engineers: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

Every year on 23 June, we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day. First launched in the UK by the Women’s Engineering Society, it’s now a global movement. It shines a light on the achievements of women in engineering and encourages more girls and young women to see this as a path for them.

The numbers are improving, but slowly. According to EngineeringUK, women make up 16.5% of the engineering workforce. In 2010, it was just 9%. There’s progress, but much more work is needed.

So, why does it matter?

Diverse teams are better at solving problems. They bring fresh ideas, challenge assumptions, and drive innovation. In engineering, where solutions shape lives—that matters. Gender diversity isn’t a tick-box exercise; it’s essential for future-ready industries.

The UK is home to many trailblazers. Dr. Nike Folayan MBE, co-founder of the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK), champions inclusion across STEM fields. Professor Sarah Hainsworth, a forensic engineering expert and senior leader at the University of Bath, is another standout figure. Their stories are powerful. But for many young women, engineering still feels out of reach.

Education

To get women into engineering, we need to start with early education. A 2022 WISE report showed that girls are much less likely to choose A-level physics, despite doing just as well as boys in GCSE science. Why? A lack of role models. Limited exposure. Persistent stereotypes.

This is where schools, universities, and employers can make a real difference.

Edinburgh Napier University and Women in STEM

At Edinburgh Napier University, change is happening. The School of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment offers strong support for women entering technical fields. From dedicated mentoring schemes to outreach in schools, the university actively promotes gender balance. Female lecturers and researchers at Napier lead projects in sustainable energy, transport systems, and digital engineering.

Take for example, the work of female PhD students at Napier who are developing smart materials for construction or working on green transport solutions. Their research not only contributes to global challenges but also inspires the next generation of engineers.

Sarah Taylor, a lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University, has been conducting research in smart, light-emitting textiles since 1995. Her work involves integrating optical fibres into woven textile structures, contributing to advancements in smart materials applicable in various fields, including construction.

In 2023, a team of Edinburgh Napier University students participated in a pioneering construction project in Guangxi, China. They collaborated with local universities to build the world’s first bamboo-timber composite gridshell structure. This innovative project aimed to explore sustainable building methods to combat climate change. Among the participants were female students like Devika Vijayan, Alice June Davyson, and Zara Anam Rafiq, who contributed their expertise in architectural technology and civil engineering. The project was led by PhD student Yanghao Pei and supervised by faculty members, including Dr. Ahmed Mohamed.

Women in Engineering  campaigns

Elsewhere in the UK, campaigns like Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, run by EngineeringUK, and events such as She Can Engineer at UCL, continue to highlight female success in the field. INWED itself is packed with virtual events, talks, and case studies—many of them accessible to teachers, students, and parents.

At the same time, the industry is evolving. Companies like Arup, Rolls-Royce, and AtkinsRéalis are investing in inclusive hiring, leadership development for women, and mentoring programmes. But culture still matters. A welcoming workplace—where all voices are heard—makes it easier for women to succeed and lead.

And it’s not just about big firms. Start-ups and SMEs across Scotland and the UK are building inclusive teams, often led by women who studied at universities like Edinburgh Napier.

So, what can you do this International Women in Engineering Day?

  • Share a story of a woman engineer who inspires you.

  • Encourage a girl to explore STEM subjects.

  • Attend a local or virtual event through WES or your local university.

  • Support or volunteer with STEM outreach programmes.

  • Thank the mentors, colleagues, and leaders who make a difference.

Small actions lead to big changes.

Because the future of engineering isn’t defined by gender—it’s built by collaboration, creativity, and courage. Edinburgh Napier University and institutions across the UK are proving that when you back women in engineering, you’re backing innovation for everyone.

By Juliet Kinsey

Read more on women in Science on our blog here: Scottish Women in Science

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