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Celebrating Black History Month while reconsidering the Curriculum

12/10/2023 / julietkinsey / 0 Comments

Celebrating Black History Month while reconsidering the Curriculum

October marks Black History Month (BHM) in the UK. Here at Edinburgh Napier Library, we don’t want to miss this opportunity to celebrate the event. After all, the diversity of the ENU student and staff community it’s an up-to-date reflection of how people with African and Caribbean backgrounds keep making our society richer.

This has been the main aim of BHM since it first started being considered in the UK in the late eighties. The celebration, which has evolved over the years, is now observed in all sorts of organizations: from museums to schools, or even care homes, the community honours the cause with exhibitions, arts and crafts, formal events, or local gatherings.

The theme selected for 2023 seems to be one of cross-field impact: “Black History Month 2023 – Celebrating our Sisters”, pays homage to black women whose contributions have been ignored, ideas appropriated, and voices silenced in the past.

The slogan itself transpires a sense of a tribe, or sisterhood, being celebrated.

Photo by Marleena Garris on Unsplash

Decolonisation in the academic field

From a wider perspective, here in the Library, we are working to question the references and sources of information used to build our understanding of the World, Academia, and the Curriculum, much of which is based on colonial beginnings.

The word “Decolonisation”, is in open debate over the last few years, and refers mainly to the process of reviewing those references in an attempt to tackle unconscious biases and prejudices.

While the process of undoing colonizing practices in the educational context is long and wide, there are a few steps being taken at Edinburgh Napier University in that direction. The Library Team has prepared accordingly some material about “Building Inclusive Reading Lists”, to make this learning material as diverse as possible.

Also, there is on the way a Reading List, prepared by the Subject Librarian of the Business School, Keith Walker, which highlights the contribution of Black authors, the Windrush generation, essays on Race and Racism, and other related questions. We will post about it soon.

These small steps, against historical and current challenges like Racism or Discrimination, are just a humble beginning, but we thought that they are worth mentioning. Furthermore, we wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate and cherish our Black students and work colleagues recognising their success, contributioand recognition in the present and in the future!

By Emi Pastor

Here are links to some of our resources

Building inclusive Reading Lists

Librarysearch.napier.ac.uk

Read earlier articles on Black History Month from the blog, such as this article.

Introducing Digimap

09/10/2023 / julietkinsey / 0 Comments

Introducing Digimap

Digimap is an online mapping and data delivery service available to UK academic subscribers. The Digimap platform provides access to online maps and spatial data from the Ordnance Survey, as well as the British Geological Survey, OpenStreetMap, and other sources.

At Edinburgh Napier University, we subscribe to OS Maps in various scales, as well as selected collections which focus on specific map types. Our collections are Environment, Historic, and Society.

Figure 1 [EDINA Digimap Society Collection. https://digimap.edina.ac.uk/society]

Environment

The Environment collection includes coverage of Land Cover data. It classifies sea and inland waters, urban areas, farmland, and more. It is particularly useful for students and researchers interested in conservation, environmental studies, and urban planning.

Historic

The Historic collection includes OS maps and County Series maps going back to 1846. Explore how urban and rural spaces have changed over the centuries and discover the history of town planning in the UK.

Society

The Society collection is an important resource for anyone interested in studying contemporary society in the UK. The maps include data from the 2011 Census. The data is available in over 40 map layers and provides an innovative way of visualising demographic information.

How to use

Digimap is a great tool to experiment with analysing information and creating new projects. Why not have a go at viewing habitat information, downloading data for 3D designing using GIS, or comparing urban development across historical maps.

Use the ‘Roam’ feature to view, customise, and download maps.
Download map data to use with software such as GIS or CAD.
Import your own research data to add to maps.

For more guidance, take a look at the tutorial videos on the Digimap YouTube channel.

How to access

Digimap and selected collections are free to use through the University subscription.

To access Digimap, log in with your ENU username and password. You will need to register your details with Digimap and accept the license agreements for each collection. You will then be prompted to verify your email.

By Catriona Robertson

Why not check out our post on the AM Explorer Database

Uncovering Hidden Histories: Provenance research internships in the Edward Clark Collection

06/10/2023 / julietkinsey / 0 Comments

Uncovering Hidden Histories: Provenance research internships in the Edward Clark Collection

During July, the University’s Heritage Collections department hosted two student interns whose intrepid research skills greatly helped us to find information about past owners, donors and custodians of the rare books held within the Edward Clark Collection. Here, Natalie Quinn (MSc in Publishing) talks about their experience of their internship.

My Experience as a Special Collections Intern

You might think that completing an internship, alongside writing a 15,000-word Master’s dissertation and working a part-time job, sounds like a crazy idea. You would be right. However, when I saw the opportunity to work with the library’s special collections department to identify provenance marks in books in the Edward Clark Collection, I just couldn’t let that pass me by. Earlier this year, I volunteered at a charity shop to help with the sorting, pricing, and shelving of books. This experience ignited my interest in the journeys that books go on as they pass between owners, and the notes left inside that tell us more about their histories. Therefore, I was immediately attracted to this internship and couldn’t wait to see which little remnants of history I would uncover.

[Figure 1: Inscription reading “Henry E. Napier to Lady Augusta Fox, Florence, Sept[embe]r 17^th, 1838. ‘Pochi compagni avrai pepl’altra via; Tanto ti prego piu, gentile spirto, non lafear la magnanima tua impresa.’” (ECC E51).]

This internship has involved me going through many of the books in the Edward Clark Collection, from enormous tomes to the tiniest volumes, and looking at every page to record any evidence of where the book came from and who may have owned it. From something as inconsequential as a leaf pressed between the pages to bookplates and inscriptions bearing the names and dates of the books’ previous owners, these books had so much to reveal. My focus was on books from the nineteenth century, an era in which I am particularly interested, and I really appreciated how I was able to tailor the internship to my own curiosities.

[Figure 2: Inscription reading “J.W. Frampton, from his affectionate father, August 12th 1859” (ECC E68).]

I have gained so much from this internship, from learning that small drawings of hands with a finger pointing to the text, called manicules, were used for centuries in the same way we might use a highlighter to draw attention to important text, to discovering that a different calendar was used in France for twelve years following the French revolution. The latter I discovered from the one word I was able to decipher from a French letter stuck in the back of a book, the owner of which I later uncovered was in Brussels during the Battle of Waterloo and recorded his experiences in his journal.

[Figure 3: Letter pasted in the back of the book entitled Napoléon en Prusse: poème épique en douze chants (ECC E3).]

National Poetry Day

05/10/2023 / julietkinsey / 0 Comments

National Poetry Day 5t^h October 2023

Today is National Poetry Day, a celebration that has been marked on the first Thursday of October since its inception in 1994. William Sieghart is a publisher whose stated aim is to help people “drop their fear of the p-word” . To that end, Sieghart founded this celebration of excellence in poetry, and since that first day, NPD has reached an audience of more than 500 million people.

The celebration is not yet 30 years old, but poetry itself is as old as humanity. It may, in fact, be our oldest form of artistic expression; it certainly predates literacy. The word poetry comes from the ancient Greek poieo meaning “I create”, and humans have been creating down the centuries, using poetry to articulate every emotion as well as to record oral histories, and important events, to entertain and to offer prayer.

There are dozens of different types of poetry, from haiku to limerick, ode to epic. But maybe you prefer one of the more modern free-verse forms. Maybe you’ve even had a go a writing a few of them yourself. If you’d like to test your poetry skills on a wider audience, why not check out the various competitions currently open for submission. Find out more here:

National Poetry Library Competitions

The theme of this year’s National Poetry Day is Refuge. Read more about the theme here:

About National Poetry Day – National Poetry Day

Library Resources for National Poetry Day

Of course, we have a huge range of poetry resources that you can access via LibrarySearch.

LibrarySearch Library Catalogue

We have books on how to read it, how to write it, how the greats do it, and why it matters. We also have access to the Poetry Archive which houses recordings of poets reading their own work out loud. It features the works of contemporary poets alongside historic records of Seamus Heaney, W.B. Yeats, T.S. Eliot and many others. Of course, we may be biased, but we believe that one of the best poems within the archive, is Library Ology, written and presented by Benjamin Zephaniah. You can listen to it here:

Library Ology – Poetry Archive

Or how about checking out Poets on Screen, a library of 879 video clips of poets reading their own and other poets’ work. We may be biased, but we love this tender and moving poem – The Keepsake – written and read here by Fleur Adcock (spoiler alert – it features witty librarian jargon).

The Keepsake Read by Fleur Adcock – Literature Online – ProQuest

Learn more about the power of reading in our post on International Literacy Day.

By Lesley McRobb

Image source: Unsplash Álvaro Serrano

Libraries Week 2023

04/10/2023 / julietkinsey / 0 Comments

Libraries Week 2023

Libraries Week is an annual celebration held to promote the best that libraries have to offer. This year, Libraries Week becomes Green Libraries Week!

From the 2nd to the 8th of October, libraries across the UK will celebrate the work they do related to climate change and sustainability.

Find out what’s happening in libraries throughout the UK during Green Libraries Week 2023 by following @librariesweek

Libraries Week 2023 Resources

You can search for library resources on all sustainability and climate change topics using LibrarySearch

If you find a book is at another campus library, you can always request it through our Click and Collect service.

Lions Gate Garden

Adjacent to the Library at Merchiston campus is the Lion’s Gate Garden. You can see the garden from the relaxation area in the Library.

The Lion’s Gate Garden is an interdisciplinary, permaculture learning and demonstration site. Functioning as a garden, outdoor sustainability laboratory, allotment, venue, performance, re-wilding, and relaxation space. Furthermore, It is designed to protect and enhance the biodiversity of Edinburgh Napier University campuses as per the University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy

Find out more about the Lion’s Gate and the other green initiatives across the other campuses including the orchard at Craiglockhart and how you can become involved on the Lion’s Gate Blog.

By Sarah Jeffcott

Library and Study Skills

02/10/2023 / mayagreen / 0 Comments

Library and Study Skills

Hello. Trimester 1 is on its way and things are settling. Assignments might already be creeping up. We know, too soon. But, today, we are looking at how the library can help in the upcoming weeks with essays, assignments, presentations and all. Look at how the library can help with your study skills and highlight all the tools available online and at the library spaces.

Subject Librarians

Each school has a subject librarian, someone specialising in that subject material. Someone who can help you navigate databases, the library catalogue and even the dreaded referencing. You can find out who your subject librarian is on the library web pages. Additionally, they have crafted specialised libguides or subject guides covering all the relevant information you need and can read more about what they offer in a previous blog post. To top it all off, there is the training and events calendar highlighting workshops that will ‘help you get started with the skills you need for success at University’.

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.

Academic Skills

Out with the library, we have fantastic Academic Skills advisors who ‘help students get used to the different ways you may be expected to study, think and write at University’. You can find out more on the MyNapier web pages where you can attend workshops or book one-on-one sessions.

Please remember if you ever feel stuck, the library is here to help. Don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Good luck with your studies.

Photo sources Andrew Neel

Saving the Red Squirrel

01/10/2023 / mayagreen / 0 Comments

Saving the Red Squirrel

Across the planet conservationists battle to save species from extinction due to habitat loss and invasive species. It’s no different here in Scotland with a successful breeding programme for our Scottish wildcats. And the successful re-introduction of the white-tailed sea eagle. The red squirrel is a native species which is under threat. And has sadly seen numbers decline due to different factors. With reddish brown fur and tufted ears they are instantly recognisable. They were once found across the UK, but have disappeared from most of the country due to the introduction of grey squirrels and habitat loss. Now red squirrels are confined to Scotland, pockets of northern England and Wales and small islands off England’s south coast.

Causes of decline

This autumn if you see squirrels scurrying around in parks and gardens in Edinburgh looking for food to store. They are most likely grey squirrels which are not native to Scotland. Introduced to the UK from North America in Victorian times, the grey squirrel is larger than the red and can drive reds out of their habitat in a matter of years. In recent times they have also carried squirrelpox, which although harmless to themselves is fatal to reds which have no natural immunity.

Reds have also suffered decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Red squirrels need woodland to survive and can be found in coniferous, broadleaved and mixed woodland. When areas of forest are cut back to leave isolated pockets this leaves areas which are too small to support a thriving population. Squirrels rely on trees for food with their diet mainly made up of seeds and nuts. Pine seeds are a particular favourite, but they will also take hazelnuts, and the seeds of larch and spruce. Reds also use the trees for mating and raising their young.

To try to gain a widespread survey of the squirrel population, 2nd-8^th October sees the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey which aims to collect data to improve understanding of how squirrel populations are changing over time and help direct conservation action.

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is an excellent website promoting awareness of the red squirrel and offering suggestions for activities such as Red Squirrel Rambles and puzzles, a map of sightings and news updates.

What can be done?

Campaign groups can put pressure on governments to reject planning applications for development in sensitive areas. They can also raise awareness through promotions such as The Great Scottish Squirrel Survey

Local landowners can seize the initiative and come to together to form their own projects such as Cairngorms Connect which aims to restore habitats and protect endangered wildlife.

You can put food out to encourage red squirrels if you live in an area with a population, and take part in citizen science projects such as The Great Scottish Squirrel Survey

If you would like to see red squirrels, but there aren’t any in your area you could try visiting RSPB reserve Loch Garten and Scottish Wildlife Trust Loch of the Lowes. They both have red squirrel feeders so you are able to view the squirrels up close.

I was lucky enough to see a red squirrel in the woodlands at Scone Palace Gardens which has free entry in the winter months.

You can use Library Search to find books, e-books and articles on squirrels, conservation and ecology.

Get Moving and Study Better!

25/09/2023 / julietkinsey / 0 Comments

Get Moving and Study Better

Tips for helping your body be healthier as you study.

Whether it’s studying, working, or watching a screen. We all need to move more. Finding clever small changes is a great way to sneak a little more health into our daily lives.

Things like stand-up desks are a great idea but they can be expensive and large. Try fitting one of them in your Halls room. Below we’ve come up with a few easy, cheap or free alternatives.

Sitting on the Floor

This is an easy one, why not try sitting on the floor? If you’re streaming, reading, or even just scrolling pop yourself down on the floor instead of a chair. New research says that it can be very beneficial to do this for just a short period a day.

Make sure you use a good position though, cross-legged, Z-sit or Long sit to make sure your posture is correct. This article from Healthline can give you some good floor-sitting tips.

You can read more on the science in articles like: “A Comparison Study on the Change in Lumbar Lordosis When Standing, Sitting on a Chair, and Sitting on the Floor in Normal Individuals”, available through our Library catalogue LibrarySearch

Recording and Walking

Why not record your study notes on your phone, pop in some earphones and go for a walk. Research says the best way to study is to use multiple formats. It’s called multimodal learning! Multimodal learning incorporates visual, auditory, reading and writing and kinesthetic

So don’t just write them down but speak your notes aloud. By recording them and listening back as you walk, your body and your brain will be working. You could even drift off to sleep listening to them and let your unconscious soak them in as you sleep.

Read more on SpringerLink in this research paper called Multimodal Learning by Dominic Massaro.

Meditation

So, this one needs to be done separately from studying but the science says it can really help you actually study better. So even if you schedule a few short meditation breaks into your day you could see improvements. To get yourself moving why not try a walking meditation?

There is a study called: “Effects of a Mindfulness Meditation Course on Learning and Cognitive Performance among University Students in Taiwan” available through LibrarySearch. The study found meditation significantly improved memory performance. So why not give it a try?

Here’s a free 10-minute walking meditation on Soundcloud.

Just Move!

Fidget, wiggle your toes, or sway to some music. Any movement is good! Why not stop and do 10 jumping jacks or some squats? Put on your favourite song and dance! Getting the blood pumping around your body is an excellent way to stimulate your mind!

Read more on health and well-being in some of our other articles:

Stress Awareness Month

January and Wellbeing

By Juliet Kinsey

Image Source: Image by Anna Lysenko from Pixabay

Unveiling History: Opening Merchiston Tower for Doors Open Days 2023

20/09/2023 / mayagreen / 1 Comment

Unveiling History: Opening Merchiston Tower for Doors Open Days 2023

Doors Open Days, the annual celebration of Scotland’s rich architectural heritage, is back in 2023 with a remarkable addition to its lineup – the historic Merchiston Tower in Edinburgh. This iconic structure, nestled in the heart of Edinburg Napier University’s Marchiston Campus, will swing its doors wide open to the public, offering a rare opportunity to step back in time and explore its captivating history.

History Of Merchiston Tower

Merchiston Tower, formally part of Merchiston Castle, is a splendid example of Scottish Baronial architecture. Dating back to the 15th century, it stands as a testament to the enduring allure of ancient Scottish castles. The tower was originally constructed as a grand residence for the Napier family, whose most famous member, John Napier, invented logarithms and contributed significantly to the development of modern mathematics.

As you step into Merchiston Tower, you’ll be transported through time to a bygone era. The interior boasts an enchanting blend of historical elements and modern-day conservation efforts. You can marvel at the intricately decorated ceilings, wood-panelled rooms, and original architectural features.

Merchiston Tower 2023

Beyond the historical significance, Merchiston Tower continues to play a vital role in contemporary Edinburgh. It serves as the main building for Napier University, contributing to the education and development of future generations. Doors Open Days 2023 not only invites you to explore the past but also celebrate the present and envision the future.

Visiting Merchiston Tower during Doors Open Days 2023 is an opportunity to connect with Scotland’s history, culture, and architectural heritage. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an architecture buff, or simply curious about the stories hidden within these ancient walls, this event promises an unforgettable experience.

So, mark your calendars and be prepared to be enchanted by the timeless charm of Merchiston Tower. Doors Open Days 2023 promises to be an unforgettable journey through Scotland’s rich heritage, and Merchiston Tower is undoubtedly one of its crown jewels. Don’t miss your chance to step into the past and discover the magic of this historic landmark.

Read all about Open Day and other events happening in Scotland

And you can read a little more about the history of Merchiston Campus

By Ian Sudlow-Mackay

Library FAQ part one: Library Spaces and books

18/09/2023 / mayagreen / 0 Comments

Library Spaces and books

Hello

Welcome and Welcome back.

It’s good to see everyone back on campus. And we thought it would be a good idea to go over some Frequently Asked Questions. Today we will be covering the library spaces and most importantly library books. And of course, if you want to find out any more information, check out our library webpages.

Library Spaces

Three campuses mean three campus libraries. You can find out the opening hours and much more information on our web pages. The libraries are similar. All have relaxation spaces, wellbeing collections, silent study spaces, Lapsafe lockers, printers and study rooms. And don’t forget our library help desks where our friendly staff are there to help with any library enquiry. The libraries particularly with the book stock match what courses are taught at that campus. Sighthill covers Applied Science, Health and Social Care, Craiglockhart covers law and business and Merchiston covers computing, engineering, built environment and creative arts.

We like to think that our library spaces are safe and inclusive for all our staff and students. However, if you think anything can be improved, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at library@napier.ac.uk

Books

Oh books, don’t think it’s an overestimation by saying books are crucial to any library. We have thousands upon thousands of them. You can borrow up to 30 books at a time, and loan periods are 4 months. All books are 7 days but they renew automatically every 7 days up to 4 months, you don’t need to do anything, they simply renew themselves. But please look out for your emails as other students can request books and you will then need to bring them back.

Finding books at Napier is simple. We have LibrarySearch. You can find this on myNapier dashboard or our web pages. Even googling Napier Library Search is fine. And if you are actually at the libraries, we have dedicated computers for Library Search. You can search book titles and authors, or if you don’t really have a clue about what you are looking for, you can simply use keywords for your research. Here it will you where the books are, what campus or they might be even online. If that is the case, make sure you are signed in. Follow the links and you will get there. But if it is s physical book you have, LibrarySearch will tell you where to find it. Once you have it, use one of our self-issue machines to issue it or bring it to the help desk.

Stay tune this afternoon for part two of Library FAQ

If you have anymore questions, please get in contact or read our previous library posts

Celebrating Black History Month while reconsidering the Curriculum

Decolonisation in the academic field

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Introducing Digimap

Environment

Historic

Society

How to use

How to access

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Uncovering Hidden Histories: Provenance research internships in the Edward Clark Collection

My Experience as a Special Collections Intern

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National Poetry Day 5th October 2023

Library Resources for National Poetry Day

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Libraries Week 2023

Libraries Week 2023 Resources

Lions Gate Garden

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Library and Study Skills

Subject Librarians

Resources for Study Skills

Academic Skills

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Saving the Red Squirrel

Causes of decline

What can be done?

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Get Moving and Study Better

Tips for helping your body be healthier as you study.

Sitting on the Floor

Recording and Walking

Meditation

Just Move!

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Unveiling History: Opening Merchiston Tower for Doors Open Days 2023

History Of Merchiston Tower

Merchiston Tower 2023

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Library Spaces and books

Library Spaces

Books

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National Poetry Day 5t^h October 2023