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Image of Scottish flag. A History of St Andrew's Day

A History of St Andrew’s Day

30/11/2025 / / 0 Comments

A History of St Andrew’s Day

Today is St. Andrew’s Day, Scotland’s patron saint’s day! Although November 30 isn’t a national holiday, celebrations are held across Scotland with events like ceilidhs and fun runs.

The History of St. Andrew’s Day

St. Andrew was born around 5 AD in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. He became a fisherman, like his brother, who later became St. Peter. Initially, Andrew followed St. John the Baptist, but he later joined Jesus as one of the twelve apostles. Tradition holds that he travelled widely, preaching in places like Scythia, Thrace, the Black Sea, and along the Dnieper River, reaching as far as Kyiv and Novgorod. His legacy made him a patron saint of Ukraine, Romania, Russia, and Scotland.

A 4th-century account describes Andrew’s crucifixion on an X-shaped cross, or saltire, which he requested, feeling unworthy of a traditional cross. Patras, Greece, claims his crucifixion took place there. St. Jerome noted that Emperor Constantius II moved Andrew’s relics from Patras to Constantinople in 357 AD. Later, the relics went to Amalfi, Italy, in 1208, and his head reached Rome in the 15th century. In 1964, Pope Paul VI returned Andrew’s head to Patras as a goodwill gesture.

In Scotland, the town of St. Andrews, located in Fife, is connected to legends about Andrew. One legend says Andrew came there to build a church that attracted pilgrims from across Britain. Another tale suggests a bishop named St. Rule brought Andrew’s relics from Patras to this town.

St. Andrew as Patron Saint of Scotland

Legends also surround how Andrew became Scotland’s patron saint. A 16th-century text recounts that Oengus II, King of the Picts, vowed to make Andrew the patron saint after seeing him in a vision before a battle against the Angles. Andrew appeared in a vision, and a saltire-shaped cloud in the sky became a sign of victory for Oengus’s outnumbered forces. Following their win, the Picts chose to venerate St. Andrew.

Scotland’s Flag

Scotland’s flag, the Saltire, displays a white cross on a blue background, which may symbolize the clouds against the sky in Oengus’s vision. This design has represented Scotland for centuries. In 1385, the Parliament of Scotland declared that all Scottish and French soldiers should wear the Saltire as a sign when fighting the English. Today, Scotland continues to honour St. Andrew and remembers him every November 30.

By Vivienne Hamilton

Read more Posts by Vivienne such as: The Bridges of Scotland

Fancy Doing a Edinburgh Napier University Postgrad?

Fancy Doing a Edinburgh Napier University Postgrad?

02/11/2025 / / 0 Comments

Fancy Doing an Edinburgh Napier University Postgrad?

You may be a student with us who is coming towards the end of their studies and university journey, or you may be a student who has just graduated and is wondering what the next chapter in your career pathway is going to look like. What if we told you that your university career does not have to end here? A postgraduate degree or a Master’s course is essentially a qualification that can be undertaken once you have obtained an undergraduate degree. It allows you to gain specialised knowledge and skillset within a specific area or field of study. Edinburgh Napier University offers a wide range of postgraduate degree courses and qualifications – all of which tie in with our five prominent schools: The Business School, School of Applied Sciences, School of Arts and Creative Industries, School of Health and Social Care and School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment. Find out more about postgraduate courses and degree programmes we offer on our Courses webpage.

Fun Fact

Fun fact: Edinburgh Napier University graduates and alumni are offered a 20% discount on tuition fees for any Master’s or postgraduate course of their choice. There are, of course, many more reasons why doing a postgraduate qualification with us can be beneficial to your career progression, employability and skills enhancement.

Benefits of doing a Postgraduate course with us…

  • It can make you a stand-out candidate in terms of employability and career progression. The specialised knowledge and transferrable skills which you can gain from undertaking and completing a postgraduate degree is often very attractive to potential employers whether you are looking to enter a specific career field or progress within an area which you may already work in. It can open many promotional opportunities in the workplace for you, or alternatively, give you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in a new field or area if you are only just getting started with your career journey, or maybe even looking to retrain and change careers or direction. Many postgraduate courses that we offer are vocational and offer work placement opportunities as part of their course curriculum, which can ultimately give you the opportunity to acquire invaluable experience in a specific industry or field which can be an effective talking point in CVs, job applications and future interviews. In general, pursing and completing a postgraduate or Masters qualification demonstrates and shows dedication, commitment and ambition, and that you embrace new challenges and opportunities to progress – all of which can make you a stand-out candidate in job applications, interviews and the hiring process overall.

 

  • Network Building Opportunities. Doing a postgraduate or Master’s qualification is also great for networking and can sometimes even lead to paid employment or positions being offered within the specific company or industry that your assigned work placement was. Building expertise and a specialised knowledge in a specific area or subject also opens many doors in terms of integrating into a specific academic community or industry. You will often liaise and interact with academics and lecturers who can provide you with guidance and encouragement with your studies as well as exploring your options after university and future pathways. You will also come across many fellow students during your postgraduate course or Masters degree as well, where a chance to build a specialist and professional network may arise!

 

  • Building expertise in a specific field or industry. You may be a student who has just graduated from an undergraduate course, either with us or a different academic institution entirely. There may be a specific area or subject in your field which you feel you barely scratched the surface of and would like to study in further depth. A Master’s degree or postgraduate course usually provides the perfect opportunity to pursue a more specialised knowledge within a specific area or field of study and research. A higher level of independent study, in-depth research and analysis is often expected from individuals who choose to undertake a postgraduate or Master’s. This may sound overwhelming at first, but it provides a great opportunity for you to get stuck in with delving into a topic or subject area that interests you to an extent more than you would at the undergraduate level. This can often lead to further study and the chance to pursue a PhD, should research and academia be where your key interests lie.

 

  • Postgraduate study and Master’s programmes are often quick progression routes. While an undergraduate course can take up to four or more years to complete, a master’s or postgraduate qualification will often only take a year or two at most. This offers a relatively fast and time-efficient route to gain a qualification and transferable skillset to progress in your chosen career path, whether you are a new graduate waiting to start their career in a specific field, looking to advance within your current field or change direction entirely.

Postgraduate Information Event…

If this blog post has made you consider pursuing further study, whether it be a postgraduate degree or a Master’s course, we have a Postgraduate Information Event coming up on Thursday the 20th of November 2025. You can find all the information you need about enrolling on and what it is like to undertake a postgraduate course here. You will have the chance to speak to academics and staff about the degree programme you have an interest in pursuing, as well as advice regarding funding, admissions and student support available. You will also have the opportunity to talk to current postgraduate students about their experience at Edinburgh Napier University.

 

You can find more information and register by going to the link here.

 

By Rachel Downie

Black History Month 2025 image of arty peoples heads

Black History Month 2025

01/10/2025 / / 0 Comments

Black History Month 2025: Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future

Every October, the United Kingdom celebrates Black History Month. It is a time to reflect, to learn, and to honour. Black History Month 2025 arrives with renewed energy. People across the country are ready to spotlight Black contributions, stories, and achievements.

This year’s theme, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”, shines a light on the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that define the Black community across the globe.

The theme focuses on two core values: power and pride.

“Power represents the influence, leadership, and capacity to effect positive change. It acknowledges the visionaries who have led political, civil rights, and social movements, as well as those who have broken barriers in business, education, and the arts. Their legacies remind us that true power is not about titles but about the collective strength, courage, and unity used to forge a more equitable future for all.

Pride reflects cultural identity, heritage, and the celebration of Black excellence. From the art and music to the stories passed through generations, pride is the heartbeat of Black communities worldwide. It’s about knowing where we come from, embracing our history, and walking boldly into the future without compromise or apology. Pride is a declaration of the beauty, the resilience, and the unmatched contributions of Black culture to the world.” Source

Why Black History Month Matters

Black history is British history. Yet for too long, the contributions of Black people were ignored. Schools often left their stories out. Media rarely shared their achievements.

However, Black History Month challenges that silence. It reminds us to look again. It also asks us to broaden our understanding of Britain’s past. Furthermore, it urges us to include everyone’s voices.

Because when we celebrate Black history, we celebrate resilience, creativity, and community. And when young people see themselves reflected in history, they feel empowered to shape the future. As a result, our whole society grows stronger.

A Look Back: Black Pioneers in Britain

Black communities have been part of Britain for centuries. From Roman times to today, their presence has shaped culture and society.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Black abolitionists like Olaudah Equiano and Mary Prince fought slavery with courage and determination. They wrote books. They spoke to crowds. They demanded justice.

In the 20th century, the Caribbean Windrush Generation helped rebuild post-war Britain. They worked in transport, health care, and industry. Despite facing racism, they laid strong foundations for future generations.

Artists like Claudia Jones created cultural spaces, founding the Notting Hill Carnival. Activists like Darcus Howe fought for civil rights and equality. Their work opened doors that many now walk through.

Scotland also played a part in these stories. For example, Black sailors, writers, and campaigners have lived in Glasgow and Edinburgh for centuries, contributing to the nation’s cultural fabric.

How Communities Across the UK and Scotland Will Celebrate

All across the UK, organisations are planning vibrant celebrations. Museums will host new exhibitions. Art galleries will display works by Black artists. Theatres will stage plays that explore Black heritage.

In Scotland, events will take place in major cities. For example, Glasgow will host the annual Black History Month Lecture Series at local universities. Edinburgh will also see storytelling nights, live music, and poetry slams by Black Scottish artists. Meanwhile, community groups in Aberdeen and Dundee will run family fun days, film screenings, and heritage walks.

Universities will invite guest speakers. Local councils will organise community festivals. Businesses will also run workshops on diversity and inclusion.

Schools will play a central role too. Pupils will learn about Black inventors, activists, and writers — including local Scottish figures. They will also discuss issues like racism and equality. As a result, these lessons will spark important conversations.

Online, social media will amplify Black voices. Campaigns will highlight role models. In addition, hashtags will unite people in celebration. Everyone will have opportunities to engage.

Why Everyone Should Get Involved

Black History Month is not just for Black communities. It belongs to everyone. It invites all of us to learn, reflect, and act.

By joining in, people are showing support. They help break down stereotypes, challenge racism, and build understanding.

And by celebrating Black history, we strengthen the whole of British society. Diversity is our strength. Inclusion fuels progress. Therefore, when we uplift marginalised voices, everyone benefits.

Looking Ahead: Beyond October

While October shines a bright spotlight, Black history should not end there. It must live in our classrooms, workplaces, and media all year.

We can continue reading books by Black authors. We can also support Black-owned businesses. We can include Black stories in school curriculums. Furthermore, we can speak up when we see injustice.

Change takes time, but every action counts. Black History Month offers inspiration. It gives us role models. It pushes us to do better. And it reminds us that progress is possible when we work together.

The Library and Black History Month

The library is committed to ensuring that we support people of colour, not just in October but throughout the year. We are working hard to decolonise our collections to ensure we represent all voices. If you would like to learn more, why not check out our LibGuides on building inclusive reading lists. You can also check out the Blog’s own Inclusive bookshelves for reading ideas.

Final Thoughts

Black History Month 2025 in the UK will be a powerful celebration. It will honour people of colour from the past and present. It will also educate, inspire, and unite communities.

In Scotland, it will shine a light on local Black voices and achievements. From classrooms to concert halls, stories will be shared and celebrated.

So, let’s take part. Let’s attend events, read new stories, and share what we learn. Let’s also listen and uplift.

Because when we celebrate Black history, we build a better future — one rooted in equality, understanding, and hope.

By Juliet Kinsey

Read more about amazing women in Scotland in our post on Womens History Month

Image of Radio stuff for National Amateur Radio Day

National Amateur Radio Day

18/04/2025 / / 0 Comments

National Amateur Radio Day

Radio perhaps does not have the ubiquity in people’s lives as it did before. It was once the premier mass medium for music as well as information, until the 1960s at least. Spotify playlists tend to rule the roost in cafes and pubs nowadays, with playlists often generated by algorithm. Now, television as well as micro news from social media is the predominant way we consume our news, fake or otherwise – whether we like it or not. Radio has been at the heart of musical innovation too, from the Radio Ballads made by the BBC (1958-1964), to the over-layered noise experiments of John Cage’s Radio Music (1956), using transistor radios as instruments. In a similar spirit, Radiophrenia, the Glasgow-based sound art and radio initiative of Timothea Armour, Mark Vernon and Stevie Jones, is currently broadcasting as part of its annual festival of left of the dial material.

Pirate Radio

Pirate (i.e unofficial or unlicensed) radio was also key to certain periods of genre innovation and expansion in music – for example, Radio Luxembourg and rock n roll in the late 60s; jungle, drum & bass etc were promoted by local London pirate stations at a key time for electronic music innovation in the late 80s/early 90s. Student Radio stations have also attained legendary cult status – e.g WFMU in New Jersey, and KEXP in Washington State. WFMU is known for it’s ‘freeform radio’ approach, which prioritizes eclectic and unusual, non-commercial music as well as talk radio. KEXP, another station that has its roots in university education, was a major promoter of grunge music as it broke through to the mainstream in the early 1990s. To this day, it regularly hosts up and coming as well as more established bands (these have attained a high level of popularity on YouTube). Some still broadcast on radio frequency, such as the college station in my home town of Galway (Flirt F.M).

Online Radio

However, there has been an explosion of online stations which do not broadcast on any radio frequency. Due to licensing costs as well as the limited bandwidth on radio frequency, many radio producers opt to stream on the internet. Close to home, our own Edinburgh Napier Radio Group (ENRG) is an incredibly active radio station that broadcasts online only. This year, it celebrates 10 years of operation, the product of the innovative, productive tendencies of the staff and students that brought it into being. Their work spans a range of topics, from news to music; fittingly, it is a professional operation, with an ‘all action’ website that has an eye on the cutting edge of mass media today.

By Kieran Curran

Read more fascinating articles on the Library Blog Like: International Forest Day

International Children's Book Day AI generated image of a child with a book grinning

International Children’s Book Day

02/04/2025 / / 0 Comments

International Children’s Book Day

Unlocking Imagination and Knowledge in Children

April 2nd is a day filled with wonder and imagination. It’s International Children’s Book Day! This special day celebrates the joy of reading and honours the power of stories to shape young minds.

The Origins

International Children’s Book Day was first celebrated in 1967. It was established by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). The date was chosen to honour Hans Christian Andersen, the famous Danish author known for timeless tales like “The Little Mermaid” and “The Ugly Duckling.”

Why Reading Matters

Books open doors to new worlds. They spark creativity and teach valuable lessons. For children, reading is not just about words on a page. It’s about adventures, dreams, and learning about different cultures and experiences. Reading helps develop language skills, boosts imagination, and improves concentration. Plus, it’s a great way for families to bond.

The Role of Illustrations

Illustrations play a crucial role in children’s books. They enhance the storytelling experience, making it more engaging and easier to understand. Vibrant pictures help young readers visualize characters and scenes, aiding comprehension and memory. For early readers, illustrations provide context clues that support word recognition and vocabulary development. We have lots of great books on illustration including this one: When we were young : two centuries of children’s book illustration

Famous Children’s Books

  • “Harry Potter” by J.K. Rowling
  • “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White
  • “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak
  • “Matilda” by Roald Dahl

These classics have inspired generations and continue to captivate young readers. What are some of your favourite children’s stories? Comment below

The Power of Reading

Reading isn’t just fun. It helps build empathy and critical thinking. When children dive into stories, they step into different perspectives and learn about kindness, bravery, and friendship. With the help of beautiful illustrations, stories come alive and leave a lasting impact on young minds.

So have a Happy International Children’s Book Day. Perhaps you might want to write your own one day. If so check out lots of great resources at librarysearch.napier.ac.uk.

By Juliet Kinsey

read more fun posts on our blog such as: Books that shaped you

woman planning her meals for blog post Healthy Eating at Uni: A Student’s Guide to Feeling Great!

Healthy Eating at Uni: A Student’s Guide to Feeling Great!

01/03/2025 / / 0 Comments

Healthy Eating at Uni: A Student’s Guide to Feeling Great!

University life is all about independence, late nights, and, let’s be honest, some questionable eating habits. But before you reach for that fourth pot noodle this week, let’s talk about how you can eat well without breaking the bank (or spending hours in the kitchen!).

1. Plan Ahead – Your Wallet Will Thank You!

It’s easy to grab whatever’s closest when you’re starving, but a little planning goes a long way. Before you do your food shop, make a simple meal plan for the week. This helps you avoid impulse buys and ensures you’ve got nutritious meals lined up.

2. Budget-Friendly and Nutritious Staples

Stock up on healthy, affordable essentials like:

  • Oats – Perfect for breakfast and super cheap.
  • Rice and pasta – Easy to cook and versatile.
  • Beans and lentils – Packed with protein and fibre.
  • Frozen fruit and veg – Just as nutritious as fresh and lasts longer.

3. Cook in Batches

Save time and effort by batch-cooking meals. Meal planning is a great way to take the stress out of what to eat. Fill up some tuppawear (or leftover takeaway tubs) with healthy meals and snacks, and leave it in the fridge to grab when you’re hungry. Make a big pot of chilli, curry, or pasta sauce and portion it out for the week. Not only will future-you be grateful, but it also stops you from grabbing unhealthy takeaway when you’re too tired to cook.

4. Healthy Swaps That Don’t Feel Like Sacrifices

Small changes can make a big difference. Try swapping:

  • White bread for wholemeal.
  • Sugary cereals for porridge with fruit.
  • Fizzy drinks for water or squash.
  • Crisps for nuts or popcorn.

5. Don’t Skip Meals

With lectures, assignments, and socialising, it’s easy to forget to eat properly. Skipping meals leads to energy crashes and bad food choices later. Start your day with a filling breakfast and keep healthy snacks (like bananas or yoghurt) on hand.

6. Stay Hydrated

Caffeine might fuel your study sessions, but don’t forget water! Aim for at least 6-8 glasses a day to stay focused and energised. Smoothies are another great drink and an easy way to pack yourself full of healthy fruit whilst hydrating.

7. Enjoy Treats in Moderation

Being healthy doesn’t mean cutting out all the fun stuff. Love chocolate? Enjoy it! Just aim for balance – maybe swap out some late-night pizza for a homemade wrap now and then. Try some dark chocolate or dried fruit when you’re craving sweets.

8. Get Inspired by Health Influencers

Need some motivation? Follow fun and relatable health influencers who share easy recipes and tips for students:

  • @thefoodmedic (Instagram & TikTok) – A doctor sharing nutritious and practical meals.
  • @moribyan(Instagram & YouTube) – Yummy treats
  • @violet.cooks (Instagram & TikTok) – quick and easy lunch ideas

Final Thoughts

Eating well at uni doesn’t have to be boring or expensive. With a little planning and a few smart swaps, you’ll feel more energised, focused, and ready to take on your studies. Now, go forth and fuel your brain the right way!

By Juliet Kinsey

Want to improve yourself more? Read our post on How to achieve your New Year’s Resolution

Read more related articles from our blog, such as our post on meditation, or check out our Wellness Collection guides and online relaxation space.

A Quick Guide to Finding a Book with LibrarySearch

08/10/2024 / / 3 Comments

Finding a book with LibrarySearch


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.

librarysearch screenshot

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.

Librarysearch screen shot

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

By Maya Green

 

Discovered your book on LibrarySearch, but need help spotting it on the shelf? Try our Guide to the Dewey Decimal System here!

Still stuck finding something useful then why not check out our LibGuides

Fun banner image repeating the title of the blog post Finding your book with Dewey Decimal Shelf Marks

Finding your book with Dewey Decimal Shelf Marks

07/10/2024 / / 0 Comments

Finding your book with Dewey Decimal Shelf Marks

HELP! How do I find my book?

Finding your book with Dewey Decimal Shelf Marks may seem confusing at first but really it is very straightforward. First off, make sure you have checked your book is available by looking it up on our Library Catalogue: LibrarySearch

For help using LibrarySearch read our quick guide here: Quick Guide to LibrarySearch

Not only will you find the shelfmark that will help you locate your book, but it will also show you if copies are available.

Screenshot for a book on Librarysearch

What’s it all mean?

Green means go! So if you see the words “available at” like in the above picture. You know you should be able to find the book on the shelf.

Here you can see that there is an available copy of this book. The word “available” is green (for yes we have it) and it is located at Merchiston Library shelfmark: 891.7342 BUL

Hurray! But now what?

Now you can go find your book!

The shelfmark is your book’s location so you will need to find it (kinda like a very simple treasure hunt!)

Start by matching the first part of the number: 891

891.7342

Once you have located the 891’s it’s time to delve deeper. Now you need to match the digits after the 891.

891.7342

That’s the 7342 after the decimal point. These numbers help narrow down the subject.

Once you have all the numbers matched you look at the Letters, in this case, BUL.

891.7342 BUL

The letters usually refer to the author or editor, not the title.

The author of this book is Bulgakov, so BUL are the letters to match.

These go in alphabetical order so work your way along till you find your book.

Quick synopsis:

  1. Match the first 3 digits
  2. Match the digits after the decimal point
  3. Match the letters

—————————————————————————–

It’s as simple as that…ok maybe not that simple!

If you have any problems a member of the Library staff will be happy to help! Also you can read more on the History of the Dewey Decimal system here on the blog in the article The Dewey Decimal Classification System

Lego figure with moustache

Movember: Supporting Men’s Health

06/11/2023 / / 0 Comments

Movember: Supporting Men’s Health

Calling all our Mo Bros! It’s that time of year again. We want you to embrace your facial hair and grow a moustache for a month. Movember is the global phenomenon that has put men’s health firmly on the agenda and hair firmly on their faces.

History

It’s a movement that started 20 years ago in Australia when two mates met up for a beer and joked about reviving the out-of-fashion moustache. Why not combine their challenge with raising money for charity, they asked themselves. And why not make it a men’s health charity? After all, men are notoriously reticent in talking about their health – mental or physical.

The movement was born, and since then campaigns across the world have been fund-raised for prostate and testicular cancer research and treatment, poor mental health and physical inactivity. Perhaps more importantly, it has created a fundamental shift in the way we talk about men’s health and asks the questions that were previously unuttered. Why, for example, do Black men have twice the risk of prostate cancer diagnosis than other men? Why are first responders (emergency service workers and military veterans) at increased risk of poor mental health and suicide? Why do men find it more difficult than women to make social connections and how have the COVID-19 lockdowns affected that?

Get Involved this Movember in Supporting Men’s Health

There are all sorts of ways you can support Movember. You can grow a moustache, of course, but you can also host a mo-ment – an event that raises awareness. You can fundraise at work or among classmates and friends. Or maybe you’d like to buy some Mo merch.

However you do it, we’re sure you’ll mo your own way.

See here for details on this year’s happenings:

Movember – Changing the face of men’s health – Movember

By Lesley McRobb

Image Source: Photo by Alan Hardman on Unsplash

Read more articles on Mental Health such as World Mental Health Day.

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A Quick Guide to Using Boolean: Top 5 Tricks

29/05/2023 / / 0 Comments

A Quick Guide to Using Boolean: Top 5 Tricks

Improve your search results with Boolean search operators.

Introduction to Boolean

First off, what the heck is Boolean you may be asking? Boolean search operators are simple terms like AND, OR and NOT or modifiers like quotation marks “”, parentheses () or an asterix*. You use these in conjunction with your search terms to help narrow down your search.

Most search engines, databases and of course library catalogues allow you to use these when looking for books or articles.

Top Tip 1: AND

This makes sure that your search results include all the words you need.

e.g. Zombies AND Aliens

It will remove any results that do not contain all these terms.

Top Tip 2: NOT

This is a great option for editing out results when searching.

e.g. Apocalypse AND Zombies NOT Aliens

Top Tip 3: Quotation marks “”

Quotation marks are one of my favourite search modifiers. Use them to make sure you have an exact match returned. This can be handy for a book or article title if you know exactly what you are looking for.

e.g. “Brave new world”

Top Tip 4: Asterix *

This little “star” is better known as a wildcard and is a pro tip for those who struggle with spelling or want to find results with a variation of the keyword.

e.g. If you use it with say the word Develop* it will return results including “development,” “developer,” and “developing.”

Top Tip 5: Parentheses ()

This is where you can start to get fancy! Use parentheses to group together keywords and control the order they will be searched for.

e.g. (Alien OR Zombie) AND Apocalypse

Now there is another Boolean operator OR (seen above helping out the zombie and alien search) which didn’t make the top 5 but is definitely top 6. Use OR to allow results using multiple keywords.

e.g. (Aliens OR Zombies OR Kittens) AND Apocalypse.

Combining Terms

The best thing about Boolean is it allows you to combine all these operators to make highly specific searches saving you time and effort trawling through pages of results.

e.g. (Aliens OR Zombies) AND Apocalypse AND “Tuesday Morning” Start*

LibrarySearch

Our LibrarySearch Library catalogue helps you to get started with this. Simply click on “Advanced Search” and you will see options to use Boolean operators.

Screenshot of Librarysearch Boolean search operators

So why not give them a go today!

By Juliet Kinsey

Read more study tips in our article on preparing for exams.

 

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