IEEE Awareness Day Friday 8th December 2017

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What is IEEE?

IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization for the advancement of technology.

IEEE Xplore is a digital library providing access to the world’s highest quality technical literature in electrical engineering, computer science, electronics, and related disciplines. IEEE Xplore contains full-text documents from IEEE journals, magazines, conference proceedings, and standards, in addition to eBooks and educational courses – it contains more than 30% of the world’s technical literature.

You have access to IEEE via the Library subscription – use this authenticated link to ensure you can view all the full-text content.

What’s happening?

Library Services are very excited to welcome Julia Stockdale of Content Online, UK representatives for IEEE to Abertay on Friday 8th December for an IEEE awareness day.

Library pop-up stand

We’ll start the day off in the Library with a pop-up stand (we’ll be on Level 1, next to the cafe)  Drop past to chat to us about how you can get the most out of IEEE and pick up some FREEBIES!  Pop-up will run from around 10:30-12:30

Publishing with IEEE at Abertay

In the afternoon we’ll be in the Graduate School Seminar Room (3514.1) for a practical publishing with IEEE workshop.  The workshop will run between 14:00-15:00 and can be booked via Eventbrite – places are limited!

This practical workshop, aimed at new and early career researchers and postgrads in engineering, computing, and technology related areas, will provide an overview of publishing with the IEEE.

The workshop will cover:

  • Overview of IEEE, technology areas and quality of content
  • The University’s publishing activity on IEEE Xplore
  • Choosing the best fit periodical or conference for your paper
  • What editors look for
  • Why papers may be rejected
  • Paper structure
  • Ethics
  • Open Access options
  • Impact factor
  • Importance of thorough literature reviews and support available
  • Submission and review process
  • Tools available to support publishing
  • Tips
  • Key contacts and support.

IEEE Awareness for Academics

And finally, we’ll round the day off with an informal session aimed at academics also in Room 3514.1 of the Graduate School.  Here, we’ll look at search strategies, new features of IEEE Xplore, and keeping up-to-date.

Come along and meet Julia to find out all about getting the most out of IEEE.

You can view our IEEE help page here

For more information on the awareness day, or for help with IEEE please email the Library 

£4m Library Building Redevelopment for Students and Staff – Phase One Now Complete

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As we’ve now completed phase one of the £4m redevelopment of the Library building, we thought we’d take a look at what has been achieved and what is still to come.  We think that levels 1 and 2 not only look amazing, but also have the mix of learning and social spaces required of a modern University Library.

Library Cafe, Level 1

Our students are enjoying the results of the first phase of a £4 million state-of-the-art upgrade to the University’s Bernard King Library. The redevelopment will give our students among the best study facilities in the UK. The aim was to create a learning centre fully kitted out to utilise state-of-the-art, collaboration and learning facilities. Prior to the redevelopment, many of the fixtures and fittings were dated. There were also issues related to the control of temperature, light and ventilation, which often featured in student feedback. There has also been an increase in demand for spaces where collaborative and peer-to-peer learning can take place, involving greater levels of conversation and social interaction – an essential part of modern learning and this has been reflected in the new layout of the library.

Collaborative learning spaces & study pods, Level 2

We are committed to providing a technology-rich learning and research environment for our students and staff. The first phase of the refurbishment took place over the summer of 2017, and re-opened for the return of students in September 2017.

The project is a major investment in the education and welfare of students and staff, providing the very latest in interactive technology and support services.

All four levels of the library, which is also open to the general public, will be completely refurbished, along with the plant room on level 5, in time for September 2018. The first phased focused on the redevelopment of levels 1 and 2. The upgrade includes a new café and extensive facilities aimed at the comfort and convenience of students and the staff who work in the building.

A mix of learning spaces, Level 2

More than £200,000 has been spent on new furniture for the library, while the interior design scheme is contemporary and incorporates the colours in our branding to create distinctive areas.  A new feature on Level 2 of the Library is a ‘creative design suite’ – a multi-purpose room somewhere between a ‘maker space’ and a ‘Google war room’.

Laptop lockers and charging stations have been included in the concept, while the introduction of acoustic partitions and acoustically absorptive materials have been used strategically throughout the library to cut down on intrusive sound levels.

Laptop Lockers, Level 2

Students and staff were consulted throughout the process via surveys, comment cards and focus groups.

The University worked with a range of expert advisors and contractors: ADP, Pick Everard and Kier Construction.

We love hearing your comments and suggestions.  Please send any feedback on the Library redevelopment or services to library@abertay.ac.uk or leave us a message on the graffiti walls.

We’re very excited for the planned changes to Levels 3 and 4 in 2018!

Update on temperature control issue in the Library Building

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As many of you may be aware, control of the temperature in the Library has been problematic in recent weeks, and this has become acute during this week’s cold snap.

We have been working hard with the contractors to rectify the underlying cause, and in the meantime additional temporary heaters have been installed throughout the building.

The contractors have reported that they expect to have the problems resolved by this afternoon (Friday, 10th November), with adjustments being made to the controls over the weekend as necessary.

Thank you for your patience and apologies for any discomfort caused.

If you have any comments regarding the Library Building, please contact us or leave feedback on the Graffiti Walls.

 

New Library Resource: IEEE/IET Electronic Library Subscription

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Library Services are VERY happy to announce that we have a new subscription to IEEE/IET Electronic Library via the IEEE Xplore platform

You will remember that we had trial access to this resource at the start of 2017 and we asked for your feedback. As a result of that trial process, a lot of hard work and negotiations we have now been able to reinstate online access!

What is IEEE/IET?

IEEE Xplore is a digital library providing access to the world’s highest quality technical literature in electrical engineering, computer science, electronics and related disciplines. IEEE Xplore contains full-text documents from IEEE journals, magazines, conference proceedings, standards, eBooks and educational courses.

What content does IEEE Xplore contain?

IEEE Xplore provides online access to more than 4 million full-text documents from some of the world’s most highly cited publications in electrical engineering, computer science and electronics.  It contains more than 30% of the world’s technical literature.

  • Journals, transactions, letters, and magazines published by the IEEE and IET, with some content dating back to 1872
  • Journals published by IET, IBM, BIAI, TUP, and AGU dating back to 1930
  • Conference Proceedings published by IEEE, IET and VDE VERLAG dating back to 1988
  • IEEE technical standards and specifications, including active, revised, archived, and draft standards dating from 1948
  • eBooks published by Wiley-IEEE Press, Wiley Telecom, MIT Press, Morgan & Claypool and other IEEE entities
  • Courses representing the best of IEEE conferences, workshops, and seminars in an interactive format

Where can I access IEEE/IET Electronic Library?

You can access the platform directly using this authenticated link  

You’ll also find IEEE/IET Electronic Library listed on our Resources A-Z list and on relevant Subject Guides

IEEE/IET content is discoverable via LibrarySearch so you will be able to link directly to the full-text of journal articles, conference proceedings, technical standards etc. that you find in LibrarySearch using the links provided

In LibrarySearch you’ll see links in the View It tab of the Details screen (after you click the title in the result list) to:

  • IEEE/IET Electronic Library (IEL)
  • IEEE/IET Electronic Library (IEL) Conference Proceedings
  • IEEE SERIES (IEL)
  • IEEE Standards Select (IEL)

These are all part of the IEEE/IET Electronic Library (IEL) and will link out to the IEEE Xplore platform.

Where can I get help with IEEE?

  • Email the Library or contact your Academic Librarian
  • IEEE provides quick reference user guides with tips and tricks for using IEEE Xplore effectively. Check them out here
  • There’s also a selection of quick self-paced video tutorials available covering topics like: Advanced searching, saving searches, content alerts, and lots more!  You can view the video tutorials here

We’re very glad to see this resource back – as always, we’d love to hear your feedback.  Please drop us an email or leave a comment below.

The New LibrarySearch is Here!

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LibrarySearch has had a facelift over the summer – as well as a streamlined new user interface, it has some nifty new functionality too.  We carried out extensive user testing earlier in the year and many of the changes we made to the look and feel are the direct result of the feedback you gave us!

What is LibrarySearch?

LibrarySearch is our academic search engine; like Google but for scholarly and academic materials!  It is the quick and easy way to search and access our print collections and most of our online content from one simple search box.

How does it work?

LibrarySearch is designed to be very easy to use and although there is a new streamlined interface and it looks quite different, it still works in the same way:

  • a default simple search
  • refine results using the filters
  • quickly save items of interest for later, export items directly into your RefWorks library
  • manage loans and fines etc. via My Account
  • and lots more!
  • Remember, LibrarySearch ‘automagically’ renews your loans for you provided there are no requests for other borrowers (1 and 4 week loans renew twice and Overnight loans renew once)

What has changed?

Some of the key updates include:

  • Streamlined user interface – LibrarySearch has a new UI which is less cluttered and easier to use.  It is fully mobile optimised too so can be viewed on any phone or tablet.
  • Brief results display – all material types are included in the results list and are clearly marked e.g. Book, Article, Conference Proceeding, Newspaper Article etc. Where there are multiple versions of a title available you’ll see a single item in the results list but it will clearly indicate that multiple versions exist.  You’ll also see quick action icons in the results list allowing you to save items for later, export into RefWorks, email results etc. right from the brief record in the results list!
  • Filters – the filters are now on the right hand side of the screen and are minimised to display more categories. Click ‘show more’ to view the full list of filters under a section.
  • Improved include and exclude options – if you wish to include any filter such as ‘Full text online’, a specific content type or subject area, just hover over it and tick the check box to the left of it. To exclude something e.g. if you don’t want any newspaper articles or book reviews to be included in the results list, hover over the filter and click the red check box to the right of it.  Once you’ve finished click the ‘Apply Filters’ button – you can now add as many filters are you like.
  • ‘Sticky facets’ – this means that once you’ve added your filters to a search they’ll remain until you click the ‘Reset Filters’ button.
  • Multiple tabs removed and replaced with the Details screen – the tabs from the results list have gone giving a much more streamlined view. Clicking on the title or links in the brief record from the results list will take you into the item Details screen.  From here you can scroll up and down to see all information about the title including Get it (print) and View it (online) details and links, plus send to options for exporting and emailing etc.  You can also place requests on unavailable items from the Details screen.
  • Endless scrolling – the results list no longer contains pages, simply keep scrolling down to load more results.
  • Saved items & My Favourites – you now click the pin icon in the results list to save items for later (you must be signed in to do this) My Favourites is now split into saved items, saved searches, and search history and is organised by labels rather than by folders.
  • Tags – there is now a tags link on the top menu bar. Tags allows users to categorise items (books, journal articles etc.) into lists which are then indexed and shared with other users on the new tags page.  You can search for tags and add your own on the Details screen of an item.  You could add tags such as module codes, tutor name, additional keywords or coursework titles.
  • Automated query expansion – LibrarySearch will give you a helping hand with some of your search terms. For example, if you searched for ‘heart attack symptoms’ LibrarySearch will automatically include ‘myocardial infarction’ and include both in the results list.

Where can I find LibrarySearch?

LibrarySearch is everywhere!  The direct URL is http://librarysearch.abertay.ac.uk – bookmark this!

There are LibrarySearch search boxes on the Library website and in the Study Support section of Blackboard.

There’s also a LibrarySearch tile on My Abertay – when you click through from here, you don’t need to sign in again at the top right as you’re already authenticated.

Where can I get help with LibrarySearch?

There’s a LibrarySearch help page and FAQ on the Library website (path is: Abertay Library > Finding Resources > Resources A-Z > LibrarySearch)

Come along to a Library & IT Drop-in Session for one-to-one help with LibrarySearch – they’re held in the Training Suite, Level 2 of the Library every Tuesday 11-12, Wednesday 12-1, and Thursday 3-4.

For general queries email library@abertay.ac.uk or to report technical issues email librarysystems@abertay.ac.uk

What’s next?

There will continue to be new features rolled out over the next few months.  We’ll update you as and when they happen.  We’re particularly excited about the Database A-Z service which should be ready in November.  Stay tuned!

New LibrarySearch Home Screen

Item Details Screen

Results Screen including Quick Action icons and Filters

Change from Abertay to Cite Them Right Harvard Referencing Style – Important Announcement!

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Important info for returning students: Changes to the Harvard referencing style

What’s happening?

From September 4th 2017 the Cite them Right version of Harvard will become the standard referencing style for all Abertay University taught modules which previously used Abertay Harvard – as endorsed by the University’s Teaching and Learning Committee. This will mean some minor changes to how you reference your sources (e.g. the use of brackets around the date of publication).

Why is this change happening?

The Abertay Harvard style was very specific to Abertay.  Lots of students are using free referencing tools such as Mendeley, Zotero, Easybib and RefMe.  Abertay Harvard was not available as a style to use with these tools.  Cite them Right Harvard is widely used across higher education and is available as a style via all these tools, making them more usable for everyone.

Where can I get a guide for the new style?

The library has produced a short guide which is available to pick up in the Library or view online  This covers most of the main reference types you are likely to use – books, journal articles, websites etc. There is also a more comprehensive Cite Them Right book. Several copies are available to borrow from the Library and shelved at call number 808.027 PEA.

The subject I’m studying doesn’t use Harvard style, does this change affect me?

No, students on Law modules should continue to use OSCOLA and those on Psychology modules should continue using APA. These will not be changing. Many of the tools mentioned above have APA and OSCOLA available as output styles. If you are not sure what referencing style to use, check your course documents or check with your module leader in advance of submitting any assessed work.

I use RefWorks, do I need to change my preferred output style?

If you use RefWorks, click on Customize and you will see the Cite Them Right Harvard output style as an option, select it and saved it to your customized settings. You will also need to go to Bibliography> Output Style Manager and add  Cite Them Right Harvard to your list of favourites.

If you need help with Referencing or RefWorks, come along to one of our drop-in sessions in the Library (Training Suite on Level 2), Tuesdays 11-12, Wednesdays 12-1, Thursdays 3-4pm.

If you have any further queries, please email us

Quick Guide to Harvard – new guide available here

Library & IT Drop-ins during the Summer – Every Wednesday @ 12 in Room 3006

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Just a quick post to remind everyone that help is still available during the summer whilst the Library building is closed for refurbishment.

If you need help with any of the following:

  • Referencing & RefWorks
  • Finding & evaluating information
  • LibrarySearch
  • Searching Library resources including: Business Source Premier, CINAHL, Lexis Library & Westlaw, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Science
  • Word, Excel and PowerPoint queries including: formatting long documents, working with data in Excel, tables of figures and tables of contents, poster presentations
  • Reading Lists @ Abertay
  • Copyright
  • Managing your digital footprint
  • Open Access
  • And lots, lots more…

The Library Services Team are alert and ready to answer your queries!

Our Drop-in sessions are open to staff and students and are running throughout the summer every Wednesday between 12-1 pm, in Room 3006 of the Old College (previously advertised as 3010 but now held in the Library Services office which is 3006, right next to 3010)

If you can’t make it to a drop-in session you can email library@abertay.ac.uk or visit SEZ at their temporary summer location in the Student Centre (next to Aroma) and they will give us a call.

Borrowing books

You can still borrow books during the Library building refurbishment too.  Just check LibrarySearch for availability of the item(s) you wish to borrow then take a note of: author, title, edition, collection and class number.  Then, give the details to SEZ either in person or via email and you can pick up your items from their temporary desk in the Student Centre.  You’ll need to allow time for the items to be collected and bear in mind that sometimes access to the Library building may be restricted.  Items requested in the morning will be available for collection in the afternoon of the same day after 2pm. Items requested in the afternoon will be available for collection the following day from 10am.  And also remember that if the item you wish to borrow is currently out on loan, you’ll need to place a request and wait for it to become available.

What Do You Need Help With? Video Tutorials Just For You!

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Hello and Happy Thursday 🙂

Library Services are currently reviewing our online help and tutorials and would like some input on the kinds of things that would be really useful to you.  So, we’d like to know what kinds of quick videos you’d like to see up on our YouTube channel?

Our most popular videos are the ones on MS Office such as creating a poster presentation template, adding captions to create automatic table of figures and table of tables, etc.  what other MS office or digital skills help videos would you like to see?

We’ll be creating a series of quick tip videos on the new LibrarySearch interface too so if there is anything in particular you’d like to see on that, just let us know.

Would you like to see video guides on specific databases or resources? Using Reading Lists at Abertay? RefWorks and referencing? Ethical use of information? Finding and evaluating information?  Finding and using certain kinds of information: market research, case law, images?  Choosing keywords and building up search terms??  Anything at all, please let us know!

You can reply below, email us, or pop into our office for a chat (Room 3006 in the Old College)

Library Building Refurbishment and Borrowing During the Summer

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Hello!

You’ve probably already seen some correspondence about the Library refurbishment but we thought we’d send out an update for you.

Photo credit: Lisa Clark

Library Services are super excited about the refurbishment plans: we’re long overdue a bit of a face lift!  We’re currently surrounded by crates and boxes as we’re packing up the Library ready for the summer move.  Phase one of the refurbishment begins next Monday, 8th May 2017 so the Library building will be closed to all staff and students from 10pm this Friday, 5th May 2017 until the start of the new Academic year.

Where are we moving to?

Library Services will be moving over to room 3006 on Level 3 of the Kydd Building for the duration of the summer.  We are moving next Wednesday so should be all settled by the end of the week – our door will be open so do feel free to pop in past to say hello.

Library and IT Drop-ins

We will be running a weekly Library and IT drop-in session during the summer so you can still get specialist one-to-one help from an Academic Librarian or Digital Skills Officer.

The drop-in sessions will take place every Wednesday between 12-1pm in Room 3010 (Level 3, Kydd Building) from the 17th May 2017.  We’ll send out regular reminders via social media so do keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook accounts.  You can also email us for help.

Accessing Resources During the Summer

All of our online resources are available 24/7 from anywhere!  Yes, even if you’re sunning yourself in an exotic location you can still read that journal article or eBook 🙂

LibrarySearch – our Academic search tool searches across most of our online journal and ebook collections, databases and OA repositories from one simple search box.

A-Z Online Resources – a list of authenticated links to our subscription collections and databases.  Use this page if you want to go direct to a resource and start searching.

Borrowing Lending Material 

Even though the Library will be closed for refurbishment you can still borrow books from us.  To make this process as easy as possible, from Monday 1st May ALL loans (normal, weekly, overnight etc.) will issue out for the entire summer and be due back on Monday 4th September 2017.  NB: items are subject to being requested by another borrower – please check your Abertay email for any library notices telling you that your due date has been amended.

This book retrieval service will be operated by SEZ from their summer location: Student Centre – Level 1 Reception Desk:

  • Students/staff should check LibrarySearch for availability of item(s) required and take a note of: author, title, edition, collection and class number.
  • This information should be communicated to SEZ either in person (Student Centre – Level 1) or by email/instant messaging.
  • As long as access to the library building is permitted, books will be collected twice daily Monday-Friday (morning and afternoon).
  • Items requested in the morning will be available for collection in the afternoon of the same day after 2pm. Items requested in the afternoon will be available for collection the following day from 10am.
  • Any items requested that are currently out on loan will be handled in the normal way.

Anyway, we’d better get back to the packing…  More updates on the refurbishment soon!

All of the crates! We’re busy packing up the Library