Category Archives: Print resources

End Of An Era…

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Nearly 250 years after the publication of its first edition, the publishers of the Encyclopedia Britannica have called time on the print edition of the venerable reference tome, and are going to concentrate purely on its faster, sleeker online twin.

The publishers have made this decision in order to compete better against online reference resources such as Wikipedia, and after customers declared they preferred using the online version of their books.

The Encyclopedia was first published in Edinburgh in 1771 as a three-volume set. It had since risen to 32 volumes by the 15th and now last edition last revised in 2010.

The Library still owns a print copy of the 15th edition, among our many other resources in our Reference section. But for more up-to-date browsing, we have a wealth of encyclopedias, directories and handbooks among our electronic Reference Book collection on Library Catalogue Plus, including the multi-faceted Oxford Reference Online.

So really, you don’t need Wikipedia at all… do you?

Image copyright Shishberg, reproduced under CC License from Flickr.

New EU leaflets!

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We’ve just added some new EU leaflets and booklets to the designated stand on Level 2 (next to the Information Desk – look out for the EU emblem).  Titles  include:

  • The EU: what’s in it for me?
  • A guide to your rights as an EU citizen: freedom to move and live in Europe
  • Speaking for Europe: languages in the European Union
  • Investing in our common future: the budget of the European Union
  • The EU in the world: the foreign policy of the European Union

You’ll also find our popular, up-to-date leaflet on travelling in Europe and one for job-seekers. 

 Feel free to take whatever you need (and ask for more if it’s empty!).

The Library also houses a European Documentation Centre (EDC) -  an extensive collection of publications and documents of the EU. Click here for more information.

More free EU information!

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The EU stand on Level 2 (next to the Information Desk) has just been restocked. Pop downstairs to pick up your free brochures and guides on:

- Travelling in Europe 2011-12

- Europe and you: a snapshot of EU achievements

- Combating climate change

- The European Union budget at a glance

- Finding a job in Europe: a guide for jobseekers

- Speaking for Europe: languages in the European Union

Please take whatever you need.

More guides coming soon!

The Library houses a European Documentation Centre (EDC) -  an extensive collection of publications and documents of the European Union. Click here for more information and who to contact for further details.

New collection on Japan now available!

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Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion in Kyoto Japan by mharrsch taken from Flickr and used under cc licence

The Library is delighted to make available a new collection of books on Japan and the Japanese. Nearly ninety books have been very kindly donated by the Nippon Foundation, Tokyo, as part of its Book Donation Scheme: 100 Books for Understanding Contemporary Japan.

The Nippon Foundation is keen to support study and research but also hopes to encourage understanding  between Japan and the UK. This is particularly timely in view of the University’s forthcoming role as host to the Japanese Olympic team in 2012 when interest in the Japanese nation and its culture is likely to increase significantly. The University also runs a number of modules relating directly to the study of Japan from a historical, political, business and cultural perspective and these books offer a valuable enhancement of our current holdings of Japan-related texts.

The collection includes books from all of the following fields: Politics, Government, International Relations, Economics, Business, Society, Culture, Literature, the Arts and History.

Simply type in “Nippon Foundation” into the Library Catalogue to view the full list of books in this exciting new  collection.

Restricted Access to Services on Level 3

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Owing to on-going necessary electrical work, there will be further restrictions to access of certain facilities and services on Level 3.

Virtually the whole of the public areas will be inaccessible to users, including the High Demand section. If you require a book from this section, you will need to request it via the library catalogue, and staff will endeavour to collect it for you within 24 hours.

We are aiming to relocate the self issue machines to a position near to the main Customer Services desk, which will be operating to its usual high standard of ‘business as usual’ (darkness permitting!).

The Level 3 printers shall be relocated to Level 2.

The current newspapers have been relocated to the Support Services office. If you wish to look at one, you will need to ask for it at the Customer Services desk. Unfortunately we cannot supply you with back issues, only the current papers.

The Open 3 study areas, the Reference Collection, the Media section, and Support Services remain inaccessible. Entrance to the Cafe 641 is still restricted to the foyer.

Signs will be posted directing users and visitors to such facilities as remain in operation on Level 3 and to alternatives on Levels 1 & 2, which are both now fully open and accessible. Level 4 is still accessible via Staircase ‘A’.

Thank you for continuing to bear with us during this time!