Database Trial – Gale Reference Complete

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Steven Lake

This month we’re trialling a multifaceted electronic reference platform courtesy of Gale/Cengage.

Gale Reference Complete enable users to access millions of pages of primary sources, e-reference and periodical content on Gale’s superior platforms designed to streamline the student and researcher workflow. The sheer breadth of the package – combining proprietary e-reference content form Gale. JCR-quality periodicals, literary criticism and full text literary works as well as rare primary source content from the vaults of the world’s great libraries – means that every student and researcher will find a rich store of relevant information to enhance their learning and research.

To begin searching go to http://www.galepages.com/loughuni – access is via IP address and the trial runs to 16^th March 2018.

We welcome feedback – good or bad – on this trial, please contact Steve Corn – s.c.corn@lboro.ac.uk – with your comments.

New Semester, New Library Catalogue (Plus Borrowing Changes)

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Steven Lake

In the switch over between semesters, the Library introduced its new Library Catalogue and library management system. This has brought a few changes, which are detailed below.

New Library Catalogue Plus:

1. Clearer search tabs:

As well as having a cleaner interface (as appreciated by students in our pre-launch user testing), there are now only two search tabs – Catalogue and Articles Plus.

Catalogue searches for books, journal titles, DVDs and other material held by the Library and all items from the Loughborough University Institutional Repository.

Articles Plus provides access to online full-text journal articles and conference papers accessible at Loughborough University.

2. Better filtering

When you get your results, you can now specify whether you want results from the Loughborough or London libraries and can even narrow down to just e-resources.

3. Access to subject specific databases:

Subject guides provide access to the key databases for your subject area and can be found from the Library Catalogue Plus screen (see below) or directly from: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/library/students/subjectguides/

Borrowing Changes

1. Longer high demand loan periods
These will now issue until 23.55 on the next working day instead of 2.30pm (e.g. if you issue a book on Friday, it will be due in at 23.55 on Monday). It is no longer possible to book high demand items for a specific date but users can request them on the catalogue if they are on loan to other users. The fine for high demand books is now £3 per day rather than 50p per hour.

2. High demand books now renewable

As long as no-one else has requested them, high demand books are now renewable.

3. More renewals
Following user feedback, these have been raised. Week loan, long loan and high demand items can all be renewed 10 times by users. Staff/researchers can now renew long loans 3 times and week loan/high demand items 10 times. You can renew books on the catalogue by logging into the My Account section or on the self-service machines in the Library.

4. Courtesy notice emails

We will send out the usual courtesy notice 4 days before a book is due for return and a second reminder email on the actual due date. Because of this, we are not fining on the day a book is due for return – the fine would start the following day. The emails are now called “Library books due for return” as some users had problems with the reminders going into spam folders because they contained the word “loan” in the title.

5. Weekends

Books are no longer due on any weekend. If a week loan is issued on a Sat/Sun it will be due in on the Monday after a week has passed e.g. if a week loan was issued on Sunday 4^th Feb it would be due on Monday 12^th Feb not Sunday 11^th.

Further information and feedback

If you need any help using the new system or have any feedback– simply email library@lboro.ac.uk, pop into the Library to talk to the staff on the Information Desks or contact your Academic Librarian.

New Library Catalogue

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Steven Lake

At the beginning of Semester 2, the Library plans to launch our new and improved Library Catalogue Plus interface. User testing has been positive, with people really liking the clear screens and updated results page. As an added bonus, the new interface will soon be available on the myLboro app, so users will be able to access their accounts and renew books easily while on the go.

During the switchover which is planned to occur between 31st January and 5th February you will still be able to search for and access library materials in print and online and Library staff will be available to help. You can return books at the help desk but borrower accounts won’t be updating until after the new catalogue has gone live. All long loan books have been extended until 18th February and we won’t be charging fines on any overdue items whilst the system is being updated.

The new catalogue should be available on 5th February and we would welcome any feedback.

FAQs

Do I need to return my books?

You can check your library account now to see what items you have on loan and be sure of return dates. Any long loan book that is currently issued to you won’t be due until 18th February. Please keep an eye on your University email address for any communication from the Library.

I’ve got items saved on my e-Shelf, will they still be there after the upgrade?

If you have stored records on your e-Shelf in the current catalogue we would encourage you to download them or export them into Mendeley as they won’t be carried over to the new system. You can find further information about Mendeley on our website pages or contact your Academic Librarian for advice.

Do I need to update my bookmarks?

If you have bookmarked the current catalogue http://lcp.lboro.ac.uk this will redirect you to the new interface. Any links to individual items or particular searches won’t be saved. Please contact your Academic Librarian for any advice.

I’m an academic, will the change affect my reading list?

The new catalogue won’t affect your reading list and all links to books and online articles will continue to work as normal. Contact your Academic Librarian or email us if you have any queries about reading lists.

I’m at the London campus, will this change affect me?

The new catalogue will be available to all staff and students in Loughborough and London. During the switchover you can still return books to the London Library but not take out any items until the help desk opens on Monday 5th February. Please email library@lboro.ac.uk if you have any queries.

I’ve got feedback on the new catalogue where can I send it?

We’re happy to receive feedback and any suggestions you have so please email library@lboro.ac.uk or tweet us @lborolibrary

More information and quick guides will be available from the Library’s website soon.

Changes to Library Catalogue Plus – Important Information Regarding E-Shelf Material

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Steven Lake

At the beginning of Semester 2, the Library will be launching its new and improved Library Catalogue Plus interface. By way of an advanced warning, we’d like to notify people of important changes to the old E-Shelf system on the present interface.

Further information about changes to the interface will published soon. Stay tuned!

Need Some Exam Tips? Try Lynda!

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Steven Lake

Looking for some exam tips? Why not try Lynda, our brand new online learning platform, which has two video playlists specifically aimed at giving examination advice.

Lynda.com is a learning platform which has over 5000 video tutorials used to develop creative, software, technology and business skills for learning and teaching. Available to all students and staff, Loughborough University has purchased a subscription from Lynda.com to enhance your digital skills and personal development. Normally costing £250 for an individual annual subscription, you can use Lynda.com for free right now.

To access Lynda, sign In at the top right of the page, click Sign in with your organization portal and simply enter ‘lboro.ac.uk’ in the box asking for your organisation URL. This will direct you to the Loughborough University sign-in page where you enter your University credentials.

Have You Met Lynda Yet?

Posted on December 14, 2017 by Steven Lake

If you haven’t already heard about Lynda, then now’s your chance to see what’s on offer.

How can you use Lynda.com?

Watch playlists of videos and courses that your lecturers create for your learning. Also produce playlists either for yourself or to share with your peers. Checkout the playlists we made to help with your January exam revision: Memory Tips for Exams and Exam Study Tips.
Download the Lynda.com app and watch Lynda on Apple, Android, Windows 8, Desktop App and Apple TV.
Download any course to watch offline.
On completing a course, receive a certificate which you can display on your LinkedIn page making you stand out to employers.

Also watch our playlists on Time Management and Microsoft Office tips to help keep yourself organised during the busy Christmas period.

Don’t just take our word for it, read some of our students’ reviews about Lynda.com:

So why not login by clicking on Sign In at the top right of the page, click Sign in with your organization portal and simply enter ‘lboro.ac.uk’ in the box asking for your organisation URL. This will direct you to the Loughborough University sign-in page where you enter your University credentials.

More information, help and guidance is available on: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/cap/tel/lynda/

Database Trial – The Stationers’ Company Archive

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Steven Lake

We dip into the history of publishing with our latest database trial courtesy of Adam Matthew Digital.

The Stationers’ Company Archive is one of the most important resources for understanding the workings of the early book trade, the printing and publishing community, the establishment of legal requirements for copyright provisions and the history of bookbinding. Explore extremely rare documents dating from 1554 to the 21st century in this invaluable resource of research material for historians and literary scholars.

To begin searching go to:

www.literaryprintculture.amdigital.co.uk

Access is via IP address and the trial runs to 2^nd January 2018. Please note that PDF download options are not available during this trial.

We welcome feedback – good or bad – on this trial, please contact Steve Corn s.c.corn@lboro.ac.uk with your comments.

Database Trial – 17th and 18th Century Nichols Newspapers Collection

Posted on December 1, 2017 by Steven Lake

We’re dipping into the past again for our latest database trial courtesy of the Gale Company.

17th and 18th Century Nichols Newspapers Collection features London newspapers and pamphlets gathered by antiquarian and printer John Nichols. This collection, sourced from the Bodleian Library, spans the years 1672 to 1737 and complements the titles and issues found in 17th and 18th Century Burney Collection Newspapers.

To begin searching go to http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/loughuni?db=NICN

Access is via IP address and the trial runs to 2^nd January 2018.

We welcome feedback – good or bad – on this trial, please contact Steve Corn s.c.corn@lboro.ac.uk with your comments.

Database Trial – CEEOL (Central and Eastern European Online Library)

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Steven Lake

Our latest database trial is likely to be of great interest to social science, politics and world history students, the Central and Eastern European Online Library.

CEEOL is a leading provider of academic e-journals and e-books in the Humanities and Social Sciences from and about Central and Eastern Europe. In the rapidly changing digital sphere CEEOL is a reliable source of adjusting expertise trusted by scholars, publishers and librarians. Currently, over 600 publishers entrust CEEOL with their high-quality journals and e-books. CEEOL provides scholars, researchers and students with access to a wide range of academic content in a constantly growing, dynamic repository. Currently, CEEOL covers more than 1.100 journals and 350.000 articles.

To begin searching go to www.ceeol.com – access is via IP address and the trial runs to 17^th November 2017.