Category Archives: Library news

News and posts of interest from the library

Short loan laptops now available

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The Library is pleased to announce the installation of a short loan laptop facility in the Saltire Centre.

Short loan (up to three hours) laptops are available for loan to GCU students and staff. The Lapsafe laptop vending machine is located on level 0 of the library, facing the café counter.

Laptops are provided fully charged for use around campus. You must have your student or staff card in order to use this service.

For further information on this service, please see the following webpage:
http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/borrowing/borrowinglaptops/

Harvard Referencing Guide – Update Jan 2017

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The Library has updated the Harvard Referencing Guide to expand the guidance on using in text citations.

The referencing style is unchanged.  There is no change in how to compile your reference list and you will still choose the Harvard British Standard 2010 GCU Library output style in Refworks.

For more help contact your librarians.

 

Companies and Industry Information (Key Note and IBISWorld)

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We are happy to announce that the library recently added IBISWorld to our collection of eresources.

IBISWorld is the UK’s most comprehensive collection of Industry Market Research and Industry Risk Ratings. Users can find extensive and up to date information on hundreds of UK industries, as well as global industry reports and Brexit impact statements. This resource will be of particular use and interest to users who are familiar with the Key Note resource, which was retired in July 2016.

You can access this resource directly from our Database A-Z by logging in with your domain username and password. For more information about IBIS World please visit the Companies, Business and Enterprise subject guide. If you require assistance using this resource please contact your librarian.

IBISWorld

Introducing edShare@GCU

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edShare@GCU is the University’s new educational resources repository. It allows staff to store, share and preserve a wide variety of learning and teaching materials in one central location. Staff can upload and manage their own resources and have the option to share them openly on the internet, with all members of the University, or with a select group of students or staff. The repository accepts any permanent resources created by GCU staff and provides a point of contact for copyright and intellectual property rights (IPR) advice within the GCU community.

Where do I start?

The repository can be accessed at https://edshare.gcu.ac.uk. You can log in with your domain username and password.

Why has this new repository been built?

The repository will enhance learning and teaching by enabling staff to manage, store and share a greater variety of digital resources, providing broader and deeper learning opportunities for students. It also supports flexible learning by allowing Continue reading →

New research support resource available on the library web site

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Pilot is the library’s online information literacy, research and communication skills resource which supports postgraduate researchers. Pilot is on the Subject Help menu on the library web site. It has been updated to run on mobile devices and has a new easier to use menu structure.

Pilot covers:

  • communication skills
  • copyright
  • data management (including plagiarism and referencing)
  • publication
  • research skills
  • searching (including systematic reviewing)
  • using information (including ethics)

If you are a lecturer and would like a detailed set of links to the sections of Pilot, we can add them to your blackboard module for you – just contact us on ddil@gcu.ac.uk

If you are a researcher and you have questions or feedback on Pilot, you can contact us on ddil@gcu.ac.uk and if you would like to arrange further support for your research please contact your librarian.

Make cash payments using our self-service machines

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issuemachine

Our library self-service machines on Level 1 can now be used to pay cash for outstanding fines.  All you need to do is:

  • Touch the screen to select ‘My Library Account’
  • Place your student/staff card on the reader icon
  • From the options displayed, choose ‘Pay charges’ and follow the instructions to pay your fine
  • Select ‘Finish’ to end the session

To find out more about the library self-service machines, read this blog

New Evidence Based Practice resources available from the library

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Evidence based practice – access for NHS and Higher Education across Scotland

We are delighted to announce that a range of clinical evidence summary resources are now available here at GCU until 6th July 2016. These resources combine support for direct patient care and for education, through evidence-based and problem-based approaches to learning about best clinical practice, and linking quick guidance to deeper knowledge for self-directed study.

Selection of these resources (procured via tender by NHS Education for Scotland) is based on extensive consultation with practitioners and a rigorous evaluation process which considered scope, access and usability, delivery channels, evidence-based methodology, and design for education. Continue reading →

Harvard referencing – new guidance

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Harvard Guidelines CoverThe academic librarians have created guidance for Harvard referencing based on the current British Standard (BS ISO 690:2010).  Our web pages have comprehensive guidance and examples of widely used sources of digital and print information.  You can download the full guide as a PDF  or use the quick links on the web site for specific examples.

We have followed the style of references in the current standard (BS ISO 690:2010) to create our Harvard guide but students should check their module handbook or with their lecturer for the style they are required to use.  The library also provides links and support for other referencing conventions.

If the type of material you want to reference is not included in our guidance or if you want to suggest we cover another referencing style please let us know and we will consider  this for  future guidance.

The library website is the authoritative source for the current guide.  We will review the guide annually to include any required changes and to reflect the current British Standard.

Users of RefWorks should choose the Harvard British Standard 2010 output style which is consistent with our guide. The Library will no longer support or update the GCU Harvard (also known as School of Health Harvard) output style on RefWorks due to multiple versions being in use throughout the university. However, a legacy version of GCU Harvard will still be available for those who wish to use it. Instructions for adding GCU Harvard to your favourites in RefWorks are available here.

Please contact your academic librarian for help or to give feedback on these changes.

New library self-service machines

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We are pleased to introduce our new library self-service machines. A total of 6 machines have been installed throughout the library:
• 2 on Level 1
• 1 each on Levels 0,2,3,4

The new library self-service machines have more functionality than the old models, you can now:

• Borrow and return books in one easy transaction – you can stack all your books on the machine shelf, there’s no need to place one book at a time as the improved functionality scans all of your books.

• Check your account details – gain immediate access to your account and renew books there and then, check and change any items you have on hold

NB: Staff who want to use the new machines please visit the Library Desk for further instruction.

Continue reading →