Academic Library News ALL THE LATEST FROM LIBRARIES AND LEARNING SKILLS IN SUPPORT OF LEARNING, TEACHING AND RESEARCH

New! Learning Skills Wheel

Libraries & Learning Skills supports the development of a wide range of skills required by students to successfully complete their academic journey, contribute to their sense of belonging, employability and establish a foundation for lifelong learning.

The newly launched Learning Skills Wheel sets out several essential skills which, when embedded in the curriculum, meet these goals.

The Learning skills wheel maps to the Lincoln for LIFE wheel, in support of the university’s Teaching, Learning and Student Experience Strategy, and correlates with the Career Readiness Programme.

The wheel identifies the following key learning skills:

• Study skills
• Research skills
• Digital skills
• Academic writing
• Maths and stats
• Academic success

Each area listed above contains subsections which are supported by a progression Framework and Toolkit.

More information will be coming soon and if you would like to explore how to embed these skills into the curriculum please contact your Academic Subject Librarian.

AI Study Skills Guide Copilot update

Along with the existing AI study skills guidance, Libraries and Learning Skills is working on support material for the use of Copilot. Content will be added to the page between now and the start of the new academic year. Take a look, and let us know if there is anything you would like to see covered for your students!

Blackboard Ultra and embedded reading

Did you know that in Blackboard Ultra you can align your weekly learning content with the required readings?

Give your students all the information they need in one place by embedding items from Talis reading lists into your weekly teaching sections!

For more information, including instructions and a video visit: https://guides.library.lincoln.ac.uk/talisforacademics/ultra

Writing Development news

The Writing Development team has developed several new webinars and workshops including Writing with dyslexia at university; Presentation skills; and Thematic analysis for the first-time researcher. They will also be running more exam and revision webinars in the lead up to exams in May. The workshops are open to all students and can be booked via the library’s events page: Events and workshops.

The team launched its new blog in February which includes ideas and reflections on the art of writing: https://writingdevelopment.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/.

Online and on campus one-to-one appointments are available throughout the week for students to discuss any aspect of their writing or assessment skills with the team. These are bookable via the website at: https://guides.library.lincoln.ac.uk/aws/

Please contact the team if you would like to arrange a Writing Development lecture for your students. Either fill out the form on our website or email: writingdev@lincoln.ac.uk.

MASH update

The Maths And Stats Help (MASH) centre has grown to a core team of three. In September, Andrei joined us, bringing a wealth of statistical expertise from his background in Psychology.

As part of our continuous efforts to enhance support, MASH workshops are back in the Library Events lineup, featuring a series focused on the use of SPSS for both descriptive and inferential statistics. Students and staff can book onto the workshops through the Library Website.

Appointments are currently available Monday to Friday and are offered both online and in person. Students can visit our MASH homepage for resources and to book an appointment. We also welcome academics to come along with their students if they would like to.

Spotlight on library databases

SPIE Digital Library

SPIE Digital Library is an online collection of 14 journals, with additional access to conference proceedings and presentations.

Core subjects covered include astronomy, biomedical imagery, defence and security, electronic image, signal processing and nanotechnology. It is the world's largest collection of optics and photonics applied research! It also includes access to a free reviewer training programme and a career centre with industry related job listings.

To access SPIE Digital Library go to the S section of the databases A-Z listing . You'll need to sign in with your UoL account.

Overton - tracking policy impact

Overton is “the world’s largest searchable index of policy documents, guidelines, think tank publications and working papers”.

They collect millions of policy documents and link them to the research, people and other policy documents that they quote or reference.

"It's so useful to use this database to find educational policies from different countries, which international students have struggled to find previously".

- Academic Subject Librarian

Access Overton via the databases A-Z list.

Easter opening times

The University Library will remain open over Easter, but 24/7 will pause at midnight on the 28th March and resume on the 3rd April.

• Good Friday, 29th March – 9am to midnight
• Easter Saturday, 30th March - 10am to midnight
• Easter Sunday, 31st March – midday to midnight
• Easter Monday. 1st April – 9am to midnight
• Easter Tuesday, 2nd April – 9am to midnight

The Ross Library will close at midnight on the 28th March and stay closed until 8:30am on the 3rd April, when 24/7 will resume.

The NCFM Library at Holbeach will be closed from 5pm on 28 March and will re-open at 9am on Wednesday 3rd April 2024.

Keep an eye on our opening times web page for up-to-date details.