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

Workshops and Webinars

Our upcoming library workshops/webinars are available to view and book via the homepage of the library website or via this link: https://calendars.library.lincoln.ac.uk/calendar/events

We have added new workshops this academic year including sessions on:

• AI – Your ultimate study buddy 
• Introduction to academic writing with Copilot AI
• Writing with ADHD at university
• Writing an abstract.

Recordings of previous sessions are also available on the Study Skills webpage.

Please do encourage your students to look at upcoming sessions and book onto any which look helpful (or watch the recording).

Requesting new books for teaching

Please make use of existing Library resources where you can, but if you need any new books to support your teaching contact your Academic Subject Librarian to discuss. Any new books should be added to the module’s electronic reading list (Talis) along with the now mandatory importance indicator.

New! High Demand Collection in the University Library

The Library has recently introduced a new High Demand Collection (HDC) of print books in the University Library. This collection provides quick and easy reference access to books from both the University and Ross Libraries which have been identified as being high demand. This HDC is located on the ground floor of the University Library (in the Reservations/Dissertations area). All items in this collection are for reference only.

If the library only has limited copies of an item and you anticipate high demand, you can request that a copy is added to the HDC by contacting your Academic Subject Librarian.

New! Research Librarians

The Library now has two dedicated Research Services Librarians

Stephen Macdonald supports the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities and Claire Pike supports the College of Health and Science. Stephen and Claire can support with:

• Open Access compliance (REF and other funder mandates)
• Choosing a compliant route to publication (including transformative agreements)
• Open research (including research data management)
• Understanding metrics and research impact
• Understanding licensing and copyright.
• Understanding Rights Retention when publishing your work

They have also created a Research Services Guide to support academic staff and PGR students.

Writing Development news

Just a reminder that the Library’s Writing Development (WD) team can provide bespoke lectures/seminars for your students on different aspects of academic writing including essay writing, report writing, literature reviews, exam preparation, etc. If you are interested in discussing this with the WD team, there is a teaching request form on their webpage at: https://guides.library.lincoln.ac.uk/aws or you can email them at writingdev@lincoln.ac.uk.

In addition to their usual 1-1 appointment support, it's also worth bearing in mind that WD are happy for foundation, 1st year undergraduate and PGT students to make 1-1 appointments with the team to discuss feedback they have received from Studiosity.

MASH update

MASH (Maths and Stats Help) have recently introduced Supported Study Spaces sessions where students can bring along work to study in a Library and Learning Skills space and access guidance when needed. These are drop-in session, and students can work independently or with others.

MASH appointments are now bookable directly through the library website. Students have a choice of the type of appointment they'd like including the standard appointments and quick-chat (10min) appointments.

To find out more about the supported study spaces, MASH appointments, and general information about the service, see the MASH pages at: https://guides.library.lincoln.ac.uk/mash

Inter-Library Loans Update

Due to the current financial restraints, ILLs (requests for items not held in our collections) are available to staff, postgraduate students and 3rd year undergraduate students. 1st and 2nd year undergraduate students are not able to request ILLs. A maximum of 20 requests per person can be supplied per academic year.

For more information see the Library’s ILL service webpage.

New Sensory and Quiet Room

A new sensory room is available on the first floor of the University Library in room UL111. The room serves as a quiet study space equipped with sensory toys, alternative and comfortable seating, cushions and blankets, books and resources on mental health and neurodiversity, tactile sensory pads, and colouring books/puzzles for relaxing. This room was developed and partly funded by the Student Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee (SEDIC). No need to book!

Library’s Dissertation Showcase

Did you know that the Library provides an online showcase of outstanding dissertations (both UG and PG) produced across the University to showcase student work?

Access to the Showcase is restricted to members of the University community and exemplar dissertations are available across many subjects.

Recent UG dissertations added to the Showcase include: Sport Business Management, Animation and Visual Effects, Economics, Psychology, Sound and Music Production, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Fine Art, and Sport and Exercise Science.

You can view the Dissertation Showcase at: https://dissertations.library.lincoln.ac.uk

Resource promotion:

Skills for Study

Skills for Study is an interactive resource based on Stella Cottrell's Study Skills Handbook available to all students. It covers a range of academic skills and is designed to help students study at their own pace, and can be embedded into the curriculum for maximum impact.

Skills for Study has 12 modules that cover a range of skills including: Time management, Reading and note-making, Writing skills, Critical thinking skills, Referencing and understanding plagiarism, and Groupwork and presentations.

Help is available to show academic staff how get the most out of Skills for Study and how to embed the modules into Blackboard https://guides.library.lincoln.ac.uk/academicstaff/s4s

Skills for Study is available at: https://www.skillsforstudy.com/course-modules (students will need to register with the site before using) so please do promote to your students. If they wish, they can pick which module(s) they would like to study. Each module includes diagnostic tests, exercises and activities to help students measure their progress, become more confident and get the most out of their course.

Christmas opening hours

The University Library remains open for most of the Christmas vacation period (only closing on 25th & 26th December and 1st January) but with reduced opening hours as follows:

• 16th – 22nd Dec: 8.30am-12am (9am on weekends)
• 23rd – 29th Dec: 12pm-7pm (closed 25th and 26th Dec)
• 30th & 31st Dec: 12pm-7pm (closed 1st Jan)
• 2nd – 5th Jan: 8.30am-12am (9am on weekends).

Desk services will be closed from 23rd Dec - 1st Jan. The building will be staffed by building attendants during this time.

The Ross Library is open from 8.30am-5pm between 16th - 20th Dec and the 2nd - 3rd Jan. It will be closed for the rest of the vacation period.

NCFM Library is open from 9am-5pm between 16th – 20th Dec and the 2nd – 3rd Jan. It will be closed for the rest of the vacation period.

Term-time opening for the libraries commences on Monday 6th January. Keep an eye on our opening times web page for up-to-date details.