Do you want to develop your academic writing skills, learn about using the library and its resources, get to grips with referencing, or improve your employability skills?
Good news! These topics and more are covered in the Semester 1 AberSkills programme, which is available for free for all students at Aberystwyth University.
AberSkills Workshops take place throughout the academic year and are a mixture of face to face and online sessions. Most sessions are offered in both Welsh and English.
All workshops are listed on the AberSkills website. Take a look to see what’s available and book your place in a click.
If you miss a session and want to catch-up, academic skills and library workshop teaching materials for 2023-2024 are available on Blackboardunder Organisations. 2024-2025 workshop teaching materials will be uploaded soon after the session.
Journal hijacking and fraudulent journal sites are becoming an increasing problem for journal authors, publishers and readers. Publishing scams aim to exploit researchers, promising quick publication but charging excessive publication fees. These sites can often be a clone of an established journal, set up to extract fees from unsuspecting authors.
Early Modern Books covers material from the British Isles and Europe for the period 1450-1700. An integrated search across both Early English Books Online and Early European Books allows scholars to view materials from over 225 source libraries worldwide. EEBO’s content draws on authoritative short-title catalogues of the period and features many text transcriptions specially created for the product. Content from Europe covers the curated Early European Books Collections from 4 national libraries and London’s Wellcome Library.
Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO) is a vast eighteenth-century library at your desktop—a fully text-searchable corpus of books, pamphlets and broadsides in all subjects printed between 1701 and 1800. It currently contains over 180,000 titles amounting to over 32 million fully-searchable pages.
We are pleased to announce the release of our new Database Search functionality on Primo – the library catalogue, which has replaced the A-Z of Electronic Resources page.
Our new Database Search page is fully integrated within our main library search tool and can be found at the top of Primo, so no need to remember any separate URLs.
The new Database Search is divided up into different subjects so you can browse resources applicable to your course. Alternatively, you can search by key terms and draw results from the whole of the collection.
Each resource comes with a brief description so you can explore how each one might benefit your studies.
LibKey Nomad is a downloadable browser extension that automatically provides instant links to articles from journals if your library subscribes to them. LibKey Nomad’s one-click access to articles referenced on scholarly websites and search engines will make your research and finding sources faster and easier.
Using LibKey Nomad is simple. Visit the download page and add the extension to your browser of choice. After installation, you will be prompted to select your institution. Simply select Aberystwyth University and LibKey Nomad will then notify you of articles available through the library wherever you may roam online.
LibKey Nomad will also enhance your experience on popular sites like PubMed, Wikipedia, Scopus, Web of Science and more.
Comparison
Here’s an example of a reference list on Wikipedia before LibKey Nomad is installed and after (scroll across to compare):
References on Wikipedia before and after installing the LibKey Nomad browser plugin
You can see that LibKey Nomad adds a link to the article if the library has access to it. Clicking on the link takes you directly to the source.
Find out more about LibKey Nomad in the video below:
If you have any questions or feedback about LibKey Nomad, please email us on librarians@aber.ac.uk. As always, if you need help finding resources for your studies, please get in touch with your Subject Librarian.
BrowZine is new way to browse and search thousands of electronic journals available to you as a member of Aberystwyth University.
BrowZine homepage
Using BrowZine you can:
Browse or search by subject area to find ejournals of interest
Search for a specific title
Create your own bookshelf of favourite ejournals and organise them how you want
Follow your favourite titles and receive alerts when a new issue is published
Save articles in your personal library which will sync across your devices
BrowZine can be used on your computer, or you can download the app for use on an Android or Apple device. The BrowZine app will sync across multiple devices so you can keep up with your ejournal reading on the move.
Find it on Primo, the library catalogue, by clicking on the eJournal Search button on the top of the homepage or download the app from your app store.
How to get to BrowZine from Primo, the library catalogue
The theme of this year’s Libraries Week is the central role that libraries play in supporting life-long learning.
Today our focus is on our Lifelong Learning students and external users.
Lifelong Learning
LibGuides Our Lifelong Learning LibGuide is your complete guide to library and learning resources for your subjects. Here you’ll find details on key resources and guidance on how to use the library and who to contact for help.
The Lifelong Learning LibGuide homepage
Effective Study Collection The Effective Study Collection is designed to help you develop your study skills. It covers topics including how to research, writing skills, academic writing, time management, communications skills and some general guides to help you research and study in the arts. If you are returning to education after a break, have a look.
Study spaces and IT facilities at the library Don’t forget that Lifelong Learning students can also make use of the library’s facilities, such as quiet study spaces, computers, excellent WIFI and printing and copying facilities. Browse our A to Z of library services here.
The Celtic Collection The Celtic Collection contains approximately 25,000 books relating to Brittany, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The collection contains material on all subjects relating to Celtic countries, and is a wonderful resource for all researchers and enthusiasts.
Learning Welsh or looking to improve your skills? You’ll find everything you need to help you practise and develop your reading and speaking skills – from graded novels with vocabulary to grammar books.
Find the Celtic Collection of Level F of the Hugh Owen library:
Some of the Welsh-language resources in the Celtic Collection
Digimap Digimapoffers full and comprehensive Ordnance Survey map data and historic maps as well as geological data. It is a fascinating resource and very useful for local history researchers as well as Earth Sciences. You just need to have an Aberystwyth University email account to register to access it.
Linkedin Learning All AU students and staff have free and unlimited access to the wealth of expert-led courses available online 24/7 through Linkedin Learning.
Here’s a small selection of courses chosen by our Student Digital Champion, Urvashi Verma, that may be of interest to Lifelong Learning students.
Lifelong Learning CollectionA collection of courses and short videos to help you develop your study skills and improve your time management skills.
Urvashi Verma
External Users
Our libraries welcome different categories of external users, from Aber Alumni and retired staff members who are keen to maintain their access to library resources, students at other institutions who are visiting Aber and need a place to study or local residents.
Special Collections External users can apply to use the library’s IT facilities and study spaces, and can also arrange to view items in our beautiful special collections.
The theme of this year’s Libraries Week is the central role that libraries play in supporting life-long learning.
Today, we are focusing on the ways the library offers a range of learning opportunities for Aberystwyth University students, beyond their courses and outside of the teaching rooms.
Library tours If you’re new to Aberystwyth University, firstly, welcome! Secondly, come on a library tour! Our friendly staff are here to show you around and introduce you to your library. There’s no need to book in advance and everyone is welcome – times and other information here.
Fiction and reading for pleasure There’s no shortage of books in our libraries and if you’re looking for something to read – that’s not a course textbook – we can help! Browse Primo the library catalogue online to find books and ebooks, take a look at our Contemporary Fiction collection by the Enquiries Desk on Level F, browse the shelves from classmark PN or in the Celtic Collection. We also have graphic novels and lots of non-fiction and poetry.
Contemporary fiction collection in the Hugh Owen Library
Linkedin Learning All AU students have free, unlimited access to thousands of expert-led online courses from Linkedin Learning. Here’s a small selection of courses that might spark some new hobbies or interests and help you develop new skills put together by Laurie Stevenson, Student Digital Champion:
Extra-curricular activities for students collectionThis is a collection of courses containing a variety of skills and creative activities you might be interested in learning alongside your studies, as a break from assignments or to fill a moment of boredom!
Laurie Stevenson
Learn Welsh Fancy learning or improving your Welsh whilst you’re at Aber? Look no further than theCeltic Collection!The collection contains hundreds of books to help you learn and develop your Welsh language skills, from complete language courses and grammar books to fiction with helpful vocabulary.
Find it on Level F:
Welsh-language learning resources in the Celtic Collection
Library Guides Familiarise yourself with the library’s range of LibGuides. Not only will you find your specialist subject guide to help you find resources for your subject, but also a range of guides to help you make the most of the library, develop your information literacy skills and enhance your employability.
These guides have been compiled by your Subject Librarians who are here to help you with academic and specialist resources for your studies. They can help you to find and evaluate the information that you need and help you to reference it correctly. Find the contact details for your subject on the Subject Librarians page.
Borrow DVDs You can borrow DVDs for free from our large DVD collection on Level F. Take a look through what we have on Primo, the library catalogue
DVD collection
Read Well – Wellbeing collection The library’s Wellbeing Collection is here to help you understand and manage many common mental health conditions or difficult feelings and experiences. You can have a look at the list of titles included in the collection on the Read Well reading list which is organised by topic areas to help you find what you need.
The theme of this year’s Libraries Week is the central role that libraries play in supporting life-long learning.
Today our focus is on all Aberystwyth University staff as we showcase some of the library’s resources that can help staff to unlock and fulfil their potential at every stage of their lives and careers.
Gale OneFile News Online access to news coverage, including professional trade press, Gale OneFile News lets you browse and search 2,300 major newspapers, including thousands of images, radio and tv broadcasts and transcripts.
DigimapDigimapoffers full and comprehensive Ordnance Survey map data and historic maps as well as geological data. It is a fascinating resource and very useful for local history researchers as well as Earth Sciences. You just need to have an Aberystwyth University email account to register to access it.
Image of a map of Aberystwyth in 1880 from Digimap
Box of Broadcasts Are you carrying out some research? Take a look at Box of Broadcasts (BoB) – an on demand TV and radio service for academic use by staff and students, allowing access to two million broadcasts from over 65 free to air channels. BoB also now includes the BBC’s archive of historic radio and television programmes.
The Workstation The Workstation is a 24-hour work and study space for both staff and students in Aberystwyth town centre. The Workstation has PCs, facilities for printing, WiFi and a bookable meeting room. You can find The Workstation next to the Wetherspoons by Aberystwyth Train Station and you will need your staff ID card to get in.
Front view of The WorkstationThe entrance to The WorkstationInside The WorkstationThe Workstation
Careers Services for all AU staff Did you know that Aberystwyth University staff can also make use of the University’s expert careers services? Take a look at our Employability LibGuide to get started.
Reading for pleasure The library has large collections of fiction, non fiction and poetry in both English and Welsh for your reading pleasure. Take a look at our Contemporary Fiction collection near the Enquiries Desk on Level F or browse the shelves from classmark PN (or the library catalogue, Primo) and the Celtic Collection.
English literature books on Level F of the Hugh Owen Library
Learn or Improve your Welsh The Celtic Collection contains hundreds of books to help you learn and develop your Welsh language skills, from complete language courses and grammar books to fiction with helpful vocabulary.
Effective Study Collection You may also find some of the titles in our Effective Study collection useful to help you develop your study or professional skills, such as how to make an effective presentation or tips on managing your research.
Linkedin Learning All AU students and staff have free and unlimited access to the wealth of expert-led courses available online through Linkedin Learning.
Here’s a small selection of courses that might be of interest to AU staff produced by Jeffrey Clark, Student Digital Champion:
If you are anything like me then you are probably rejoicing in the fact that the BBC’s archive of historic radio and television programmes is being made available through Box of Broadcasts.
I for one can’t wait to watch post-apocalyptic fun-fest Z for Zachariah (broadcast in 1984 as part of the Play for Today strand). If that’s not your thing, how about Allen Ginsberg and William Burroughs talking about Jack Kerouac on Arena in 1988 ? Not for you? Then maybe an episode of Horizonfrom 1980 exploring how voice-controlled word processors are set to revolutionise the office). Or how about a personal tour of Stratford upon Avon in the company of Welsh playwright Huw Lloyd Edwards inArall Fyd from 1972?
Of course this is the BBC so there is so much more: cultural highlights (BBC Television Shakespeare); landmark light entertainment (Multi-Coloured Swap Shop – that’s my childhood, right there!) There are flagship news shows (Newsnight) and historic accounts of landmark social and cultural events (Yesterday’s Witness). It all adds up to a resource of unparalleled quality and depth.
Box of Broadcasts have put together some useful information on how to access the historic content in the archive, but if you get stuck with anything please don’t hesitate to contact your subject librarian for help.
Here are some other useful links for finding your way around Box of Broadcasts:
If you are anything like me then you are probably rejoicing in the fact that the BBC’s archive of historic radio and television programmes is being made available through Box of Broadcasts.