Category: Help & advice

AI and the Library – Week One. Our New Guide and Blog Post Series

WordPress User [abc27] Help & advice, Information Skills, Learning Leave a comment

Your Subject Librarian team have been hard at work over the “summer” (seriously, did it ever stop raining?) to bring you a newly updated AI Guide which outlines how you can use AI to get the best out of the library’s resources.

AI and the Library

Screenshot from the new AI and the Library LibGuide

The Guide offers advice on:

  • How you might use AI.
  • Some of the AI tools that might be useful for you.
  • The benefits of using AI over traditional search engines.
  • The appropriate and ethical use of AI tools.
  • Effective prompt building.
  • Some of the potential risks of using AI (including issues around copyright infringement, bias, and data protection).
  • The impact of AI on academic integrity.

Links to the Guide can be found here:

As a companion to the Guide, we are going to offer a series of blog posts which will look at the advice given in the guide in more detail and offer some practical tips for using AI.

Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect in the coming weeks:

  • Reviews of AI tools.
  • Practical advice on effective prompt building.
  • Developing smart keyword searches.
  • Discovering resources related to your area of study.
  • Evaluating AI outputs by applying the CRAAP test.
  • The risks of using AI.

We hope that you will find our Guide and the series of blog posts useful. It is important to stress that you must follow the guidelines on the use of AI issued by your department (where available).

Get to know your librarians

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Subject Librarians provide information skills training, look after your reading lists and subject guides and offer support and advice on using the libraries, finding resources for your assignments and referencing.

Aberystwyth University Libraries has 7 Subject Librarians, each with their own areas of expertise.  

You are very welcome to arrange a MS Teams meeting with your Subject Librarian if you have any questions about using the Library or would like advice – you can do this online here, or by e-mail. Or just drop them a message to say hello!  

Simone Anthony – sia1@aber.ac.uk

Simone is our Subject Librarian for Healthcare Education.

When I was fourteen, I volunteered at my local library to gain work experience. I honestly enjoyed spending hours alphabetically sorting the cardboard library cards into the beautiful oak drawers. The desire to travel later drove me to pursue a career in dance. I returned to libraries by graduating with an Education and Information & Library studies degree, at the age of thirty-three, having studied part-time around a full-time job as a dance instructor at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

I’ve been employed at the Hugh Owen Library since 2017, and I consider it an honour to be Aberystwyth’s first subject librarian for Healthcare Education.

Joy Cadwallader – jrc@aber.ac.uk  

Joy is the Subject Librarian for Theatre, Film and Television Studies, Modern Languages and English and Creative Writing.  

I was a school librarian and worked at the Aberystwyth public library in the 1980s as part of a job creation scheme. Since then I have had roles at the University as computer operator and IT help desk advisor before becoming a subject librarian. In my spare time I love visiting local wildlife projects, listening to e-audiobooks, keeping fit and watching professional road cycling on TV. 

Simon French sif4 Simon French – sif4@aber.ac.uk 

Computer Science, Geography and Earth Sciences, International Politics, Maths and Physics are Simon’s areas of expertise.  

As a child, I was a keen reader and collector of books. As an adult, I worked for many, many unhappy years in the second-hand and rare book trade before becoming a librarian here at Aberystwyth University. All of this might lead you to think that I’m a bit of a one-trick-pony, but I want to make it abundantly clear that I do enjoy things other than books, like…um…! 

Anita Saycell aiv Anita Saycell – aiv@aber.ac.uk 

Anita looks after Business, Sport and Exercise Science and Information Studies.

I started volunteering in libraries at the age of 14, then secured my first paid Saturday library job at 16 and everything has come from there.  When I’m not out cycling on the rolling Ceredigion hills, I really enjoy teaching and being able to help, so please do get in touch with any question however big or small! 

Sarah Gwenlan ssg Sarah Gwenlan – ssg@aber.ac.uk  

Sarah is our Subject Librarian for Education, the International English Centre and Psychology. 

Prior to working at Aberystwyth University I taught English Language in Spain, the Czech Republic, Italy and Poland. I’ve also worked in the Careers Services at SOAS and Newport, so you could say I’m familiar with working with students! Please get in touch if you need help, that’s why I’m here!

Lloyd Roderick glr9 Lloyd Roderick – glr9@aber.ac.uk  

Lloyd is responsible for Art and Art History, Law and Criminology, Welsh and Celtic Studies and History and Welsh History.  

I wanted to work in libraries after spending a lot of time hanging around the music collection in Llanelli public library after realising they had Sonic Youth’s back catalogue available to loan. After university I worked at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Library, University of London, then studied an MSc in Information and Library Science.  I later worked at Newport public libraries and the Courtauld Institute of Art library.  Later I produced a PhD studying art collections at the National Library of Wales…. all of which has given me a good background for supporting students and staff in the departments I work with as a Subject Librarian at Aberystwyth University. 

In my spare time I’m an assessor on the Professional Registration Panel of CILIP (Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals) and have curated exhibitions on modernism and contemporary art in Wales.  

Non Jones nrb Non Jones – nrb@aber.ac.uk 

Non’s subject areas are ASVS: Aberystwyth School of Veterinary Science, Life Sciences, and Lifelong Learning.  

Ever since I got work experience at my local public library here in Aberystwyth when I was a pupil in secondary school (… and I’m going back several years now!), I knew I wanted to be a librarian.  I joined Information Services in 2001 and a few years later received a postgraduate degree in Information and Library Studies here at the University as a distance learner.  In my spare time – in between looking after the family, cats, chickens and hamsters – I enjoy reading and being creative with art, craft and calligraphy.

Protecting your research: avoiding publication scams 

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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. 

Publishers are becoming more increasingly aware of the problem and have taken steps to combat this new trend. Scopus academic database had 67 hijacked journals on its database by 2023 (Challenges posed by hijacked journals in Scopus – Abalkina – 2024 – Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology – Wiley Online Library ) To help alleviate this problem, Scopus removed URLs to all journal homepages that it indexes, although the problem persists (Retraction Watch, 2023 Elsevier’s Scopus deletes journal links following revelations of hijacked indexed journals – Retraction Watch) 

Many authors and readers are unaware of this practice and the following resources might be useful to consider. 

Evaluating journals: 

 
Support from your library: 

 
Contact us: librarians@aber.ac.uk  

Reading List Update for Teaching Staff

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Create / update your module reading lists for 2024-2025

Advice for adding library resources to a new Aspire list and updating an existing list

Empty reading lists are being created in Aspire for new and returning modules requiring a list. Once you have added some content to your reading list, it will be linked to the appropriate Blackboard module by Library staff.

Remember you can also add links to sections in your reading lists.

When updating your Aspire reading list content for the coming year, be sure to update the 2024-2025 edition of your reading list. If you add books to 2023-2024 reading lists they will not be purchased. FYI 2023-2024 Aspire reading lists will remain visible in 2023-2024 Blackboard modules until the end of August when they will be archived.

Contact

Please contact librarians@aber.ac.uk or your subject librarian if

  • there is no reading list in Aspire for your module
  • you would like a reading list appointment with your subject librarian
  • you have any questions

Finding your way around the Hugh Owen Library

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22/05/2023

Introducing the Library Floor Map

We have launched a new map and library guide to help you navigate the Hugh Owen Library and locate your books and other resources on the shelves.

Browse the map online at libraryfloormap.aber.ac.uk to find out what’s where, get more information about library resources and spaces and familiarise yourself with the layout – never get lost again!

The Library Floor Map is integrated with Primo, the library catalogue. When you’re viewing your item in Primo, click the Library Floormap link to open the map and the shelves where your item is located will be highlighted.

We are interested in your feedback

The Library FloorMap is a new resource, and we need your feedback to let us know how we could make it as helpful as possible for our users. Let us know here or by emailing is-feedback@aber.ac.uk

Introducing: Database Search

WordPress User [mew37] Help & advice, Information Skills, Learning, Research Leave a comment

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.

Find the new search feature here.

We wish you an enjoyable Christmas break!

WordPress User [aiv] Help & advice Leave a comment

This term has been busy and has passed really quickly! It’s been a great mix with online as well as face to face teaching sessions and providing support. We’ve loved being back on the Hugh Owen Level F enquiry desk, helping with many varied questions and queries.

We are here until the Thursday 22nd December, if you need any help contact us at librarians@aber.ac.uk After the break we’ll be back on the Tuesday 3rd January.

The Iris de Freitas Room is open 24/7 from 22 December – 3 January 2023

Are you staying on Campus or in Aber during the Winter vacation?

We would like to wish everyone a lovely break and look forward to helping and supporting you in 2023!

Shwmae Su’mae Day – 15th October

WordPress User [abc27] Help & advice, Learning Leave a comment

To celebrate Shwmae Su’mae Day this year, we are sharing a guest blog from our Student Digital Champion, Laurie Stevenson and taking a quick look at some library resources to help you practise and develop your Welsh-language reading and speaking skills.

Laurie Stevenson

Dw i’n dysgu Cymraeg!

The 15th of October is Diwrnod Shwmae Su’mae, a day marked to celebrate and promote the Welsh language and I wanted to take this opportunity as one of the Student Digital Champions to use this blog to share my own experiences as a Welsh language learner.

What made me decide to take up Welsh?

I fell in love with Wales straight away after moving here and knew from the very start of my degree that I wanted to learn more about Welsh culture and learn the language as a way of respecting the culture and gaining a sense of belonging. I enjoy intellectual pursuits but never saw the point in learning languages like French or Spanish if I was never going to be able to use them in real life and I always struggled to feel any passion for this kind of language learning at school. However, when the opportunity arose to learn Welsh I was very keen, I love having the ability to make basic conversation on the bus, in a shop or café and I really enjoy the smile it can bring to peoples faces to see someone learning the language.

How did I go about learning Welsh?

I enquired about Welsh lessons in my first year but due to Covid these were not running however when I went to the Freshers Fair in my second year I spoke to someone at the UMCA Welsh student’s union stall and put my name down. The lessons are provided by learnwelsh.cymru and I started off with their taster course which was one hour weekly sessions, this year I have moved onto the accredited entry level course which is two hours a week. I also use Duolingo alongside my lessons and I have found this to help with retaining information in between lessons.

What resources have I found at Aberystwyth University to help me?

The Welsh student’s union UMCA are people I found the courses through but they also host Welsh language and culture events as well as opportunities for Welsh learners to meet up and practice their Welsh with Welsh speakers. There are also links to the courses on the University website as well as links for online resources to help your learning.  The library also has great resources including books, dictionaries and phrasebooks for learning the language.

Laurie Stevenson

Find out more about Laurie and the work of the Student Digital Champions over on the Digital Capabilities Blog

Library Resources

If you are on your journey to learning Welsh, thinking about starting it, or you’re a Welsh speaker looking to polish your skills, the library has a wide-range of helpful resources.

Head to the Celtic Collection on Level F of the Hugh Owen Library where you’ll find books to help you practise and develop your reading and speaking skills – from graded novels with vocabulary to grammar books to complete language courses.

And remember to say su’mae to the Library staff!

Libraries Week 2022 – Lifelong Learning

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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 Digimap offers 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 Collection A 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.

Take a look at the categories and registration details online here: Information for Visitors and External Users

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.

Libraries Week 2022 – Students

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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.

You’ll see our virtual tour of the Hugh Owen Library below and here’s our handy A to Z of Library services to get you up to speed.

Software and IT services Take a look at our webpages for some of the IT Services and resources available. If you need help or advice, you can contact the Service Desk team online or by phone.

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.

Visit Primo, the library catalogue to have a look.

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 collection This 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 the Celtic 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.

Watch this short video to learn more: