Welsh-language Music Day

Today, 7 February, is Welsh Language Music Day – a day which celebrates all forms of Welsh Language music. Whether you’re into indie, rock, punk, funk, folk, electronica, hip hop or anything else, there’s incredible music being made in the Welsh language for you to discover. Find out more about the day here with links to Spotify playlists

Our librarians have curated a Box of Broadcasts playlist of some of their favourite documentaries and performances to get you on track with music in Welsh

https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/playlists/194552

Click on the image or link above to see the playlist

AI and the Library. Week Six: The Ethics of Using Generative AI (Part One)

When I first set out to write about the ethics of using generative AI, I thought it would be just a single blog post. But the deeper I dug, the more there was to explore. So, instead of just one post, this topic has turned into a spin-off series of its own (think House of the Dragon to Game of Thrones!)

Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored how generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity are transforming how users interact with library resources. But with these advancements come important ethical considerations.

The first, and arguably most important, step in using generative AI responsibly is understanding your university’s AI policies. Familiarising yourself with the guidelines ensures you stay academically honest and allows you to make informed decisions about AI use.

Here’s are some things to keep in mind:

University-wide Guidelines

  • Review the university’s official policies on using AI in academic work.
  • Check for specific rules about AI in assignments, exams, or research projects.

Departmental Advice

  • Look for any AI-related guidance provided by your academic department.
  • Pay attention to instructions or updates from your module tutors about AI use.

Module-specific Rules

  • Some modules may have unique rules about using AI tools.
  • Check your module handbook or ask your module coordinator if you’re unsure about what’s allowed.

Consequences of Misuse

  • Misusing AI or failing to acknowledge its role could be considered academic misconduct.
  • Be aware of the potential consequences, such as:
    • Failed assignments.
    • Disciplinary action.
    • Harm to your academic reputation.

By understanding these policies, you can use AI responsibly and meet the university’s expectations while maintaining academic integrity.

Get to know your librarians

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 ScienceGeography and Earth SciencesInternational 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.

Introducing: LibKey Nomad

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.

Download LibKey Nomad here

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.

Meet the Team!

Over the last 18 months we have all been working online via Teams with students and other colleagues. It was great for us as a team to finally all meet up face to face, enjoy a walk along the prom and have an outdoor meeting to help plan our activities for 2021/22 (we even had the dolphins for company!).

We are all looking forward to meeting you in the next Academic Year, and in the meantime please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need any help.

librarians@aber.ac.uk
01970 621896

Subject Librarians
Left to right: Anita Saycell, Lloyd Roderick, Simon French, Abi Crook, Sarah Gwenlan, Connie Davage, Non Jones, Joy Cadwallader. Not pictured: Alex Warburton

Welcome to the Librarians’ Blog!

Casgliadau Collections Sign In the Hugh Owen Library

Direct from the Hugh Owen Library, it’s a big hello from your friendly band of librarians.

We want to welcome you to the newly restored Librarians’ Blog where you’ll find more on how your library supports learning, teaching, and research here at Aberystwyth University.

The blog will be updated regularly so make sure you subscribe. And don’t forget, we love talking to you, so if there are any library matters that you need help with, do get in touch:

If you want a sneak peek at some of the things we can help out with, take a look at our purpose-built Library Guides: https://libguides.aber.ac.uk/