#LoveDMU

Library Search – new features!

Mitchell Dunkley

Two new features have recently been added to our online Library Search system.

Saving Library Search searches between sessions

You can now permanently save searches and filters you run, between Library Search sessions, to the cloud by using either a Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive account. Previously Library Search would only allow you to temporarily save items from a results page during a single session, although RefWorks can be used to export citation results from the service.

You can save a search, including any filters or facets you have selected to refine your search, by clicking on the small star icon as shown below:

The small star icon is located in the Library Search box itself:

You will then be given the option to permanently save the search by using a Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive account (you can also rename your search should you wish to do so at this point):

You will have to select one of the software options (either Microsoft or Google), sign in to your preferred provider and allow Library Search to connect to your personal drive account.

Once your Google or Microsoft account is linked to our Library Search tool, and you are correctly signed in to either of the drive accounts, you will be able to view permanently saved searches whenever you use Library Search.

You can view your saved searches in Library Search by clicking on the large star icon as shown below:

The number of saved searches is noted in small text next to the large star icon:

If you are not signed in to your Google or Microsoft drive account whilst using Library Search, you will only be allowed to temporarily store results in a single search session or export results to RefWorks (as before).

TinyURLs

When wanting to copy a Library Search result link, you can now take advantage of shorter URLs (provided by TinyURL) generated by the online service. These shorter URLs have replaced the long, encrypted Permalinks Library Search formerly created.

To save a Library Search result record, you click on the Permanent Link icon as shown below:

The Permanent Link icon is one of the actions available for you to select for each individual Library Search result. Once you have selected the Permanent Link option, Library Search generates a TinyURL which you can copy to create a permanent link to the citation record.

We hope that this new functionality will improve Library Search’s usability for DMU students and staff searching for electronic journal articles, e-books and other online library content.

Free boost! Secure device charging lockers in Kimberlin Library

Free boost! Secure device charging lockers in Kimberlin Library

Richard Partridge

*New service alert klaxon*

Need somewhere to charge your phone, tablet or laptop securely? With Kimberlin Library’s new ‘Battery Bank’ lockers we’ve got just the place to get you topped up.

Each locker contains a standard 13 amp socket and a double USB outlet, both with RCD circuit protection.

Lockers are numbered and require a £1 coin to release which is refunded when the key is returned and the locker is opened. Plug in your device using your own USB cable or charger, pop in a £1 coin, lock and you’re away.

Please keep your key safe! For security reasons a lost key may mean a delay in you retrieving your device and a lock replacement fee of £20. Please see terms and conditions posted.

 

We’d love to hear what you think of the new charging lockers, please drop us a line via our Feedback box or online

 

New online database: Migration to New Worlds

Mitchell Dunkley

DMU Library & Learning Services has set up access to a new online database called Migration to New Worlds. This resource is provided via an agreement with Jisc and the publisher, Adam Matthew.

Migration to New Worlds explores the movement of peoples from Great Britain, Ireland, mainland Europe and Asia to the New World and Australasia. Split across two modules, and including collections from 26 archives, libraries and museums, Migration to New Worlds brings together the movement and memories of millions across two centuries of mass migration.

 

Migration to New Worlds: The Century of Immigration concentrates on the period 1800 to 1924 and covers all aspects of the migration experience, from motives and departures to arrival and permanent settlement. To supplement this, the collection includes early material such as the first emigration ‘round robin’ from 1621 and letters from late eighteenth-century merchants and travellers in the United States. Some later material is also available, including ocean liner and immigration depot photographs from the mid-twentieth century.

The collection presents a unique insight into the personal stories of migrants during this period. Letter collections, travel journals, diaries and oral histories provide a wealth of first-hand accounts for research into emigration experiences and the hardship of settlement. These are supplemented by scrapbooks, government papers, hand-drawn maps, watercolours, objects, emigration pamphlets, shipping papers and rare printed material which provide significant context to government legislation, commercial interests and living conditions for migrants during this period.

Significant material on the movement of Indian and Chinese indentured labourers is included from The National Archives. The complete War and Colonial Department and Colonial Office: Emigration Original Correspondence files cover both the emigration and remigration of indentured labourers and all printed material is fully text-searchable.

Migration to New Worlds: The Modern Era begins with the activities of the New Zealand Company during the 1840s and presents thousands of unique original sources focusing on the growth of colonisation companies during the nineteenth century, the activities of immigration and welfare societies, and the plight of refugees and displaced persons throughout the twentieth century as migrants fled their homelands to escape global conflict.

This later chapter of the migration story is brought to life through organisational papers, providing detailed insight into the daily running of services for new immigrants (particularly in the United States); government correspondence and pamphlets encouraging immigration to Australia, New Zealand and Canada; oral histories, objects and accounts documenting key personal reflections on European migration experiences and correspondence, scrapbooks and journals outlining colonisation schemes in New Zealand and the United States.

The database can be accessed directly using a DMU Single Sign On account via the following link at http://www.library.dmu.ac.uk/Resources/Databases/index.php?page=164&id=3776. The majority of full text content available in the database is also indexed in the Library Search service on the DMU Library website.

EBSCO eBook Academic Collection

Mitchell Dunkley

DMU Library & Learning Services has recently set up a new subscription to EBSCO’s eBook Academic Collection. This growing subscription package currently offers access to more than 160,000 e-books, representing a broad range of academic subjects and disciplines.

 

The collection includes titles from leading university presses such as Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press and MIT Press. Additional academic publishers include Elsevier, Sage Publications, Taylor & Francis and John Wiley & Sons.

 

Subject coverage includes:

  • Art
  • Business and economics
  • Education
  • Language arts and discipline
  • Literary criticism
  • Medical
  • Performing arts
  • Philosophy
  • Poetry
  • Political science
  • Religion
  • Social science
  • Technology and engineering

 

All e-book titles are available with unlimited user access, and new titles are regularly added to the collection.

 

The majority of the e-books in the collection are accessible via the Library Search service on the DMU Library website at http://www.library.dmu.ac.uk.

 

You can also connect for direct access to the collection at http://www.library.dmu.ac.uk/Resources/Databases/index.php?page=164&id=3777. You will need to log in using your DMU Single Sign On username and password.

New and improved hot and cold water station in Kimberlin Library

New and improved hot and cold water station in Kimberlin Library

Richard Partridge

Sometimes it’s little things that make a huge difference, and so it was when we introduced our boiling/cold water Zip tap in September 2016.

From your feedback and its level of use we know that providing instant boiling water was a very popular enhancement to services in Kimberlin and a reason to #LoveDMU.

Unfortunately, the Zip tap in its original format created issues  – it wasn’t tall enough for larger cold water containers and the soak away beneath it was not suitable for draining cups. The result of this was a lot of excess water and damage to the counter top from water ingress.

We’re delighted to unveil a ‘new and improved’ hot tap station that features better drainage for the Zip tap and a brand new sink and cold water dispenser for bottles.

We hope you like the improvements – do send us your thoughts and feedback. It’s your feedback that drives innovations and helps us build cases for investment.

Fancy a brew?

 

 

 

 

First Floor – what’s going on?

First Floor – what’s going on?

Richard Partridge

 

“What’s going on?”

Users of Kimberlin Library can’t fail to have noticed that LLS staff have been beavering away moving books. A LOT of books. ALL of them in fact.

Following an extensive stock review and ‘refresh’ exercise during the summer months, we have moved every single book in Kimberlin Library. That’s over a quarter of a million books.

But why?

We’re making space: space that we will be using to create additional study spaces for you. We’re currently working with the university’s Estates and Procurement departments on a project that will come to fruition early in the Spring term.

We’ll keep you posted here as these plans start to develop so that you can see what’s in the pipeline. In the meantime, we’ve finished book moving today (24th November 2017) and we’re in the process of removing redundant shelving. As these clear away, you’ll get a good sense of the space that we’re releasing for new study seats.

2018 is going to give you lots more reasons to #LoveDMU

Dismantling of redundant shelving has begun
The freed up areas are spread across the First Floor

 

Find your space

Find your space

Richard Partridge

Learning Zone

We know how busy it gets in library spaces at this time of year when everyone is working on final assignments and revising for exams. We’ve extra measures in place to support you and with some thought and planning we can help you find the study space you need:

Kimberlin Library is 24/7 and visitor access is presently suspended so that DMU students, staff and registered members have priority in finding study space. With support from Estates, we have additional cleaning staff working overnight and at weekends to keep the Library looking shipshape.

The library gets starts to get busy from mid-morning and reaches peak occupancy by lunchtime. At this time of year, that continues through the afternoon, so if you can plan your day to start studying earlier you’ve a better chance of securing your favourite spot.

Labs in Gateway House and the Vijay Patel Building have extended opening hours until midnight on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends, so there are more places across campus to work. Teaching rooms, e.g. Hugh Aston, are available to use for study and revision now that much of undergraduate teaching has finished for this academic year.

Kimberlin Library has 72 laptops which can be borrowed for up to 2 hours use anywhere on campus. We’ve lots of wipe-boards to help with revision and pens are available from reception.

We’ve our new ‘Temporary Access Card’ kiosk in Kimberlin Library if you forget your ID, but you’ll need your ID card to access other library spaces. The Greenhouse and Eric Wood Learning Zone are open full hours until the end of May, including Bank Holidays.

We have sixty additional “Pop-Up Library” Silent Study spaces in 00:11 on the Lower Ground as well as our usual Silent Study and Silent IT rooms on the Second Floor of Kimberlin Library. The Learning Development Zone in Kimberlin Library has temporarily been re-designated as a “Quiet Revision” room.

Please be considerate of others. Taking a break is sensible, but if you are going for more than 20 minutes, please clear your desk so that others can make use of the space. PCs automatically log out after 30 minutes and other users can claim the PC. Please be mindful of ‘Quiet Study’ and keep conversations low and brief. In Silent Study rooms there should be no talking. Our “text alert” service can summon staff assistance if your polite reminder to peers does not have the desired effect. If you want real isolation from disturbance, ear buds are available from reception.

Please avoid using PCs and laptops just for social media or entertainment whilst demand is so high for study space.

If you’re studying for long periods, you might find one of our new loanable blankets useful in keeping you warm and snug. You’ll find them in a basket at reception, help yourself.

Our six individual study rooms are in use for examinations throughout May, but advance bookings for syndicate rooms can be made online via the link on our web page at www.library.dmu.ac.uk

The Library Café is open until 9pm, the Riverside Café is open until 10pm if you fancy a breath of fresh air and vending machines are available overnight.

Staff are here to help and we’ll do what we can to get you through. Assignment drop-ins run every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2pm until 3pm; and Tuesday and Thursday 5-6pm  (term time) in the Learning Development Zone of the Kimberlin Library. Your subject librarian can provide 1:1 support or drop-in help at our weekly pop-up library events. Maths drop-ins run daily 12.30 – 2.30 (Monday – Friday) and up to 4.30pm on Wednesdays.

Don’t forget our wealth of online guides, including support for dissertation and our ‘Focus-On’ series which includes examination and time management advice.

LZ students with laptop