We have put together a suite of library orientation guides online, which you might find useful to view before you return to campus to use our libraries, or if you are coming to campus for the first time. There is one for each library site, for example, the ECA Library at Evolution House, West Port, the Art & Architecture Library at Minto House, Chambers Street, and the Main Library at George Square, plus there is an orientation for the digital library too!
You can access the full range of library orientation guides here:
https://www.ed.ac.uk/information-services/library-museum-gallery/using-library/lib-locate/library-orientation-guides
Digital Skills Festival this May
The ISG Digital Skills & Training team will be hosting an online Digital Skills Festival from 24 to 28 May 2021. The week will be divided into 5 themes:
- Monday – Information, Data and Media Literacies
- Tuesday – Digital Creation, Problem Solving and Innovation
- Wednesday – Digital Communication, Collaboration and Participation
- Thursday – Digital Learning, Teaching and Development
- Friday – Digital Identity and Wellbeing
Free to attend for University of Edinburgh staff and students, the festival will include a number of interactive events, presentations, workshops and courses delivered by speakers from within and outside the University. To see more and to book onto sessions, go to their website
Web: https://www.ed.ac.uk/is/skills
Twitter: https://twitter.com/uoedigiskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uoedigiskills
Media Hopper: http://edin.ac/1UGe2zO
Not every book can be an ebook
It is a sad fact universally acknowledged that unfortunately, not every print book in our collections or out there in the world is actually available as an ebook! So what can you do to source a digital copy of an essential book, when the library print collections are not accessible due to Lockdown rules?
Firstly, double check on DiscoverEd for the title you need. You can filter your search results by “online resource”.
Then consider whether the Scan & Deliver service could be useful, if you just need one chapter, or 1 journal article. Please note that due to UK Copyright law and the CLA licence under which all Higher Education institutions operate, we are only permitted to copy 10% of a book, (or 1 chapter, whichever is greater), or 1 journal article from a journal issue. This is not an arbitrary decision by the library! You can see more about Copyright restrictions here: https://cla.co.uk/higher-education-licence
Consider using the Inter Library Loan service to get digitised journal articles or book chapters.
If you need a complete book, consider whether you can purchase a cheap second hand copy, eg using abebooks or another out of print book seller.
You could also try the various online archives of (usually out of print) books. Here is a list, in no particular order:
1: World Digital Library
2: Project Gutenberg
3: OpenLibrary.org
4: Internet Archive
5: Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB)
6: Open Textbook Library
7: OAPEN
8: Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
For more information about open access educational resources and advice, take a look at the University of Edinburgh Open.Ed resource.
You could also explore the digital collections of the British Library and the National Library of Scotland.
If you are feeling very stuck please do contact your Academic Support Librarian for help.
New Scan & Deliver service
Scan & Deliver Service
- The new Scan & Deliver Service will provide online access to scanned book chapters and journal articles within copyright limits, where these are not already available online.
- Extracts from print items at the Main Library, UCF and site libraries will be available for request.
- The service launched on Monday 18 January at 9.00am.
- Scan & Deliver requests will be placed via DiscoverEd. Please do not contact EdHelp to make Scan & Deliver requests.
- This digital service can be accessed by all staff and students whether they are in Edinburgh or not.
- Full information about how to use the service is available on the library website.
Digital Scholarship LibGuide published
The Academic Support Librarian team recently published a new guide to digital scholarship and digital humanities, to assist all students in understanding and navigating this area of investigation.
You can access the guide here.
Online exhibitions and fairs launch the festive season!
Tuesday 1st December 2020:
Today sees the launch online of the Visual Arts Scotland virtual exhibition, F L O W, their first online VAS Members’ winter show, running online throughout December 2020 and January 2021. Exhibitors include artist’s book makers who have appeared in exhibitions at ECA Library, and/or who have artist’s books in our ECA Library Artists’ Books Collection, for example Entropie Books, by Barbara Morton, and works by Karen Gabbitas, an ECA Alumna, and Susie Leiper, a former RSA Open annual ECA Library Award winner.
In addition, the traditional University of Edinburgh Christmas Charity Craft Fair is going virtual between 1st and 20th December. Many ECA students and graduates are involved, as well as our talented and creative University staff.
Visit our virtual exhibition hall at www.christmasfair.sps.ed.ac.uk, where you can find gifts big and small to make Christmas extra special!
This year, the Fair is in support of Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation, helping in the fight against Covid-19.
Art & Architecture Library at Minto House re-opens!
We are very pleased to be able to announce that the A&A Library at Minto House, Chambers Street, re-opened on Wednesday 21st October! Opening hours for this library are Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm.
You can visit the A&A Library to browse, and borrow books. There are 7 pre-bookable study spaces allowing for social distancing. Please note that you MUST pre-book your study space in any of the libraries. To do that please go to https://seated.iot.ed.ac.uk/
Please note there are 165 study spaces further along Chambers Street, in Adam House and 7-8 Chambers Street.
Please remember that you are required to wear a face covering for all library visits. Please show respect to your fellow students and to the staff working in the libraries by wearing your face covering correctly over your nose and mouth, and stick to the 2 metre social distancing rule in place for everyone’s safety.
For further information about the A&A Library please click here.
For information about ECA Library at Evolution House, click here.
For the latest library updates, including how to book a study space, please go to the library homepage.
Qwest TV trial begins!
We are delighted to announce that the Library has arranged a one year free trial to Qwest TV, the online resource created by Quincy Jones which gives us access to a wealth of jazz, soul, funk and world music documentaries, films and interviews.
From Wednesday 7th October you can access Qwest TV from here.
Bookable study spaces now available at ECA Library!
We are pleased to be able to tell all our students that ECA Library Evolution House is now able to take study space bookings for the study spaces within ECA Library.
If you want to study in any of the University libraries you must book a place in advance, either using the SeatEd App, or the online form.
For more information, including how to download the form and access the App, please go to this webpage.
Please remember that you must wear a face covering to visit or study in any of the University libraries.
A warm welcome!
We extend a warm welcome to all our new and returning students this autumn!
We would like to remind you all to please be a considerate good citizen and abide by the University Good Citizen Guide
Stay safe, protect ourselves and each other by:
- Observing distancing guidelines on and off campus at all times.
- Frequently washing hands.
- Wearing face coverings in all University buildings. This is mandatory in libraries and study spaces, as well as shops and public transport, unless you have a good reason for not wearing one.
- Only moving around campus or between campuses when it is necessary to do so.
- Assuming there is an extra risk when we meet new people or we are in groups.
- Remembering that alcohol consumption alters judgement, but that this is no excuse for breaking the guidelines.
Be considerate, supportive and inclusive by:
- Remembering some people are more vulnerable and some may be shielding.
- Acting, where necessary, to prompt and gently remind others to follow the guidelines.
- Offering support and signposting services to others.
- Acting with empathy, compassion and kindness in both online and offline interactions.
- Respecting cultural differences and honouring diverse perspectives.
For full details please go to the Guide here.
Everyone can and should play their part to keep us all safe and well.
New students can get more information at the New Students Portal.
