News & Events

AberSkills

28/01/2025

Our programme of skills workshops is starting next week. There are sessions on academic writing, searching for information and evaluating information and employability skills running all term. Please see the AberSkills site for more details and to book your place.

Your IS User Survey 2024 feedback

23/01/2025

Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit sessions 28/01/2025 - 17/02/2025

27/01/2025

January

28/01 ARCHE Applicant Training (Face-to-face)

February

11/02 E-learning Enhanced: Introduction to Discussions (Online)

17/02 E-learning Enhanced: Introduction to Blackboard Tests (Online)

Times/ booking

Hugh Owen Library opening hours

20/01/2025

From Sunday 26 January, the Hugh Owen Library Level D remains open 24/7 and Levels E & F are open 08:30-22:00 until the end of term.

The IS Enquiry Desk is staffed 08:30-22:00 7 days a week during termtimes.

Full library opening hours are at: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/is/about/opening-hours/

Noise in the library - ideas workshop

20/01/2025

Calling all students with ideas!

Are you tired of disruptive sounds interrupting your concentration at the library? Or do you find noise around you helps you concentrate?

Managing noise has always been a challenge in libraries as we attempt to find a balance between providing silent study spaces, collaborative spaces, and social spaces to satisfy different types of user needs.

So, we need YOU to take part in our ideas workshop

Noise in the Library

Date: 5th February

Time: 11.30 – 12.30

Location: E3, Hugh Owen Library

Why you should attend:

• Help us make sure our study spaces work for you
• Earn £5 AberCard credit, just for having opinions!
• A chance to make a positive difference
• Get creative, work with other students and develop your problem-solving skills

In this informal workshop we will investigate how you feel about the noise levels in our libraries, brainstorm creative strategies and design practical solutions to manage any issues raised.

Sign up here https://forms.office.com/r/Bj4e3GUFke

New Resource Types in Aspire Reading Lists

22/01/2025

You can add now select these Resource Types for new items in Aspire reading lists

• Database
• Report
• Newspaper
• Object

or amend existing items where these are a better fit than the existing Resource Type.

Select them from the Resource Type menu as appropriate when adding content from web pages using your browser extension or when adding / editing content manually.

If you have any questions please contact the Academic Engagement team: librarians@aber.ac.uk

Discover What's New: Your Monthly AU Library Newsletter

07/01/2025

Introducing your brand new monthly library newsletter - jampacked with news, features and exciting resources. 

What's in it for you:

The latest library news and events
Librarian recommended reads
Skills help and advice
Curated features and resources

Why subscribe?

• Get helpful information delivered straight to your inbox
• Lean about invaluable library resources and opportunities
• Quick, easy, and of course absolutely FREE!

How to sign up

It's simple!

1. Click the newsletter signup link: https://forms.office.com/e/CiUbmR6jtV
2. Choose your preferred language
3. Enter your details
4. Hit next - You're subscribed!
5. You can manage your subscription online

Don't miss out! Your inbox is about to become a lot more interesting.

Help make the Library a good place to work in by keeping clearing up your litter

17/01/2025

Library study spaces are shared spaces, consider your fellow students (and the library’s wonderful cleaners). Tidy up after yourself, use the recycling bins and avoid leaving litter on tables. Please don't bring in and eat hot food in the library Help make the library a pleasant place to work in

Microsoft Office

15/01/2025

Microsoft Office is free to download for students and staff on up to 15 devices.

Included in this are:

• Word
• Excel
• PowerPoint
• Outlook
• OneNote
• Teams
• Publisher
• Access
• Skype

A step-by-step guide on how to download MS Office on your device is available: https://faqs.aber.ac.uk/en/1391 

Support with exams and assessments

08/01/2025

Visit Level E of the Hugh Owen Library to have a look at our Exam Preparation display.

Here you'll find exam FAQs, top tips on preparing for exams from fellow students, recommended books on effective study skills and revision techniques as well as colouring pages (and pencils) and puzzle worksheets to complete when you want to take a well-earned break from your revision. 

We have comprehensive Revision and Exams resources on AberSkills, including links to software that could help you make mindmaps and study plans, infographics to help you understand your assessment questions and links to further support. 

Good luck and look after yourselves 

Information Services: AI Guidance for you

13/01/2025

Information Services has a new help and support webpage for Artificial Intelligence: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/is/help/ai/.

This page brings together policies and safety advice as well as guidance for using AI in your studies, teaching, research, and administration.

Save the Date: Annual Learning and Teaching Conference

16/01/2025

The Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit are excited to announce the date for the 13th Annual Learning and Teaching Conference. The conference will be taking place between Tuesday 8 and Thursday 10 July 2025.

Look out for Calls for Proposals and the announcement of the conference theme. As usual, we will be updating our Learning and Teaching Conference Webpages and also our blog to keep you up-to-date with how things are progressing.

What's New in Blackboard January 2025

10/01/2025

The January Blackboard Update includes improvements to the AI Design Assistant including more languages and enhancing the Auto-generation features. Additionally, there are new options for Creating Documents and Release Conditions. For more details, see our blogpost: What’s New in Blackboard January 2025 

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