Online Study Tool Kit

Library Latest - Summer Term 2024

  Summer Semester

Teaching may be coming to a close for some of you but just starting for others, so a warm welcome to our new students! We will be here all summer to continue offering you support in navigating our resources and providing you with the skills you need to become an independent learner.

• Library opening hours – to help you plan when to come to our state-of-the-art Library
• Library FAQs – answers to many common library questions
• New & returning students study checklist – gives an overview of essential Library information
• Online Study Toolkit – workshop and webinar recordings (for more in-depth info, see the “Supporting Your Studies” section below!)
• UR Library Search – search the Library’s physical and electronic resources
• Library Subject Resource Guides – specialist resources recommended for your specific subject

• NEST website – your home for all student support information, including live chat, NEST site opening hours, useful links and FAQs

You can access all of our online support and tutorials on our Online Study Tool Kit page, and you can also use the SCONUL scheme if you want to visit another academic library that is local to you.

If you'd rather travel to us, we will still be open, you can view full opening hours on our website.

Summer Term Events in the Library

The Library Advisory Team (LAT) are offering some special drop-ins for students in the summer term. 

• Thursday 9th May, 11am - 2pm, Library Ground Floor:  "Spill the Library tea!" 
  An in-person drop-in session for students to learn more about the library and what services are available to support your studies. Ask us any questions you like about the Library!
• Tuesday 14th May, 11am - 2pm, Library Ground Floor: "Bespoke Library Tours!"
  A library tour designed just for you. Would you and/or your study group like to learn more about a specific library service or subject area, or fancy a full tour of the building, or even a peek behind the scenes? On this day you will be able to book a personalised tour! Watch this space for more details coming soon...
• Whitelands students: look out for our monthly Library pop-up stall in the Whitelands foyer, where library staff will be available to answer any LIbrary queries you may have. Dates to be confirmed very soon! The Click & Collect and Scan & Send services are always available: see here for details. 

  Library Displays

In the Library Foyer we recently showcased books from our School Experience Collection. The Collection can be found on the First Floor of the library, and includes a diverse range of children's books for all ages (picture books, fiction, poetry and non-fiction) as well as other items (such as toys, games and puppets and story sacks). Everything in the collection is available to be borrowed by all students and staff.     

We are also promoting Kanopy's film streaming service and Pressreader (which features a huge range of online popular magazines), both available free with your Roehampton login, and on the First Floor we have some highlights from our Wellbeing Collection.

Missed a past library display, or can't come to campus? Have a look at our Archive of Displays. 

Library displays can be used to mark key historical, social or national awareness events, display academic work and achievements, and to promote societies or other University events. If you have an idea for a future library display, you can complete our Display and Exhibition Space Booking Form.    

  Library Resources and Learning Spaces

 Library Resources

•  Spotlight on: EBSCOhost databases
•  Spotlight on: BFI Player for Higher Education, a specially curated film streaming service from the British Film Institute. 
•  Spotlight on: WARC (World Advertising Research Centre)
   See our regular blog for more Spotlights on Library Resources.
   

Lean on UR Library! 
You’re studying at home, your essay is due, and the articles, journals, and ebooks you need are stuck behind paywalls. Frustrating, right? It doesn’t have to be. Now, you can Lean on UR Library with Lean Library!
Googling for resources? Lean Library is a browser extension that will search our catalogue at the same time! So as you Google, you can see which resources are accessible via your Roehampton login. Need to read a specific article? Lean Library will pop up to point you in the right direction.
The same pop-up will appear for books you find on Amazon or other websites!
The Lean Library browser extension works with: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera, and Internet Explorer. After installing, select ‘University of Roehampton.’ The LL extension will then pop-up and notify you when UR Library has the online resource you need and take you straight to it.
You can visit the Library homepage for more information, or ask for a Librarian at the front desk. You can also see how it works on this instagram post. 
So.. sit back, relax, and Lean on UR Library… with Lean Library!

Library study space

April to May can be a busy period for the Library, with study spaces in high demand. Here are some top tips for finding a spot:

• For silent study head to the Weston Room on the 3rd floor. Postgraduate students can use their dedicated Silent Study room on the 1st floor too.
• Postgraduate students can use the Maurice & Hilda Laing Study Room on the 3rd floor for collaborative study.
• Bookable Group Study rooms are located on the 1st and 2nd floor and can be booked up to one week in advance.

Wellbeing Collection -  the exam period can be stressful time for students. The library has a dedicated Wellbeing Collection on the 2nd floor of the library, as well as a host of ebooks, on topics such as coping with  Anxiety and Stress.

Leisure Collection - alternatively why not take take a break from your studies and read a non-academic book - perhaps a novel, some poetry, a biography or a travel book -  it's a great way to unwind. You can find our print Leisure Collection in the Library cafe, as well as the ebooks and audiobooks on this reading list. 

If you need a reminder about what we have, or are starting your studies this term, make sure to take a look at the New Starters & Returning Students page; or you can check out our 'How to Use the Library Space' guide for all the library basics you need, including the different types of study space available.

Useful links:

• Book a Study Room– book up to one week in advance
• Support for Disabled & Dyslexic Students
• Services for Whitelands Students – Click and Collect service
• UR Library Search – search the online and physical resources
• Finding & Using Resources – borrowing items and accessing items we don’t have. 
• Library Subject Resource Guides – specialist resources by subject

  Supporting Your Studies and Top Tips

One-to-One Support

Are you working on your final assignments for the year? If so, one-to-one support is available throughout the summer term! 

The Learning and Teaching Librarian is here to support to students with your research skills, including using databases and developing search strategies to find relevant literature, as well as referencing accurately and using RefWorks and Cite Them Right. 

The Academic Achievement Team are here to support students with academic skills such as critical thinking and writing, structuring written assignments (including dissertations), preparing for exams, managing your time, and working with statistics. 

To book an appointment with the Learning and Teaching Librarian or a member of the Academic Achievement Team, use the above links, which are also available on the Library Homepage, and select the type of assistance you require and your preferred location (in the library or online).

Assignment Writing Masterclasses

Do you want to gain the key skills and knowledge needed to help you excel in your upcoming assignments? The Academic Achievement Team can help! Come along to our Assignment Writing Masterclass series on the 30^th April, 1^st May and 2^nd May. 

This series of on-campus workshops will guide you through the process of examining key components of excellent essay writing including finding the best sources for your research, learning how to include evidence effectively in your writing, and knowing how to craft a strong academic argument. 

Workshops will be held in the Library in room 1.30 from 10.00 - 11.30am. Please make separate bookings for each workshop. You can register here.

Develop Your Skills In Your Own Time

As well as one-to-one support, the library provides a number of resources through which you can develop your skills in your own time. The Online Study Tool Kit is an essential platform of learning resources. There you'll find a collection of workshops, webinar recordings and interactive tutorials covering a variety of topics, as well as our new Finding Resources Step-by-Step Guide, which will take you from identifying appropriate search tools and developing and applying a search strategy, to evaluating and saving your results. 

Dissertations, Theses and Individual Research Projects

If you're working on a dissertation, thesis or final project, visit the Online Study Tool Kit's Dissertations & Theses section, as well as the Academic Achievement Team's Learning Skills Hub to find a range of invaluable resources. You'll find resources covering topics such as common components of a dissertation, reading strategies, and writing a literature review, as well as videos taking you from starting a dissertation through to writing it up and finishing it. You'll also find information on accessing previous Roehampton dissertations and theses (masters and PhD) as well as those of other institutions through platforms such as Open Dissertations.

Sage Research Methods is another essential library tool for dissertations and projects. Its Methods Map and Which Stats Test? features will help you make methodological decisions for your project, and the Project Planner will help you organise your project and your time.

  Archives 

Snapshot from the Archives

Our latest blog post,  A Diary of Beginnings, looks at springtime on campus as observed by Froebel students over 100 years ago in their nature notebooks. Sightings include tortoises, owls and baby cuckoos!

For more information about the historical treasures held in Roehampton’s archives and special collections, see this guide.

  School Experience Collection

For the child in your life - or the child in you! If you love children's books, check out the School Experience Collection on the first floor of the library. The collection includes a wide range of children's books for all ages, in many languages (picture books, fiction, poetry and non-fiction) and other items (such as toys, games and puppets) that can be borrowed by all students. Click on the book image below to find the book in the Library!

  Library Feedback & Suggestions

Have you had a good experience with the library recently, or feel like there's something we can do better? Let us know by filling out our quick online Feedback Form, or posting a yellow slip in the Suggestions box in the Library (on the ground floor next to the printing station). Here is a recent selection of  appreciative feedback which has made us smile:

"Gorgeous, massive library.  I feel so lucky to work in a place like this that allows me to use this fantastic library."

"Always phenomenally helpful with library loans, online support. Swift and extremely helpful."

"My experience with the library team has been excellent. I have always found support from all of you in person and digitally. Thanks for your never-ending support and guidance."

"I love this library, I think it's one of the best in London. It is my favourite place and this is the space I will miss the most when I graduate. Great books/material collections, especially about theatre. Thank you."

"I love the library! Going to miss it very much once I finish my studies."

It's a pleasure! And don't forget, our ex-students are always welcome back - see here for details of our alumni membership scheme. 

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Library Latest is produced by the Academic Engagement Team.