Vogue Archive now available

Posted on July 4, 2014 by gebrooker

http://proquest.libguides.com/voguearchive

In need of a little glamour in your life? The library can now bring you more than 120 years of definitive fashion and lifestyle photography with new online access to the digitised collection of Vogue magazine, (US Version). Delivered through publishers Proquest, every issue and every page from 1892 to the present is available to members of the University through our library catalogue. This is a stunning resource which offers rich rewards to researchers in diverse subjects from gender studies, marketing, modern social history, visual culture and more.

On their website, Proquest describe the Vogue Archive as:

an exclusive partnership between ProQuest, Vogue, and Condé Nast (the global publisher of Vogue) to present the full run of the American Vogue, 1892 to present, for the library market. Every page, cover, advertisement, image, and fold out is indexed, searchable, and viewable in beautiful high-resolution color.

More than 400,000 pages are included, constituting a treasure trove of the work from the greatest designers, photographers, stylists and illustrators of the 20th and 21st centuries. The Vogue Archive is both an essential primary source for the study of fashion and a unique record of American and international popular culture.

You can find out more at the Proquest website.

Over 30,000 Early Modern works now available online

Posted on July 3, 2014 by gebrooker

These are exciting times for researchers! Our library service can now offer access to Early European Books: a new collection of digitised documents from the dawn of the printed book, putting extraordinary resources from the Renaissance at your fingertips. The collection comprises over 30,000 works, including 18,000 books and 4.9 million pages dating from 1450-1700 on topics including alchemy, art, botany, early medicine, philosophy, poetry, science, and theology.

Its publishers, Proquest, describe their database as “the most comprehensive digitized collection of rare books and incunabula available anywhere online. Over 30,000 works are currently included, with new titles added regularly. No other online source offers early modernists such a wide survey of the print output of Europe from 1450-1700, removing the need for lengthy research trips and saving valuable travel time and budget.”

They describe how this new interface “offers users a research experience as close as possible to actually being with the book. Researchers can see every page and feature rendered on screen in fine, crisp images. Meticulous indexing and specialist search fields ensure relevant results are returned each time.”

The project is being developed in partnership with a host of major European libraries including the National Libraries of Florence, France, and the Netherlands, the Royal Library in Denmark and the Wellcome Library, London, with more libraries expected to join the program.

See the Proquest website for more information: http://www.proquest.com/products-services/eeb.html

Literary treasures online from the British Library

Posted on May 16, 2014 by gebrooker

Here’s an amazing new treasure trove for literature lovers from the British Library, via the Guardian: 1,200 of its “greatest literary treasures” online in what is expected to become the biggest digital English literature resource, from the earliest known writing of Charlotte Brontë, a charmingly illustrated short story the Villette author penned for her little sister Anne, to Jane Austen’s wry recording of an acquaintance’s dismissal of Pride and Prejudice as “downright nonsense.

Enjoy!

Free massage for students today

Posted on May 15, 2014 by gebrooker

Feeling stressed? Today, Thursday 15th May, the Sport and Exercise Team is offering free massage in the Sir Duncan Rice Library from 3:30-6:30 pm, with sign up from 3:15 in meeting room 3 on Floor 7.

We hope this helps you to unwind and let go of those stuck muscles: tight shoulders and stiff backs are hard to avoid when studying!

There’s lots of support on offer around campus this week to help you stay calm and capable over exam time.

Help to beat exam stress

Posted on May 8, 2014 by gebrooker

Help for exam stress is here!

Tuesday 13-Thursday 22 May, various sites and times

Getting through exams can be challenging, but help for students is here! The Sport and Exercise Team has teamed up with the Aberdeen University Students Association and the Healthy Body Healthy Mind award from The NUS Scotland and Scottish Universities Sport organisation to offer the following sessions in The Sir Duncan Rice and Medical Libraries to help you relax and succeed in your exams.

Free ‘Healthy Body Healthy Mind’ Yoga Session
Tue 13 May, The Sir Duncan Rice Library, Room 224, 5-6pm

Free Onsite Massage for Students (Old Aberdeen)
Thursday 15 May, 3:30-6:30, sign up from 3:15pm, Meeting Room 3, Floor 7, The Sir Duncan Rice Library

Free Onsite Massage for Students (Foresterhill)
Thursday 22 May, 3:30-6:30, sign up from 3:15pm, Project Room 2, Floor 1, Medical Library, Polwarth Building

Exam Stalls
Free fruit, juice, and exam tips to help you.
Tuesday 20 May, The Sir Duncan Rice Library Ground Floor, 11am-2pm
Wednesday 21 May, Taylor Building Reception, 11am-2pm
Thursday 22 May, MacRobert Reception, 11am-2pm

For more information about these and other activities to beat exam stress see below, or contact g.kerr@abdn.ac.uk.

From all the staff in the library sites, we wish you all the best of success!

Details of events from The Sport and Exercise Team

A message from our new Librarian

Posted on May 2, 2014 by gebrooker

Diane Bruxvoort, University Librarian, and Director

Hello everyone, my name is Diane Bruxvoort and I am excited to say that I’m the incoming University Librarian at the University of Aberdeen. I’ve been asked to introduce myself (briefly), so I’ll try to hit the highlights. I’ve been an Associate Dean at the University of Florida (UF) since 2010 with responsibility for public services and collections at two large and two small libraries. I also oversee special collections, exhibits, digital services, acquisitions, and cataloging, and serve as the Dean’s deputy.

Before UF I worked at the University of Houston (UH) for ten years moving up from Head of Access Services to Associate Dean. At UH I was deeply and happily involved with the addition and renovation of the main library.

In my pre-academic library career I worked at the Harris County and Houston City Public Library systems for seventeen years combined. These years serving the community from the cradle to old age gave me an appreciation for lifelong learning that continues today. I have a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin and earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern College in Iowa. I am currently working on a doctorate in Higher Education Administration and will reach the dissertation stage this year.

On a personal note, I have a son, a daughter-in-law, a daughter and a grandson (Mike, Kelly, Cassandra, and Xavier), no pets, an extended family in Iowa (farmers, of course) and friends across the country. I look forward to getting to know the Aberdeen library community and being able to say that I have friends around the world. See you soon! Diane.

By Diane Bruxvoort, University Librarian, and Director.
dbruxvoort@abdn.ac.uk

Where to study in The Sir Duncan Rice Library?

Posted on April 29, 2014 by gebrooker

This post is all about helping you to find the right spot to suit your study style.

The Sir Duncan Rice Library has been designed with the needs of 21st century learners in mind, with lots of different sorts of space for the activities that visitors told us they needed most. Essentially the design of the building locates more social areas close to the atrium, so as a useful rule of thumb, the further you are from the hole in the middle, the more we encourage quiet.

So where’s best for you?

Silent study

room to think in a silent study room

Our building is not a traditionally silent kind of library. It’s built for collaborations and conversations to reflect more modern education needs, but also provides for traditionalists who like to hear themselves think in peace in old-school classic study style. We have silent study rooms on floors 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6, which you’ll find handily located in the same corner of each of the floors.

There are two types of silent study space: one with spaces to plug in laptops and one without, so if your ideal vision for revision is for no internet distractions or clicking of keyboards, then go to rooms 324, 424. 524 or 624 for superlative silence, and see our web page on silent study rooms for more information. We have printable library guide PDFs with full details about the way the rooms are to be used to respect other students and the library as a shared learning environment.
Library Guide to the SE corner study rooms
Library Guide to the SW corner study rooms

Co-Labs

for collaboration

Need collaboration for inspiration? Then our co-labs could be the place for you. These are specifically designed for group and project work, such as presentations, with spaces for 4-7 people; useful for group revision and idea-sharing. These are especially recommended if you are a more multimedia learner, as they offer built-in information technology facilities to allow you to use a range of digital devices. Co-labs include a PC, a plasma screen for viewing DVDs or online content, and multiple ports for headphones so you can listen and learn with others. These spaces are partitioned, so offer a little privacy, but please do be mindful of noise levels to respect other visitors.

Group study rooms
For those of you who like to plan ahead and study with company, there are two bookable Group Study Rooms on Floor 7. These rooms have space for up to 8 people, and have a PC and plasma screen. To book a Group Study Room for 1-2 hours, email groupstudyrooms@abdn.ac.uk or reserve a time in person at the Information Centre on Floor 1. The keys are available for collection from the Information Centre on Floor 1. Find full details in our Group Study Room Library Guide.

All sorts of seats

Comfortable soft seating is available on Floors 1 to 5. These areas are ideal for individual reading, personal laptop use, reading newspapers on Floor 1, and for short and quiet conversation.

Round Study Tables are near the lift/lobby area on Floors 3 to 6, and are intended for quiet conversation or collaborative work in pairs or small groups.

for quiet, individual study

The study desks by the windows around each side of the building and on the open floor areas on Floors 1 to 7 are intended for quiet, individual study, perfect if you want to enjoy your own little study-bubble, with or without your headphones, and look out at the Silver City in stunning eagle-view panorama.

From staff at the library, we wish you the best of success with your study!

By Georgia Brooker, Communications Co-ordinator for Library, Special Collections and Museums.
g.brooker@abdn.ac.uk

Sheet Maps: unearth treasures in the Sir Duncan Rice Library

Posted on April 29, 2014 by gebrooker

The Sir Duncan Rice Library has a wide range of under-explored maps, local and international, some of which are held in easily accessible map cabinets on the first floor of the library. These are sheet maps, mainly Ordnance Survey, but many are historical and local.

If you are searching for the nearest stone circle in Turriff, the oldest and first cinema in Aberdeen (this happens to be at the beach), or historical curiosities, for example that well-known Aberdeen landmark at the harbour, the “Cake and Manure Manufactory” of 1901 (not something you want to “get your teeth into”) then these maps held on floor 1 are for you.

Detail of the Cake and Manure Manufactory, 1901

Detail of the Cake and Manure Manufactory, Ordnance Survey map, City parish of Aberdeen, Aberdeen harbour (Victoria Dock), Sheet 75.11.20, 1901

A list of these sheet maps held in the first map cabinet on Floor 1 has been published as a reference tool and guide, and a printed copy can be found for reference in the cabinet, with three more to come for the other cabinets as part of an ongoing project over the next year. Land survey maps of Germany and agricultural maps of Austria are also in the diverse listing.

Find these on Floor 1 in the Sir Duncan Rice Library

Contents Page for sheet maps in Cabinet 1

These maps are useful for research in more than just geography e.g. the development of crofting in 19th century Scotland, based on the maps relating to the 6th Crofters Commission of 1892. Those studying archaeology may have gone on a “dig” as part of your course. Why not go on a “dig” in the Sir Duncan Rice Library and unearth unexpected treasures in the map cabinets. Seek and you shall find.

By Iain Mcdiarmid, Senior Information Assistant, Floor 3.
email: i.g.mcdiarmid@abdn.ac.uk
tel: 01224 272588

Collections Highlight: University war memorial

Posted on March 31, 2014 by gebrooker

Section from stained glass window in King’s Chapel

As part of our Roll of Honour resource, which has been created in recognition of the service of students, staff and alumni in the First and Second World Wars, the Special Collections Centre at the Sir Duncan Rice Library has posted its latest collections highlight, which features the University’s war memorial in King’s College Chapel.

Essential Work at The Sir Duncan Rice Library: Saturday 29 – Monday 31 March

Posted on March 28, 2014 by gebrooker

Essential work to the entrance of The Sir Duncan Rice Library needs to be carried out on these days. The Library will be open as normal but work may last from 7am to 4pm and may be noisy.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to users of the building.

As alternatives for quiet study you may wish to consider the Silent Study Rooms in the south east corner of the Library, farthest away from any noise, or the Taylor Library in the Taylor Building (entrance on Floor 1 of Block C).

Should you have any concerns or queries please contact the Library at library@abdn.ac.uk

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News from Library, Special Collections and Museums at the University of Aberdeen

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