Would you like help with referencing?

Posted on May 8, 2023 by jennastor

It’s not too early to start thinking about your referencing. Once you have researched and begun writing your dissertation or project you must remember to correctly acknowledge the sources of any information which you refer to. This allows readers to trace the original material while also ensuring that you avoid potentially committing plagiarism.

To help you with your referencing, Library staff have prepared several online guides with useful examples. We have a generic guide on Referencing and Citing as well as other guides on specific referencing styles or subject areas:

A grey scale image of a tall pile of books.

Please be sure to look at the referencing guidance which has been provided by your department. You can read advice on avoiding plagiarism on the Student Learning Service’s website and you can check in MyAberdeen for materials on academic writing and avoiding plagiarism.

We also have access to a really useful book by Colin Neville called Complete guide to referencing and avoiding plagiarism which goes over topics from why you need to reference, where, the different referencing styles, plagiarism and how to express your own ideas in an assignment.
Cite them right: the essential referencing guide by Richard Pears is another great resource, available to access online or in print from Floor 4 at shelfmark 808.027 PEA in The Sir Duncan Rice Library.

There are many different software solutions that will help you manage your references. RefWorks is a cloud-based reference management service that is free for all University of Aberdeen students and staff to use. See the library website for guidance on using RefWorks, and referencing in general.

Using reference management software allows you to import references from online databases and other sources. There are writing tools that work with the software, for example RefWorks includes a Reference Citation Manager plugin which allows you to automatically generate references from your RefWorks account while you write in Word.

We run occasional Information Skills Workshops for postgrads covering the main features of RefWorks and how to get started. Workshops for taught postgraduate students will be happening later in May. Check the course booking system for these and other workshops soon. Details will also appear on the Library website.

Library staff can also advise on using RefWorks. Email library@abdn.ac.uk with any questions you may have or come and speak to us in the library. During term time, you can also ask for one-to-one help in an online support session.

Did you know…? – help with referencing

Posted on June 7, 2022 by jennastor

To help you with your referencing, Library staff have prepared several online guides with useful examples. We have a generic guide on Referencing and Citing as well as others focused on specific referencing systems or subject areas:

Please be sure to read any specific referencing guidance which you may have been provided by your department. You can also see advice on avoiding plagiarism on the Student Learning Service’s website and PGT students can check in MyAberdeen for materials on academic writing and avoiding plagiarism.

We also have access to a really useful book by Colin Neville called Complete guide to referencing and avoiding plagiarism which goes over topics from why you need to reference, where, the different referencing styles, plagiarism and how to express your own ideas in an assignment.

If you need any help with referencing your dissertation or project please feel free to contact Library staff with any questions you may have.

The Sir Duncan Rice Library Opening Hours during the Winter Break

Posted on December 10, 2021 by jennastor

The winter break is almost here, bringing with it the opportunity for a much-needed rest from study and research. And before the Winter Term closes, we would like to let you know the opening hours of The Sir Duncan Rice Library during the winter break and public holidays.

All libraries at the University of Aberdeen will be closing at 5pm on Thursday, 23 December and reopen again on Thursday, 6 January.

Full details of the opening hours at our other two library sites, Taylor Library and Medical Library can be found on our website.

The Sir Duncan Rice Library is open 24/7 until Friday, 17 December when we will close at 22.00. We will then be open at the times given below.

Statue in the snow. (Jonathan Mackintosh)

Saturday 18 December	9:00 – 13:00
Sunday 19 December	Closed
Monday 20 – Thursday 23 December	8:30 – 17:00
24 December 2021 – 5 January 2022	Closed
Thursday 6 & Friday 7 January	8:30 – 17:00
Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 January	Closed
Monday 10 January	8:00 – 00:00 (Normal Term Hours Resume)

Wishing all of our readers a safe, well-deserved holiday and we look forward to welcoming you back in January for the start of the new term.

Did you know…? – Extensive online access to publications from the British Academy

Posted on May 17, 2021 by jennastor

We thought you might be interested in additional e-resources from the British Academy that have been made available through our subscription to University Press Scholarship Online (UPSO). Recently expanded content includes 207 publications, spanning subjects in the humanities and social sciences, with new items being added as they are published.

Access to this electronic collection of books, essays and journals includes the series Proceedings of the British Academy, lectures delivered at the British Academy, available online from 2002 onwards.

The Library also has earlier and current print copies of this journal on Floor 2 of The Sir Duncan Rice Library and at other locations.

Picture of male student reading from his computer

Access to UPSO is via the Find Databases tab in Primo. Once you are on the UPSO platform, please look for the Sign in via your Institution option.

Details of other collections that remain available on a temporary basis can be found on our designated Library page, which we update regularly.

In addition to highlighting expanded content available via our Library subscriptions, please see here a list of relevant and appropriate Open Access e-resources.

Please email us with any questions you may have as we are always happy to help!
subjectteam@abdn.ac.uk

Jenna Storey, jennifer.storey@abdn.ac.uk

Did you know…? – A lesson in homeschooling

Posted on May 12, 2020 by jennastor

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the rate at which the world has switched its focus to online learning. Edtech has become a lifeline for many – however, sifting through the wide array of resources available can be a daunting task for students, educators, and parents. Here is a brief glimpse of what is out there.

girl sitting on sofa while using tablet computer

Photo by Julia M Cameron on Pexels.com

Heriot Watt University’s SCHOLAR offers 37 online courses for Scottish schools and colleges aligned to the SQA curriculum at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher level.

Boasting 50 million monthly learners, Quizlet has seven different study modes, tools to help teachers get the most out of their students, and activities to help classes learn and have fun together.

Learning with BBC Bitesize has just got better with the introduction of daily lessons for homeschooling. They also have a Parent’s toolkit SEND with resources, activities and support to help you and your family during lockdown.

Radio 4 has launched a new history programme, presented by Horrible Histories’ Greg Jenner. Full of facts and jokes, Homeschool History is broadcast Mondays on Radio 4 at 9:30am and is available as a podcast on BBC Sounds.

An English teacher in Bedfordshire has amassed thousands of followers worldwide hosting a live 30-minute lesson on Facebook every weekday covering topics from synonyms and spelling to Shakespeare. She provides task sheets for children and her students can interact with her and ask for “shout-outs”, which all come through on her phone.

And finally, everyone turns to YouTube for learning. There is a powerful community of EduTubers like PhysicsGirl and Freesciencelessons whose videos have demonstrated the appeal of content that enriches as well as entertains.

A word of caution: choose websites carefully. Look for content with well-structured explanations, where examples and exercises are clear. If it’s easy to navigate and it’s engaging – then you’re on to a winner!

Jenna Storey, jennifer.storey@abdn.ac.uk

How to use the co-labs

Posted on September 24, 2019 by jennastor

Did you know about the 16 collaborative group study spaces (Co-labs) in SDRL?

Each of them seats between 4 and 7 people and has a PC, plasma screen, power sockets and headphone ports.

They are located on Floors 3-6 in the NW corner of the building (turn right when you come out of the lifts!). They operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but with priority for groups of 3 or more.

If your group can’t find a space, and see a co-lab being used by an individual or two people, please do feel free to come and tell library staff. We will ask the other library users to re-locate and help them find a space.

You may also like to make use of the new wireless ‘Airplay’ function, which allows you to display content from your device on the large screen. Simply press the Airplay button and follow the on-screen instructions.

Quiet discussion: ✔ Food: ✘ Drinks: ✔

Elaine Fitzgerald, e.fitzgerald@abdn.ac.uk

Noise in the Library: how to let us know if you are being disturbed

Posted on July 1, 2019 by jennastor

We ask all users of The Sir Duncan Rice Library to be considerate to others studying. Exams can be a time of stress so, please think of other library users as you revise and while you move around the building. As you walk out of the library, remember that people sat in their seats are still working.

The Sir Duncan Rice Library provides a range of spaces for different types of use, from completely silent to more informal group working areas. In general, the library gets quieter as you move up the floors, with floor 7 being the quietest. It is also noisier near the lifts but gets quieter as you move across to the south side of the building.

Find out more about our silent study spaces in the relevant “Did You Know…?” post.

During this important time, we try to ensure that a quiet, safe and clean study environment is in place for all users. Please remember that if you are being disturbed by others using the library, you can speak to library staff. You can find us in the offices and information points of Floors 1-6 Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00. All other times speak with members of staff at the Information Centre on Floor 1 and on the Welcome Desk. For any comments or questions on our service provision and policies, do not hesitate to get in touch through Facebook, Twitter or via email.

F: http://www.facebook.com/biblio.teque/
T: https://twitter.com/aberdeenunilib
E: library@abdn.ac.uk

Staff at all libraries would like to wish all our students the best of luck in all their exams!

Eleni Borompoka, eleni.boro@abdn.ac.uk

Did you know…? – Silent Study Rooms

Posted on June 17, 2019 by jennastor

Did you know that there are 7 Silent Study Rooms in The Sir Duncan Rice Library?

There are Silent Study Rooms on Floors 3 to 6 in The Sir Duncan Rice Library, all located on the south side of the building. If you are looking to work somewhere quiet using your personal electronic device, you can go to any of the Silent Study Rooms on floors 3, 4 and 5. The Silent Study Rooms, overlooking Bedford Road, also include the recently installed power sockets with USB charging points. Please note that the Silent Study Room on floor 6 is a strictly silent working environment where electronic devices cannot be used. This is for those who wish to study with no disturbance.

Please remember that food is not allowed in all Silent Study Rooms!

Click here for more information on Silent Study spaces within our libraries.

Eleni Papadakou, e.papadakou@abdn.ac.uk

Eating & drinking in the libraries

Posted on March 13, 2019 by jennastor

Did you know about the food and drink policy in our libraries?
Library users can take cold food and cold/hot drinks (as long as they are in a covered container) past the gates in all library buildings.

You will find that there are many areas within the libraries where you can eat and drink, but please respect your fellow library users and help us maintain a clean and tidy environment by:

✔ Cleaning up after yourselves

✔ Using the appropriate bins provided (general waste/mixed recyclables)

To maintain a pleasant study environment please observe the following restrictions:

✘ No hot food is allowed anywhere in the libraries

✘ No smelly or noisy cold food

✘ No food in silent study areas, project rooms, as well as rooms or areas with equipment (PC Classrooms, PC Clusters, Co-Labs, Flexible Learning Area, Microform Room, Multimedia Room, Music Resources Room, and Viewing Room)

Your assistance in keeping our libraries in great condition for all users is much appreciated! Report any problems to staff on duty in person or by email –
The Sir Duncan Rice Library: library@abdn.ac.uk; Medical Library: medill@abdn.ac.uk; Taylor Library: lawlib@abdn.ac.uk

Eleni Papadakou, e.papadakou@abdn.ac.uk

Sending documents to MFDs

Posted on January 29, 2019 by jennastor

All printing on campus is via networked multi function devices (MFDs).

You can send items from any classroom PC, your personal laptop, tablet or mobile phone over the wireless network and collect your documents from any networked MFD on campus.

Your items are sent to a holding queue until you are ready to print them.

You can see what is in your print queue or delete items that you no longer want to print using the PrintManage system.

To send a job to the printer (MFD):

open the document you wish to print and click on the FILE tab on the far left of the ribbon (at the top of your screen)
choose Print to bring up the print menu.

From the drop-down arrow, make sure to choose MFD-PULL-BW if you are printing in black and white, and MFD-PULL-COLOUR if you are printing in colour.

At this stage, you also need to select the right SETTINGS – the paper size & orientation, whether your document is single-sided or double-sided (all MFDs default to print on both sides of the paper to save costs!)

When you are ready – simply click on PRINT.

There are printers/MFDs in or near to all PC classrooms, public areas as well as on each floor of the Sir Duncan Rice Library. To retrieve your documents simply hold your student ID card against the front of the MFD/printer or use the screen to login. This short video will show you how easy it is to do!

Find quick answers to your printing questions here.

Sending print jobs from your laptop and mobile device:

Find information on how to configure your personal device to the printing network here. This is a one-time set up and you won’t have to repeat it every time you send jobs from your laptop!

Also see the guide about printing from a mobile device when working on the move. WebPrint allows you to send jobs from your phone or tablet and collect from a networked MFD/printer.