Student Services: Library Catalogue

The library catalogue can be confusing for both the first years and the third years, but here is a very basic easy guide on how to use the online library catalogue the University of Cumbria provides.

The library catalogue can be accessed easily from the ‘current students’ section on the University of Cumbria website here: www.cumbria.ac.uk/InformationFor/CurrentStudents/Home.aspx

From here you should be greeted with the library catalogue homepage: 

The search bar will allow you to search for any book you are looking in the topic or subject you are looking to research. If you do not know specifically the exact book you are looking for it is advisable to search keywords or phrases.

I have used; for example, ‘William Wordsworth’ for my search and I am presented with a list of results.

From here, select books that you feel are relevant to your search and list the lending collection number which will usually appear as a series of numbers and letters e.g. 821.7/Wor

There are occasions when the book you require may not be available at Lancaster campus, but accessible from other University of Cumbria campuses such as Carlisle for example. There is a reservation process and the selected book will become available at Lancaster campus. This is as simple as clicking ‘reserve’ on the webpage.

From here the library staff will notify you when the book becomes available at Lancaster campus, where you can get it from a section in the library designated for reserved books. This is easy to find as it is in the main entrance of the library, but if you are unsure there is always a member of staff available to help you, don’t be afraid to ask!

If you do not have direct access to the library at the time you are checking for the books you need, you can easily login to your account and create a list of the book you wish to get, and save it for later. This means when you login you your library account the list of books will be already therefore you, making the process faster when finding the books.

This step to step post has been designed to make your library browsing easier, and remember, the library books are split into different sections also so finding the books becomes easier again. If you need help, always ask a member of staff as they are there to help you.

Dissertation Advice!

Doing a dissertation can be a very scary prospect, the process is long and working independently is often just an easy way for you to become a master of procrastination!

So, to give the students who are doing their dissertations - and those who will be in future - a little boost, here are some key points for writing dissertations, followed by the websites they are from and some other useful sites for you to use.

1. There will be one day, probably a couple of months before deadline, when you will freak out, doubt your entire thesis and decide to start again from scratch. You might even come up with a new question and start working on it, depending on how long the breakdown lasts. You will at some point run out of steam and collapse in an exhausted, tear-stained heap. But unless there are serious flaws in your work (unlikely) and your supervisor recommends starting again (highly unlikely), don't do it. It's just panic, it'll pass.

2. If your dissertation supervisor isn't right, change. If you don't feel like they're giving you the right advice, request to swap to someone else – providing it's early on and your reason is valid, your department shouldn't have a problem with it.

3. Think of a dissertation like a series of linked essays; each chapter is self-contained and has its own purpose, but they all connect together to contribute to the argument of your dissertation.

4. You don't have to start with the introduction – start at the chapter that seems the easiest to write – this could be the literature review or methodology, for example. Alternatively you may prefer to write the introduction first, so you can get your ideas straight. Decide what will suit your ways of working best - then do it.

5. If you're feeling overwhelmed, try identifying the one thing that you need to do next; often this will logically lead to further steps, and you'll be able to get started again.

6. Start with what you already know. When writing, pretend to tell someone the story. Then write the story. You may actually find it useful to record your own voice as you tell yourself the story so you can play it back as you write.

7. Keep full records of all your reading. Referencing tends to be marked very strictly in dissertations, and you can save yourself a lot of time and effort if you assemble the reference list / bibliography as you read, rather than leaving it until the very end of the process. (You can easily delete any sources that you do not ultimately use.

8. Plan for plenty of time to edit and proofread your drafts, and remember to allow time for binding.

http://www.theguardian.com/education/mortarboard/2012/may/02/dissertation-top-ten-tips

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/study_advice_dissertations.htm

http://www.nus.org.uk/en/advice/your-study/dissertations/survive-the-dissertation-deadlines/

As well as the above websites our University website has some really useful advice on http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/StudentLife/Learning/SkillsCumbria/AcademicWriting/Dissertationstructure.aspx. 

Student Services: Quest and JSTOR

When it comes to writing assignments, secondary resources are essential to write at university level and also to obtain the grade that you want. The library has a fantastic selection of books that are selected specifically to each individual module that you are taught, but as there are many students in each of the years, it can be competitive to get the selected books you need from the Library. Also, you should expand your secondary resources further than books in the library. Journals, eBooks and data that is provided online through systems like Quest and JSTOR.

Quest

Quest is a service that is brought to the students by the University of Cumbria Library. It is a fast search service that can quickly allow you to search and access all the journals, library catalogue and journals that the university has to offer.

The search process is easy. You simply search any key words or phrases you consider useful to a secondary resource you may need and you will be provided with results. From these you can save your results so it will allow you to refer back to them so no data is lost. This is service provides a wide range of secondary resources and will require you to check and read thoroughly through the information you access to ensure it is relevant to what you are writing your assignment on. 

Quest can be accessed here: http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/search/basic?sid=39fb1745-2b7b-4dd0-ac39-9a861ede3899%40sessionmgr110&vid=1&hid=101

JSTOR

JSTOR is an external system that is similar to Quest but it has access to a much wider range of information and resources. It was designed in 1995 especially for colleges and universities to ensure the widest possible access to resources for students. It works very similarly to Quest just as before, be sure to thoroughly research through any resources you select as they may not be relevant to what you are studying. 

JSTOR can be accessed here: http://www.jstor.org/action/showBasicSearch

Both services will require you to use your University of Cumbria login details to allow you to gain access to the information they provide. If you are unsure of your password and login detail you can contact the IT services that the University of Cumbria provide by emailing:  itservicedesk@cumbria.ac.uk

University Services: Careers and Employability Service

One of the scariest things about being a third year is thinking about the future. It can sometimes be hard to see yourself in a career after so much time spent in education, and you might even need some direction as to what you would like to do as a career.

The Careers and Employability Service at the University of Cumbria are there to help! Whether it’s throughout your course to assist you with a long term plan or to help you find part-time work whilst you study – the careers service even offer help to students for up to three years after they graduate.

They are available online, by email, by phone and in person – and it really is very easy to get in touch. They use a number of social networks and online media sites to communicate and engage with students, staff and general public. You can find the links to these on the website, http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/StudentLife/Support/Careers/Home.aspx.

The website also offers a job search facility, for both long term careers and part-time jobs. You can also find links on careers, courses and finding jobs at www.diigo.com/user/uoccareers

The Careers Service (like LiSS) offer 30 minutes appointments with an adviser. The adviser will discuss your requirements and may suggest that a follow-up appointment might be useful. You can make these appointments via the library front desk, or by emailing careers@cumbria.ac.uk (allow up to 5 working days for a response). You can find the opening times for the library via this link; http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/StudentLife/Learning/Resources/Libraries/LancasterCampus.aspx.

It is also easy for students to get help finding part-time work – something which can make a big difference to a student. Having a part-time job not only increases your income, but it increases your skills and experience in the work place, allows you to meet new people and could even open some doors for your career after you graduate.

You can search for part time jobs in the local area at various places, including the Lancaster Guardian at www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/jobs.

All full and part time job vacancies and placements that the careers service think students would be interested in are advertised on the University’s Virtual Job Shop: http://cumbria.prospects.ac.uk/. If you register to this website you will receive regular emails about all types of work and placement opportunities including part time and summer holiday work as well as graduate opportunities locally, nationally and internationally.

If you would like to get involved on campus, Student Ambassadors help the university with marketing activities and outreach work – i.e. open days, Higher Education fairs etc – you can contact Louise Gray for more information on Louise.gray@cumbria.ac.uk.

You can email jobsandplacements@cumbria.ac.uk to receive their weekly Opportunities Knock Bulletin.

If you are looking to volunteer rather than gain employment, you can also get advice and links on the Careers website. To find out more about voluntary positions, and the roles available contact Emma at the University of Cumbria Students Union, emma.egglestone@cumbria.ac.uk or you can phone 01524 590 810. There are also helpful websites like www.ucsu.me and www.do-it.org.uk.

There is so much available on the Careers Service website, and it is a very helpful tool for all students, from first years to three years following graduation. The website is so easy to navigate, and everything you need is available, even if you cannot find what you are looking for there are contact details available, which make it even easier for you to find what you need. 

Just go to http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/StudentLife/Support/Careers/Home.aspx to find out more.

Student Services: LiSS

The Library can seem like a daunting place when you first step inside. There are different zones, and special codes for books, and it can sometimes seem like it’s going to be hard to find the resource you were looking for. However, the Library and Student Services (LiSS) at the University of Cumbria are there to make this experience very easy for you.

LiSS is responsible for libraries, information advice and guidance, employability and information and academic skills, student health and wellbeing and development. The learning advisers will always be eager to help you, and will always point you in the right direction - you can find them in the main lobby of the library.

What can LiSS do for you?

Although LiSS are there to assist students, it is very simple for students to access self-help resources, which are available online (at the University website) and on Blackboard. You can access these services anywhere, 24/7 and this has proven to be incredibly helpful.

- online learning materials – FAQs, tutorials, podcasts and guides – these are available on the website at: www.cumbria.ac.uk/skills

- dedicated subject resource web pages are available at:www.cumbria.ac.uk/subjectresources

- Quest, the easy to use online discovery tool will help students search the University's journal collections, bibliographic databases and library catalogue from one search box at: www.cumbria.ac.uk/quest

- online resources are also available on the skills@cumbria tab of the University’s Blackboard site including access to the online version of Cite Them Right and the Turnitin test area.

These are incredibly useful to students, especially when the library is closed – perfect for those late nights essay writing! The opening times for the library, should you need to speak to somebody in person are available at http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/StudentLife/Learning/Resources/Libraries/LancasterCampus.aspx.

Students can also take part in group workshops – in liaison with course tutors – where the Learning Enhancement Advisers deliver skills development workshops, tailored to the subject discipline and level. You can request these workshops by emailing skills@cumbria.ac.uk.

You can also get individual advice and guidance (this is generally prioritised for students with specific identified needs, e.g. referral by tutor, borderline pass grades or reassessment). If you have accessed the online resources, and still don’t feel 100% about how to improve your grades, or want to discuss a specific issue you can arrange an appointment by either arranging an appointment at the LiSS desk in the library, or by emailing skills@cumbria.ac.uk. The initial appointment lasts 30 minutes, to determine priorities, next steps etc. This individual advice is available through face to face, telephone, email or virtual (e.g. Skype) appointments.

The Learning Advisers in LiSS have also created subject specific resources to assist students with learning. Follow this link, www.cumbria.ac.uk/subjectresources, and click on the relevant subject area. This will direct you to useful websites, news feeds, journals, books and e-resources.

To find out more about LiSS and the services they offer, please go to: http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/AboutUs/Services/LiSS/Home.aspx.

Alternatively, if you want to contact LiSS here are the contact details:
Tel: 01524 590871 (internal 5871)
Email: liss@cumbria.ac.uk

What can Cumbria University do for you?

The University of Cumbria has a range of services for a students on the Lancaster campus but due to many students being new to the university or requiring more of the services for research purposes, we are going take each week to explore and help you understand the services that are readily available for you.

These informative blog posts will be coming to you every Wednesday with an insight into each individual service, how to use it and how it can benefit you. You may already be aware of the services that are available but are apprehensive or unsure how to go about getting in contact with people or how to use them effectively.

We will be looking and talking with the staff that are involved with: 

•  LiSS – Library and Student Service. LiSS is accessible for all students and it focuses on the library services, student support and research.
•  Careers – the careers service is a fantastic support team who can help you throughout many apects of university and your future prospects.
• Quest/Jstor – online resources that are accessible to aid you with research and secondary research which is essential throughout your degree.
• Library Catalogue – the library catalogue informs you of all the books that are accessible from the library.
•  Finance – the finance team cover a range of money issues that a student can be faced with throughout their studying period.
•  Health and Wellbeing – university can be a stressful time and your health is important!

We hope to make the different services that are available easier to understand and clear up any confusion or problems you may have had.

'Ruskin Among the Giants' - The Mikimoto Memorial Ruskin Lecture 2013

For those of you who are either studying John Ruskin at the moment, or those of you who are just simply interested in him, there is a lecture being held on Thursday 14th November at 6pm.

This has been highly recommended by some third year students who attended the lecture last year whilst doing their Ruskin assignment, and have said that it proved to be incredibly useful.

If you would like to go along the details are as follows:

'Ruskin Among the Giants'

Professor John Batchelor

(Emeritus Professor, University of Newcastle)

at the Cavendish Lecture Theatre, Lancaster University

followed by refreshments

Thursday 14th November at 6pm

The link for the Mikimoto Memorial Ruskin Lecture 2013 is http://ruskinlibrary.wordpress.com/mikimoto-memorial-lecture/