Library scanning/print services downtime and maintenance: 8 – 16 December

Posted on 04/12/2020 by David :-)

8 December: Copy & Print area

Due to essential maintenance and upgrading work, some devices in the Copy and Print area of the Library will not be available for Scanning throughout the day.  Please check individual devices for their scanning status.  Printing and copying will not be affected.

9-10 December: scanned chapter/articles

Content links to scanned articles and chapters made available through Library Lists and Moodle via the DCS (Digital Content Store) will be temporarily unavailable due to sceheduled infrastructure work on the DCS.

Scans will be inaccessible from 7pm on Wednesday 9 December to 7am on Thursday 10 December 2020.

We apologise for any inconvenience during this essential downtime. If readings are needed during this time, we recommend that you download or print required scans ahead of time for offline access.

14 December: Library printers

Due to essential upgrading work, the printers will not be available for use on Monday 14 December until after 10 am

16 December: Mobile, Linux and Mac printing

Mobile, Linux and Mac printing will not be available from 7am to 9am on Wednesday 16 December.  Printing from Library PCs will not be affected and will be available as normal.

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Fancy a game of research data?

Posted on 01/12/2020 by David :-)

Alex Ball, Research Data Librarian (Systems), would like to tell you about the launch of the Research Data Management Adventure, a text adventure that might just help you manage your research data a little better.

I want to talk to you about research data. It’s important that I talk to you about research data. It’s very easy to go wrong with research data, and if you do, you could end up losing years of work or even, if you go really wrong, facing prosecution.

It might be that you don’t know much about all that, and will be glad to hear what I have to say. It might be that you know everything you need to know already. Or it might be that there are gaps in your knowledge you don’t know about; gaps that turn out to be timebombs. I have no idea. Maybe you have no idea either.

So how do we start this talk? I don’t want to bore you. You don’t want to be bored. But there are things you need to know. Hmm. I could set you a test, but no-one likes tests. What if I call it a quiz? Better? No?

When I was growing up, I enjoyed reading gamebooks. I still have examples on my shelves of Choose Your Own Adventure and Fighting Fantasy titles; if you haven’t seen these, you might have seen similar series like Find Your Fate or Decide Your Destiny. These books are broken down into numbered passages, and at the end of each passage you are offered a choice of which to read next. By making different choices, you can end up reading a very different story.

What if, instead of giving you a test, I tell you a story. A story where you are running a large-scale project for the first time, and you have to get the funding, guide the research, publish the papers. And I’ll give you some choices, and those choices will push your story in a certain direction. If you know everything already, you’ll get a happy ending, a hundred points and a feeling of smug satisfaction. If you don’t, you’ll probably make some mistakes, but that’s okay. You learn from mistakes – I know I do – and I’d much rather you make your mistakes now, in my story, than in real life. And even if you don’t learn everything you need from those mistakes, you’ll at least know what to go and find out to avoid making those mistakes again.

My story, by the way, is what is known as a text adventure, or more generally, interactive fiction. Apart from gamebooks, there are other types of interactive fiction. You might have seen text-based computer games where you type in commands like ‘go west’ or ‘get lamp’. My story does not involve any typing, so it’s a bit more like a gamebook, but it remembers what you’ve done like those command-based games.

I shouldn’t call it my story. It is a collaborative effort, after all. I wrote it with my colleague Nushrat Khan here at the University of Bath and Samuel Simango at Stellenbosch University. But it’s not even our story, because we’ve just written the building blocks. It’s not a proper story until you put it together by interacting with the fiction, going on the adventure, playing the game.

Interested? Play the game now, and see what kind of Research Data Management Adventure you have.

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Sharpen up your information skills in Skills and Employability Week

Posted on 29/10/2020 by Hilary

This week is the University Skills and Employability week, an ideal chance to improve your information and research skills!  The Library has lots on offer all year round to help you with everything from literature searching to referencing to managing your data. 

Check out our range of online Library guides, including specialist support for your subject area.  Our latest guides include:

Your Subject Librarian also provides online library and information skills training and support, in many cases integrated into your course. Find out who your Subject Librarian is and contact them with any questions

Doctoral student?  Check out the Library’s range of online courses available via the Doctoral Skills training programme

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You can now book study spaces for more than 8 hours per week

Posted on 19/10/2020 by David :-)

The online study space booking system has been updated to remove the limit on the number of hours you can book per week. You can continue to book study space slots for 1-4 hours at a time, with a 1 hour gap between each of your bookings; they are still non-consecutive. However, you can now book an unlimited number of study space sessions per week.Study spaces unlimited

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Beware email ‘phishing’ attempts

Posted on 15/10/2020 by David :-)

University of Bath students and staff may be targeted by ‘phishing’ attacks – emails pretending to come from the Library, IT services or other university professional services.

We’d like to remind all users of the official advice offered by the Digital, Data & Technology (DD&T) Group detailed here:

https://www.bath.ac.uk/guides/identifying-phishing-scams-and-fake-emails/ 

[The University] will never ask for your login by email. If you get an email like this, it could be an attempt at fraud known as ‘phishing’.

The phishing email is usually an urgent message with a link to a website that copies an official page, but is actually fake, such as the University login portal. The fraudster will try to trick you into entering [personal] information that is useful to gain access to any of your accounts or financial information […].

If you have followed a link in a phishing email

  1. If you have entered any financial details, contact your bank immediately and tell them that you have been the victim of an email scam. Do not wait to contact DD&T before doing this.
  2. If you have entered your University password, change it using Account Manager. If you have used this password on other accounts, change it on those as well.
  3. Contact the Service Desk so we can advise you what to do next.
  4. Run a full antivirus scan on your computer or device.


The library does send a number of automated advisory emails about borrower accounts, reservations and item recalls.  However,  the Library would never have any reason to ask you for your IT password OR to login to any online portal or borrower account to confirm your account status or re-register for library membership or access to online resources.

If you are ever in doubt about an email you’ve received, please visit the University homepage and look for a contact email or phone number to follow up with a member of University staff directly – do not use any emails or weblinks provided in the suspicious email.   The Library can be reached via library@bath.ac.uk

Posted in biology & biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, computers, doctoral students, electrical engineering, engineering & design, health, humanities & social sciences, Issue Desk, management, mathematical sciences, mechanical engineering, pharmacy & pharmacology, physics, polis, postgraduates, Science, social and policy sciences, staff news, website | Leave a comment

Celebrating Black History Month: The Black Literature and Culture Collection

Posted on 01/10/2020 by Peter Bradley

Image by ekavesh from Pixabay 

Black History Month (BHM) takes place in October and this year’s BHM should prove even more thought-provoking than usual given the dramatic impact of George Floyd’s death just a few month ago. We’ve seen an increased willingness in people to confront present-day realities by finding out more about historic legacies and by listening to a wider range of voices. The Library supports these endeavours through the ongoing development of its Black Literature and Culture Collection.

The collection consists of popular fiction and academic books, with themes ranging from UK/international perspectives, healthcare, immigration, the internet, justice, radicalism, white privilege, body politics, feminism, trangenderism, queer identity and beyond. Please browse the Library List of titles in the collection – you’ll notice that some of the titles include links to e-book copies that you can read online for free.

You can also vote for new books that you would like added to the collection (from a listed of 49 suggested titles). To register your vote, please complete this short survey. In the final section of the survey, you’ll have the opportunity to recommend further books. Alternatively, you can email any recommendations to library@bath.ac.uk

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Library Levels 3, 4 and 5 will reopen on Thursday 24 September

Posted on 22/09/2020 by David :-)

Reopening LEvels 3, 4 and 5The following information will help you to get ready for reopening of the Library’s upper floors on Thursday 24 September 2020. Our current staff and students will regain access to these subject floors in addition to the recently reopened Level 2. The following services, facilities and resources will become available from Thursday:

  • student at bookshelvesDirect access to the Library’s physical collections on the shelves. Search and browse for books on Levels 3-5, bring them to Level 2 and borrow them using the self-issue machines (or photocopy and scan from them using the multifunction devices provided). Continue to return books to us via the book slots next to the self-issue machines. Books can also be returned via the book drop at the Virgil Building during its opening hours
  • Over the summer whilst the upper floors were closed we ran a click and collect service facilitating staff and student access to over 1100 books. From Thursday 24 September, you can collect the books you want from the shelves. As a result of this, the reservations system will return to normal; if the book you want is on loan, you will be able to reserve it using the Library catalogue and collect it when it’s ready from dedicated shelving on Library Level 2
  • student at study spaceFrom Thursday 24 September, study spaces in the Library Levels 2-5 must be booked online. This is important so that only a safe number of people are in one area at a time. All the spaces are socially distanced and for individual study only
  • You will be able to book a space for up to 4 hours at time, with a minimum of 1 hour between bookings i.e. you can have multiple bookings but not consecutively. Bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance, by following the link at: go.bath.ac.uk/study-spaces
  • The areas at the front of Levels 3-5 are timetabled for teaching during semester, Monday to Friday, 8am to 7:15pm, but are bookable at other times. Other University study spaces on and off campus will also be made available for bookings
  • Finally, with Level 4 reopening, our Archive and Research Collections will become accessible by appointment

Study spaces must be booked online

Library regulations infographicTo keep everyone safe please:

  • Wear a face covering whilst in the Library unless you have an exemption or are seated in one of our study spaces
  • Use the hand sanitiser at the Library entrance/exit
  • Avoid touching the entry gates – Library card access is contactless
  • Observe the social distancing measures in place to help you navigate the Library safely and keep 2m apart
  • Signage will guide you to one-way systems around the building.  The West staircase is designated for going ‘up’ only and the East and North for going ‘down’ only
  • The public lift is for use only by staff and students with a disability or mobility impairment, one person at a time. Please use the stairs if you can!
  • Only access the upper floors if you have a study space booking, need to borrow print books, or have timetabled teaching. Level 1 will not currently be reopening due to insurmountable obstacles to doing so safely
  • Please keep windows open – good ventilations helps us stay safe
  • As usual, only keep cups, thermoses, bottled and lidded drinks are allowed in the main Library spaces. Disposable cups are not permitted in support of the University’s environmental initiatives and ‘leave no trace’ campaign to reduce waste
  • Food is allowed in the teaching areas at the front of the upper floors during timetabled teaching only. You can also use the snack area to the right of the University Reception & Security Desk. 
  • Please keep the Library windows open – good ventilations helps us stay safe

For everyone’s safety, we’ve moved some of our staffed services online. Friendly Library staff are on hand online to answer all of your queries – from the simple to the complex. Email library@bath.ac.uk or use the ‘Ask a Librarian’ service on the Library homepage.

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Library study spaces: online booking

Posted on 22/09/2020 by David :-)

The Library’s study spaces  must now be booked online. The process is explained below:

Booking our study spaces

Study space booking infographic 1Current staff and students can book Library study spaces online at: go.bath.ac.uk/study-space

Study spaces must be booked for use. This is to ensure that our Covid-limited spaces are used safely by as many as possible

You can book up to 7 days in advance so that you can find an available space before you set off

You can book a space for up to 4 hours at a time

With a minimum of 1 hour between bookings i.e. bookings cannot be consecutive

Bookings timeslots are available Monday to Sunday

To give flexibility, timeslots can commence on the hour or half past the hour

Booking infographic 2


After you have booked a space you will receive a confirmation email

Follow the link in the email to verify the booking. You must do so within an hour of placing the booking

You can cancel a booking at any time by following a link from the confirmation email

A reminder of your booking email will be sent to you 2 hours before your booking begins

When you arrive at the space you have booked, you must check-in using the link in your booking confirmation email

You need to check-in within 15 minutes of the start of your booking, otherwise it will be cancelled and the space will become available for booking again

You must vacate the building when your allocated time slot is finished

Please observe the following regulations in the Library’s Study Spaces

Library regulations infographicAll students and staff must observe social distancing and regularly wash their hands

Hand sanitiser is available at the entrance of the building and must be used

Face coverings must be worn within the building unless you have an exemption or are seated at a study space

One-way systems will operate around the library, these must be adhered to

Entrances and exit routes will be clearly signposted within the building

Food is not allowed in the Library Study areas, except in teaching spaces at the front of Levels 3, 4 and 5 (during taught sessions)

Bottled soft drinks and water are permitted as well as drinks in re-useable cups with lids and thermos flasks. Disposable cups are not permitted

Please keep the Library windows open – good ventilations helps us stay safe

Contact the Library:  library@bath.ac.uk

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Access to Library for local members

Posted on 11/09/2020 by Hilary

The government closed all Libraries on 23rd March 2020.  

As we cautiously reopen for returning staff and students for this academic year, it is with regret and by necessity that access to the Library will be restricted to current members of the University only, because of covid-19 and social distancing requirements.  

We will reinstate external and alumni memberships as soon as we are able and when we do all memberships will be re-set for a full year. 

For those who have paid for their membership and would prefer a refund pro-rated to the point at which we closed in March, please email library@bath.ac.uk. If you have an urgent need to access Library collections, please write to the University Librarian at liskmr@bath.ac.uk.  

We have also gathered some openly accessible resources from the internet covering various topics that might be of interest: https://www.bath.ac.uk/guides/online-resources-for-university-alumni/

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Library Services Update 14 September

Posted on 07/09/2020 by David :-)

Library staff have been busy preparing for the start of the new semester. We’re looking forward to supporting you and have changed a few things to make your use of the Library as safe and easy as possible.

Level 2 of the Library is already open to current University staff and students 24/7, with spacing, access routes and signage arranged for 2-metre social distancing. Self service facilities and socially-distanced study spaces are available, as well as 30 PCs.

Our Reserve for Collection service is available for access to our print collections, and you can return books to us by putting them in the book returns basket near the self-issue machines, or to the Virgil Building during advertised opening hours. Library scanning services such as Bath Copies have also been reintroduced so you can request chapter/article scans without coming to campus. The Copy and Print area has reopened with several multifunction printers available for self-service printing, copying and scanning. You can top-up your printer credit online

Library Services UpdateThe Library’s upper Levels are currently closed, but will be re-opening in time for the beginning of Semester 1. During Semester, staff and students will be able to access and self issue our print collections directly, and place reservations on loaned items. Socially distanced individual study spaces will be available to book via a new online system so you can reserve your study seat. The front parts of Library Levels 3, 4 and 5 (formerly PC areas) are timetabled for teaching during semester daytime and will be available to book for study at all other times. Additional study spaces have been made available by the University, both on campus and in the city.

The Library’s extensive e-collections remain open via our catalogue and web pages. Our enquiry services have moved online. If you would like any help, please refer to our Library web pages. If you have any questions please contact our librarians using library@bath.ac.uk or our Ask a Librarian service.

Entrance to the Library via the turnstiles is contactless, using your Library card. Please use the hand sanitiser provided. Please wear a face covering whilst moving around the Library, unless you have an exemption or are seated in a socially distanced study space.

To limit travel around campus and minimise queuing in the Library, we aim to send Library cards by post to new and returning students and staff. Please contact Library staff for advice via library@bath.ac.uk BEFORE coming to the Library Issue Desk in relation to any Library card query.

Keep an eye on the Library and University homepages for further announcements.

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