Season's Greetings

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone in the Information Store. We look forward to seeing you again in 2012.

We are open!

We are open this week from 9am to 5pm (Monday to Friday). It is lovely and quiet if you need to concentrate on assignments.

Please note - we are closed from this Friday until we re-open on Wednesday 4th January. (We are closed on Tuesday 3rd January for staff training). 

New - UEA button

Have you spotted the latest addition to the Information Store's Blackboard homepage?

We have added a UEA button to make it easier for our degree students to access their resources. It looks a bit like this:

Are there any other improvements you would like us to make? Get in touch at tis@ccn.ac.uk, or leave a comment here on the blog.

The last day for second class Christmas posting is...

...Saturday 17th December.

We sell 1st and 2nd class stamps in the Infromation Store, so no need to brave the city at lunch time to buy stamps.

Lots of Christmas cards to post?

First Class stamps are 46p and Second Class stamps are 36p.


So save some pennies by posting early!

Christmas opening times

 INFORMATION STORE OPEN 9-5 on:

Monday 19 December

Tuesday 20 December

Wednesday 21 December

Thursday 22 December

Friday 23 December

CLOSED:

Saturday 17 December.

Also closed 24 December until 03 January inclusive.

Spring term begins Wednesday 04 January when normal hours will apply.  

Information Store: 01603 773114

*More UEA cards have arrived*

Please note that more UEA campus cards and passwords arrived from UEA last night. If you are still waiting for yours, please come to the Information Store desk.

Thank you for your patience.

NEW! Online Referencing Tutorial

We recognise that referencing is not always the easiest thing to do, or top on your list of priorities! 

However, good referencing can mean the difference between two grades.

We also appreciate that you like to study when you want, where you want. 

With all of this in mind, we have created an online tutorial, with step by step demonstrations on how to build a reference, and quizzes to test yourself. As always, if you are not sure, just ask and we will help. 

To access the tutorial, click here. For more referencing information, Go To Blackboard > Information Store > Help with referencing.

UEA passwords

If you are having problems getting your UEA password to work, please check that it does not include any "special characters", such as £$%*@!

Although the UEA SPOT system prompts you to include these, including them will stop your password from working. We recommend using a mix of uppercase, lowercase and digits.

E.g. Password1234

UEA are aware of the problem and hope to change the password help webpage.

Just not enough time in the week?

Did you know that we are open on Saturday morning's during term time, from 9:15am to 1:00pm?

It is a great time to catch up on assignments, there are plenty of PCs and friendly staff on hand to help you access resources.

See you tomorrow?

Down the rabbit hole....

We thought you might like to see some of our Children in Need antics, thank you to everyone involved. We raised £30.00 today, and ate a lot of cake!

Click the link to our Facebook page for the facepainting photos.

Below - Graham taking part in the Lands End to John O'Groats bike ride, well done!

Facepainting is back!

Come into the Information Store on Friday 18th November from 10.30-12.00 to join in the fun and fundraising.

Maybe you will choose a Pudsey face or a spotty bandage?

Or will you get face-painted in the theme of Alice in Wonderland, ready for the SU Mad Hatters tea party? How about the Queen of Hearts or a Cheshire cat?

Minimum donations of £1.00 for Children in Need.

Shhhhhh...

Need somewhere quiet to concentrate?

Have you tried the new Silent Study in the Information Store? It is the right hand room near the DVDs) and has both PCs and individual study spaces. It is for ALL students to use, and is a great space for focussing on tricky assignments.

IT help in the Information Store

Are you struggling with IT, or do you want to improve the skills you have?

Look no further!

This week have a display of some of the many IT software guides available to borrow. IT software guides are also in the Book Zone, on the first bookshelf you come to.

Also, always feel free to ask one of us if you are stuck when you are working on a PC in the Information Store. We will do our best to help, or to find someone who can.

(Image from Channel4.com)

Love reading? Try Book Crossing!

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. 
Inside of a dog it's too dark to read". 
Attributed to Groucho Marx

If you love reading as much as Groucho, have a go at Book Crossing.

New books have just been added to the Book Crossing Zone. 

Come in and help yourself to a book!

So, how does it work?

1. Come in and pick up a free book from the Book Crossing zone (near the printers, marked with "Book Crossing labels)
2. Take it home, read it, enjoy it
3. Log on to bookcrossing.com and enter the unique ID in the book
4. Say where you are going to leave the book for the next person to find it
5. Track your book's journey and see how far it travels!

Dyslexia Awareness Week - support available

This week is Dyslexia Awareness Week.

If you are interested in dylsexia, pop in to the Information Store to see the new display of resources.

If you think you might be dyslexic, you can book an appointment with a dyslexia tutor through Main Reception.

For more information, go to Blackboard > Student Services > Support for study > Dyslexia / dyspraxia support.

Register now for a chance to give away 24 books....

*Just announced* - the 25 titles that will be given away as part of World Book Night on April 24th, 2012.

Go to the website, www.worldbooknight.org, if you would like to apply to be a book giver.

They will be giving away 480,000 books on the night. If you are chosen to be a giver, you will receive 24 books to give away, to whoever you choose, in the spirit of promoting the love of reading.

 See below for the 25 titles you can choose from.

Can't wait until April to read them? See the shelf marks in brackets for copies we have. The librarians may well by more copies, so keep checking the catalogue!


The titles you can choose from are:

1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (823.7 AUS)
2. The Player of Games - Iain M Banks
3. Sleepyhead - Mark Billingham
4. Notes from a Small Island - Bill Bryson (914.1 BRY)
5. The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
6. The Take - Martina Cole
7. Harlequin - Bernard Cornwall
8. Someone Like You - Roald Dahl
9. A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens (823.8 DIC)
10. Room - Emma Donoghue (823.914 DON)
11. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier (823.91 (DUM)
12. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro (823.91 ISH)
13. Misery - Stephen King
14. The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic - Sophie Kinsella
15. Small Island - Andrea Levy (823.91 LEV)
16. Let the Right One In - John Ajvde Lindqvist
17. The Road - Cormac McCarthy
18. The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger (823.92 NIF)
19. The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox - Maggie O’Farrell
20. The Damned Utd - David Peace
21. Good Omens - Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
22. How I Live Now - Meg Rosoff
23. Touching the Void - Joe Simpson (796.522 SIM)
24. I Capture the Castle - Dodie Smith
25. The Book Thief - Markus Zuzak (823.92 ZUZ)

Studying from home this week?

Don't struggle on alone!

Don't forget, we are open this week, from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Alternatively, ring us on 01603 773114, or email us at tis@ccn.ac.uk for help.

We have lots of online resources that you can use from home, available via Blackboard. Go to the Blackboard homepage, and select "Information Store" from underneath "Useful links".

If you are at all stuck or unsure, or need an Athens password to access resources, please contact us - we're here to help.

Borrow for longer!

Borrow for longer over half-term!

You can borrow books, DVDs and CDs from the Information Store for an extra week over the half-term.  Why not drop by and pick up something to read, watch or listen to over the break?

We will be open 9 AM to 5 PM between Monday the 24th and Friday the 28th of October

eBooks

Are you stuck because you can't get into college, the book you want is already on loan or it's midnight and the assignment is due in at 9am?
    
Then try our eBook collection.  We have over 3,000 eBooks available covering a wide range of subjects and levels, all of which are free to use and can be accessed at college or at home. 

 For more details about our full eBook collection, go to:
> Blackboard homepage
     >Select Information Store (under Useful Links on the left)
             > Select the purple "eBooks" button.

Or follow this link.

How do I open an eBook?
Click on the title of the eBook     

     > Follow the instructions on screen to link to the eBook

        (you may need an Athens username and password - see above).

How do I search for eBooks?
The easiest way to search for e-books is to use the library catalogue:
Blackboard

     > The Information Store catalogue

     > Advanced search

     > Type in a search term and change the medium to eBooks

     > Press Search.

Do I need an eBook Reader?
No, not at all. Our eBooks are designed for reading online, whether at college, home or work.

Do I need an Athens password?
For some eBooks, yes. Setting up an account is quick and easy, but must be done on campus.

Please come in and ask us for details, or follow these instructions. 

And as always, any questions, just come into the Information Store and ask, or ring us on 01603 773224, or email us at tis@ccn.ac.uk

Is your Facebook page to blame?

"Of U.S. recruiters and HR professionals surveyed, 70% say they have rejected candidates based on information they found online". (Microsoft research by Cross-Tab in 2010).

Is it time you checked your Facebook privacy settings?

Look at the Facebook security tools page today.

Is it worth spending 10 minutes now in order to get the job of your dreams later??



Cross-Tab (2010) 'Online reputation in a connected world'. Forbes [Online]. Available at http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9709510 (Accessed 14 October 2011).

*NEW* Silent Study room

There is now a Silent Study room within Information Store A.

The room has 18 PCs, and lots of study tables for individual work. The space is available for everyone to use, and is particularly useful for concentrating on tricky assignments, or for those who just enjoy a bit of peace and quiet.

Come in and ask us for directions. 

FREE personal development sessions at College!

Are there things you struggle with sometimes? Does it get in the way of work or College? Do you wish you could get on with things and get your work done? Then these sessions are for you!

An external speaker from Moco is coming in to deliver sessions on personal development to any interested students. These sessions have been given excellent feedback by previous students – they’re not ones to miss! The sessions are:

Dealing with anger and frustration - Wed 5^th AND Wed 19^th October- 10am-12pm

Keeping calm in difficult situations.  This session looks at techniques to maintain control, thinking logically rather than emotionally

·    Self motivation - Wed 5^th AND Wed 19^th October, 1pm- 3pm  

      What makes us feel energised and wanting to get on with some things more than others.  Looking at simple yet effective motivational theory provides clarity and ideas

·     Managing stress - Tues 11^th  October AND Tues 1^st November, both 10-12pm

      Stress can be an ally if managed properly.  This session identifies ways of reducing “negative” stresses whilst maximising positive pressures

To book a place email Fay Ikin at f1ikin@ccn.ac.uk quoting your name, Student number and your course. Book now!

To look up what's on our shelves, try the online catalogue: http://heritage.ccn.ac.uk/Heritage/

You can also access it from the Blackboard homepage, under "Useful links" on the left, or from a Smartphone with the QR on this page.

With a PIN, you can also log in to renew and reserve items, and check what's on your account. Just ask us to set one up for you, it only takes a minute.

If you'd like more details on finding resources, check out the FAQs section on the Information Store homepage (again, the link is available from the Blackboard homepage, under Useful Links - select "Information Store"). It contains lots of video tutorials and helpsheets on finding resources.

As always, any questions, just ask!

Temporary solution...

There are currently problems with using the "Advanced search" function on the Heritage library catalogue.

We are working hard to fix this, but in the meantime, we recommend using Firefox as your browser. Please ask us if you would like help using Firefox as an alternative to Internet Explorer 9.

Yum!

Today is the last chance to browse our "Love British Food" display of gorgeous cookery books, celebrating British Food Fortnight.

What will you cook up this weekend?

Given the weather, I think I might try out a new ice cream recipe!

Did you know?

We hold all these newspapers :

The EDP, First News, The Guardian, The Mirror, The Telegraph, The Times, The Sunday Times, The Financial Times, Le Monde, The Independent and The Week.

We keep back copies back copies of all papers, and these are next to the comy seating area in the entrance.

So come in, sit back, and catch up!

New - HE Learning Zone

Have you tried out the new "HE Zone"?

It is in Information Store B, in the main Norwich Building, on the first floor.

It is a place for degree students to use PCs, access dissertations and other HE related resources. (All dissertations will have been graded at 2:1 or above).

There are a mixture of places to study, from group tables to comfy seating.

Have a look today and let us know what you think of it.

Job vacancy for students

Want to be a Shelving Assistant

in the

Information Store?

Shelving Assistants from £5.50 per hour

The role involves re-shelving resources within the Information Store. 

The hours are part time as and when required to fit in with your studies.

Applicants must be current students at the college.

Interested?

Apply online via vacancies tab on

CCN website

(job code 3319)

Closing date: 

Wednesday 28th September 2011

More free eBooks

In addition to our current eBook library of over 3,000 eBooks, we are also recommending bookboon.com, a website of free eBooks, written by university professors.

The books cover a wide range of subjects, and are well written. The only catch is that you do stumble on adverts throughout the books, but they are still well worth a look.

For more details about our full eBook collection, go to:
> Blackboard homepage
     >Select Information Store (under Useful Links on the left)
             > Select the purple "eBooks" button.

"Snazzy" self-service machines

The self-service machines have been up and running for a week now, and are proving extremely popular.

My favourite quote last week was from a member of the Student Union who said, "Wow, snazzy!".

You can issue, renew and return items using the machines, and we are always on hand to help.

You can also check your account to remind yourself what you have borrowed.

They are extremely fast, you can issue up to 4 books at a time, and don't forget to print off a receipt as a reminder of when everything is due back.

Let us know your comments....

World Book Night top 100 books

The World Book Night team have been asking people to vote for their favourite books, and now have a list of the top 100 votes...

The top 10 are:

1. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (823.91 LEE)
2. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (823.7 AUS)
3. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak (823.92 ZUS)
4. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte (823.8 BRO)
5. The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger (823.92 NIF)
6. The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien (823.91 TOL)
7. The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galalxy - Douglas Adams (791.447 ADA)
8. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte (823.8 BRO)
9. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier (823.91 DVD)
10. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini (823.91 HOS)

How many have you read?

Are there books on here that you have been meaning to read?

We stock all of these, have a look in the new Book Zone to find them, or come and ask us.
(The numbers in brackets are the shelf numbers in the Book Zone, follow the numbers round to find the books).

We're open!

We are so pleased to be back in business this morning.

It has been lovely to welcome people back as they pop in to see the improvements, which include:New lighting and heating in the Book Zone

• Self-service machines
• A Book Zone - all your books in one place
• An HE Zone - a dedicated study area for degree students (Information Store B)

More to come...

 

Pop in and say hi, we can't wait to see you.

We're almost ready...

The Information Store is re-opening on Monday (12th), we can't wait to show you what we've been up to!

Improvements include:

• Self-service machines
• A Book Zone (all your books in one room)
• An HE Zone, study space specifically for degree students.

Come in and see, and let us know what you think.

And we have more improvements in the pipeline...

Temporary home

A huge welcome to new students,

and welcome back to returning students!

As you can see, we are busy getting the Information Store ready for you, and we will be opening our doors for you to see the changes on Monday 12th September.

When we open, you will see that a new Book Zone has been created, putting all of your books in one room, to make them easier to find. Also, this will no longer be a silent area, so you can talk as you  browse.

We will also be introducing self-issue machines, so you can issue, renew and return your items at two new terminals. We will also be on hand to guide you through this. The introduction of self-isse machines will mean that there will be more staff available to help you find resources.

We are very excited about these changes, and some more planned for the near future. Watch this space!

This week:
Thank you for bearing with us while we get these changes ready.




Availability this week:
                                     Mon              Tues              Weds            Thurs          Fri
Info. Store B             8.15-9am       8.15-9am      8.15-9am      8.15-9am    8.15-9am    
(1st floor)                     5-7pm            5-8pm           TBC               5-8pm          5-6pm

Open Access Area   9am-5pm      9am-5pm     Closed         9am-5pm    9am-5pm                      
(C30, 2nd floor)

We've moved!

Please note we have temporarily moved...

For the rest of the summer holidays, please come to Information Store B on the first floor to return books, access PCs, get library related help etc.

If you are not sure where to go, ask at Main Reception and they will help you find us.

Alternatively, please ring us on 01603 773224 or email tis@ccn.ac.uk

Happy holidays!

The countdown continues...

Have you got everything you need for the summer?

Don't forget, the Information Store closes for refurbishment at 6pm tomorrow (Friday).

3 days to go!

The countdown is on until we close for our summer refurbishment.

Remember, you can borrow as many items as you want for the whole summer, including one week loans.

Get in quickly as Information Store A will be closed for the holidays from this weekend.

Stock up for summer

Borrow as many items as you need for the summer holidays.

We have selected some of our favourite summer fiction to get you started, come and have a browse and see what you fancy.

Books include Richard and Judy book club books, Costa award Winners, Orange award winners, and more.

A book for the beach, the airport, a camping trip, or with a cup of tea on the sofa?

Take all of the items you need for the summer NOW!

The Information Store is being refurbished from the 8^th of July.  We will have no access to our book stock after this date until September.

We have increased the number of items available per person to 50, and we can issue items through until the 12^th September.  Please borrow any items you will need for work, study or student support purposes as soon as possible.

If you will need to access to more than 50 items during this period or have any other questions about our summer refurbishment, please us contact at libhelp@ccn.ac.uk or on x.3048.

The Open Access Area C (C30) will be open Mon-Fri 9 am - 5 pm during the holidays for:

• Computing / Printing
• Comb binding
• Advice
• Small Reference collection

Dissertations have moved upstairs

The dissertations are now in Information Store B, on your left hand side if you come up the stairs from Information Store A.

You can search for dissertations by going to Blackboard > Information Store Catalogue > Advanced  > change the "Medium" to "Dissertation".

Alternatively, simply browse the dissertations. They are in the same order as your books, so if you usually find your books on the shelves at 370, look at dissertations numbered 370.

And, as always, just ask if you need help.

Films have moved!

The film DVDs usually found in the Silent Study Area (at 791.43), have moved to the lobby area at the entrance to the annexes.

If you are not sure where this is, please ask.

If, on the other hand, you would rather explore, they can be found by going into the Information Store, continuing as far as the stairs, turn immediately right and walk past the CD stands, and then straight ahead of you is the lobby area. There's plenty to choose from!

This move is part of our plans to make the Information Store easier for you to use. Watch this space for more news about our exciting plans this summer...

Information Store summer closure

Important!

The Information Store will be closed for the summer for refurbishment after Friday 8th July.

Please check this blog for any updates.

New in...and going fast!

The popular Palgrave "work-based learning student handbook" is now in.

They are on the shelves at 658.3124 HEL, in Annexe 2.

They are going fast though, so if there are none available, don't forget you can reserve a copy.

Come in and ask us, or reserve it  online (you will need a PIN, we can set this up for you).

Reduced! Bags now only £2.00.

We now have two styles of bag for sale in the Information Store:

They are only £2.00 each, available at the Information Store issue desk.


Which do you prefer?

Facebook online security quiz

Facebook have created a short online quiz (just seven questions) about how to stay safe online.

The quiz was created in conjunction with the National Cyber Security Alliance, the Anti-Phishing Working Group, and the Stop. Think. Connect. public awareness campaign.

Once you've taken the test, post a badge to your Wall and share tips with your friends so they can be more secure as well.

Click here to go to the test page.