Archive for December, 2008
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008
[youtube DqyoK3ApVeI]
Video introduction to the Great Central Warehouse University Library, University of Lincoln, UK. The video was developed by a team of students as part of the University’s 2007 Fund for Educational Development projects, and showcases the library’s award-winning building and services.
Tags: Brayford, FED, fund for educational development, GCW, Great Central Warehouse University Library, Lincoln, New Year's Day, United Kingdom, University Library, University of Lincoln, video, welcome
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Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008
…from all the staff of the University Library & Learning Resources, to all students, staff, associate and visiting readers! We look forward to supporting you and working with you in 2009.
Tags: card, Christmas, Lincoln Cathedral, New Year, New Year's Day, snow, University Library
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Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008
Library and Learning Resources and C.E.R.D. are piloting a peer-assisted learning (PAL) project, in which Student Advisers (undergraduates), will “rove” in key student working areas at three of the University’s campuses.
Student Advisers will offer first line study support, addressing information and academic literacy, I.T. enquiries and providing general mentoring and support for student learning. They will make referrals to specialist staff where appropriate, and assist with shelving and tidying, and maintaining printer/copiers.
These positions are being offered as PAID, part-time employment opportunities, up to the 30th of June 2009.
Successful candidates will be effective communicators, with good academic, research and I.T. skills. The role will involve sharing, with other undergraduates, experience gained while studying in a higher education environment.
We require up to twelve Student Advisers to offer “roving” support to other students at:
- Brayford Pool Campus
- Riseholme Park Campus
- Hull Campus
- The professional suite (Derek Crothall Building)
Full details of these Student Adviser posts can be found in the job description.
Tags: Brayford, Brayford Pool campus, Derek Crothall Building, GCW University Library, Hull, Hull Campus, job opportunities, PALs, peer-assisted learning, Riseholme, Riseholme Park Campus, roving support, Student Adviser, student advisers, student jobs
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Thursday, December 18th, 2008
Tuesday next week is the last day that the University as a whole will be open. On that day:
- The GCW University Library (Brayford Pool Campus) will stay open until 10:00pm; however desk services will finish at 2:00pm.
- At all other campuses, the LRCs will close at 2:00pm.
Our opening hours over Christmas / New Year are on the University Portal, and below…
Tags: Brayford, Brayford Pool campus, Christmas, desk services, GCW University Library, Holbeach, Hull, New Year's Day, opening hours, Riseholme
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Thursday, December 18th, 2008
Who would have guessed that a financial flop about a suicidal man would be voted best Christmas film of all time (according to HMV) and the Radio Times second best film never to have won an Oscar (after The Shawshank Redemption)? Anyone who has seen Frank Capra’s “It’s A Wonderful Life” would have to agree.
Set on Christmas Eve, the life of selfless family man George Bailey (James Stewart) is ripped apart when he falls into financial difficulties when the greedy bank manager Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) deceives him in an attempt to take over the small town of Bedford Falls. Unable to cope with bankruptcy and bearing the responsibility for the ruin of the town and many lives, George find himself contemplating suicide. He is saved by the prayers of the Bedford Falls residents whose thoughts send him Clarence (Henry Travers), an angel who can only earn his wings if he persuades George how important his life is by showing him what the world would be like without him. Confronted with a world controlled by Potter, and his loved ones dead, ruined or miserable, George realises that his life is meaningful and that he has had a wonderful life!
Personally, I recommend watching “It’s A Wonderful Life” on the big screen, but if your local cinema isn’t showing it this Christmas then you can borrow a copy from the University Library. Find it on the ground floor at 791.4372 its (once I return it of course!). I challenge anyone not to shed a tear at this Christmas classic.
Did you know? “It’s A Wonderful Life” was filmed during a heat wave and you can often see James Stewart sweating. It got so hot that Capra gave everyone a day off to recuperate.
Did you know? Prior to this film, cornflakes were painted white for the falling snow effect. Unsurprisingly, the crunching noise was too loud so a new snow effect was developed using foamite (a fire-fighting chemical), soap and water which was then pumped at high pressure through a wind machine to create the silent, falling snow.
Q. What clerical error led to “It’s A Wonderful Life” becoming so popular?
Written by Katie Robertson
Tags: bank, Bedford Falls, Christmas, Christmas Eve, DVD, fire-fighting chemical, Frank Capra, George Bailey, greedy bank manager, Henry Travers, It's a Wonderful Life, James Stewart, Katie Robertson, Lionel Barrymore, Oscar, Potter, quizzes, Radio Times, University Library
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Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
Congratulations to Academic Subject Librarian Kevin Cooper, who (last Friday, at the inauguration of Lord Victor Adebowale, CBE, as the University’s second Chancellor) was presented with an award in recognition of his contribution to the University over many years – in his multiple roles as (at various times) student, technician, and subject librarian; and for his work as Trade Union official.
Well done, Kev!
Terry O'Sullivan and Kevin Cooper with their awards. Photo: University Press Office
After being praised for his ”flexibility, co-operation, creativity and never-failing tact and courtesy”, Kevin accepted the award on behalf of all the other support staff in the University who, he felt, equally deserved such recognition. Our congratulations, too, to Terry O’Sullivan from the School of Health & Social Care, who received an award alongside Kevin.
And finally, a warm welcome to Lord Adebowale from the staff of Library and Learning Resources!
Lord Victor Adebowale, the new Chancellor. Photo: University Press Office
Tags: Academic Subject Librarian, and subject librarian, awards, Chancellor, Hull, Kev Cooper, Kevin Cooper, official, School of Health & Social Care, second Chancellor, social work, technician, Terry O'Sullivan, Trade Union, University Press Office, Victor Adebowale, welcome
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Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
…students helping the University to improve its I.T. infrastructure for the benefit of students…
Find more information, and complete the survey online, at: https://portal.lincoln.ac.uk/C12/C13/ATAWSurvey/
Tags: computer network, netbook, prizes, survey
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Monday, December 15th, 2008
Advance notice of possible interruption in access to Cambridge Journals Online, this weekend.
“Please note that there may be intermittent interruptions in service to our Cambridge Journals Online customers on Sunday, December 21st, and Monday, December 22nd, from 8 pm until 9 pm BST (3 pm until 4 pm EST) each day, as maintenance must be performed on the server.”
Tags: Cambridge, Cambridge Journals Online, e-journals, Online customers, service interruptions
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Thursday, December 11th, 2008
Was that Robby the Robot I saw in the University Library?
For all too short a time last September, the foyer to the University library was the home to a quite loveable robot designed and built by one of the University’s leading scientists working in the field of robotics, Dr K. T. Robotson.
Now, I must admit that that this friendly hunk of metal had an uncanny resemblance to a rather famous American film star of the 1950’s called `Robby the Robot` who appeared in the cult sci-fi film, Forbidden Planet.
The film is based, very loosely, on Shakespeare’s `Tempest` and tells the story of a crew of space explorers travelling millions of miles from earth to check on a colony living on a distant plant. Full of 50’s kitsch, crazy character names and filmed in glorious technicolour , the movie outshines more contemporary sci-fi in the way that it simply tells a cracking good story with zany characters and incorporates the use of wonderful special effects alongside a bizarre electronic music score. Inspired…yes…and this was partly due to the zeal, at that time, to explore the frontiers of space and ‘boldly go.’
So forget Eastenders and Corrie tonight - grab a copy of this lost gem as it’s tucked away on the DVD shelf at 791.4372 for and don’t forget….. no requesting on available copies!
So what has happened to our library robot? .And what indeed was the name of this metallic monster? I will have to make some enquiries and, as yet, can only wait, wonder and, hopefully, marvel at Dr Robotson’s next creation!
Q. Name the actor in `Forbidden Planet` who appeared in the comedy film, Airplane?
Written by John Hart
Tags: actor, DVD, Forbidden Planet, John Hart, K. T. Robotson, metal, quizzes, Robby the Robot, robots, Tempest, University Library
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Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
Students now have free access, via the University Portal, until the end of June 2009, to two new services on the EBSCOhost databases platform:
Designed for undergraduate students, the Research Starters…
“…consist of comprehensive, yet concise topic summary articles of about 3,000 words in length written by researchers, scholars and other subject matter experts. Topics parallel course offerings at major colleges and universities in the subject areas covered. These articles are designed to be starting points for students, providing them with topic overviews, definitions of relevant terms and concepts, detailed bibliographies, and importantly, links to top articles… Research Starters supplements textbooks and other materials with current and focused topic overviews, assisting students in undertaking their assignments and research successfully.”
Let us know what you think!
Tags: business, EBSCOhost databases, education, Research Starters, trial
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