Friday, 17 January 2020

Book Bus visit to PRC

The Book Bus Visit


This week Browns Books for Students Book Bus visited Peterborough Regional College. 

Photograph
Browns Books for Students Book Bus at PRC
Photograph
Inside the Book Bus
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Image leading up to the second floor

Students and staff from English, Science, Photography, Childcare, Youth Centre, Jobsmart & the Learning Resource Centre, chose books on a range of topics from the selection of books on board.

Our on site Nursery brought over a group of children to listen to the story Goat’s Coat by Tom Percival on the upstairs deck of the bus.

Picture of book cover
Book cover of Goat's Coat by Tom Percival 

It was a fantastic day. Students and staff chose a great selection of books for the LRC.

A big thank you to everyone involved.






Friday, 10 January 2020

Research Labs

New to the LRC: Research Labs


This month in the LRC we have introduced three research labs which can be booked out by students for research purposes. Students can book the labs at the main LRC desks and staff will be available to help students with their research and signpost them to the many resources that the LRC has to offer.

Photo of LRC Research Labs
Photo of LRC Research Lab
Students are able to book out laptops and link up to the large screens at the back of each lab.

Finding Resources for your Assignments


From 13th January we will be running daily drop in sessions from 12.15 – 1pm to assist students to Find Resources for their Assignments. If you are studying at PRC or UCP and you would like guidance to find books on the LRC catalogue, search our electronic resources for information or would like help using eBooks, you can come along to the research labs where a member of the LRC team will assist you.

Friday, 13 December 2019

December celebrations in the LRC


December celebrations in the LRC

This month in the LRC we are celebrating the season with colourful displays and competitions.

‘Twas the Night before Christmas’


The poem ‘Twas the night before Christmas’ is our overall display theme. Through different displays we have depicted parts of the poem, including a Christmas tree, fireplace decorated up for Christmas, children sleeping in their beds and a winter scene. We chose the poem as it is probably one of the most well-known of the Christmas verses.

Alongside the display we are running a competition asking students who wrote ‘Twas the night before Christmas’?

A Christmas Tree made up of old library books with paper decorations.
LRC Christmas Tree

Find the Reindeer Competition


We have hidden 8 of Father Christmas’s Reindeers, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen around the LRC, our second competition is for students to discover where the reindeers are located.

Gift for Christmas


Would you like to give a student the gift of a book this Christmas?

If you have a book at home which you have read and would like to donate to another student. Please bring it into the LRC for us to wrap up and place under the LRC Christmas tree.

LRC Loyalty Card


I hope that you have been enjoying reading books from the LRC this term. Students who return a book as a part of the LRC Loyalty Card Scheme in December will receive a small gift.

Have you renewed your books?


Please remember to renew your library books before the Christmas holidays.

Happy Christmas from the Learning Resource Centre

Thursday, 5 December 2019

UCP Library Resources Survey

UCP Library Resources Survey Feedback


In November we carried out a specific survey for our Higher Education students. 39 of you responded (about 5%) and results were analysed and also split between level 4s and the level 6s who use UCP's Canvas and the students who use ARU's Digital Library. A report has been shared with lecturers and UCP management as well as library staff.

The survey focused on the following topics:

Inductions

72% if you had either had an induction from a tutor, librarian or followed one online. This meant that there are still some students who have never had a library induction. The link to our Online induction and quiz can be found either on the Introduction to Library Services in your subject guide in Canvas (level 4) or via the LRC pages on the PRC student portal - there is a specific version for UCP students.
Picture of survey being filled in.
Photo - publicdomainpictures.net


Confidence in Accessing Online Library Resources

You said: Most students said they felt confident in accessing resources online although a number said they had never used a database. Students added that more guidance could be given including being shown in tutorials, demonstrations by a librarian, 1:1 help or providing guides.
We say: Remember that access will be easier if you use the links we give you in your subject guide, within the Student Portal or in ARU's library catalogue as these are specific to us and usually take you directly to our logging in page. Otherwise look for Institutional Access (or Campus access) or it may say via Shibboleth. You will probably have to select Peterborough Regional College from a list and you will then find yourself at the logging in page.
For level 4 students guidance for using specific databases is gradually being added to your guides.

Reading Lists

You said: Students indicated that they like their reading lists and most lecturers provide them (although not all). You wanted more varied texts, earlier access (before your module starts), information on the level and importance of the item to read and copies available in the LRC.
We say: The LRC has ordered copies of all items listed on level 4 and top-up degree reading lists (ARU provide them for levels 5 and 6 except top up degrees) where still in print. Where possible we have ordered eBooks so that more students can use the book at the same time. Sections can then be downloaded, copied and printed if preferred.


Study Excellence Sessions

You said. You said that you would attend a library study excellence session.
We say: So far this year no students have attended them. Responses to other questions suggest you might like this in tutorial time. We are also happy to help at any time in the LRC.

Person sitting at laptop with notebook
Photo by Startup Stock Photos from Pexels 


Where you like to study

You said: Most of you prefer UCP or home saying that the LRC is too busy and noisy with not enough tables and chairs.
We say: We do not have enough space for more tables and chairs. However we do have benching in the various rooms. We try to ensure that the noise is kept to a reasonable level. It is quieter first thing in the morning and late afternoon.

Other comments include: "great selection of relevant books in the LRC", "Staff at LRC are always really helpful and friendly, I like how easy it is to renew books via email or phone also".

Wednesday, 13 November 2019

LRC Reading Group Update


The Reading Group Books

Our Reading Group met for the first time in October and chose the books that we will be reading as a group this year. 

The books are:

Paper Towns by John Green
The ten thousand doors of January by Alex L Harrow
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
To all the boys I’ve loved before by Jenny Han
How to be happy by Eva Woods

Our students have chosen a good mix of books and I for one am looking forward to reading them.

Next meeting

For our next meeting on Wednesday 27th November 12.30 -1pm, we will be reading John Green’s Paper Towns. If you would like to join the Reading Group please speak to a member of staff in the LRC, you will be given a copy of the book which will be yours to keep.


If you enjoy reading why not join our Reading Group today.

Friday, 11 October 2019

LRC drop-in sessions and World Mental Health Awareness Day

LRC drop-in sessions 

Are you having problems finding information for your course work ? Do you feel like you are spending hours at your computer and not getting anywhere? 


Then the LRC drop in sessions may be for you.

The LRC runs two drop in sessions for FE on a Tuesday, 12:30 – 13:00 and a Thursday, 13:30 – 14:00 and an HE session on Wednesdays, 13:00 – 14:00.

The FE, Find it Fast sessions are for you if you are studying at college and having problems finding books on the LRC catalogue or want to search some of our electronic resources for information. You can come along to the small IT room in the LRC and a librarian can help you find information. You are welcome to also bring your sandwiches and have your lunch in this room if you do not have much time and are attending the session.

The HE, drop in sessions are for those studying at UCP. These sessions are also if you are having problems finding information for your coursework and would like some help and guidance. This session is also run in the small IT room and you are welcome to bring your lunch.
Photo of female student studying next to a laptop


Mental Health Awareness Day

In case you didn't see the video starring Ed Sheeran and Prince Harry, please see below.

Wednesday, 2 October 2019



October celebrations in the LRC

This month in the LRC we are celebrating Black History Month, National Poetry Day & National Libraries Week.

Black History Month

The month of October is Black History Month in the UK.  Black History Month provides an opportunity not only to celebrate achievements but also offers a chance to raise awareness of the events from history, identifying lessons which can be learned from the past.
 
A picture of LRC Black History Month Display featuring posters, books and dvd's.
Peterborough Regional College 


National Poetry Day

This year is the 25th Anniversary of National Poetry Day which takes place on Thursday 3rd October. National Poetry Day is the UK wide yearly celebration of poetry, to inspire everyone to enjoy, discover and share poems. Each year there is a different theme and in 2019 the theme is Truth.


Display of poetry books to celebrate National Poetry Day
Peterborough Regional College

National Libraries Week

Libraries Week is a celebration of the nation’s much-loved libraries. Libraries Week 2019 will take place between 7th - 12th October.

In the LRC we will be celebrating with the following events:

LRC Reading Group

Wednesday 9th October 12.00 - 13.00

FE/Access

‘Find it fast’ sessions
Finding resources for your assignments

Tuesday 8th October 12.30 – 13.00
Thursday 10th October 13.30 – 14.00

UCP

Wednesday 9th October 13.00 – 14.00 library drop-in
Study excellence sessions

In 2019 the theme is the role of libraries in the digital world. During this week we will be highlighting eBooks which are available for you to use.

LRC Loyalty Card


Take up our six book challenge and join the LRC Loyalty Card scheme to read six books and a chance to win a fantastic prize.

I hope that you will find a book that you would like to borrow from one our displays.