Merry Christmas!

                                                    Photo credit: @Doug88888

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a well deserved break! 

The library will close at midday on the 24th December and re-open on the weekend beginning the 3rd January, opening hours can be viewed on the library website:
 http://www.westminster.ac.uk/library-and-it/our-libraries/marylebone-library

All books issued now will be due back on the 5th January 2015.

If you want to get ahead ready for the new semester, why not book on to some of our upcoming library drop-in sessions.  They are short 30 minute sessions aimed at helping you make the most of our resources and improve your grades and tackle all your referencing needs.  Feel free to drop by or sign-up online here:
http://www.randrskills.signupsheet.com/

Digimap developments

                                      Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stewf/ 

There are a few new developments in the Digimap Service that should make life a lot easier for you.

 EDINA have been busy over the summer making improvements to the Data Download service and as a result you can now order OS MasterMap Topography Layer in formats ready for use in GIS or CAD software rather than having to convert the data first. We have also updated the Basket in Data Download to make it more obvious how you can do this. The data is available directly in DWG format for CAD software and File Geodatabase for ArcGIS and QGIS, see the following blog posts for more information:

• OS MasterMap now available in File Geodatabase format
• OS MasterMap now available in DWG format
• Data Download Basket Updates

Further help information for Digimap is avaialble here:

http://digimap.edina.ac.uk/webhelp/resources/index.html  

Help with locating architectural information in print journals

We have a wealth of information relating to architects and their projects and buildings, a lot of this information is held within our print collection of architectural related journals on the third floor of the library.  Unless you have been given a specific reference to where information has been published it can be difficult to trace this information via Library Search, as information in print journals that are not available electronically are not indexed.

I usually use and suggest the RIBA catalogue for tracing this type of content, as they do index their print journal collection.  You can then cross reference with the journal titles that we hold to find the relevant information.  I have created a short clip to demonstrate how you can use the RIBA catalogue to this effect:

Time for some re-growth and regeneration

The library has been going through a regenerative phase over the Summer and we can't wait to unveil it for you all to enjoy.  Thank you for bearing with us, it won't be long now...

Why don't you take the opportunity to improve your research skills by attending some of our sessions scheduled throughout semester one.  Topics include using Library Search to improve your marks, Referencing skills and a new addition delivered by our very knowledgeable Archive's team on using the Archive for architectural research. More details on sessions can be found here:
http://www.randrskills.signupsheet.com/

Supporting student group work

Most students understand the need for group work, some find it difficult to perform effectively within the small group setting.

Our Westminster Change Academy project aims to improve the student experience of group work.

We need your input and would very grateful if you would complete a short questionnaire, which should take no more than 5 minutes to complete by following the link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1t7g6MMDbDrNkunVovk2j-t737z9os8YpNwvno9PwFrM/viewform

 Thank you for your time.

On behalf of the Westminster Change Academy 'Supporting Student Group Work' project team.

 If you have any questions, please contact the project leader, John Begg, at J.Begg1@westminster.ac.uk

New online resource for planning

I am pleased to announce that we now have online access to the Development Control Practice resource or DCP Online for short.

We currently take the print version of this in the library which is reference only, so I hope the enhanced access to online will be helpful for students accessing remotely.

To access it you just enter Development Control Practice in to Books journals and more search tab, click on the online access tab and then Go next to Miscellaneous E-journals.

About DCP

First set up in 1982, Development Control Practice is now the essential guide for all those involved in the planning process. A comprehensive reference for everyone from developers and planning consultants through to local authorities:

· Wide-ranging, with 37 chapters the guide offers a unique combination of legislation, policy statements, appeal and court decisions and best practice.

· Reliable, the information is based on 65 years of combined practical development control knowledge.

· Up to date, bi-monthly updates ensure that DCP is constantly relevant and dependable.

· Easy to use, all formats include a clear user guide and simple index system.

· Full colour illustrations and helpful diagrams.

Set things off with a bang in 2014!

                                                     http://www.flickr.com/photos/kibondo/


Happy New Year! to all returning staff and students.

I hope you all had a good break and are all set for the year ahead.  Why not start as you mean to go on and come along to one of our scheduled drop-in sessions in the library, we have a range of topics to help you get the most out of our resources:

Get better marks using Library Search
Referencing the right way
Market Research

Find out more details here on our event booking page:
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/academic-liaison-team-marylebone-4685648539

All sessions are 30 minutes, so easy to pop in between other commitments.