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/

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.

Make your own maps

A recent article in the independent talks about the future of map creation and a movement called "open-source mapping". With the advent of smartphones and GPS people are able to create personalised maps adding locations and social layering features.

The following sites have more information/applications to create your own maps:
Mapbox http://www.mapbox.com  
MapTales http://maptal.es/
CartoDB http://cartodb.com
Soundcities http://www.soundcities.com
Google Map Maker http://www.google.co.uk/mapmaker
Waze http://www.waze.com/

You can also use Digimap to create maps and extract ordnance survey data accessible via Library Search Watch this video for a basic introduction:

Semester 2 Drop-in sessions

               Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/garrellmillhouse/

 

Have you ever struggled to get access to an article from home, can't get to the full text?

Losing marks for incorrect referencing?

Trying to find images and film content but don't know where to start?

 

If you find yourself asking any of the above then why not come along to our drop-in sessions where we can help you access and use a wealth of resources to help you succeed and excel in your studies.

 

The sessions are all designed so that you can drop-in between 12pm and 3pm to get answers to your questions and see live demonstrations - you can stay for however little or long you need.  All sessions will take place in the Library Training Room in the North Area, 1st floor.

 

Access articles remotely

Tuesday 19^th Feb 12-3pm

Tuesday 26^th Feb 12-3pm

 

Referencing help with RefWorks

Wednesday 6^th March 12-3pm

Wednesday 13^th March 12-3pm

 

Access images and multimedia

Tuesday 19^th March 12-3pm

Tuesday 26^th March 12-3pm

Welcome back!

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickwheeleroz 

Happy New Year!

Welcome back hope you all had a good Christmas break and are ready to start the Spring term.  We will be running some drop-in sessions in the library at the beginning of this semester aimed at helping you to get the best out of Library Search and its resources - it is also a great opportunity to get to know your Academic Liaison Librarian.

Feel free to come along to any of the sessions or even pre-book here http://bit.ly/X2LEMr

 Meet staff to help you get the most out of your library

Get tips on using resources to save time

Get help finding resources for your assignments

Visit your new library

 Wednesday 16^th Jan 11-3pm

Tuesday 22^nd Jan 11-3pm

Wednesday 30^th Jan 11-3pm

Tuesday 5^th Feb 11-3pm

We will also be advertising some new drop-in sessions for the remainder of semester 2, so please check in the library or this blog for more details coming soon.

Let it snow....

We will be closing for Christmas on Friday 21st December and re-opening in the New Year on the Thursday 3rd January.

Please remember to renew your books online via the 'My account' area in Library Search.

All 3-week loans issued on 30th November or later will not be due back till after the New Year, and any 1-week loans issued on 14th December or later will similarly not be due back till the New Year.

 

If you want to borrow a laptop over the Christmas holidays please borrow it on the 21st and return on the 3rd January.

 

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas!

How to research your assignment

Having trouble researching your assignment, take a look at this helpful multimedia guide produced by some library colleagues.

It breaks up doing your research into three stages, advising on keyword selection, where to look for the information and useful search techniques to try out.

You will find lots of books in the library and online which will help with doing your research too, try looking on Library Search for topics on research and library skills, critical thinking and study skills.

Get a head start!

Your ticket to getting a good start with library resources!

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/53370644@N06/

Find Your Library Strengths

             Get tips on using resources to save time

             Get help finding resources for your assignments

             Visit your new library

             Meet staff to help you get the most out of your library

Wednesday 3rd Oct 11-4pm

Tuesday 9th Oct 11-4pm

Wednesday 17th Oct 11-4pm

Tuesday 23rd Oct 11-4pm

No need to book, just drop-in anytime between 11am and 4pm, more information available about us here:

https://sites.google.com/a/my.westminster.ac.uk/marylebone-library-orientation



Accessing digital editions of AJ

You can access digital editions of the Architect's Journal (AJ) via the Construction Information Service which is available via Library Search:

Within the Construction Information Service, once you have selected University of Westminster from the drop down list and then select Construction Information Service (view product).  On the next screen you will need to scroll down till you see the Technical Resources heading and Access Industry Journals:

Click on the heading Architects Journal, you will then be logged into the AJ's website:

Click on 'This week's magazine Digital edition to view it online:

Broaden your horizons

New E-book titles

Here are the lastest titles available in electronic format which can be accessed anywhere, anytime anyplace...

Planning in the USA: policies, issues, and processes (3rd ed.) / Barry Cullingworth and Roger W. Caves


https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780203890943

Urban Data Management Symposium (25th : 2007 : Stuttgart, Germany) Urban and regional data management : UDMS annual 2007 : proceedings of the Urban Data Management Society Symposium 2007 : Stuttgart, Germany, 10-12 October 2007 / editors, Volker Coors ... [et al.]


https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780203931042

Lessons for the Big Society: planning, regeneration and the politics of community participation / by Bryan Fanning, Denis Dillon


https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9781409420699

Alcohol, drinking, drunkeness : (dis)orderly spaces / Mark Jayne, Gill Valentine, Sarah L. Holloway


https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9781409423300

Multi-owned housing : law, power and practice / edited by Sarah Blandy, Ann Dupuis, Jennifer Dixon


https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9781409408956

Architecture and revolution : contemporary perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe / edited by Neil Leach


https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780203208335

Architecture and revolution : contemporary perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe / edited by Neil Leach


https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780203208335



Architect's drawings : a selection of sketches by world famous architects through history / Kendra Schank Smith

https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780080454658



Twenty buildings every architect should understand / Simon Unwin

https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780203849392



Ethics for the built environment / Peter Fewings

https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780203926901



Building services handbook : incorporating current building & construction regulations (6th ed.) / Fred Hall and Roger Greeno

https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780080969831



Ethics and the built environment / edited by Warwick Fox

https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780203130513



Politics, planning and homes in a world city / Duncan Bowie

https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780203855577



Public places - urban spaces : the dimensions of urban design (2nd ed.) / Mathew Carmona ... [et al.]

https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9781856179041



Urban and regional planning (5th ed.) / Peter Hall and Mark Tewdwr-Jones

https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780203861424



Public and private spaces of the city / Ali Madanipour

https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780203402856



Urban planning in Europe : international competition, national systems and planning projects / Peter Newman and Andy Thornley

https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780203427941



Spatial planning and urban development : critical perspectives / Pier Carlo Palermo, Davide Ponzini

https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9789048188703



Online research methods in urban and planning studies : design and outcomes / Carlos Nunes Silva [editor]

https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9781466600751



Naked city : the death and life of authentic urban places / Sharon Zukin

https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://idp.wmin.ac.uk/entity&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780199741892

Baffled by E-books?

Unlock everything you'll ever need to know about E-books!

Come along to our E-book event and discover 1000's of books just a click away...

Monday 20th February                   1-2pm            Library Welcome Area
Tuesday 21st February                  1-2pm            Library Welcome Area
Wednesday 22nd February           1-2pm            Library Welcome Area
Thursday 23rd February                1-2pm            Library Welcome Area
Friday 24th February                      1-2pm           Library Welcome Area

The Library Welcome Area is situated on the first floor of the Library to the right of the Library counter.

Looking for images?

Having trouble sourcing quality images to inspire and inform design projects and course work?

Try accessing the following two web resources:

e-architect.co.uk

e-architect is one of the world's largest architecture websites with over 14,000 pages. e-architect is run by Adrian Welch and Isabelle Lomholt. Adrian and Isabelle both trained as architects but their strong interest in architecture led them to focus their energies on an online architectural resource rather than practicing. e-architect.co.uk features building news, events, competitions, photos, jobs, awards and products. It features a range of building types from houses to skyscrapers, plus major landscape and interior projects.

Buildings on flickr
Building magazine has created a flickr site where members can add their photographs, some fantastic images covering a range of buildings both UK and internationally. Coverage can also be quite modern due to its currency as a group.

Library Search
Listed under E-Resources in Library Search, you can select an images & multimedia category from E-Resources by type drop-down menu. The following are useful for sourcing images:
VADS (Visual Arts Data Service)
English Heritage Viewfinder
RIBA British Architectural Library Catalogue Online (RIBApix)

Image credit: Turner Gallery, Margate by Em Mires

Welcome to all new and returning students

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome new students to the library and this blog, I am Emma Mires the Academic Liaison Librarian for Architecture and the Built Environment and I look forward to seeing and meeting you during orientation sessions.

More information can be found regarding our services by visiting the Library & IT webpage's you can also ask questions via the blog and email me at mirese@wmin.ac.uk

New and returning students may also like to attend some of the drop-in sessions for library resources that we have planned for this semester you can view the schedule on the Library & IT training pages - no need to book just come to the library training room.

Research resources

View the following online visual presentation to find out more about the essential resources available for you during your studies here at Westminster.

Online tutorials of Library Search can also be accessed from the library homepage, and will give you a good overview of its key features.

New Architecture e-books

Smart materials and new technologies for architecture and design professionals by Michelle D. Addington

Tooling by Benjamin Aranda

Space time play computer games, architecture and urbanism - the next level by Steffen Friedrich Von Borries

All of these titles can be found by searching in Library Search