International Students Induction 2011 Welcome to Library & Information Services

Individual Support

Contact your Information Specialist ► Information Specialists support students in finding and using Library resources. Each subject has a designated Information Specialist who you can contact if you would like help ►Contact details available on the Library Website and Blackboard ►There is also a member of staff in the Library responsible for supporting International students, Clare Langman ►If you have any comments or suggestions how we could improve our support for International Students please contact Clare

Opening hours Library is open until 11:00pm weekdays during term. Help Desk is open – weekdays. During evenings and weekends, self service is available. 24/6 opening hours during exam periods. Go to for more informationwww.aston.ac.uk/lis/openinghours Entrance to the Library is by swipe access only You must carry your ID card at all times and must never lend it to anyone else or borrow anyone else's card – breach of regulations will incur a fine

Using mobile phones in the Library Mobile phones The ground floor and stairwells are designated mobile phone zones. Please do not disturb people by using mobile phones or talking in silent areas.

Computer facilities in the Library Computers in the Library ►All computers are on a first come, first served basis ►Use your Aston username and password to login ►Wireless is available throughout building ►Laptops available to borrow from the Help Desk on the Ground Floor while the desk is staffed

Studying in the Library Study areas 3 rd floor silent study only 2 nd floor flexible study area – silent study during exam periods Ground floor flexible group study Student lift available Toilets on every floor Please help us keep the Library a clean and tidy environment for all by using the bins provided throughout the building

Using academic libraries in the UK ►In a UK library the emphasis is on independent learning ►You are expected to search for books yourself using the Library Catalogue and then find them on the shelves and take them out using a Self Service machine ►Books are available to loan for a set period of time and returning the books on time is very important

Using academic libraries in the UK ►There are different spaces to study in depending on how you like to learn or what sort of assignment you are working on ►Group study rooms for practicing presentations ►Social study space with whiteboards ►Individual silent study spaces

Using information in the UK ►Copyright Law is very important and you must adhere throughout your time in the UK ►You are permitted to print or photocopy one chapter of a book or one article per issue of a journal ►If you use information from sources such as books, journals, newspapers or the Internet you must acknowledge them and reference them in the appropriate way – if you don’t acknowledge sources you will be guilty of plagiarism ►Learning Development Centre (1 st floor of the Library) can help you with referencing different sources and there are lots of books in the Library which show how to reference

Printing at Aston University ►To credit your account you need a £5 note – other notes are not accepted in the machine and staff the Library can not change money or credit your card for you ►Re-crediting machines are available on the Ground, 2 nd and 3 rd floors of the Library as well as MB477 ISA Help Desk ►You can also credit your printing account online by using a debit or credit card. Debit cards must be from a UK bank account. ►To put credit on you account log on to a university PC and click on the Follow me icon ►Demonstrations of how to credit your account and use the printing system during your Library Matters Live session ►Library staff are always available to help – please just ask

Further help for International Students ►Lots of information is can be found at students/ students/ ►Library Jargon will explain what key Library terminology means ►Access to International newspapers so you can keep up to date with what is happening at home ►Click on Contact Us to find out who your Information Specialist is and how to contact them ►Visit the Library Help Desk on the Ground Floor if you need help with searching for books, printing, finding information for assignment or have any other questions

Academic support from the Learning Development Centre ►Learning Development Centre (First floor of the Library) ►Programme of workshops aimed specifically at International Students covering topics such as note taking, academic writing skills, presentation skills ►Workshops are FREE to all students ►One to one appointments are available for help with academic writing – PLEASE NOTE that a proof reading service is not available ►For more information and resources please go to or go to the Learning Development module on Blackboard

Library & Information Services look forward to helping you during your time at Aston!