Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Have you seen the new library hub yet?


This summer we built a library hub!  You can find:
  • Maps of the library
  • Library tutorials, such as how to renew a book online or how to export citation information from a database
  • Subject guides, such as what resources are available for the different subjects you are studying this term
  • Study guides, such as tutorials to help you find information in the library databases or how to work with groups
The library hub is located on our main library catalogue page.  If you have any ideas or suggestions about study resources that the hub could contain, let us know at LibraryInfo@itb.ie!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Wondering what resources are available for a module you're studying?

Have a look at the library intranet pages!  Choose between the Business & Humanities page and the Informatics & Engineering page to find information about your module.  And all students can find study guides in the Information Literacy section.





Remember the intranet is only available on campus.  If you are off campus, have a look at our Moodle page for similar resources!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Get into your comfort zone at the library


GET INTO YOUR COMFORT ZONE


The Library is divided into three distinct noise zones - GREEN, ORANGE and RED.

The Green Zones are the group study areas. Students can study together here in small groups, and group around PCs. However, noise must be kept to a minumum.

The Orange Zones are quiet areas. These zones are for quiet, individual study, with one person to a PC.

The Red Zone is for totally quiet study with no noise whatsoever.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Do you have comma sense?

Commas can be tricky!  This short guide will help you to know when to include, and when to exclude, them.


Thursday, November 24, 2011

Having problems connecting to the wireless internet?

ITB's Computer Services Department have a series of video tutorials to help you! You can access them on campus only (as you can't connect to ITB's wireless from off campus).





For Windows XP, choose the video for the ITBWIRELESS network or EDUROAM network
For Windows 7/Vista, choose the video for the ITBWIRELESS network or EDUROAM network

In order to connect to these wireless networks you must have completed the application form, submitted it to SID and received an email with a password and instructions.

If you haven't done all that... then start by downloading the application form from the SID website!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Need some help in the library?


Need some help in the Library?

Where to find information?
How to search a Database?
How to  reference a book?
Why not ask at the reference desk?
Level 2 in the Library 11.30 – 12.30 daily

Avoid txtspeak in your assignments!

DY uz txt spk n yr asynmnt?
 
Dnt!

Using text speak in your assignments is a bad idea!  Abbreviations make sense when you are texting a friend but it is important to use proper English when submitting your college work.  Don’t lose marks for silly reasons; before you submit an assignment, re-read it to check for poor spelling or grammar.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

What makes an article a scholarly article?

And why is it important to use scholarly articles?  Kimbel Library demonstrates how to recognise scholarly articles and explains how the peer-review process works in just over 3 minutes (and even have time for tips on how to make a mean bowl of ramen noodles!)


What is a Scholarly Article? from Kimbel Library on Vimeo.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Did you know you can use other Institute of Technology libraries?


ACCESS ALL AREAS
WITH AN ITB READER CARD




Staff and students can gain access to other Institute of Technology libraries (partner libraries), excluding DIT, by obtaining a reader card FREE the Library Circulation Desk. This is for reference purposes only.




GET YOUR HANDS ON ONE TODAY

Friday, November 18, 2011

Need to know more about Harvard Referencing?


Harvard Referencing


The easy peasy way in just 20 minutes
Just click on the link on the ITB Library Website…….


Photograph of a libraryThis tutorial, from Cardiff University Information Services,
will help you understand:
  • What citing and referencing mean
  • Why it is important to reference the information you use
  • How to cite sources in your written work using the Harvard referencing style
  • How to include quotations in your written work
  • How to write your references list in the Harvard style

Some Schools may adopt slight variations on the methods suggested; please consult your Handbook for further information.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Unwelcome guests!


UNWANTED VISITORS IN THE LIBRARY


Help us keep the Library for ITB STUDENTS ONLY
No food or drink (except bottled water) allowed in the Library

Ever have trouble doing what you want to do in MS Word?


Teach-ict.net provides video tutorials on how to do the basics in MS Word and covers the following topics:
  • creating new documents
  • using the toolbars
  • formatting and editing text
  • paragraphs
  • styles & themes
  • word art & smart art
  • saving & printing
  • spelling & grammar
  • bullets & numbering
  • sorting data
  • mail merge
  • charts & tables
  • indexes & references
  • text boxes
  • images & graphics
  • hyperlinks
  • autoshapes & objects
  • email
Teach-ict.net also provides tutorials on MS PowerPoint, MS Excel, MS Access, Dreamweaver & Photoshop. 

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Do you think?

Critical thinking is a vital life skill.  It allows us to look at information, analyse its meaning and evaluate the quality of that information.  We don’t need to accept or reject information at first glance; critical thinking skills allow us to form opinions and ideas that we can back up logically.  College students have a great opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills because they are thinking about all sorts of new ideas every day.  
Do you think?

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Are you studying accounting, finance or economics this term?

Check out our subject resource guide on the Intranet (on-campus access only) or on Moodle (on- and off-campus access).  And have a look at our guide for finding resources in the library:



Guides for other subjects can be found here and here!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Science Week 2011

Are you interested in how things work or the design of everyday things?  Would you prefer to know a short history of almost everything or are you content with chaos?  Scientists who stand on giants shoulders (or build on one another's ideas) have visions of the dinosaur hunters , number devils, food for free...  What area of science interests you?  Are you are an engineer, a social scientist, a horticulturist, a computer scientist or just curious about the world and how it works?  Science Week Ireland is a great excuse to read to about something new.

See our book display, opposite the library desk, for inspiration!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Visiting the neighbours


Have you visited Blanchardstown Public Library yet?  As well as a wide range of books and resources members can access online databases, including the Encyclopedia Britannica and the Times Online Digital Archive.  Joining is easy!  It is located at the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre (across the road from the exit near the cinema).

Another fantastic resource on your doorstep!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Online anonymity, migrating dinosaurs, treating oil spills...

Have you seen the current issue of New Scientist?
It's available in the Journals Section of the Library (level 1)



Table of contents:

4. Upfront
Drug resistant TB in Europe.  Identifying Libya's missing.  Changes afoot for SI units.

6. This week
Quantum upgrade: improving our most successful theory.  Comets caught creating watery worlds.  Drought strikes at the heart of American way of life.  Dinosaurs migrated en masse across the US

10. Insight
TV doesn't turn off toddlers' brains

17. In brief
Star cluster that's mostly black hole.  Synchronised macaque sex.

21. Technology
Fortress Facebook.  Touchscreen snooping.  Quantum communications for submarines.  How clever is Apple's Siri?

26. Aperture
Pop science: when balloons burst

29. 21st century ark
Britain is an ideal haven for threatened species

30. One minute with... John Stein
Why neuroscience needs a better wish list

32 The next pandemic
We are more vulnerable than ever to viruses

38 Unscientific America: decline and fall
The roots of a retreat from reason

42 Unscientific America: selling science
How to win the battle for hearts and minds

46. Competitive clean-up
The $1 million bounty for a better way to treat oil spills

50. Your digital ID
Online anonymity is on the way out

54. Taming infinity
The bane of physics is being cut down to size

55 Ocean pollution
How dangerous are plastics?  Plus: Great tales of discovery.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Spelling your way to success

As you are all very busy writing assignments, this might be a good time to think about your spelling.  Lots of us fall into the same spelling traps.  Here are some tips!


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Are you starting to think about your exams?

The exams are on the horizon once again.  As everybody knows, it can be a very stressful time and students are usually under alot of pressure.  With that in mind, here are some tips to help you prepare...





Give yourself plenty of time
Hit the books well in advance so that you can get through all your course work.  Once you have covered all topics you will have the basis of your preparation done.

Look over the past exam papers
Whilst you can never predict what will come up, you can get a good idea of what to focus your attentions on whilst studying.

Make flash cards
Making flash cards can be time consuming, but they are helpful tools in remembering vocabularly, formulas and key concepts.  They are also easy to carry around with you so you can review them anytime.

Quiz yourself
To ensure that you are prepared for your exam, make a mock exam to test how well you know the material.  Write down a list of keywords or questions leaving space beneath each one.  Then, pretend that you're taking the exam and write down as much as you can.

Get enough sleep
College students who get a full night of sleep are more alert, more focused and learn things easier thatn those who are sleep-deprived.  During the weeks preceding exams keep your schedule as consistent as possible.

Remember to eat!
Studying is very taxing on the body.  It is therefore very important to feed it properly.  Eat regularly and healthily and drink plenty of water to keep your brain nourished and hydrated.

Cut down on partying
...at least until the exams are over.  Obviously, late nights and alcohol consumption will hinder your exam preparation.  Try to abstain or cut down until you're all done in the exam hall.  That said, it is important to relax and take time out from the books.

Set exam preparation goals
Setting goals for yourself will help make sure that you stay on track with your exam preparations (especially when you have more than one exam to study for).  Be sure to write out your schedule for the weeks preceding your exams and plan out when you are going to study!  You're more likely to be productive if you have specific goals to achieve.

Remember to take breaks
Studying for exams can be hard.  You need to take short breaks to allow your brain to process and retain the information.  Be sure to take short breaks, otherwise, it may be hard to go back to studying.  When you begin studying again, review the materials you have already studied, then, move on to something new.

Don't just study alone
Studying with other people can be a great way to enhance what you learn while studying on your own.  It is a good way to bounce ideas off your colleagues and to address concerns you might have about the exam itself.


Monday, November 7, 2011

ITB celebrates Science Week

This week ITB is celebrating Science Week.  Have a look at some past Science Week events here in Dublin:



or for an alternative view...

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Hurry!!! Free IRISHRAIL Smart Card up for grabs

Answer the question below to claim your FREE Irish Rail Smart Card with €5 credit.
The first 9 students to come to the Student Information Desk (SID, in the library) with the correct answer can claim a Free Smart Card.

Q.) What time does the first ITB Shuttle bus leave Coolmine Train Station ?
a) 7.50am
b) 8.25am
c) 9.00am

https://www.irishrail.ie/smartcard/pages/welcomeAnonymousIV.jsf

 Terms & Conditions
· Competition closes noon 09th Nov 2011.
· Competition open only to current ITB students (both full & part time)
· Only one entry per student
· There will be nine (09) prizes of one (01) Irish Rail Smart Cards each.
· Prizes should be collected in person from our SID desk in the Library. Winners will have to produce a valid ITB Student Card to claim the prize.
· ITB reserves the right to take all decisions in regards to this competition.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Confused about when to use apostrophes?

Here's a catch up on how they work:


Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Looking for a place to study over midterm?

The library is open from Tuesday to Friday, this week.
We are open from 9.15am - 5.00pm


And, of course, the Student Information Desk is open too!