Why can't we all just get along?

From Newsweek:

Sweet reads

The library has lots of sweet reads in the lead up to Valentine's Day. Get inspired to read some great fiction or watch a DVD!

Starting your assignment

As you start your assignments and research check out the library's new presentation to help you get started. Using the Big 6, this presentation outlines the information skills that will help you to use the library and the internet effectively. The Big 6 questions are:

1. What information am I being asked for?
2. Where can I find this information?
3. How do I search for exactly what I need?
4. Once I have the information, how do I use it?
5. How do I make this work my own?
6. What do I check before I hand it in?

You can also see our other information literacy resources here, or link to our online subject pages (for Business & Humanities or Informatics & Engineering).

Finally, don't forget our Ask A Librarian service. For any queries about using library services or resources, email us at libraryinfo@itb.ie

Google Art Project

Google have been adapting their street-view technology to the art world. The Google Art Project is partnering with 17 international art galleries to allow online viewers to navigate their hallowed halls and to view their artwork in high resolution. Among the galleries are the MoMA New York, Tate Britain and The Palace of Versailles.

Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, Bellini’s St Francis in the Desert and Kupka’s The Cathedral are among the paintings that are presented in intricate detail. It feels as though you are in the room. Learn some more about how this fascinating project came together with this behind the scenes footage:

Ask A Librarian

If you have a problem
If no one else can help you
And if you can find them
Maybe you can Ask A Librarian


Are you starting a new assignment this week? Will you be using the library and internet to do your research? Sometimes, it can be tricky to find the information you need.

This week the library is launching our Ask A Librarian service.

The idea is this: if you need help, to get started on your assignment, we can point you in the right direction. We won't do your research for you but we will help you to find some quality sources.

Just send an email to: libraryinfo@itb.ie. Remember to include:

• your name
• your email address
• your query

We will get back to you as soon as we can.

Designers and books

Like good design, good books can make your life better. And designers are a great source of good book recommendations. That is why, today, we are launching Designers & Books
- Steve Kroeter

Are you curious about what other people read? Do you peek at the bookshelves of your friends for suggestions? Stretch your neck to see what people are reading on the bus? This week sees the launch of a new website where 50 designers recommend over 600 books that they love.

Coming across this book as a child introduced me to the concept of fantasy, which informs my art to this day.
- Sagi Haviv on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Well worth a browse!

Year of the rabbit

February 3^rd marks the Chinese New Year – the year of the Rabbit. China has had an illustrious past with over 4,000 years of recorded history.

... Red is considered lucky
... Ice-cream, gunpowder & silk all originated in China
... 1 in 5 people live in China, that’s 1.3 billion people!

As the Chinese proverb says, may you live in interesting times. Or at the very least... may you read some interesting books!

Chinese literature

• Balzac and the little Chinese seamstress
• My life as emperor
• The bonesetter’s daughter
• The lily theatre
• Farewell my concubine [video]

Travel in China

• Red dust: a path through China
• China (Lonely Planet)

Chinese culture

• The art of war
• The new silk road: secrets of business success in China today
• Mao: the unknown story
• Ken Hom’s Chinese cookery
• China and the global economy

Dublin celebrates the Chinese New Year in style this year. See what’s happening here!