British Standards Online – FileOpen plug in

We’re aware of an issue downloading standards from the BSI website. This is due to new digital security requirements put in place by the publisher.

For Academic Staff:

To download standards on a GCU computer you’ll now need to install a special plugin called FileOpen. You’ll find the plugin by searching for the Software Centre app on your computer and downloading Install BSOL plugin for Adobe Reader. You need to be signed into the Cisco AnyConnect VPN if you’re off campus. Please restart your machine before attempting to download any files. Files can only be opened in PDF readers such as Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader, they can’t be opened in-browser.

You will also need an internet connection to open the documents for the first time. Once your documents have been authenticated, you will be able to access the documents offline.

Please let us know if you have any problems installing the plugin by contacting the team at ertenq@gcu.ac.uk

For students:

If you are using your own device, you will be able to download the FileOpen plug in directly from the BSI platform. You may not need to restart your machine before downloading.

If you are using a machine on campus, the FileOpen plug in will already be installed on your machine. If you have having any problems opening documents, please contact the team at ertenq@gcu.ac.uk

Apologies for any inconvenience.

Sage Research Methods

The library is happy to announce that it now has online access to Sage Research Methods.

SAGE Research Methods is the ultimate methods library with books, reference works, journal articles, podcasts, an online project planner and instructional videos by world-leading academics from across the social sciences, including the largest collection of qualitative methods books available online in one place. The site is designed to guide users to the content they need to learn a little or a lot about their method. The online Methods Maps can help those less familiar with research methods to find the best technique to use in their research.

Users can find SAGE Research Methods on the Library’s Discover platform, by searching the Database A-Z or by clicking here.

Dawson Books in administration; potential technical issue

Previously we wrote to advise that Dawson Books has regrettably entered administration. Any notes added to Dawsonera ebooks must be exported before Friday 31 July: read how to do this here.

We are currently working to transfer our portfolio of ebooks on this platform to another provider.

If you encounter any difficulty accessing ebooks during this time, please contact us by emailing: ertenq@gcu.ac.uk

Dawson Books in administration; how to save your notes

Dawson Books, one of our main ebook suppliers, has sadly gone into administration. We are currently working to transfer our ebooks on the Dawsonera platform to another provider.

Unfortunately this means that any notes you have made in Dawsonera ebooks will be lost, unless you export them. This must be done by 31 July 2020 at the latest.

To export your notes from the platform, please follow these steps:

  • Search for the book in Dawsonera, or otherwise select My Account, My Bookshelf or Recently Viewed.
  • Select Read Online under the book title.
  • Select the Notes tab in the left-hand bar.
  • Select Export; your notes will be transferred to a Word document.

Alternatively, if you have used referencing software to save books, you can access the title via RefWorks then complete the final two steps above.

If you encounter any issues accessing an ebook please email: ertenq@gcu.ac.uk

The National Library of Scotland Online

 

 

 

The National Library of Scotland (NLS) offers free access to a wide variety of online resources, including business, social science and science databases, full-text reference works, journals, reports and newspaper archives for all residents of Scotland. Resources can be easily located by subject area or type. To gain access all you have to do is register on the NLS site and create a password: https://auth.nls.uk/eresources/

Online access to BS 7671:2018 IET Wiring Regulations

We are very happy to announce that GCU staff and students now have full online access to the 18th edition of the IET Wiring Regulations as well as guidance notes, the On-Site Guide and the Student Guide to the IET Wiring Regulations. 

To access the regs, search for ‘IET Wiring Regulations’ in Discover or the Database A-Z or click here. Paper copies are also available from both Glasgow and London campus libraries.

New Online Resources

BNF Online
The library is happy to announce that it now has online access to the British National Formulary (BNF). The BNF brings together advice on current best practice as well as legal and professional guidelines relating to the uses of medicines. Content includes:

  • Guidance on the drug management of common conditions
  • Details of medicines with special reference to their uses, cautions, contra-indications, side-effects, doses, and relative costs
  • Guidance on prescribing, monitoring, dispensing, and administering medicines

Online access now means that users can access the most up-to-date BNF content 24/7 via the Library’s Discover search. You can get access to the online version of the BNF here.

SAGE Video Collections
Another new resource available from the library is the online SAGE Video collection. This is a collection of almost 1,500 videos created to help support learning, teaching and research. The library currently has access to three collections within the SAGE Video collection, these are:

  • Business and Management
  • Counselling and Psychotherapy
  • Education

The video collections include interviews, online tutorials, observational footage, case studies, conference recordings, and clinical demonstrations.
Users can find the video content directly on the Library’s Discover platform, by searching for SAGE Video collection in the Database A-Z or by clicking here.

Bloomsbury Fashion Business Cases Trial

The library is currently running a trial to Bloomsbury Fashion Business Cases, available to all users.

With cases from across the fashion industry, from design and sourcing to marketing and retail, Bloomsbury Fashion Business Cases will enable students to develop essential business skills required for the next generation of fashion industry professionals to set themselves up for success. Global in focus, cases will present real-world challenges facing the business of fashion around the world and across sectors, tackling important issues such as sustainability, technology, ethics, and leadership.

You can find out more about Bloomsbury Fashion Cases by watching this short video here.

The trial is running until 25th February. You can find Bloomsbury Fashion Business Cases by searching the Library’s Database A-Z or by clicking here.

We encourage users to send us feedback on Bloomsbury Fashion Business Cases directly via our Twitter or by email at ertenq@gcu.ac.uk

High demand ebooks

At this time of year we see a peak in ebook use. You may notice that your usual link to an ebook won’t let you access the full text due to this increased demand. What can you do?

First wait and try the ebook later. It could be that too many people are trying to use the ebook at the same time.

Next search for the ebook on Discover:

Screen shot of ebook record on Discover showing two available links for an ebook.

1.Click on the title and check if the ebook is available from more than one place

 

Screen shot of Discover results list showing several previous editions of an ebook.

2. Look at the results lists for previous editions of the same book

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a reminder of how to find and use ebooks check out our video.

New Westlaw

There is a new version of Westlaw, the law database.   You can access it via the Database A to Z or the Law subject guide.

If you have used the previous version of Westlaw you will find new Westlaw familiar, but it has more features and is easier to use.  The publisher has provided step-by-step help guides which you can find here.

Help is also available from your academic librarian. 

The publisher will be withdrawing the previous version so please update your bookmarks and links.

Screenshot of new Westlaw platform