New study spaces on Level 2 and 3

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We are installing new study spaces on Level 2 and 3 of the Library on Saturday 2nd October and Sunday 3rd October. There will be some noise associated with this work. If you feel that this noise may affect your use of the Library, please feel free to use another area in the building. Level 0 has space for both individual and group study, and Level 4 is available for silent individual study.

We look forward to seeing you this weekend, and if there is anything we can assist with please contact us using the chat function on the Library homepage or by email at library@gcu.ac.uk.

Staying Safe in the Library

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After a year of booking spaces, swiping cards and social distancing we are thrilled to be opening the Library back up again for all. There are just a couple of things we need to be mindful of as we continue to keep each other safe. 

Masks 

Masks must be worn at all times in the library unless you are medically exempt. They must be worn even when working at your desk. They can be removed when taking a bite of food or a sip of drink, but must be put back on when finished. 

Hygiene 

Wipes and hand sanitiser will be freely available throughout the floors and we encourage all Library patrons to use these when working in the building. Our domestic staff will be conducting an enhanced cleaning regime throughout the day. 

Respect 

While there are no social-distancing rules in place, we ask you to be respectful of the boundaries of other library users. Library staff will be working hard to keep the building safe so please ensure you treat them with the same level of respect. 

Following these three simple guidelines will help ensure the Library is a safe and comfortable place to work for all. If you choose not to follow these guidelines then you may be asked to leave. 

If at any point you feel uncomfortable you can speak to a member of the Library team using our chat service on the Library homepage or on our smart tables. 

If you require books but do not wish to enter the main Library floors then please use our Click and Collect service. 

We also have a limited number of bookable PCs if you wish to secure a study space in the Library before you arrive. 

If you’d like to discuss any of these guidelines then just reach out to us at library@gcu.ac.uk or 0141 273 1000. 

We can’t wait to welcome you back! 

Sage Research Methods

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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.

Important information on reporting systematic review and meta-analyses: PRISMA 2020 updated guideline

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PRISMA is a recognised tool designed to improve the quality of reporting primary systematic review and meta-analyses. It is used widely by researchers, staff and students in the School of Health and Life Sciences. Updates to PRISMA, including the statement, checklist and flow diagram were published earlier this year. The Library is working on updates to our website and associated guides to reflect these changes.

For the time being we will continue to provide our guidance on using the 2009 flow diagram.

We will also consult with academic departments within the school on how our support should develop in response to the new guideline.

If you need to access the new PRISMA documents you can find them on the PRISMA website. For more detailed information on PRISMA 2020 including how it was developed, how to use it and exemplars the following articles are helpful:

BMJ (OPEN ACCESS) Page, M. J. et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021;372:n71, doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

BMJ (OPEN ACCESS) Page, M. J. et al. PRISMA 2020 explanation and elaboration: updated guidance and exemplars for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021;372:n160, doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n160 Continue reading →

Provision of online exam desk space within the library

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From Monday 26 April until Wednesday 12 May the library will provide a number of designated desk spaces for students sitting online exams. Online exam desk space is bookable from 10am – 5pm, Monday to Sunday, during this period.

Bookable online exam desk space within the library is available under the heading Level 2 (Exam Space) on our Book a study space webpage.

Library additional study space and revised opening hours

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In response to Scottish Government guidance regarding the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, the Sir Alex Ferguson Library will introduce the following changes:

With effect Monday 29th March, space will be available on level 4 for students to eat their lunch if they are returning to the library after the lunch time clean that takes places between 1pm and 2pm. These must be booked. You will not be permitted to stay without a valid booking. Users must leave the space via the one way system in operation to check in for afternoon study space bookings at the library entrance. Please note that access to the building is unavailable between 1pm and 2pm. If you leave the building for any reason during the lunch booking, you will be unable to access the building until 2pm. Please ensure you take all personal belongings with you. Food delivery services are not permitted to access the building.

Additionally, from Monday 29th March there will also be 29 spaces on level 2 for silent individual study to meet the growth in demand for spaces. Please note that social distancing guidelines must be observed in both spaces and face coverings are mandatory when not eating or drinking.

Revised opening hours

With effect Tuesday 6th April, the library opening hours will be 10am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 6pm Saturday and Sunday. The library will continue to be closed between 1pm and 2pm for cleaning purposes.

Please note that that library will open 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm over the Easter weekend (Friday 2nd April – Monday 5th April) for students requiring access to the click and collect service and study spaces

From Monday 26th April space will be available on level 2 for students to sit exams should they have limited space at home.

From Monday 26th April the lunchtime closure will cease.

 

Signing off

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After five years working at GCU Archive Centre and nearly a decade overall in the Sir Alex Ferguson Library and Archives, I’m leaving my post as Archive Assistant.

It may seem self-indulgent to write a valedictory going away message, but I wanted to use this a chance to reflect and be thankful for the time I have had here, the skills I’ve learned, the habits ingrained, and most importantly, the people I’ve worked with. Continue reading →

Shades of Gray – guest blog by Douglas Erskine

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We know the Oscar Marzaroli Collection is a great source of inspiration and our guest blogger, Douglas Erskine, uses one of Oscar’s photographs as the starting point for this contribution on Gray Day 2021. Douglas is a researcher and writer with a strong interest in Scottish art. He is currently preparing a monograph on the life and work of the Glasgow artist Alan Fletcher (1930-58).

Of all the images donated to Glasgow Caledonian University by the family of the great Scottish photographer Oscar Marzaroli, few are as striking as the photograph of a young Alasdair Gray posing with his cadaverous alter ego – a portrait by Alan Fletcher – at the 1959 exhibition which Gray organised in his late friend’s memory. Continue reading →

12 Days of Library Christmas: celebrating the achievements of 2020

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2020 has proven to be a year of unprecedented challenges. Everyone connected with GCU has worked hard to adapt, delivering key services to the university community online.

The Library has been no different.

With this in mind, we took to Twitter at the beginning of December to celebrate the 12 Days of Library Christmas. From 1-12 December, our daily posts highlighted the volume and scope of work undertaken by Library staff in recent months (mainly from home). Continue reading →

Sir Alex Ferguson Library Christmas and New Year opening hours

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We are pleased to announce that the Library will be open during the winter holiday period.

Please note, the Library is only open for pre-booked study spaces and to collect books via the click-and-collect system. For further guidance please see our guidance Covid-19 services webpage.

Saturday 19/12/2020 Closed
Sunday 20/12/2020 Closed
Monday 21/12/2020 10am-4pm
Tuesday 22/12/2020 10am-4pm
Wednesday 23/12/2020 10am-4pm
Thursday 24/12/2020 Closed
Friday 25/12/2020 Closed
Saturday 26/12/2020 Closed
Sunday 27/12/2020 Closed
Monday 28/12/2020 10am-4pm
Tuesday 29/12/2020 10am-4pm
Wednesday 30/12/2020 10am-4pm
Thursday 31/12/2020 Closed
Friday 01/01/2021 Closed
Saturday 02/01/2021 Closed
Sunday 03/01/2021 Closed
Monday 04/01/2021 10am-4pm
Tuesday 05/01/2021 Normal hours resume

Please remember to bring your student/staff card for access into the building.

We look forward to welcoming you over the festive period!