News and events
Pay your Library fines on 7th Feb - we're donating fines to RAG Week!
Tuesday 05 February 2013
On Thursday 7th February 2013, the University Library is donating fines up to a total of £1,000 to RAG Week.
Changes to borrowing Short Loan books over the weekend
Monday 28 January 2013
Following student feedback we have changed weekend Short Loan borrowing. Books are now due at 11am the next day if borrowed on Friday or Saturday after 5pm. Please be aware that fines for overdue Short Loan books are set at £0.50 per hour. We have changed the system to make these high demand books easier for more people to borrow and to make the system fairer.
Thank you from Book Aid International!
Tuesday 04 December 2012
Message of thanks from Book Aid International:
Thank you for your generosity! The University of St Andrews Library raised £487.90 for Book Aid International by donating all library fines paid on 29th November 2012! That money will soon be translated into books and library services for people who currently have little access to either. And books really do change people’s lives in the communities where we work (as they do here in the UK); so your generosity will make a real and lasting difference to many people. Thank you!
Adobe Reader 11 & Inter-Library Loans problem
Wednesday 17 October 2012
The latest version of Adobe Reader 11 is not compatible with the file open plug-in required for opening Inter-Library Loan requests sent through the British Library.
We recommend not updating to the latest version (11) until this matter is resolved. Anyone who has updated to the latest version and needs assistance opening their documents can contact the IT helpdesk: email: helpdesk@st-andrews.ac.uk call: 01334 463333.
Special Collections Reading Room closed on Saturdays this semester
Tuesday 02 October 2012
The Special Collections Department of the University Library regrets that due to lack of staff we will not be able to open to readers on Saturdays this semester. Additional Reading Room closures during the week will be managed through our booking system, at times which will be selected to inconvenience the minimum number of readers. Reading Room hours will return to normal when staffing levels permit. To make an appointment to use the Reading Room, please email speccoll@st-andrews.ac.uk, or telephone (01334 46)2339.
Library redevelopment 2012 Levels 3 and 4 now open to the public
Monday 10 September 2012
During this summer the second phase of refurbishment work was carried out on levels 3 and 4 of the Main Library providing users with, amongst other benefits, more study spaces, improved heating and ventilation and more pcs. This has now brought the upper levels up to the same high standard as level 2 and thus concludes the two phase redevelopment project.
Although the major refurbishment work has been completed, and the upper levels are now open to the public, there are some cosmetic upgrades still on-going. It is likely that this work will continue over the next few days. As a result there may be slight noise disruption to users. The Library apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.
Journal Citation Reports 2011 now available for Sciences and Social Sciences
Monday 02 July 2012
You can now access Sciences and Social Sciences Journal Citation Report data for 2011.
The Journal Citation Report is a unique research tool which provides a systematic, objective means to critically evaluate and compare the world's leading journals, by tabulating and aggregating citation and article count data, back to 2005. Covers 10,000+ scholarly and technical journals from over 3,300 international publishers, in science, technology, and social sciences.
To access this information go to Web of Knowledge, Journal Citation Reports or from the online databases A-Z page go to Journals Citation Reports (JCR): Science and Social Sciences. If you are off campus, select University of St Andrews from the list of subscribers and then login with your University username and password.
"You Said We Did" Feedback Prize Draw Winner
Wednesday 23 May 2012
We value your feedback! On our feedback cards we offer you the opportunity to enter a prize draw and we are very happy to announce that Bonnie Atanasova, 3rd year Undergraduate Neuroscience student, is the lucky winner this time. Bonnie has won an iPod touch!
It's Your Library Survey - Prize Draw Winner!
Thursday 17 May 2012
We are very pleased to announce the winner of the "It's Your Library" survey prize draw to be International Relations student, Jenni Muttonen. Ewan McCubbin has presented Jenni with her £100 worth of Amazon vouchers.
It's Your Library Survey Results
Wednesday 16 May 2012
The "It's Your Library" survey has now closed and we have gathered together the initial results. The survey had a high number of respondents with 1,340 people giving their time to tell us what they think about the Library! Read on for a breakdown of the initial findings.
Restricted access to levels 3 and 4 of the Main Library from 21st May
Tuesday 15 May 2012
Following the successful completion of the first phase of the Main Library redevelopment project in summer 2011, which focussed on delivering improvements to levels 1 and 2, the Library will shortly embark on the second phase of redevelopment work.
This work will mean that from 21st May onwards there will be significant moves of furniture, electronic equipment and shelving out of and around the Library building so Library users should exercise caution when accessing levels 3 and 4. We apologise for this inconvenience but hope you will agree that this short term disruption is necessary for the long term improvement of the Library.
Should we ban coffee from the Library? Tell us what you think and you could win £100 of Amazon vouchers.
Monday 09 April 2012
Today see’s the launch of our Library environment survey. Do you agree with the view that coffee shouldn’t be allowed in the Library or do you love being able to bring in your latte? Is it too noisy for you on Level 2 or do you like the buzz? Have we got enough silent space or should we change things? Mobile phones – should you be allowed to use them in the stairwell or do people talking on the stairs annoy you?
We know that noise, eating and drinking in the Library are things that people really care about. We’ve had a whole semester of the part-refurbished Library so it seems like a good time to as you what you think.
In return, we promise to listen to what people say and think about how we can make improvements. We also promise – if you give us your details – to enter you into a prize draw to win £100 of Amazon vouchers.
So now’s your chance – have your say and put your money (and not just your coffee) where your mouth is.
Survey available at www.survey.bris.ac.uk/standrews/librarysurvey
Library stock moves
Wednesday 01 February 2012
As part of preparations for the second phase of its redevelopment, due to commence this coming summer, the Library is undertaking a stock reorganisation on its upper two floors.
Between February and May 2012 all journal stock will be relocated to level 4 and all books will be relocated to level 3 (with the exception of Art History, Photography and the Iranian collection which will remain on level 4)...
Library Charity Policy
Wednesday 14 December 2011
The Library has decided to adopt a system of annually supporting one charity event which is University-specific and one external charity more related to the work of libraries.
We will select a day in Semester 1 where all Library fines collected will be donated to Book Aid International. A second date will be chosen for Semester 2 and fines collected on that day will be donated to RAG Week:
Win Amazon vouchers - Do you use other academic libraries? Would you like to?
Friday 25 November 2011
The Higher Education library community wants to provide the best possible service to students, researchers and staff who, for all sorts of reasons, want to use other academic and specialist libraries.
SCONUL (Society of College National & University Libraries, of which St Andrews is a member) are looking for help us develop the services and access you need by running a short online survey until December 9th - it should take 5-6 minutes...
Don't get left out!
Wednesday 09 November 2011
The Main Library access control gates will soon be switched on. This will mean that all staff, students and other library members will be required to bring their staff, student or library card with them each time they visit the Main Library....
Special Collections Closed - Tuesday, 8 and Wednesday 9 November
Monday 07 November 2011
The Library's Department of Special Collections will be closed on Tuesday, 8 and Wednesday 9 November to allow for staff training. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Introducing our iPad2 winner...
Thursday 06 October 2011
First year student Lucy Payne enjoyed a lucky start to her studies here in St Andrews.
Level 2 of Library study space restrictions Friday 30th September
Thursday 29 September 2011
The Library is holding an official launch event to mark the reopening of our refurbished building. A number of guests have been invited and we will therefore be closing off the south west corner of the building to users between 3pm and 6pm.
This is the open study space in the far corner behind the short loans area.
We apologise to users for any inconvenience that this brief restriction will cause.
Study Carrels for PhD Students
Wednesday 28 September 2011
Study Carrels for PhD students will be made available from 2pm this afternoon (Wednesday 28th September). Please come to the Helpdesk in the Main Library. Carrels will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Library opening at 10.00 - Tuesday, 27 September
Monday 26 September 2011
The Library will open at 10.00 on Tuesday, 27 September to allow for a full building inspection to be carried out.
We apologise for any inconvenience this later opening will cause.
Maintenance to Library Catalogue
Friday 16 September 2011
We need to carry out some essential maintenance to the Library Catalogue Server on Saturday 17th September which will mean the Library Catalogue, SAULCAT, will be unavailable from 08:00-10:00.
Calling all new students...chance to win an iPad2!
Friday 16 September 2011
Although the Main Library does not reopen until Monday September 26th, we're holding induction sessions for new students throughout Orientation Week. Please come along and learn about the Library and our wide variety of services and resources!
Main Library reopening on Monday 26th September
Monday 12 September 2011
Following the closure of the Main Library building in May this year, the Library is delighted to announce that the building will reopen at the start of the new semester, Monday 26th September at 8am.
Over the course of the last 16 weeks a complete renovation of level 2, the entrance level of the library, has been accomplished, effecting a ‘fast-forward’ from a 1970s academic library building to one which provides state-of-the-art facilities.
Some of the new features on level 2 include:
E-resource update
Friday 09 September 2011
Access problems with JSTOR, Web of Knowledge, Nexis and Oxford have now all been resolved. For further information on accessing e-resources from off campus please read the entry in our blog.
Move of Short Loan Collection
Wednesday 07 September 2011
Following a summer of feverish activity in the Main Library, the first phase of the redevelopment is now drawing to a close. The project is currently on schedule, and the building is due to be handed back to the University on Friday 16th September.....
Main Library to open until 2am five nights a week
Monday 01 August 2011
We’re delighted to announce that, as of the new semester in September, the Main University Library will be extending its opening hours as follows:
ATHENS accounts to be phased out by end of July 2011
Wednesday 27 July 2011
A reminder that all ATHENS accounts (for off-campus access to many of the Library’s online databases) will be phased out by the end of July 2011.
From 1 August 2011, you will use your University Username and Password (the same as you would use to access your University e-mail), for off-campus access to those databases which formerly used ATHENS ...
Summer service 2011
Thursday 14 July 2011
The Library redevelopment is progressing, with the latest photographs available at the redevelopment blog. Over the summer our service is being run from St Mary's College Library, off South Street. Here is a reminder on how to use the book recall service.
Re-opening of Special Collections Reader Service
Wednesday 22 June 2011
We are delighted to announce that, following the relocation of the Library’s Department of Special Collections to its temporary home on the North Haugh, we will re-open for personal research with effect from 27 June 2011. Reader space is very limited in our new facilities, and it is therefore important to note that access to the Reading Room will be strictly by appointment only....
Library system upgrade complete
Monday 20 June 2011
The issues with the library server upgrade have now been resolved. SAULCAT is now available to users and recalls of library stock can continue. Once again the Library apologises for the inconvenience this downtime has caused.
Ongoing technical issues
Friday 17 June 2011
We are still experiencing technical issues from our server upgrade earlier this week. At the moment users are still unable to:
- access SAULCAT
- borrow items from St Mary’s Library or J F Allen Library
- recall items from the catalogue
- renew items checked out
Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible and we apologise for any inconvenience these issues may cause.
Library server upgrade 15th/16th June
Monday 13 June 2011
Owing to a necessary hardware upgrade the Library will have to shut down its existing systems server from 4pm Wednesday 15th June, and anticipate that the new server will be back online by 1pm on Thursday 16th June.
Whilst the St Mary’s and outlying libraries will remain open during this period, to allow access to study space, the upgrade will affect library services. From 4pm on Wednesday 15th June users will be unable to:
- access SAULCAT
- borrow items from St Mary’s Library or J F Allen Library
- recall items from the catalogue
- renew items checked out
The Library apologises for any inconvenience caused by this unavoidable upgrade.
A Touching tale from the Library
Monday 16 May 2011
A St Andrews student has turned her own good fortune in winning an iPod Touch into a means of sending more books to schools in Africa.
Reference Section
Thursday 12 May 2011
Due to unforeseen circumstances the Reference collection will not be accessible to browse until Tuesday 17th May at 9am. The Library apologises for any inconvenience caused.
May Exam Opening
Monday 02 May 2011
The Main Library will be extending opening hours on Friday and Saturday evenings to midnight for the revision and examination period starting from Friday, 6 May.
The Main Library will officially close for redevelopment at 14.00 on Wednesday, 25 May. The Service Desk will transfer to St Mary's Library from 14.00 that afternoon and will be available from 09.00-19.00 from Monday-Friday. Full details can be found on the Library redevelopment blog.
Friday, 29 April and Monday, 2 May
Tuesday 26 April 2011
On Friday, 29 April and Monday, 2 May the Main Library will be operating normal opening hours. Short Loan items borrowed for the weekend will still be due for return first thing on Monday, 2 May.
Library furniture sampling vote now!
Wednesday 13 April 2011
On level 2 of the Main Library are samples of furniture, near the reference shelves, that have been delivered to us for our users to trial and leave comments about. This is furniture that may be purchased for the refurbished levels 2, 3 and 4...
Comic Relief Total
Wednesday 23 March 2011
Thanks to everyone who supported Comic Relief on Friday, 18 March. The total funds raised from the donation of Library fines for the day was £324.93!
Friday, 18 March - Comic Relief
Thursday 17 March 2011
The Library is delighted to once again support Comic Relief by donating all overdue fines received on Friday, 18 March. So be charitable, wear your red nose and bring your overdue Library loans back on the day.
The Librarys on the move!
Friday 04 March 2011
The Library will be hitting the road, week commencing 7th March 2011, visiting the Student Union, the Gateway and the Main Library to publicise information about the library service during the summer, and to answer any questions students may have...
Current periodicals on the move
Thursday 03 March 2011
Over the next few weeks the boxes of periodicals on level 2 will gradually be integrated with their bound counterparts on Levels 3 & 4 of the Main Library. This is being done to aid the clearance of Level 2 prior to the redevelopment work starting in the summer.
For all volumes currently at the bindery, readers should be asked to request a free ILL. If anyone has any queries please come and talk to Periodicals staff.
Over £1,000 raised for RAG Week!
Wednesday 23 February 2011
We had a great response to our campaign on Thursday, February 17th for RAG Week when Library users were encouraged to donate their fines to the nominated charities. A grand total of £1,013.28 was raised.
Sarah Nelson, RAG Week Officer said:
Essential electrical work
Friday 18 February 2011
As part of the Library Redevelopment project, essential electrical work needs to take place over the next 2 weekends. As such, the following alterations to opening hours will apply:
Turn your riches to RAG!
Thursday 17 February 2011
The Library is delighted to support RAG Week by donating all overdue fines received today, Thursday February 17th, to this year’s campaign. So be charitable and bring your overdue Library loans back today!
Theft in the Library 07/02/11
Tuesday 08 February 2011
A student had their laptop, backpack and other valuables stolen from the Main Library last night. We would ask all Library users to please be vigilant and avoid leaving their possessions unattended at any time. Thank you.
New Director of Library Services
Thursday 03 February 2011
We are delighted to announce that our new University Librarian and Director of Library Services, John MacColl, takes up his post on Monday 7 February.
Closure of Special Collections
Thursday 20 January 2011
To effect the move of the totality of the collections, including the most rare and fragile materials, by the end of May deadline, the service to readers offered by the Special Collections Department will have to cease from the beginning of the Second Semester 2010-2011 (7 February 2011)....
Inter-Semester Break Opening Hours
Wednesday 19 January 2011
The Main Library opening hours for Inter-Semester Break are as follows:
Library's Annual Report
Thursday 19 January 2012
The Library is pleased to publish its Annual Report for 2010-11. Read about notable new print and electronic acquisitions, progress with the Redevelopment project, events and staff activities over the past year.