We Love New Books!

You might have noticed that at GC LRC we haven't had a new book display since we lost the space when we installed the new self-issue system!

We now have a brand new display. We love New Books and we hope that you do too so pop in and borrow one today!

We are also sending out lists of new resources by email to Teaching staff. We sent the first lists out just after half term and will be sending more after Christmas!

Half term opening hours

All three LRCs will be CLOSED on Friday 25 October for the staff training day.

Guildford College

The LRC will be open every day in half term.

9.30 - 4.30
Closed for lunch 12.30 - 1.30

Farnham College

The LRC will be closed all week.

mySearch - what is it and why do I need it?

What is mySearch?

mySearch is an online research tool that “pulls together” many of the LRC resources so that they can be explored using a single search box. In other words, rather than searching the Library Catalogue for books and a database for journal articles, you can go to mySearch and get results which include books, e-books, and journal articles in one list. In fact, you could think of mySearch as the Library’s version of Google.

The link can be found on the LRC E-Resources page (you will need to login to Moodle for access) or here on the blog (see links on the right).

It works like this...

Technically-speaking, mySearch provides an integrated index for many of our resources. Although it is an EBSCO product, your search results will also include non-EBSCO resources such as:

• Heritage, the Library Catalogue
• BioOne
• Britannica

Not only does it search most of our resources with one search box, it returns your results quickly and ranks them according to relevancy. It’s powerful and should be of help finding resources for your research. Just keep in mind that, like Google, it may return a large number of results and you will need to use judgment when assessing their value.

I'm having trouble using mySearch...

Well, it’s a new tool for you and for us! So, it may not be obvious how to do some of the things you have grown accustomed doing with the other databases. So we would like to encourage you to explore this resource along with us and give us feedback on your success and frustration with it.

Remember the LRC staff are happy to help if you are having trouble or want some help with searching for information.

Top e-books in September

We start another year with Business back in top spot  in September's top ten e-books by pages viewed with Tourism, IT, Carpentry, Counselling, Childcare and Beauty Therapy all staking their claim. Tourism top the download chart but we also have entries for Arboriculture and Construction.

Here's September's chart:

2977   BTEC Level 3 National Business Book 1
1403   BTEC Level 3 Business Book 2 
267     JavaScript Professional Projects
249     BTEC Level 3 National in IT
126     Learn JavaScript in a weekend
88       Carpentry and joinery Level 1.
69       BTEC National Travel and tourism Book 2   
51       Counselling skills and theory
50       Facials and skin care in essence
43       Working with children
   

The top downloaded books for September were:

5    Travel & tourism for BTEC Level 3 Book 1
3    Doing your research project
3    Edexcel diploma: Construction and the built environment
2    Trees : their natural history
2    Effective organisational communication

Top e-books in June

Business takes top spot plus 5 other places in June's top ten e-books by pages viewed with Beauty Therapy, Tourism, and IT filling the other 4.  Business once again top the download chart but we have new entries for natural history with books on animal management and trees making an appearance..

Here's June's chart:

6060   BTEC Level 3 National Business Book 1
4357   BTEC Level 3 Business Book 2 
975     Beauty therapy. - 2nd ed.
585     BTEC Level 3 National in IT
533     Aromatherapy: therapy basics
467     Beauty therapy. - 3rd ed.
255     Travel & tourism. BTEC Level 3 National Book 1   
127     Armstrong's handbook of human resource management practice
           (12th ed.)
114     Armstrong's handbook of human resource management practice
           (11th ed.)
114     Team roles at work
   

The top downloaded books for June were:

5    Project management
2    Restraint and handling of wild and domestic animals
2    Trees : their natural history
2    BTEC Level 3 Business Book 2

Summer Term Round Up!

The holidays upon us! Congratulations to all students who have completed their courses this year and we look forward to seeing those of you who are coming back next year in September.

Here are a few things that have been happening in the LRCs over the last term:

Farnham LRC

• Revision Display: The LRC ran a successful revision display and staff were impressed with how hard students have been studying and using the silent study area.

• New iMacs: The LRC has had new iMacs installed and staff have been trained up and are ready to help you with navigating the desktop and using Illustrator. 

Merrist Wood

• Cloud Printing: Cloud printing has really taken off this term with lots of students using the service.

• New iPad 4s: The LRC has 20 brand new iPad 4s for loan to staff either individually or as a set.

Guildford College 

• Book Swap: Many thanks to staff members for their generous donations, we had a total of 60 books in our Book Swap. Many were swapped and, in the spirit of promoting reading for pleasure, those without a book to swap were urged to take one that appealed. We were left with just 3 books, so many students will be able to sit back and relax with a good book this summer.

• New LRC Induction Film: Filming of the new LRC Induction Film for 2013-14 has been going well. A big thank you to all the students who have taken part and a special thank you to year 1 Media students for filming and editing it.

• Mini Displays: We currently have Displays up for Holiday Fiction and Travel Guides so pop in before your holiday and pick one up!

• 6 BookChallenge: The 6 Book Challenge has come to an end. A big congratulations to the 25 students who managed to read 6 books and have been entered into the national prize draw.

Have a lovely summer and we will be back in September to keep you up to date with all your LRC news!!

Summer Opening Hours

It's nearly the end of term and for those of you who wish to pop in and see us over Summer here are our opening hours.

Please do check with us before travelling as these times may be subject to change at short notice.
Normal term-time hours resume on Monday 9 September.

Guildford College

Monday 8 July - Friday 12 July                 9.00 - 5.00

Monday 15 July - Friday 6 September     9.30 - 4.30 (closed 12.30 - 1.30)

The LRC will be closed at the following times:

• Tuesday 9 July              9.00 - 2.00
• Monday 26 August        (Bank Holiday)
• Monday 2 September   1.00 - 4.30

Merrist Wood College

Monday 8 July - Friday 23 August                9.30 - 4.30 (closed 12.30 - 1.30)

Tuesday 27 August - Friday 6 September   9.30 - 4.30

The LRC will be closed at the following times:

• Tuesday 9 July                     9.30 - 2.00
• Wednesday 7 August          1.00 - 4.30
• Thursday 8 August - Friday 15 August
• Monday 26 August               (Bank Holiday)
• Monday 2 September          12.30 - 4.30