How do you use the Library?

Now the library has some new group study space we’re interested in what else you’d like to see happening. 

Observations of how people use the Library will take place during March. In addition you can tell us how you use the Library, and what you think about it.

Here’s how you can join in; 

• Take us on a tour of the Library and get a £20 book voucher.
  – book a time to take us on a tour of the library
  
• Draw us your map of the Library and get a £10 book voucher.
  – book a time to draw us a map of your version of the Library
  
• Talk to us about your Library experiences at a focus group and get tea, cake and a £20 book voucher.
  – sign up to receive more information

Please download the flyer for more information about the research, if you have any questions please contact the Library Help Desk.

We are able to carry out this research project thanks to the Birkbeck Alumni Fund.

There's a march for Science...

Twitter tells me that there is a March for Science happening across the USA and the world at some point soon. You can find out more at their blog, Facebook , Twitter #ScienceMarch
You can even have a go at knitting a brain hat from @StudioKnitSF to show support, thanks for sharing @JohnDupuis The UK has a presence too if you're keen to be involved @ScienceMarchUK 

Top Ten Trends Driving Science from ACS Axial

The American Chemical Society (ACS) Axial team has written a report: Top Ten Trends Driving Science which is an introduction to 10 of the biggest ideas affecting scientists today. Have a read and see if you agree with them...

Brain pickings feature 'Legendary Physicist David Bohm'

Brain Pickings features the work of Physicist David Bohm looking at the paradox of communication, the crucial difference between discussion and dialogue, and what is keeping us from listening to one another. 

Birkbeck Library holds The David Bohm Papers, an archive which contains; biographical material, drafts, publications and lectures, correspondence and audiovisual material. David Bohm was a philosopher as well as a physicist and this is reflected in the material in the archive.

British Library Science Blog - 9 famous scientists and their PhD theses

An interesting post from the British Library Science Blog for any aspiring PhD-ers. As well as achieving your PhD, maybe some time in the future you'll be a famous scientist featuring in the British Library Science Blog. In the mean time here's some inspiration to keep you going...

9 famous scientists and their PhD theses. 

Students have trouble judging the credibility of information online, researchers find

As a librarian, part of my job is to try and help students understand and navigate the vast amounts of information out there, relating to their studies. These skills for finding, understanding, evaluating and using information though are applicable to many other aspects of our lives. This short article, Students have trouble judging the credibility of information online, researchers find from ScienceDaily summarises the findings of a Stanford History Education Group report Evaluating information: the cornerstone of civic online reasoning.  While the students, in this instance, are studying history, a lot of the challenges they face while searching for information online can be applied to students studying other subjects, as well as the population more widely.

In the year when Oxford Dictionaries has named the Word of the Year as Post-Truth and fake news is on the rise, it's more important than ever that we can find, understand and evaluate information whether we are using it in an academic assignment, deciding where to go on holiday or who to vote for.

If you have any questions about finding, evaluating and using information then remember that you can contact me or make an appointment to discuss what you need.

There is also the Library and Information Skills Moodle Module which offers help and guidance around finding, evaluating, managing and using information.

What's hiding in the Halloween sweet treats?

This short news article from the NYC Food Policy Center at HUNTER College gives an insight into what ingredients go into making Halloween sweet treats in the USA. As well as the nutritional information they comment on each ingredient which might make you shudder somewhat!  

Read the news article: 

Halloween candy deconstructed: Ingredients of a few popular Halloween candies