Induction

Induction

Learning and Support Services Induction

During your first weeks at Edge Hill University you will receive a Learning and Support Services Induction, but don’t worry if you miss this as you can watch the digital version below…

The Learning and Support Services Induction will tell you about the teams who live in Catalyst; Library & Learning Services, Student Services and Careers – who they are, what they do and how you can access their many support services.  If your course is based at St James (Manchester) your induction will tell you about the services and support available there.

If you study at a distance, the Digital Library section of these web pages will guide you through accessing your learning resources.

On the following pages we will tell you a little more about Library & Learning Services including; study spaces, how to find your digital (and physical) library resources, academic skills support (UniSkills), specialist disability support, how to contact us and you can even take a virtual tour of Catalyst!

You can keep up to date with Library & Learning Services via our Library & Learning Services Blog and social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Libraries

Our main University Library is situated at the heart of the Ormskirk campus in Catalyst and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during term time. We also have Libraries at Aintree and Manchester and both are open to all Edge Hill University students. Please check our live opening hours pages for up to date information about each site.

Catalsyt

Catalyst is a new building (opened summer 2018) and offers a range of fantastic study spaces for students.

Key facilities include:

  • Access to over 250,000 print and digital learning resources (books, journals and databases)
  • Including an online digital library
  • A range of group, quiet and silent study spaces
  • Networked PCs, loanable laptops and Wi-Fi access (eduroam)
  • A PC Availability App
  • Printing, copying and scanning
  • Access to help and support from a range of specialist staff
  • A range of assistive technologies
  • Bookable study rooms

Finding and Loaning a Book

As a student you are automatically a member of the University Library and can borrow resources with your UniCard straight away.

Finding a Book
You can use the Library Catalogue to search for print books and eBooks. If you have chosen an eBook all you need to do is click on the link and read it on screen, or download it. If you have chosen a print book, you’ll see the Library location followed by the shelf mark. Make a note of the shelfmark (including any letters e.g. 808.042/GIL) and head to your Library shelves.

Loaning a Book
To issue your books take them to one of the self-issue machines. Books are loaned on a rolling loan system, which will attempt to automatically renew your loans 3 days before they are due. So long as no one has placed a reservation on any of the items you have on loan, they will be renewed. You will be sent an email after every renewal attempt to let you know which books have been successfully renewed, including their new due date, and any which will need returning on their current due date. You can read more about using our services on our main webpages.

Reserving a Book
If a book you want is out on loan, then simply reserve it and we will send you an email to let you know when it is ready for collection. If books are available on the shelf you do not need to reserve them, just head straight to the shelves and pick up a copy.

If you ever need a book we do not currently stock you can request it via our Add a Book service.

You can also access digital library resources in a variety of ways, take a look at our Digital Library tab for more info.

Digital Library

Although you can find lots of great help, support and resources within your physical library, you can also access your digital library online. We have created a package of online tutorials to guide you through how to access, and make the most of, your key learning resources.  These guides are particularly useful for off campus students who are studying at a distance from one of the main sites.

Logging In

Your student log in details will give you access to a wide range of online resources, including:

Learning Edge contains all your course and module materials, your tutors may also refer to it as Blackboard or the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Learning Edge is also home to your My Library tab, which houses lots of information about Library & Learning Services support. On here you will also find lots of academic skills (UniSkills) support, including online toolkits, and specialist support for your subject area.

Watch our video tutorial demonstrating how to log in to your student homepage (MyEHU), access your VLE: Learning Edge and all the help and support available from Library and Learning Services within your My Library tab:

Library Catalogue

The Library Catalogue contains over 370,000 books and eBooks and is your go-to place for finding these resources. Watch our video tutorial to learn how to access, search and get the most out of the University Library Catalogue:

Online Reading Lists

From the Library Catalogue you can also search for your Reading List. Reading Lists are the best starting point when reading for your subject, as they contain reading your tutors have identified as compulsory and/or recommended. To locate your module Reading List, navigate to the Library Catalogue and visit Reading Lists at the top of the page. You can also watch the following video tutorial for more information:

Discover More

You can access high quality academic materials online by searching Discover More or visiting the ‘My Library‘ tab in Learning Edge for specialist subject resources. Access to online resources is provided using your staff or student log-in. Watch our video tutorial to learn how to access, search and get the most out of Discover More:

Help & Support

If you study away at a distance from one of the main campuses, and need help accessing and using our online resources, then your tutors and UniSkills can help you further.

UniSkills Webpages
The UniSkills webpages offer a wide range of information, guides and toolkits to help you develop your academic skills and confidence at University and beyond.

UniSkills Online Toolkits
A range of online toolkits are available, 24 hours a day, on topics such as academic writing, referencing, critical thinking, finding academic information, presenting and much more. To access your online toolkits visit your My Library tab in Learning Edge or the UniSkills webpages.

UniSkills Workshop Webinars
As part of the UniSkills programme of workshops we offer a series of virtual webinars on academic writing. To view our current UniSkills programme of workshops, and book on to a webinar, visit ehu.ac.uk/workshops.

Virtual 1-2-1 Appointments
Virtual 1-2-1 appointments are available to students studying at a distance, or students who rarely visit one of our campuses. There is no requirement for you to download any software, you can simply join the session via a web browser.  For more information please get in touch.

AskUs
You can use our online help tool Ask Us 24 hours a day. In Ask Us you can search our FAQs, send us an email, text us or even live chat with us!

Visit us in person
You are welcome to visit any of our Libraries in person.  In Catalyst and at St James you can also access Uniskills workshops and face to face support.

UniSkills

UniSkills is a package of workshops, hands-on support and online resources to help you develop a range of essential academic study skills and to enable you to produce high quality University assignments. Whether you are just starting your very first assignment and want to learn about planning and structure, or you are writing your final dissertation and need help with referencing, we can help you.

There are various ways to access UniSkills support including:

  • UniSkills Webpages – on here you can access online resources, including interactive toolkits, videos and online guides, which are all available online 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can also access these resources via your My Library tab.
  • 1-2-1 Support – you can drop in and have a chat with one of the UniSkills team weekdays 11am-2pm for any quick queries or book a 1-2-1 appointment to discuss your academic writing or information search skills in more detail. For further information visit the Catalyst Helpdesk or Ask Us online.
  • Peer to Peer Support – if you’d like support from a fellow student then get in touch with one of our Student Advisors. They are 2nd/3rd or Postgraduate students at Edge Hill University and can offer a great variety of subject knowledge from their own disciplines together with a wealth of experience from their own university journey.

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the latest UniSkills Timetable when you’re next on campus!

Disability Support

Library & Learning Services have a specialist team who work with students with specific learning difficulties (SpLD). Their work includes assessments for dyslexia and other SpLDs, applications for disabled students’ allowance and support using assistive technologies. We have a range of specialist software which can support all students, for example ‘text to speech’ for proof reading and mind mapping to help you develop assignment plans in a more visual way.

For further information visit Catalyst Helpdesk or Ask Us online.

Ask Us

Catalyst Helpdesk

Find help and support at the Catalyst helpdesk. The Helpdesk is open weekdays 8am to 8pm and weekends 10am to 6pm. For more information about Catalyst opening hours and our other Libraries at Aintree and Manchester click here.

Ask Us

You can use our online help tool Ask Us 24 hours a day. In Ask Us you can search our FAQs, send us an email, text us or even live chat with us!

Next Steps...

Your first weeks at University…

Access Library & Learning Services online induction information – Find lots of useful information for new starters, plus a recap of your Learning and Support Services Induction in case you missed it!

Visit us in Catalyst and go on a tour – Student led Catalyst tours will run during the first two weeks of term but if you cannot wait to take a look around why not watch our student led virtual Catalyst tour right now…

 

Log in to Learning Edge – Check out your My Library tab where you will find links to subject specific and academic study skills resources.

Explore your resources and Reading Lists – Find material that your tutors have identified as essential reading.

Discover UniSkills – UniSkills is a range of workshops, online toolkits and face-to-face support to help you plan, write and reference your work at University.

Find help and support – Catalyst Helpdesk is open weekdays 8am to 8pm and weekends 10am to 6pm.You can also find answers to the most popular question online via Ask Us.

Follow us – Follow Library & Learning Services on our Library & Learning Services Blog and social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to keep up-to-date with the latest news and what is happening across our service.