Author: David Bennett

Assistant Librarian (Promotions) at the University Library. An enthusiastic advocate of libraries, diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice for all, inside and outside the workplace.

By Posted on Posted in About your Library, Subjects: Creative Arts No Comments Tagged with , , , , ,

Paper is an interesting material. It shares many properties with the wood it is made from, being flexible in thin sheets and strong in compression in bulk. It is this combination of properties that makes paper engineering such a fascinating art and science.

We’ve really enjoyed hosting the paper sculpture and pop-up craft exhibition by Derek (Mac) Mccullough, which is now moving to the Eldon building but you can still enjoy images of the exhibits on the Library website.

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By Posted on Posted in About your Library, Services No Comments Tagged with ,

We’re bringing back our ever popular referencing drop-ins! We answer referencing questions by email, online chat, face to face at the Library skills drop-in and you can even book appointments to sit down with a a librarian and a long list of referencing questions. Yet, what we’ve found, year in and year out, is that we see more of you when we pop up in another part of the Library than we ever get to come to us.

Whether it is the colourful banner, the smiling librarians in plain view, or the sight of so many other people stopping by to offload their referencing woes and come away feeling better, we’re not sure. What we do know is that you like them, so we’re popping up again next week! Look out for our stand in the Library Atrium from 11 am – 3 pm between 13 – 24 November.

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By Posted on Posted in Events No Comments Tagged with ,

If you are using primary historical sources in your studies, join our Gale primary sources reps at their drop-in running in the Libary Atrium today between 11 am and 3 pm. Jo and Charlotte will be offering tailored advice on finding the best evidence for your research from the extensive and diverse collections of primary sources available.

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There are many free downloads for the Google Chrome web browser. Some of the plug-ins and extensions available from the Chrome Web Store render the web easier to read and understand, particularly if you struggle with large blocks of text or distracting side bar images.

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Love lists?  Use them to manage your projects.  Add list items, reorder and reprioritise tasks, colour-code, tag, debate, add checklists and move them to other lists.  Group them on boards and link boards together, with entire boards full of sub-project lists. The possibilities are endless… a little like my ‘to do’ list.

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By Posted on Posted in About your Library No Comments Tagged with , ,

Surprisingly few people know that the University Library is also home to the University Archive. From its earliest days as a municipal college of technology, through its polytechnic years, and on to the present day as a leading modern university, the institution that became the University of Portsmouth has been at the heart of the city. Discover our local history, from photographs and architectural plans to course brochures and marketing pamphlets to minute books.

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Sometimes your eyes need a break from staring at a screen. Sometimes it’s just nice to listen and learn while you are on the go or doing something else. Sometimes you might want to hear the sound of a librarian chatting about the best resources for your subject and how to get the most from them.

Whatever the reason, the Library is now on SoundCloud, with our Faculty Librarians offering series of micro podcasts, each just a minute or so long but following on from one another to comprehensively cover topics close to your heart, from how to get the most from business reports to how you can switch from expensive subscription streaming services to our free indie movie and documentary streaming service Kanopy and save!

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By Posted on Posted in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion No Comments Tagged with , , , ,

Having reached the top of their respective professions, Black women are reaching back down to help up their sisters, creating opportunities where none existed before. The availability of cash is the single most heavily limiting factor for almost every business and venture capitalists have historically been extremely reticent about lending capital to Black people and business women, let alone Black businesswomen. Happily, Black women are now stepping in to fill the gap and provide seed funding for Black-owned SMEs, as well as creating platforms to support networking between Black businesspeople and connecting venture capitalists with business founders. Others are supporting their communities by setting up community interest companies that enrich and develop people from disadvantaged backgrounds, encouraging them to succeed and thrive.

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By Posted on Posted in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion No Comments Tagged with , , , , ,

The costmetics industry has historically worshipped an exclusively white image of beauty, as if the sculptures and paintings of the Rennaisance were the sole yardstick by which the diversity of human beauty was to be measured. Black women are only now forcing the question about where there place is in the beauty industry, overturning the exploitative practices of hair straightening and filling gaping holes in the market with products that meet the needs of women with darker skin tones.

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