FAQs

Our Libraries

Are the libraries open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
You can access the library buildings at any time of day or night (during term time), using your University of Gloucestershire ID card to swipe in. 
Staff are available to help between the hours of 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday during term time.  You can contact Student Centre staff in-person, at [email protected] or by telephone 01242 714444. You can also ask questions using the University’s Digital Assistant, NOVA, available through MyGlos and the MyGlos App.
Vacation opening hours are advertised in advance of University holidays. 
How long can I borrow items for?
Most print books can be borrowed for 7 days and will renew automatically unless another user requests them. 
Items such as laptops are available to borrow for 4 or 6 hours and will not renew automatically. 
You can check the items on loan to you and when they are due back via My Account
How many books can I borrow? 
For most students there is a 20-item limit with an additional allowance for research students and students on teacher training courses.
How can I access books and journal articles not held by the university?
We can request these items on your behalf from UK-based and global libraries using the Inter-Library loan service.
For more information see our Guide to Inter-Library loans.
I am working away from Gloucestershire. Can I return my books by post?
Our postal loan service is available to UK-based full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students. Eligible students can now return books to our libraries via our free tracked and insured postal service. This service is provided by the university – so you don’t have to pay anything. 
Can I book a study room in the Library?
It is possible to book a library study room within FCH and Oxstalls Student Centres. Log in to the University’s room booker for more details.

Resources

Which online resources can I access through the library?
You can view an A-to-Z list of online resources here
Where can I download software?
A list of software available to download to your device is available.
What is available in the University’s Special Collections and Archives?
Special Collections and Archives hold the historic records of the University of Gloucestershire, predecessor colleges and several special collections relating to Gloucestershire and beyond. These include the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society Library and the Gloucestershire Poets, Writers and Artists Collection.

Referencing and Study Skills

Which referencing style should I use?
A list of the referencing styles used by your subject is available to view.  
How do I reference different sources of information? 
Cite them Right is an online tool that provides expert referencing advice, video tutorials and examples of how to format references​. We also provide quick referencing guides to APA, Harvard, MHRA and OSCOLA.  
Why should I reference and how can I avoid plagiarism? 
The library has created an Information Literacy Tutorial which provides guidance on finding and evaluating information, explains what plagiarism is and how to avoid it, and why it is important to learn how to reference.  
Can you help me with academic skills such as essay writing, note taking and presentations? 
We subscribe to Skills for Study which is a self-paced, self-guided learning tool to help develop your academic study skills. You can also contact a Study Skills Adviser for hrlp with developing yout study skills.
Can you help me with formatting my dissertation? 
Please view the formatting your dissertation training video.
Where can I download a version of EndNote referencing software to use at home?
EndNote is a reference management software package, used to manage bibliographies and references when writing essays and articles. You can request a free licence and also download the University of Gloucestershire referencing style add-ons from our software downloads page. 
Can I download SPSS or NVivo for use at home?
We offer free licences to our students for statistical packages such as IBM SPSS and QSR NVivo. These are available from our  software downloads page. 

Subject Guides

How do I find Library resources for my subject?
Visit our Library subject resource pages to find a list of recommended academic resources for your subject. These include tools to give you access to journal articles, eBooks, research papers and websites. You will also find a range of Guides and Support Material together with contact details for your Academic Liaison Librarian. 
Who is the Librarian for my subject and how do I contact them?
Each subject has a designated Academic Liaison librarian who can be consulted for one-to-one sessions to help with individual research. 
What is on my module reading list?
Each module should have a resource list made available through the module Moodle site. You can also search for reading lists directly through Talis resource lists. If you are unable to locate your list please contact your module tutor. 
How can I view dissertations in my subject area produced by former UoG students?
A selection of past undergraduate and taught-postgraduate dissertations can be viewed in the Dissertation database

Teaching and Research

Who is the Librarian for my subject and how do I contact them?
Each of the subjects taught at the University has a designated Academic Liaison Librarian who is the primary contact for academic liaison within the Library and is expert at providing library resources for your subject. They deliver library Inductions and digital literacy sessions that are fully integrated within courses and can be consulted for one-to-one sessions to help with individual research.
Where can I find guidance on copyright matters?
What support is available in using Talis Aspire for resource lists?
The Talis Aspire Staff Support site on Teaching Ready provides guidance to academic staff on setting up Talis resource lists, adding resources to them and linking the output to module Moodle sites. There is also guidance on using the Library digitisation service. 
What support is available in using Talis Elevate?
Talis Elevate is a collaborative learning tool to facilitate and support your students’ active engagement with the resources you recommend for their learning.  Go to Talis Elevate for academic staff on Teaching Ready for more information. 
How do I deposit my publication in the University’s Research Repository?
The Research Repository toolkit presents various tools useful to academics who are engaging with the publishing process and others that take you through the process of depositing your publications in the Research Repository. 

IT Related

How can I reset my password?
Use the Password Self-Service Portal to reset your password and to register for forgotten password reset.  
How can I get a replacement ID card?
Pleasepurchase a replacement card and contact us to arrange collection. 
How do I add more print credit to my account?
Undergraduate students receive £5 print credit at the beginning of each year. Visit the print credit page to upload more credit.
How do I connect to Wifi?
Our wireless internet on campus and in accommodation (excluding Pittville and Blackfriars) is called Eduroam.  Visit the Wifi-Eduroam page for more information on how to connect.