At the start of the new academic year, we would like to invite you to drop into your campus library to ask any questions you have about using the library and getting the most out of our services and resources. The Skills@Cumbria Team will be on hand to guide you in finding the best books and articles for your subject. Or to signpost to the services, tips and advice you might need to level up your skills for the year ahead. There are no silly questions! We look forward to welcoming you at the following times:

Ambleside: Thursday 3rd and Thursday 10th October, 12:00-13:00

Carlisle Brampton Road: Tuesday 15th October, 12:30-13:30. 

Carlisle Fusehill Street: Thursday 3rd October 12:30-13:30 and Tuesday 8th October 12:30-13:30.

Lancaster: Wednesday 2nd October and Thursday 10th October, 12:00-13:00.

London: Tuesday 8th October 12:00-13:00 and Wednesday 16th October 12:00-13:00

30 Sept 2024

We are encouraging all students, both on campus and distance learners, to take part in our competition between 16 September and 1st November 2024!

To win a £50 book token post a picture of you using the library or library resources on Instagram.   

Scan the QR code on the poster to find out more!

Terms and conditions can be found on this link. 

16 September 2024

Our new Webinar programme is now underway with a variety of sessions scheduled up to December. Joining in webinars means you will find out more about that topic and if you wish you can join in when prompted and ask questions too. 

Book on via this link.  Booking closes 24 hours beforehand. Links to join will then be sent out by email.

If you cannot make a particular one click on the banner for that title and see if there is pre-recording of the key points. 

New webinars this year include:

Procrastination

"Headphones on: crack on" - student study tips

Developing an academic style

Write Now: Writing Retreat

Any queries email skills@cumbria.ac.uk 

14th September 2024

Tullie, the Carlisle based museum and art gallery, have updated their display at Fusehill Street Library. 

To illustrate their current 'Backing the Blues' Exhibition, Tullie have brought along a sample of lever arch files containing examples of documentation around Carlisle Football Club collected by Colin Cowx over 80 years. To quote Tullie "this display represents a life of meticulous documentation, analysis, commitment and passion for a particular subject matter.  Placed within the context of a library - a space of knowledge and academic resources - Colin Cowx's rigorous pursuit asks the question:  "What are you truly passionate about?""

Why not pop into Fusehill library to take a closer look. Or visit the Tullie Exhibition "Backing the Blues" running until 10th November 2024.

14th September 2024

Our new Quick Guides to searching on Onesearch are now live!

Two new guides to help you to get the best out of using Onesearch:

Basics - to get you going see our Quick guide to OneSearch - basic

Advanced Search - check out further tips and more complex searching on our Quick guide to OneSearch - advanced

Any queries about searching email skills@cumbria.ac.uk 

2 September 2024

Welcome to all our new students and Welcome Back to our returning students.

For those just starting checkout the New Students webpage

For all students you can ask questions via the following options

Student Enquiry Point

Library contacts 

Skills@Cumbria

We look forward to meeting you soon! 

02 September 2024. 

A significant new look to our OneList reading list website has now gone live as of 1st August

Go to our Onelist webpage to find out more 

2nd August 2024

If you are off on your holidays and want some new ideas of books to take with you then check your local campus library for possible titles.

Our Reading for You webpage provides a flavour of what we have in stock.  Our Padlet is asking for ideas of other titles we could look into buying. 

2 August 2024

Thinking about writing a journal article and wondering how to choose a journal to submit to?  We have created this guide about choosing which journal to aim for when there are so many titles to choose from! 

 For staff there is a more detailed guide on Sharepoint

For any queries please email skills@cumbria.ac.uk in the first instance and we will signpost you to the right place to answer your query.

26th July 2024 

Staff from Professional Services are very welome to use our libraries and services.

Find out more on this link

02 August 2024

Share your love of reading with others and help us develop our Reading for You wishlist.  Add your favourite authors, titles, or categories of books to our Padlet.  Simply click on the + symbol to add your comment, link, or image.

22 March 2024. 

Our Dissertation and Literature Review webpages on the Skills@Cumbria website have been updated.

They now include some new tutorials of the following subjects amongst other information:

What is a dissertation?

Choosing a dissertation topic 

Writing a research proposal 

Thinking about research methods 

Conducting a literature review

21st March 2024

Our Ask a Librarian Chat Service is now available online 24/7.  

9am to 5pm - you would be chatting online with staff from the University Library

5pm - 9am - overnight you will be helped by a librarian based overseas, mostly in the USA. 

Use the form on the link above or look for the orange 'Ask a Librarian' tabs on Onesearch and selected library webpages.

You can also pop into a campus library too, and ask for help at the library desks. 

23rd  February 2024

Zone 2 at Brampton Road Library has been given a new look!  Please drop in and take a look - there are more study desks, a social seating area and new displays.  We hope you like it and would love to hear what you think via our feedback form. 

22nd January 2024

The Accessible study room has been very popular!  You can see more below about what is contains. We would love to hear what you think of it and how you have been using it on our feedback form

In the room on the 1st floor you will find:

• an adjustable height desk with ergonomic chair
• a double-screen PC with accessible software and adjustable desk lighting
• variable LED lighting and a sensory projector, both with remote controls to change colours, brightness and lighting effects
• a desktop book stand and perspex writing slope 
• a yoga mat, balance cushion and fidget toys
• a soft seat for breakout and relaxation
• adjustable blinds to filter natural light

You can book the room on our website here.

22nd January 2024