Library Services Blog

All new students are warmly invited to the first session of the Assignment Bootcamp: an online programme designed to walk you through the process of planning, writing and successfully submitting your first assignment of the academic year.

Led by expert academic skills advisors in the Library, these sessions demystify the writing process and provide practical tips and strategies for academic writing at Sheffield Hallam. Here are the details:

• Session title: Planning for Success
• Dates and times: Multiple sessions, 7th–9th October.
• How to join: Check your emails for an invitation from the Skills Centre.

What will the session cover?

The Planning for Success session covers strategies for maintaining productivity and motivation, managing multiple deadlines alongside other commitments, and an overview of the key steps needed to get started on any assessed piece of work.

What will I gain from attending?

• A step-by-step guide on how to tackle your first university assignment at a UK university, from getting organised to gathering research and writing a critical argument.
• Insight into what your markers are looking for, and what makes a first-class assignment.
• A chance to ask questions, share your ideas, and connect with other postgraduate students.

What if I can’t make this date/time?

If you can’t make this time, or prefer to study from a video resource, you can sign up to receive a recorded version of the session using our online form.

What are the other sessions in the bootcamp?

Following this session, you’ll also have the option to attend two additional webinars: Structure and Synthesis and Becoming a Critical Writer. These sessions run once per month from October to December, so you can choose from a range of dates and times.

We’ll share more details on this in the first session, or you can get ahead and book a place now on your preferred sessions.

Starting university is exciting, but it also means getting used to new ways of studying. Our Essential Skills for Academic Success induction module is here to help you get off to a confident start.

This short, 30-minute interactive module has tailored paths depending on your level of study, so whether you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate, you’ll find what’s most relevant to you.

You’ll:

• Discover the key academic skills you’ll need at university, and which ones to focus on first.
• Spot your strengths and find any gaps so you can build from what you already do well.
• Get practical tips and strategies you can put into action straight away.

You’ll also find out more about the Library’s Skills Centre – your go-to place for online sessions, skills bootcamps and one-to-one support throughout your time at university.

Take half an hour now and give yourself a head start so you can feel ready to make the most of your uni experience! You can access the module as soon as you have access to your university emails.

Starting university is a significant milestone - and the summer before you enrol is a crucial time!

As an incoming student you have free access to this Skills for Study online module - Getting Ready for Academic Study.

This will help you prepare ahead of your first few weeks at university. 

The module includes:

•  Academic study preparation hints and tips
• Strategies for studying and what to expect from university
• Videos and reflections from students who have made the move
• Downloadable checklists and planning tools

You can access the module here using your personal email address:

https://go.shu.ac.uk/skillready

And then don't forget to register using your university email address when you enrol in September to access the other modules to help develop your study skills!

Meet Ella who joined us in Adsetts library for her summer work experience program.

Attending Hope Valley College, Ella is studying geography, English and drama.

" I’m mainly interested in art and would like to do something creative after I’ve left school. I’ve considered going into special effects make-up and theatre make-up as it combines my two favourite subjects – drama and art."

During her time with us, Ella was introduced to all library teams and got to experience how the library contributes to student success at Sheffield Hallam University. 

From meeting librarians, exploring library spaces, discovering our online resources, learning how a library resource is procured, received and made available for readers to discover as well as seeing how we support students day to day, we wanted to show Ella the full range of work that happens in Library Services. 

We hope Ella enjoyed her time with us and wish them all the success they deserve in the future. 

Many thanks to everyone who organised and contributed to make Ella's work experience happen.

We asked Ella a few questions about their time with us, see below:

Did you have any expectations of the library before you came? 

I wasn’t sure what to expect of the library before I came and it surprised me how many different job roles there are within a library. 

What have you enjoyed the most about your time in Library Services? 

I have enjoyed my time within the library. I mostly enjoyed the creative aspects such as seeing how the websites and Chatbot were created and their purpose, including how they support students. I also found it interesting to learn about the Dewey Decimal System and understand the way books on shelves are arranged – I didn’t know this before. Since I want to study something within art in the future I found it cool that there was a big range of art and fashion journals. 

And in your own words, tell us a little about your time with us! 

I spent time with lots of different parts of the library which was interesting to see something new every day and learn new stuff I hadn’t come across before. I saw different aspects such as organising the books on shelves, logging and scanning the books, delivering the books to students and others, ordering books and writing reports about the books. I also learnt about different ways to support students within the library, how library search and Alma work and how to make student ID cards and manage the IT within the library.

About Library Services 

We support every student to be successful throughout their time at Hallam. We provide information, academic and digital skills sessions; and ensure students have access to the best resources to support their learning, as well as providing a variety of learning spaces to suit different styles of working. We also have 24/7 support available to all our users. 

Your Library Online provides access to books, journals, databases, subject support, the Library Skills Centre, and 24/7 Library Chat.

Our two campus libraries are open 24/7 providing a range of learning spaces, including those for individual and group working.

Key points

• The libraries are open 24/7
• If you want to study in the library, you can book your learning space in advance
• Access many resources online wherever you are, including ebooks, using Library Search
• Library Chat is available 24/7

Using the library buildings over the summer vacation

• Adsetts and Collegiate libraries are open 24/7 with security staff on duty at all times
• Please remember your ID card to enter the library
• Book your learning spaces in advance to guarantee your favourite space
• Library cafés are closed, but there are vending machines, access to hot water and a microwave, and space to eat your own food
• Hallam Help points are open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm

How to get help and support 

• Library Chat is available 24/7
• Search the library's FAQs
• IT & Library support pages on MyHallam
• 24/7 IT support - 0114 225 3333

The Library’s Skills Centre is open over the summer.

What's on

We’re running live webinars until the end of July, and 1–1 appointments are available to help with your assignments or research.
Prefer to study at your own pace? You can access our full range of online resources, including session recordings and digital tools to support editing and proofreading.

Not sure where to start?

Try our quick online skills assessment to get a personalised action plan with recommended resources and sessions.

What?

EBSCOhost - the platform through which you can access over 20 databases

When?

Monday 7 July

Changes?

New interface, new look, same searching power.
This means that these databases will look different, and some of the features available will change.
Make sure you export the contents of your custom folders before the switchover.

Where can I find out more?

Read the EBSCOhost interface guide which will be updated over time: https://tinyurl.com/ebsco2025

Pride Month June 2024

Pride Month is a vibrant and inclusive month-long celebration that recognises and honours the LGBTQ+ community, their history and achievements, to acknowledge the challenges and to stand in solidarity with their fight for equality, acceptance, and human rights. Pride Month brings together individuals, organisations, and communities to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and celebrate the progress made towards a more inclusive society.

The History of Pride Month

Pride Month has its roots in the Stonewall Uprising, which occurred in New York City in June 1969. The uprising was a turning point in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, sparked by a series of protests against police harassment and discrimination. The following year, the first Pride marches were organised to commemorate the anniversary of the uprising.

In the United Kingdom, the first official Pride march took place in London in 1972. Since then, Pride Month has grown in significance, with cities across the UK hosting vibrant parades, events, and educational programs throughout June. It serves as a platform for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to celebrate diversity, raise awareness about LGBTQ+ rights, and foster a sense of community and acceptance.

Your library’s LGBTQ+ Network Reading List

Developed in partnership with Hallam LGBTQ+ Network, we’ve gathered together an extensive but not exhaustive range of LGBTQ+ books, journal articles, DVDs, picture books and comics within the library to help you explore narratives, social history, academic texts, fiction and nonfiction, aimed at all age ranges.

Explore the LGBTQ+ Network Reading List

The BFI Flare LGBTQIA+ collection

Here are the pioneers, the iconoclasts, the brave - from landmark LGBTQIA+ portraits to the next generation of queer classics from the BFI Flare festival. This collection offers a chance to look back, to revisit and discover - not just the icons of queer cinema but the lesser-known treasures.

Explore the BFI Flare collection 
Students can access of all of the BFI player's content for FREE! Signing up is easy, go to https://player.bfi.org.uk/students and create an account.

Our LGBTQI+ discover collection

Covering a wide range of subjects, including history, queer and gender studies, women's studies, literature, law, health, and social sciences.

Find it on Library Online

The LGBTQ+ Magazine Archive

If you want to delve back in time with vintage publications ranging from 1954 - 2015 take a look the LGBTQ+ Magazine Archive. The collection is an archival run of twenty six of the most influential, longest-running magazine publications covering LGBT interests.

The collection includes the pre-eminent US and UK titles – The Advocate and Gay Times, respectively and chronicles more than six decades of the history and culture of the LGBT community.

Find it here ProQuest LGBTQ+ Magazine Archive

Are you looking for a way to enhance your productivity and stay motivated? Join our upcoming Body Doubling sessions, part of our Research Project Month for students. These sessions are open to all students and offer a unique opportunity to work alongside peers, providing the perfect environment to stay focused and make meaningful progress on your work. There are sessions at City, Collegiate and online.

Body doubling is a simple yet powerful technique where you work silently alongside others, either in person or virtually. The presence of others working at the same time can give you a motivational lift, help you stay focused, and make it easier to get things done.

During these sessions, you'll set clear goals, engage in two 40 minute blocks of dedicated work time, and participate in a halfway check-in to review your progress. At the end of each session, you'll have the chance to reflect on your progress and how you can use the techniques from the session in your own study time.

Book now and give your productivity a boost!

Get ready to boost your dissertation or research project with a month-long programme of sessions designed to support your research journey. Whether you're just getting started or deep into writing up, there’s something for you this Research Project Month!

• Body Doubling sessions: Body doubling is a simple yet powerful way to boost your productivity by working alongside others. Just knowing that others are working at the same time can give you a motivational lift, help you stay focused, and make it easier to get things done. Choose to attend on campus (City or Collegiate) or online - Book now.

  Here’s how it works:

  • Goal setting: Decide what you want to achieve during the session.
  • Deep focus: Two 40-minute blocks of time dedicated to concentrating on your work.
  • Halfway check-in: A quick progress check.
  • Wrap-up: Reflect on what you've accomplished during the session.
     

• On-campus workshops: Join us for our new interactive workshops on planning and writing up your research. These sessions include group discussion and opportunities to explore real examples of student work, helping you build confidence and clarity in your own project:

  • Planning your Research:

    • City Campus | Thursday 19 June, 3:30-5:00pm | Norfolk 505. Book now.

    • Collegiate Campus | Tuesday 17 June, 12:00-1:30pm | Heart of Campus 0.33. Book now.

  • Writing up your Research:

    • City Campus | Wednesday 25 June, 3:30-5:00pm | Norfolk 505. Book now.

    • Collegiate Campus | Tuesday 1 July, 12:00-1:30pm | Heart of Campus 0.33. Book now.

• Lightning webinars: Short, focused 30-minute sessions packed with practical techniques for key research tasks, from refining your research question to structuring your writing. Perfect for picking up quick tips you can apply straight away. Book now.

  ---

  Check the programme for dates and book your place to make the most of Research Project Month!
  

ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) is a database maintained by the U.S. Department of Education.

Hallam Library provides access to a range of resources, and this includes free to use resources that are maintained by external organisations.

ERIC contains information related to education research. There are changes that you need to be aware of if you use ERIC to search for information. From the 24th April, you may see a reduction in the number of search results and the volume of new information available in the resource.This is due to a change in funding of the resource and possible reduction in available content.

If you are researching and studying within the areas of education, there are alternatives sources that you can use to help compensate for the changes to ERIC:

• British Education Index
• ProQuest Education database
• Research into Higher Education Abstracts
• Web of Science
• Scopus

You can find more recommendations for searching within the field of education on the Hallam Library guide: Education & Autism.