Greening the Library

The Library is going green! We’ve recently introduced a number of new green initiatives, which tied in with Green Week but will continue on, and we’re asking for everybody’s help and cooperation to make DkIT Library green. 

Firstly, we turned down the radiators.  This was noticeable straight away when the daffodils on the Issue Desk got a new lease of life, staying fresh for a couple of weeks instead of wilting in days as they would ordinarily do.  We’ve also been switching off lights in rooms and offices – you’ve probably noticed the signs asking you to turn off the lights in the seminar rooms when you leave.  We’re switching off computer monitors before we leave the computer and closing study rooms if they’re not being used at night, to conserve energy. 

And that’s only the start!  In summer we hope to get the seals on the library windows repaired to ensure that heat is kept in, so we avoid wasting energy by turning on radiators unnecessarily.  We’ll be getting rid of the water coolers for staff and replacing them with a drinking tap outside the Library which both staff and students can use.  We’re considering the possibility of placing a water collector in the Library Garden.  We also hope to provide new students next year with Library and Induction information on USBs rather than in brochures and booklets.  This will cut down on paper and obviously the USBs can then be reused by students throughout their studies at DkIT. 

If you have more ideas about how to get DkIT Library green, or you have queries or comments about the initiatives mentioned, let us know via email (librarian@dkit.ie), or the Suggestions Box, or the Issue Desk.  Or indeed you might reply to this post.

Training Session for IEEE Xplore in the Library

 The IEEE /IET online collection is the Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers' most comprehensive collection, featuring high-quality content from the IEEE and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).  Included is access to all IEEE/IET journals, conference proceedings, and active standards—30% of the world’s current literature in electrical engineering, computer science, and related technologies.

Come along to the Library on Wednesday March 21st to learn more about this collection. Presentations will be held at 10am and 11am to introduce you to the 3 million new IEEE and IET articles to which you now have access. You will also learn

• How to save searches, set-up alerts and use other personalization features
• How to use advanced search options
• Improved search tools--refine and drill down into searches by multiple criteria
• Improved browse options -- browse by document type, most popular or what's new

If you'd like to attend, please let Lorna O'Connor know at lorna.oconnor@dkit.ie.

Library Closed on St. Patrick's Weekend

Much confusion is generated every year when the Library closes on March 17^th, or the following Monday if it falls at the weekend.  This is to give our students (who sometimes, it seems, don’t want it) the opportunity to wander the streets festooned in shamrock and wearing silly hats, searching for ceilidhs to dance in, and enjoying the annual procession of tractors that is Dundalk’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. And this is to commemorate our patron saint, Saint Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland and got rid of snakes at the same time (now that’s multi-tasking for you). Now you know why the Library is closed this Saturday 17th March and Monday 19^th March. We will open as usual on Tuesday 20^th March. Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Remembrance Service in the Library Garden

This Wednesday 14th March at 1pm, there will be a remembrance service in the Library Garden for all those who have suffered bereavement.  We will gather in support of each other to remember relations, friends and colleagues we have lost.  As part of the service of reading and song there will be a release of balloons inscribed with the names of those we wish to remember. 

If you would like to attend, you can place the name of the person you wish to remember in a box at the Student Services Reception, or email the chaplain clement.mcmanus@dkit.ie.

Seachtain na Gaeilge 5 - 17 March

Tá Seachtain na Gaeilge ar siúl anois ón 5 -17 Márta 2012.  

Seachtain na Gaeilge is a two week celebration of Irish language and culture and there will be various events on around the country to celebrate - see the Seachtain na Gaeilge website for details of what's on.   There will be informal conversation cafes on around the campus, at 11.00am Wednesday in the Coffee Dock and 11.00am Thursday in Starbucks, so whatever level of Irish you have, now's the time to use it!  If you think you might need some help, a source in the know recommends Colloquial Irish: the complete course for beginners.  Once you have your cupla focail you may want to browse our collection of books in the Irish language.   Go n-éirí an bóthar libh!

Rag Week Opening Hours

The Library will be open as usual during Rag Week starting 5th March, that is Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 9pm, Friday 8.30am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm.