Library Support for Research Students and Staff

Libraries at the University of the Highlands and Islands - not your usual campus library

For a video version of the information in this guide, please use this link https://libguides.uhi.ac.uk/videoguides/research 

Please note, this video was recorded during Covid lockdown - information on access to library spaces and to the Sconul Access scheme (both spaces and Sconul Access are now re-opened) still to be updated.

If you have come to the university from a traditional campus-based institution, our libraries may seem very different. Rather than one large library on six or seven floors of a central building, our study spaces and print book collections are spread throughout the region, from Shetland to Perth, Campbeltown to Elgin. Because of this, we rely on electronic library resources to a great extent and have developed an intersite loan service to enable students and staff to borrow print books from all our academic partner libraries. This service is free of charge. Your local campus library staff are there to help you negotiate the services - get to know them, whether by email, VC or in person,  and your access to resources will be a breeze! 

Image from ThirdIron/Browzine. Used by permission

The main Library pages of the university's website are here https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/libraries/

Library services are open (almost) as normal, but some COVID mitigation measures are still in place as at end February 2022, such as mask wearing, sanitising and social distancing measures. 

 The Library Services are provided jointly by the LIS Libraries team (part of the UHI's Executive Office) and by the Libraries of the individual Academic Partners.

LIS provides the electronic element -

• eBooks and eJournals. Most ebooks are available through the Library Discovery Tools as well. This link takes you to the platforms where the eBooks are hosted. For eJournal content searching, you should use Discovery tools below.
• Discovery Tools - searching  most of the online databases, ebooks, journals etc
• databases
• Abstracting and Indexing tools - Scopus, Web of Science
• Electronic databases of Maps, Images and Music
• Reports and Theses
• Refworks and  Endnote for reference management

LIS also provides

• In the case of research staff and students, we provide an Book Purchase Request, InterLibrary Loan and Document Supply service for materials from outside the university.
• In conjunction with the Research Support Officer, we also provide guidance and input on
  • Open Access compliance
  • Research Data Management
• An annual review of electronic resources for the university's research community. New resources can be added on request at any time, budget permitting.

Your local Academic Partner Library provides

• Supportive and friendly library staff who want to help you succeed.
• Print books and journals for borrowing
• InterSite loans (from other UHI Partner libraries) -contact your local AP library.
• Computers and printing in dedicated study spaces - Contact your local AP library
• Staff support, advice and assistance in finding resources and using the library services Contact your local AP library
• Signposting to related services and support (Research Support Officer, IT help, etc.) Contact your local AP library