ReadSpeaker function in mySearch

When searching for resources in mySearch you may have noticed that if the full text is available as HTML there is an option to have the text read out loud.

There is a choice of American, Australian, or British accent (I have been told that the Australian one is the least robotic!).

Did you know that there are lots of other options available by clicking on the settings icon (the cog like one).

For example:

You can set the reading speed.

Change the highlighting

Or the colour of the text

Or use the enhanced text visibility option.

Beyond the Issue Desk

As you are all aware there is a new blog on GO just for LRC staff.  At the moment it is set up for everyone to see when you are logged into GO with your personal account.  This may be changed slightly in future but it will never be possible to add new posts or comment on existing ones from generic accounts such as library or lib1.

If you are using a computer which is logged in with a generic account you don't need to log out and back in again as you to access the blog.  You can switch user in GO as follows:

Click on where it gives the name of the login at the top right of the screen

Choose 'Sign in as Different User'

Log in with your account

You will now be able to view the blog.



If you want to set up an alert so that you are notified when items are added to the blog you can find this option at the bottom of the page.

Scroll down below the posts listed and you will find two options for alerts.

Choosing 'Alert Me' will let you set your preferences for receiving email alerts.

LRC on Moodle

The LRCs have a new block in Moodle which is on every page - even the landing page!

Hopefully this will increase our visibility to students and make it easier for them to access our resources.

However the flip side is we will be losing the LRC from the navigation bar over half term as we will be listed under My College

Britannica Image Quest update

Britannica® ImageQuest™ has recently updated a number of the collections:     Fundamental Photographs – The Art of Science – over 3,000 images of Science experiments added Specialises in scientific phenomena ranging from explosive chemical reactions to water drops to toppling dominoes. The collection includes general physics, optics, magnetism and earth science.   Planet Observer – 450 Satellite images added A comprehensive collection that ranges from views of the earth, continents, countries and cities to pictures of natural features such as volcanoes, deserts and rivers.   Other updated collections include an additional 4,000 images of vintage and historical content from the Press Association as well as 6,500 images added to World cultures and religions from Universal Images Group.

New look for Primal Pictures

The interactive anatomy and physiology resource, Primal Pictures, has has a makeover.  It is now on Anatomy TV and has a fresh new look.

The links have been updated in Moodle and the new site has some posters under the Resources section you can download for promotion.

Please do take a look and spread the word as it is useful for a variety of subjects.

Reservations and display items

When items are on Display Heritage views it as not available to loan so allows reservations to be placed.  However, the reservation will not be activated until the item goes through circulation in some way.  This will be either:

• the item is put through as a Return to take it off Display, or
• someone else tries to borrow the item in question.

So remember, if you place a reservation on an item at another site that has the status Display you will need to contact them to let them know you want it.

Heritage Cirqa - stage two

ICT have completed the installation of Cirqa and it now set up on the server.  In order to start the testing phase the Cirqa client has been made available for me to play with on my computer.

It's still very early days and many of our settings seem to have transferred OK but they all have to be put through their paces to make sure they do work as expected.  IS Oxford indicate for most users a trial period of about a month would be a basic guide but this can vary enormously as every installation is unique.

Once testing is complete I will agree a suitable time to make the switch over with ICT.  This is likely to be during a 'holiday' period which will allow us to close all the LRCs for a time if necessary.  As soon as we're close to this point I'll let everyone know.

Now I need to get the settings exactly right so I don't email everyone notifications and overdues whilst testing!!!