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Library Guides

An orientation: Library Service and Learning Development: CMP, FAMM, Fashion Design, Film, Photography: Help & Support

Get help!

This page describes various sources of help available at the university, with a particular focus on help available from the Academic Engagement and Learning Development (AELD) team.  There is also information for academic staff.

Enquiries

Live Chat is available if you need help

Face-to-face help is available on the ground floor of the library

Referencing / Study Skills

See the Referencing guide or the study skills section of this guide.

Appointments - Librarians / Learning Developers

Librarians

Librarians can help with finding sources and referencing

 

James Thickins - librarian for fashion design, photography, film, fine art, CMP, and MRes Creative Practice

Learning Developers

Learning Developers can help with:

  • structuring and clarifying your written ideas and arguments
  • delivering effective presentations
  • undertaking literature reviews and dissertations
  • time management
  • effective study techniques

You can send your coursework and get feedback on it at the appointment.

Blackboard

Blackboard Ultra is a learning management system (LMS) that supports teaching and learning at the university. It is where you find information about your modules, and it is where you will need to submit most assignments.

Find Key information about Blackboard and online learning for new students on the Blackboard Ultra help from LIDE.  This includes the following video and two more showing you how to navigate around Blackboard.

Library garden

Harrow Library Garden

The sheds are heated and have wifi.  There is an entrance on either side of the garden on the library's first floor.

Use the printers

Multi-function devices are on every floor - print, photocopy, and scan

  • The university gives full-time students £15 per year towards printing, but this might not be in the first week. Part-time students get £7.50.
  • Send jobs from any computer on the university's wired network, use a USB stick, or submit jobs via 'Webprint' (https://webprint.westminster.ac.uk/).
  • Webprint is also where you can view your printer credit and top up your credit.

Really useful URLs

Emerging Media Space (EMS)

EMS Link Hub - Comprising the latest facilities to be used and equipment to be borrowed, the EMS is home to the newest technology in 3D printing, mixed reality, electronics and more. Workshops and inductions, both in person and online, are offered to all students.

Free software

Adobe software (for eligible courses) - IT Service Desk

Microsoft Office

Managing your money (student discounts and free software)

The Student Centre
(aka 'Student hub')

www.westminster.ac.uk/current-students

Includes:

You can also email the student Centre (studentcentre@westminster.ac.uk), use the chat service, or speak to someone at library counters.

Disability Learning Support Disability Learning Support

Adobe Certified Training and Microsoft Certified Training

www.westminster.ac.uk/current-students/studies/study-skills-and-training/digital-skills

See also the official Adobe Digital Edge Awards - enter your coursework using Adobe software for a chance at a £9k prize

Online reading lists readinglist.westminster.ac.uk
Printer credit / Wireless printing

www.westminster.ac.uk/printing

- the university will credit f/t students £15 and p/t students £7.50 per year

Blackboard VLE learning.westminster.ac.uk | Blackboard Ultra help from LIDE
IT Support

service.desk.westminster.ac.uk or telephone 020 7915 5488

Setting up your email and password

Laptop lending Borrow a laptop
SCONUL Access scheme  SCONUL Access

- apply to access other university libraries

Handbook of Academic Regulations

www.westminster.ac.uk/current-students/guides-and-policies/academic-matters/academic-regulations

 - section 10.38-9 and the appendix deal with plagiarism

Generative AI - guidance for students

Guidance for students on using Generative AI - Official advice from the university on the use of Generative AI, including advice about accessing online courses via Blackboard.  Please email ai-help@westminster.ac.uk if you have any general AI-related queries.

Libraries, Bookshops, Galleries  Google Map showing libraries, bookshops and galleries in London
Careers & Employability (Westminster)

https://engage-employability.westminster.ac.uk/unauth

See also the Graduate Success events & Westminster Employability Award

Academic English Modules (Westminster) Academic English Modules - These can be taken as a 20-credit option module or (if your course does not have option modules) as a non-credit-bearing additional module.
PhD students Doctoral Researchers Development Guide
Wellbeing collection Wellbeing collection - useful contacts

Help for academic staff

Academic Engagement Librarians

At Harrow, there are two Academic Engagement Librarians: 

James Thickins (3 days per week) - fashion design, photography, fine art, Contemporary Media Practice, and MRes

Sara Hafeez- courses in media, fashion business, and music, as well as TV Production, Animation, Games Art, Graphic Design and Illustration.

The Academic Engagement Librarians:

  • Help develop and manage library collections
  • Coordinate and deliver information and digital literacy sessions to students, researchers and academic staff. These are provided either as embedded workshops (i.e. within a module) or as part of a series of generic workshops 
  • Provide support to students and staff through appointments (one-to-one or for groups)
  • Contribute to academic course development and liaise with academic departments
  • Manage and support the provision of reading lists - see reading list guide for academic

Learning Developers

Joseph Nicholson is the learning developer for Harrow and the rest of the DCDI college.

The Learning Development team:

  • Coordinate and deliver academic skills sessions to students, researchers and academic staff (these include essay and report writing, presentations, group work, critical thinking, and more). These are provided either as embedded workshops (i.e. within a module) or as a series of generic workshops 
  • Provide support to students and staff through one-to-one appointments
  • Develop academic skills guides

Requesting books or DVDs for the collection

Items can be requested to be added to the collection by:

Requesting embedded workshops

Use the embedded workshop form to book workshops with either Learning Developers or Librarians.  

We can offer a maximum of two embedded workshops per module per term.

Considerations:

  • Workshops should be booked as early as possible and before the beginning of the term.
  • Academic staff should be present during the workshop if possible or, at minimum, introduce the speaker and set the context of the workshop to the students.
  • Academic staff should organise and monitor attendance, set up the workshop link, or book the workshop room if outside of class time.
  • We plan these workshops collaboratively with you and try to ensure they are most relevant and valuable by aligning them with the assessments that your students are working on at the time. As such, please identify the academic skill needs of your students and share information on your module/course, including the module handbook, assessment briefs, and any other relevant examples or useful texts that could be used during the workshop.