Introduction to Library Services
Tuesday, 3 October, 2023 - 19:30
Learn about the online library, how to find help and support, and how to access key services to help with your studies or work at the OU.
This short animated video introduces you to the OU Library.
A new OU student gets some useful advice from fellow students:
The main character, a female cartoon version of a new OU student sits in her kitchen with her laptop looking slightly confused.
New student: Right, so, I need something from the OU Library. I don't know where to start
A talking head appears, Student 1: Don’t worry about it, it’s really, really easy
A second talking head appears, Student 2: It might feel new to you, but honestly you'll get used to it on no time
A third talking head appears, Student 3: You'll be like a kid in a sweet shop after a while
New student: OK - but if it’s online, how do I get a book?
A fourth talking head appears, Student 4: Being online is the best bit
Student 1: Just type into Library Search what you're looking for, click on a resource, and there's your ebook
Student 2: Oh it's more than just books! There's literally a world of information out there. I've used music tracks
A fifth talking head appers, Student 5: I read a newspaper from 1894, I was on my way to work and I found it on my phone
Student 4: I used a video from VE day in one of my assignments. My tutor loved it!
Student 1: I was trying to find an article so I used the list of library resources pulled together by the librarians just for my subject
New student: Wait a minute, why can't I just Google that?
A sixth talking head appears, Student 6: Well you could, but if you used the online library you know what you'r getting's reliable and accurate
Student 5: And a lot of the info's been chosen by librarians or academics, so you're more likely to find something that's perfect for your course
Student 3: Yeah, I used some statistics for a project about diabetes I found on the internet. It turned out to be about 20 years out of date
Student 5: My tutor told me how important it was to know if I could trust the information I was using. So I did one of those online training sessions
New student: It's starting to sound a bit complicated
Student 2: Nooo! I've done a few of those training sessions. Just have a go, they're really worth it
Student 6: Why don't you have a look on the library website?
Student 2: There's some really helpful guides on there
Student 4: I learned to spot the difference between good and bad information
Student 6: I found an activity on using Google more effectively. Saved me a load of time at work
New student: So I ought to do something too then?
Student 1: I would, it's a great way to get started and the librarians are ever so helpful
Student 5: And they know what they're doing!
Student 3: Yeah, just click on one of the sessions or the guides; they are really straight forward and they’re gonna help you to find things much more quickly
Student 1: There you go!
New student: Aww, smashing!
Student 3: And you don't even need to wait for a training session, there's a helpdesk 24/7 so help's available all the time
New student: Thanks very much, honestly you've all been really, really helpful. But umm, you're not really here in my kitchen are you?
Summary: Explore and find out more about your online library at www.open.ac.uk/library
Tuesday, 3 October, 2023 - 19:30
Learn about the online library, how to find help and support, and how to access key services to help with your studies or work at the OU.