More News

University Mental Health Day at the library

12/03/2026

Today we're celebrating University Mental Health Day. The aim of the day is to get people talking about student wellbeing and fostering a supportive campus environment. So today come to the library and take some time to focus on what really matters: you!

Developing insight and understanding through reading, and taking time to relax and destress whilst doing so, is a massive part of feeling well, physically and mentally. Our libraries understand that better than anything!

On Level E of the Hugh Owen Library you'll find a selection of titles from our Read Well collection of books and ebooks that promote mental wellbeing, mindfulness, and self-care in our display. Or you can explore the collection online here: Read Well 

Check out a book today and check in with yourself :)

Celebrating St David's Day

26/02/2026

What better way to celebrate St David's Day than with books?

Maybe we're biased. But! The library has thousands of wonderful books from Wales and books in Welsh (and in a few other languages).

Browse our Celtic Collection online or on Level F of the Hugh Owen Library 

Happy St David's Day to us all!

Kortext Advanced Reader  - Library Services

16/02/2026

From the 12th of March users will have to use a different method to access the Advanced Reader options in Kortext e.g. text-to-speech. The software which hosts our digitised readings is being updated and is awaiting further integration with Kortext.

To access the Advanced Reader options, you will need to do the following:

  • Open the digitised reading on your reading list.
  • Download a copy of the reading (located on the left of the screen).
  • Log into the Kortext website.
  • Upload the downloaded text into your Bookshelf. Open the reading from the Bookshelf to access the Advanced Reader options.

We will update you once the integration is complete.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused, if you have any further questions, please contact us on digitisation@aber.ac.uk.

13 February 2026 is Welsh Language Music Day

12/02/2026

Welsh Language Music Day celebrates all forms of Welsh Language music. Whether you’re into indie, rock, punk, funk, folk, electronica, hip hop or anything else, there’s incredible music being made in the Welsh language for you to discover.

Pop by the Pop Aber stand on Level D, Hugh Owen Library to learn more

Do you want to help make navigating campus easier?

09/02/2026

Ever got lost on campus or taken the long way around? We’re running a short study to understand how students find their way around Aberystwyth University, and we’d love your help.

We’re looking for students to take part in a quick, informal session about navigating the campus.

Why get involved?

  • Help make campus easier to navigate.
  • Create a positive difference for students.
  • Earn £5 Aber Card credit as a thank you.

To sign up

To find out more or take part, please complete the following form: https://forms.office.com/e/GWfynGMEk6 or email welcome@aber.ac.uk.

Blackboard February Update

06/02/2026

Enhancements in the February Blackboard Update: 

  • Use automations to remind students to check their feedback
  • Stack blocks vertically in Documents
  • Enhanced achievement usability

For more detail, see our blogpost: What’s new in Blackboard February 2026.

Call for Proposals: Mini Conference: Neurodiversity Network Conference

05/02/2026

The next Mini Conference will take place on Tuesday 14 April 2026.

We are currently inviting colleagues to submit Call for Proposals. Bookings are also open. See our blog post for more information.

Blackboard Exemplary Course Award 2025-26

12/01/2026

Applications for this year’s Exemplary Course Award are now open, with a deadline of Friday 30 January 2026.

For further information, see our blogpost.

Generative AI Mini Conference: Materials Available

06/01/2026

The materials from our December mini conference on Generative AI are now available on our webpages.

From January 12th: new Aspire bookmarking workflow for staff when using the browser extension

06/01/2026

When using the browser extension to add library resources to your module reading lists in Aspire, from January 12th you will find a new and improved workflow

  • Preview your bookmark prior to adding it to your reading list
  • Choose between alternative sources of the same title
  • Should changes be required, the Edit resource form now displays menu choices as buttons in a parallel panel

Please find a step-by-step guide in this support article from Talis or watch the short video. 

You’re welcome to contact your subject librarian or the Academic Engagement team for a demonstration.

The Library's Academic Engagement Team are commended for their AI Literacy Course by CILIP Wales

06/01/2026

Aberystwyth University’s Academic Engagement team of librarians has been awarded a commendation in the 2025 CILIP Cymru Wales Welsh Library Team of the Year Award for their design and delivery of a bilingual fully accessible and inclusive AI Literacy Course https://rise.articulate.com/share/uXQfvQf-7Z01ynCVGnJoL94obU328Klq  // Cy: https://rise.articulate.com/share/4oOrQodS_sRXPaXsYaWEc2MSEXtlIIel

Simon French and Shân Saunders led on this project in the University Library said "The AI Literacy Course provides a university-wide, bilingual, and practical response to one of the most pressing issues in higher education today. We hope that the course is recognised as an essential resource by both students and staff and that it showcases how librarians can lead the way in helping students navigate the opportunities and risks of AI."

Simon French explains “Our aim was for the course was to provide a coherent and accessible resource that directly meets the needs of our students. The course has been designed so that students can approach the modules in a non-linear way allowing them to dip into resources at the point of need. The content is grounded in real-world academic practice, with examples drawn from typical student tasks and assignments.”

Shân Saunders looks to the future “AI is not standing still, and neither are we. As the technology evolves, so too must our support for students. We deliberately designed the course in a modular way to make it easily adaptable and sustainable. In development are two new additions to the course: one focusing on AI and accessibility, exploring how the technology can support inclusive learning; and another on AI and employability, helping students understand how AI is reshaping the workplace and how they can use it to enhance their career prospects. These new modules will ensure the course remains relevant to student needs and engages with the wider conversations shaping higher education and the job market.”

The Award, sponsored by the Welsh Government and CILIP Cymru Wales, celebrates the achievements of teams working within Library/Information Services in Wales. More information available on the CILIP Wales website 

More information about the Library’s AI Literacy Course

Generative AI isn’t going away. Its rapid rise and growing influence could make it the Google of our generation. Students were quick to embrace it. Walk through the library and you can see how they are using the technology to learn, research, and write. But this technology also brings new challenges for academic integrity, critical thinking, and digital literacy. To prepare students for this new AI world, the Academic Engagement team based in the Aberystwyth University Library has designed and delivered a brand new, bilingual (Welsh and English) fully accessible and inclusive AI Literacy Course. It comprises a series of short, engaging, and practical modules aimed at helping students develop confidence in understanding and using AI responsibly.

The design reflects the librarians’ experience that short, focused modules are the most effective way to engage students, especially when tackling a complex, fast-moving topic such as AI. Each module introduces a key area (from AI and critical thinking to citation and referencing, to the ethics of using AI) giving students both the theory and the practical tools to apply directly to their studies.

To reinforce learning, students test their knowledge through short quizzes at the end of each module. The final module is a longer summative quiz. On successful completion of the quiz module, students receive a badge showing they have successfully completed the course. The quizzes use a variety of question types, including multiple choice, multiple answer, and scenario-based problems, which are designed to challenge misconceptions around AI and encourage deeper engagement with the subject.

The project has enabled new collaborations across the university. Members of the Academic Engagement team worked closely with the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education and Student Experience, departmental Directors of Learning and Teaching, and staff working on academic integrity issues to ensure that the course reflected institutional values and disciplinary expectations.

Changes to study room booking system in the Hugh Owen Library

13/11/2025

A change is underway to the study room booking system at Hugh Owen Library. Keen users will have noticed that we have removed the old booking screens / joan boards from outside the rooms.

We will provide details of the new, more convenient way for you to manage your bookings as soon as possible.

In the meantime, you can check which rooms are available and book here: https://faqs.aber.ac.uk/en/2607