News & Events

For services and systems updates, please visit AU Service Status

Hugh Owen Library 24/7 opening for exam period starts today 05 Jan 2026

05/01/2026

All floors of the library are open 24/7 for the exam period: Mon 05 Jan – Fri 23 Jan

Full library opening hours: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/is/about/opening-hours/

Hugh Owen Library: No Aber Card, No Access Mon 05 - Fri 23 January 2026

23/12/2025

Due to high demand on library spaces, use of the Hugh Owen Library during the January exam period (from Mon 05 - Fri 23 January) is restricted to Aber Card holders only during the day. You need your Aber card to enter as well as exit the library. All 3 floors of the Hugh Owen Library are open 24/7 during the exam period.

Aber Cards are always needed 17:00-08:30 7 days a week. More information is available on our website: http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/is/library/hughowen/ and on the visitor webpages

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.

Exam Ready!

06/01/2026

Exam time is here. Take a look at the top 20 top revision and exams tips as recommended by fellow students.

Discover great guidance, tips and advice on how to revise more effectively and useful techniques to help you on exam day.

Further advice and guidance available on AberSkills – Revision and Exams: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aberskills/exams/  

Happy New Year from Library Services

01/01/2026

Hugh Owen Library opening times from 2nd January 2026:

  • 08:30-22:00: Fri 02 Jan – Sun 04 Jan
  • All floors of the library are open 24/7 for the exam period: Mon 05 Jan – Fri 23 Jan
  • 08:30-22:00: Sat 24 Jan – Fri 27 March 
  • Level D of the Hugh Owen Library remains open 24/7 all through the year.

The Physical Sciences Library opening hours are at: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/is/library-services/physicalscience/opening-times---physical-sciences-library/

Full library opening hours: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/is/about/opening-hours/

Final Examination timetable - Semester 1

17/11/2025

The final examination timetable for semester one is available on the timetabling website: https://ow.ly/Jkuw50Qanaq

 For further guidance regarding examinations, please contact your departmental examination officer: https://ow.ly/Yu1550Qanar

Library services and support for students over the holidays

06/12/2025

While Library Services closes at 16:30 on Tuesday 23rd December 2025 and reopens at 08:30 on Friday 2nd January 2026, Level D of the Hugh Owen Library remains open 24/7 during the holidays, providing access to computers, printers, study spaces and vending. Find out more about Library services and support available to you over the holidays.

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.

Adolygu ac arholiadau Ionawr

17/12/2025

Dechrau meddwl am adolygu ac arholiadau Ionawr? Darganfyddwch sut i adolygu’n effeithiol, paratoi ar gyfer diwrnod arholiad, a datblygu eich sgiliau astudio. Mae cyngor ac awgrymiadau defnyddiol yn SgiliauAber: www.aber.ac.uk/cy/aberskills/exams/

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.

Latest Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit sessions 09/12/2025 - 30/01/2026

08/12/2025

09/12 E-learning Essentials: Introduction to Component Marks Transfer (Online)

10/12 E-learning Excellence: Submitting an Exemplary Course Award (Online)

11/12 E-learning Excellence: Exemplary Assessment Design (Online)

January

05/01 E-learning Essentials: Introduction to Component Marks (Online)

12/01 E-learning Essentials: Introduction to Blackboard Ultra (Online)

15/01 E-learning Essentials: Introduction to Component Marks Transfer (Online)

21/01 E-learning Essentials: Introduction to Vevox, polling software (Online)

26/01 E-learning Essentials: Introduction to Component Marks Transfer (Online)

28/01 E-learning Essentials: Introduction to Panopto Lecture Capture and Teaching Room Equipment (In-person)

30/01 E-learning Essentials: Introduction to Turnitin (Online)

Times/ booking 

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

Minor update to Blackboard Interface, January 2026.

01/12/2025

On 8 January 2026, there will be a minor update to the Blackboard interface. For further information, see our blogpost.