News & Events

For services and systems updates, please visit AU Service Status

Hugh Owen Library opening hours up till the Christmas and New Year holidays

08/12/2025

  • The Hugh Owen Library is open 08:30-22:00 Mon-Sun until Sat 13 Dec (Level D open 24/7)
  • Sun 14 Dec - Mon 22 Dec Level D is open 24/7 and Levels E & F open 08:30-20:00 
  • Tues 23 Dec Level D is open 24/7 and Levels E & F open 08:30-16:30 
  • Wed 24 Dec-Thurs 01 Jan 2026 Level D is open 24/7 
  • Level D is always open 24/7 (Aber Card needed to enter and exit)

The Hugh Owen Library reopens 08:30 on Fri 02 Jan 2026 https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/is/about/opening-hours/ 

Library opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period

06/12/2025

Library Services closes at 16:30 on Tuesday 23rd December 2025 and reopens 08:30 on Friday 2nd January 2026. Level D of the Hugh Owen Library is open 24/7 throughout this time http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/is/opening-hours/  

Wishing you a happy holiday and a Happy New Year from everyone in Library Services.

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.

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

Blackboard December Update

06/12/2025

The Digital Education Team would like to highlight enhancements in the December Blackboard Update: 

  • Specify participation requirements for Discussions 
  • Support Inline and Display Formulas in MathJax 
  • Learning Module Table of Contents 
  • Set release conditions for open or started and for non-assessment content items 
  • Improved handling of group membership changes for group assignments
  • Improved Automations experience 

For more detail, see our blogpost: What’s new in Blackboard December 2025

Welsh-language Rights Day

03/12/2025

7 December is Welsh Language Rights Day, a day for us to raise awareness of the rights you have to use the Welsh language with us and to promote our Welsh language services.

So, did you know...? You can use all of our library systems and services in Welsh!

  • Use all machines in the library and computers in your language of choice

  • Search Primo, the library catalogue and find, read and borrow a huge range of books, magazine, journals and other resources in Welsh

  • Get help and support from library staff online and in person in English and Welsh

  • Use all Microsoft software, including Outlook and Word in Welsh. Use Cysill to check your spelling and grammar and To Bach to type accents on our computers

Remember to use your Welsh next time you visit the library and if you need any help contact us

AberSkills 1:1 Support

01/12/2025

Whether you need academic writing guidance, career advice, library, wellbeing, or tech support, you'll have access to dedicated 1:1 support to help you reach your full academic potential.

Explore the list of 1:1 support services at AberSkills: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aberskills/one-to-one-appointments/

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.

Mini Conference: Generative AI Programme Announced

27/11/2025

We are delighted to confirm our programme for the Mini Conference on Thursday 18 December. For further information and to book your place, see our blogpost.

From December 1st: new Aspire bookmarking workflow for staff when using the browser extension

25/11/2025

When using the browser extension to add library resources to your module reading lists in Aspire, from December 1st 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.

What is Good Academic Practice?

24/11/2025

Discover how to study with integrity and confidence!

  • Learn what counts as good academic practice
  • Avoid common pitfalls like plagiarism
  • Get tips to develop strong study habits and professional skills

Explore the Good Academic Practice section on AberSkills and level up your skills today!

https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aberskills/good-academic-practice/

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

Check your skills!

17/11/2025

Less than a month to go until the end of the first term – the perfect time to check in on your skills!

  • What skills did you start with?
  • What have you developed so far?
  • Where do you want to improve next?

Whether it’s academic writing, maths, library, using technology, or referencing, we’ve got resources and guidance to help you level up: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aberskills/

Maths and stats helpdesk

12/11/2025

Looking for some help and guidance on a maths or stats question?

Visit the weekly Maths and Stats drop-in session (during term-time)

  • Thursdays
  • 10:00-13:00
  • Level D, Hugh Owen Library (next to the vending area)

You can also email maths-help@aber.ac.uk with your query if you can’t make the drop-in.

Assignments

03/11/2025

Received your first assignment question? Essay, report, presentation, academic poster? Unsure what’s required or what task words mean?

Find bitesize ‘How to write…’ infographics and guidance for various assignment types on AberSkills: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aberskills/writing-assignments/

#HereToHelpYou

AI, AU and you

04/11/2025

AI is everywhere, even at university. Learn how to use it smartly with our new interactive tutorial.

Available now on Blackboard (Organisations - AI Literacy Course)

 

Need guidance on referencing?

07/11/2025

Accurate referencing is an essential part of academic writing. It ensures proper acknowledgment of sources. Visit the Referencing section on AberSkills to learn how to correctly cite all sources used in your work and understand the implications of failing to do so: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aberskills/referencing/

Staff and Students: Request a scan with our Digitisation Service

24/10/2025

Need a scan of a book chapter, journal article, or thesis that is held in print version in the library? You can now request it easily through our Digitisation Service.

Go to Primo and select DIGITISATION from the top menu bar. On the webpage, choose the type of resource you’re looking for (article, chapter, thesis) and complete the short form.

Our team will check copyright, scan the material, and send you the digital copy directly to your Aber Uni email, saving you time and effort.

Hugh Owen Library's opening hours for the new term

08/08/2024

From Saturday 20 September, the Hugh Owen Library is open 08:30 until 22:00 every day of the week during term time. Level D (the ground floor) is always open 24/7 .

Check the Library opening hours on our online calendar here: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/is/about/opening-hours/

Blackboard November Update

07/11/2025

The Digital Education Group would like to highlight enhancements in the November Blackboard Update: 

  • Generate or upload custom achievement badges
  • Automatically send messages to students based on course-level rules
  • Bulk change question points in tests
  • Improved navigation from Gradebook headers

For more detail, see our blogpost: What’s new in Blackboard November 2025.