News & Events

For services and systems updates, please visit AU Service Status

New eBook Central Reader App

07/07/2026

From Monday 13th July, the Ebook Central Reader App will replace Adobe Digital Editions, providing a more accessible and user-friendly reading experience.


The app integrates seamlessly with Ebook Central, making it easier to access and enjoy your downloaded eBooks offline.


Prefer reading online? No problem – you can still read Ebook Central eBooks directly in your browser without installing the app as before.

Blackboard July Update

07/07/2026

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

• Add supplemental content to Learning Object Repository folders and learning modules
• Add descriptions to Discussions and Journals
• Run a Rubric Evaluation Report for graded activities
• Control AI Conversation duration with time limits
• Find your favourite courses faster with Course Switcher

For more detail, see our blogpost: What’s new in Blackboard July 2026 (https://wordpress.aber.ac.uk/e-learning/2026/06/05/whats-new-in-blackboard-june-2026/)

Summer Book Displays

01/07/2026

Discover local nature this summer with our specially curated wildlife guides! Whether you are planning a summer hike or just pottering around your garden, these resources are perfect for you.

Drop by the Physical Sciences Library or Levels E and F of the Hugh Owen Library to explore the displays throughout July.

14th Annual Education and Student Experience Conference Programme

24/06/2026

We’re delighted to announce the programme for our 14th Annual Education and Student Experience Conference.

See our blogpost for further information and booking your place: https://wordpress.aber.ac.uk/e-learning/2026/06/22/14th-annual-education-and-student-experience-conference-programme-announced/

New Scopus AI Discovery trial

22/06/2026

Scopus AI Discovery is available to you on a free one-month trial from 22 June.

Explore literature faster, uncover connections, and get AI-powered insights to support your studies and research. This new AI-enhanced research tool supports literature exploration, helping users identify key concepts, connections, and relevant publications more efficiently.
We encourage students, researchers, and academic staff to explore the platform during the trial period and assess its potential for teaching, learning, and research. Feedback on the tool would be most welcome


Please access Scopus AI Discovery here: https://primo.aber.ac.uk/view/action/uresolver.do?operation=resolveService&package_service_id=9845005960002418&institutionId=2418&customerId=2415&VE=true

Update your module reading lists for 2026-2027

16/06/2026

Please update your Aspire Reading Lists now for 2026-2027 modules beginning in Semester 1 to ensure that there is sufficient time to buy or digitise library materials - guidance here.

If you

  • have new modules this year, library staff have created empty lists in Aspire ready for you to add to – guidance here
  • added library materials etc. to a new module form in Module Management, library staff have added these to the new Aspire reading list ready to buy/digitise

Please contact your subject librarian or email librarians@aber.ac.uk if you have any questions or would like some one-to-one help.

Blackboard June Update

08/06/2026

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

• Grading with rubric
• Student engagement with announcements

For more detail, see our blogpost:

What’s new in Blackboard June 2026: https://wordpress.aber.ac.uk/e-learning/2026/06/05/whats-new-in-blackboard-june-2026/

Finding information about student life at Aber

05/06/2026

We’d really appreciate if you took a moment of your time to complete this short survey on how you stay informed about university events and services.

Your feedback is incredibly important in shaping the student experience, and this is a great way to make your voice heard on how you find it easiest to find information!

Complete the ‘finding information about student life at Aber’ survey here: Finding information about student life at Aber – Fill out form 

Blackboard Course Creation 2026-27

01/06/2026

All courses for 2026-27 have been created and are available to staff in Blackboard.

For further information, see our blogpost (https://wordpress.aber.ac.uk/e-learning/2026/06/01/course-creation-2026-27-2/)

AI Prompt Library

01/05/2026

Library Academic and Digital Services have created an AI Prompt Library. Take a look at our blogpost (https://wordpress.aber.ac.uk/librarian/?p=1941) and webpage (https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/library/help/ai/prompt-library/) for further information.

Keynote speaker: 14th Education and Student Experience Conference: Dr Hardeep Kaur Basra

13/05/2026

We’re delighted to confirm our keynote speaker for our forthcoming 14th Education and Student Experience Conference (8-10 September). Dr Hardeep Kaur Basra from De Montfort University will be joining us for a keynote presentation and workshop.


For further information, include booking your place, see our blogpost: https://wordpress.aber.ac.uk/e-learning/2026/05/13/keynote-announcement-14th-education-and-student-experience-conference-dr-hardeep-kaur-basra/