{"id":622,"date":"2023-11-14T11:00:41","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T11:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/?p=622"},"modified":"2023-11-09T12:11:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T12:11:32","slug":"five-reasons-you-should-use-libsmart-to-prep-for-your-assignments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/2023\/11\/14\/five-reasons-you-should-use-libsmart-to-prep-for-your-assignments\/","title":{"rendered":"Five reasons you should use LibSmart to prep for your assignments"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here we are midway through the first semester, and you may start to feel like you should be looking ahead to your end of semester assessments. Often students feel a bit overwhelmed before their first hand in, but here at the library we’re keen to help you feel confident from the start. Read on to find out why LibSmart is one of the best ways to prepare for your research and writing….<\/p>\n

1. LibSmart shows you the basics of finding information in easy-to-follow lessons<\/strong><\/p>\n

Split into five simple sections, LibSmart I takes you through everything you need to find good material to base your assignments on. You’ll learn about how to search the library catalogue, how to double check your course reading, and suggestions of where to go for follow up resources.<\/p>\n

2. You can dip in and out of it any time that suits you<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the great things about LibSmart is all new students are already enrolled! You just need to log in to learn and click on the ‘Essentials’ tab on the left to find it. It’s there whenever you need it all year long, so if you’re feeling like you need to be productive at 11pm one evening then log on and complete a module. We’re sure you’ll either learn something new or you’ll feel more confident that you’re on the right track.<\/p>\n

3. The whole of LibSmart I can take less than one afternoon to work through<\/strong><\/p>\n

We designed LibSmart I so that it’s not a huge effort for you to complete. We know your time is precious and that you may have classes to get to, work shifts to make or social activities that are a huge and important part of your student experience. We wanted to make the information in LibSmart as accessible as possible, and while you can take it at whatever pace you like, we know that some students like to rattle through it in just one day. Whichever route you chose, we appreciate the time you spend there.<\/p>\n

4. You’ll learn valuable skills on how to get started with referencing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Referencing is one of the top enquiries we Academic Support Librarians receive – people are confused by it or don’t understand what, where and how to do it properly. LibSmart I has a really useful introductory module that can help you get to grips with the foundations of referencing, and offers top advice on how to find the right style and systems for you. If you’re feeling stuck with where to start then this is the place to go.<\/p>\n

5. It’s so much more than just library stuff!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

We know it’s a lot to ask students to spend a few hours on looking specifically at library catalogues and databases especially when this isn’t prescribed reading on any particular course. However, students who’ve spent time on LibSmart believe it’s really made a difference to their experience as a student.<\/p>\n

When I signed up, I assumed the course was just an introduction to the library but it has really been a guide to how academic research works. I wonder if more people would have signed up for this if they had realised it was not just a tour of the library to see where the books were kept. Along with the one hour “Study Skills” course I did, which was also surprisingly useful in its content, I feel I got as much learning from these free courses as the main one I paid for.<\/p>\n

 <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

If you’re interested in giving LibSmart a go, you can find out more on our website<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Alternatively if you’re keen to get started straight away, just visit Learn<\/a><\/strong> and click on the Essentials tab on the left hand navigation. It’s all there ready for whenever you need it!<\/p>\n

\"Screenshot<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here we are midway through the first semester, and you may start to feel like you should be looking ahead to your end of semester assessments. Often students feel a bit overwhelmed before their first hand in, but here at … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":163,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[29,48,67],"tags":[120,45,13,4,41,17,12,25,162,98],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pcUES5-a2","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":870,"url":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/2024\/09\/16\/5-things-getting-the-best-out-of-your-library\/","url_meta":{"origin":622,"position":0},"title":"5 things: getting the best out of your library","date":"September 16, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Welcome, and welcome back, to all students starting the new academic year this week! Whether you are one of the many descending on campus or one of our online or distance learners logging in from across the globe, we hope you make full use of our library resources, services and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "5 things"","img":{"alt_text":"Photograph of the front of the Main Library building showing the Library sign and students outside.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/files\/2024\/09\/20240913_112015-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":176,"url":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/2021\/09\/21\/things-i-wish-id-known-graduate-reflections-on-using-the-library\/","url_meta":{"origin":622,"position":1},"title":"Things I Wish I’d Known: Graduate Reflections on using the Library","date":"September 21, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"As a recent graduate from Edinburgh, you can imagine I\u2019ve spent the summer reminiscing and reflecting on my time at university. Over my four years studying Geography I spent a lot of time in the Main Library, whiled away hours on DiscoverEd, and thought I had the whole library thing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Student stories"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/files\/2021\/09\/SCENES-3-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":367,"url":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/2022\/05\/06\/lilac-2022-student-transitions-in-information-literacy-from-school-to-he-from-learners-to-researchers\/","url_meta":{"origin":622,"position":2},"title":"LILAC 2022 : Student transitions in information literacy : \u00a0from school to HE, from learners to researchers","date":"May 6, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The LILAC 2022 conference in Manchester this April was a challenge and a pleasure to attend : \u00a0my first real life, in person conference for two years! I put aside my laptop with the distraction of its constant stream of email to concentrate on being present in the conference and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Conference reports"","img":{"alt_text":"Manchester Metropolitan University","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/files\/2022\/05\/MMU2-e1651485094503.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":951,"url":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/2025\/01\/17\/systematic-review-search-strategies-training-and-resources\/","url_meta":{"origin":622,"position":3},"title":"Systematic review search strategies – training and resources","date":"January 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Are you developing a search strategy for a systematic review or other evidence synthesis? Here we have collated a list of useful training and guidance resources to help you. The Learn course LibSmart II: Advance Your Library Research has a whole module on Literature Searching for Systematic Reviews.\u00a0 LibSmart II\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Information Literacy & Library Skills"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/files\/2024\/03\/funnel-2487506_640-284x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":666,"url":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/2024\/03\/20\/systematic-reviews-five-frequently-asked-questions\/","url_meta":{"origin":622,"position":4},"title":"Systematic Reviews: five frequently asked questions","date":"March 20, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"When the Academic Support Librarians provide help for students and researchers who are conducting large-scale reviews, such as systematic and scoping reviews, we find that often the same questions will come up. This blog post aims to answer five of your frequently asked questions about systematic reviews and provide some\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FAQs"","img":{"alt_text":"Infographic of a process.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/files\/2024\/03\/infographic-2867656_1280.png?fit=1200%2C659&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":393,"url":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/2022\/06\/17\/ten-ways-students-can-save-money-and-time-by-using-the-library\/","url_meta":{"origin":622,"position":5},"title":"Ten ways students can save money and time by using the library","date":"June 17, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Everyone's noticing the cost of living at the moment. And when you're a student juggling your studies with a job, time is money. Here's ten tips to help save money and time by using the library. It sounds obvious, but borrowing books from the Library means you don\u2019t have to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FAQs"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/files\/2021\/09\/SCENES-3-1024x683.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/622"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/163"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=622"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/622\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":624,"href":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/622\/revisions\/624"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=622"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=622"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=622"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}