Home University of Edinburgh Library Essentials
March 9, 2026
Rare Books De-mystified
If you have ever fancied using old or rare books as the basis of a project, or come upon the location “Main Library – Special Collections” in the catalogue, for something you wanted, and not known what to do next, the Library Pop-Up session on Thursday 9th October, 2 – 4pm is for you.
The library has about 400,000 rare books, ranging in date from manuscript books from the eleventh century through early printing from all parts of the world, to modern limited 
editions and books with notes and annotations by scholars and scientists.
Come and see a small selection, showing the sort of thing we have, discover how to find out about them and get access to them. There will be a few you can handle, and Beth and Fiona, our Rare Books Cataloguing Interns will be running tutorials on how to handle them properly.
Trial – Oxford Scholarly Editions – Early Seventeenth-Century Prose
We have trial access to Oxford Scholarly Editions – Early Seventeenth-Century Prose until the 6th November. Access on campus or off campus via the VPN.
Oxford Scholarly Editions provides access to important writings from across the humanities, in editions which are the foundation of humanities scholarship—the primary sources upon which scholars rely for research and teaching. This trial access to the Early Seventeenth-Century Prose module includes the Minutes and Papers of the Westminster Assembly, the Royal Proclamations of King James I 1603–1625, the diaries of Samuel Pepys and John Evelynand the prose works of Thomas Hobbes, John Donne and Francis Bacon.
These links will show only the content we have access to:
Browse works – http://www.oxfordscholarlyeditions.com/search?onlySubscription=true
Browse editions – http://www.oxfordscholarlyeditions.com/search?onlySubscription=true&view=edition
Feedback and further info
We are interested to know what you think of this e-book package and platform as your comments influence purchase decisions so please do fill out our feedback form.
A list of all trials currently available to University of Edinburgh staff and students can be found on our trials webpage.
PebblePad for Reflection
Did you know that everyone at the University, student or staff member, has access to a free ePortfolio space? It is called PebblePad and can be accessed via the MyEd portal.
On Wednesday morning (10-12) and Monday afternoon (2-3) come and meet the PebblePad support team who can chat you through the benefits of using your ePortfolio.
PebblePad is a secure, web-based tool that allows you to start capturing your experiences and reflect on them in a structured, re-usable manner – for example using the MyEdGE workbook that is available for all students. PebblePad aims to help you evidence more than simply a degree classification. It aims to help you evidence smaller achievements and skills that you have developed throughout your time at University, not necessarily just in the tutorial room! This kind of record can be incredibly useful when it comes to filling out application forms, whether for jobs or further education opportunities it is helpful to have these reflections to demonstrate the softer skills that you have cultivated.
So, come and chat to us, if you want to know more or have any questions – there will be free pens! We look forward to meeting you.
Explore PebblePad further at: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/information-services/learning-technology/e-portfolios/pebblepad-eportfolio/definition
Explore the MyEdGE workbook further at: http://www.employability.ed.ac.uk/MyEdGE/
Trial – Vetus Latina database
We have trial access to Vetus Latina database on the Brepolis platform until the 7th November. You will need to click “Enter database” to accept the terms and conditions of use before access is given to the database. Access is available on and off campus.
The Vetus Latina Database is an electronic index to all Greek and Latin patristic citations or allusions to the pre-Vulgate editions of the Bible, collected by the Vetus Latina Institut in Beuron, Germany.
Feedback and further info
We are interested to know what you think of this database as your comments influence purchase decisions so please do fill out our feedback form.
A list of all trials currently available to University of Edinburgh staff and students can be found on our trials webpage.
We’re back!
To help you get hold of the book* you need with Library Resources Plus! *Or other item. 
Found a book in the Catalogue or Searcher and don’t know how to get it? Someone already borrowed the book you need? Need to access a book or journal article that the Library doesn’t have in its collections? Find out the answers to all of these and more at our Resources Plus session today (7th Oct) 2-4pm on the 1st floor Main Library. Pop up for a chat and let us help you get that book* that you need! *Or other item. Find out more about the session at Resources Plus. Main Library Helpdesk staff
Trial – Women and Social Movements, International Archive
We have trial access to Women and Social Movements, International Archive until the 8th November. Access this database on campus or off campus via the VPN.
Women and Social Movements, International is a landmark collection of primary materials. Through the writings of women activists, their personal letters and diaries, and the proceedings of conferences at which pivotal decisions were made, this collection lets you see how women’s social movements shaped much of the events and attitudes that have defined modern life.
Feedback and further info
We are interested to know what you think of this database as your comments influence purchase decisions so please do fill out our feedback form.
A list of all trials currently available to University of Edinburgh staff and students can be found on our trials webpage.
Graduate Trainee – month one
Alice has recently started as our new Graduate Trainee – here she tells us about her first month based at the Centre for Research Collections (CRC).
As the first Graduate Trainee at the CRC, I feel that it is important to keep a record of how the job role is being developed and hopefully give future trainees an insight into what working here is like. I am now one month in, and have nothing but great experiences to report.
Keeping to the initial schedule, the first month has consisted mostly of inductions with all the different areas of the CRC and learning about all the procedures for the front desk and reading room.
The inductions have all been fascinating. The collections here are so varied and caring for them involves so many different areas of expertise that I have had the opportunity of meeting people with incredibly diverse backgrounds, all equally friendly and very welcoming.
Need help with using the Library? Help is available.
Having problems finding material from your reading list? Not sure how to reference or cite properly in your work? Need to work on a systematic review but not sure where to start? Or just want to know how to use Google and Google Scholar in an academic context?
The Academic Support Librarian team are running several courses this semester through IS Skills which you can book onto via MyEd. These (mostly) 1 hour sessions allow you to get expert advice and hands-on experience. So why not book on and become an expert yourself? Read More
Trial – Credo Reference
We have trial access to Credo Reference until 31st October. Access is via a specific username and password listed on our EASE protected password page.
Credo Online Reference Service helps researchers build context by providing background information and key terms enabling more efficient research. It gives access to hundreds of in-depth subject encyclopedias and handbooks covering every major subject from Accounting to Art History and Shakespeare to Einstein, as well as Topic Pages which offer an easy starting point and pathways for further research. Some people might find the Credo Mind Map a good way of seeing the relationships between topics in a visual way.
Feedback and further info
We are interested to know what you think of this reference service as your comments influence purchase decisions so please do fill out our feedback form.
A list of all trials currently available to University of Edinburgh staff and students can be found on our trials webpage.
Trial – British Newspaper Archive
We have trial access to the full content of the British Newspapers Archive until 30th November.
The British Newspapers 1600-1950 is the most significant digital collection of British historic newspapers. New conservation and imaging techniques and a new cross-searchable platform adopted by the British Library offers unparalleled access and discoverability to this valuable historical and cultural archive. In addition one will find specially commissioned essays and contextual materials written by expert scholars intended to help non-specialist users with perspective and analysis.
Feedback and further info
We are interested to know what you think of this database as your comments influence purchase decisions so please do fill out our feedback form.
A list of all trials currently available to University of Edinburgh staff and students can be found on our trials webpage.
Collections
Hill and Adamson Collection: an insight into Edinburgh’s past
My name is Phoebe Kirkland, I am an MSc East Asian Studies student, and for...
Cataloguing the private papers of Archibald Hunter Campbell: A Journey Through Correspondence
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Projects
Cataloguing the private papers of Archibald Hunter Campbell: A Journey Through Correspondence
My name is Pauline Vincent, I am a student in my last year of a...
Archival Provenance Research Project: Lishan’s Experience
Presentation My name is Lishan Zou, I am a fourth year History and Politics student....