Hello to Katie Mann

I have recently been welcomed into the library as the new Information Specialist for Languages and Social Sciences. Having previously worked at Bradford University Library and then completed my postgraduate studies at Loughborough, I am excited to begin my career as a new professional here at Aston.

Everyone has been exceptionally nice whilst I've been settling in, so I’m really looking forward to working as part of the team here in the library, and offering my support to the Languages and Social Sciences School. I can’t wait to get stuck into my work, and hope to be able to bring lots of fresh ideas to the table (as well as really bad jokes).

When not in the library, I can probably be found either roller skating, dabbling in some social activism, or avidly watching prison dramas.

Farewell to Chris Brown

Library & Information Services said a fond farewell to Chris Brown this week.  Chris has worked in the Information Services Team as an Information Specialist for 4 years.  She has primarily provided support for the Languages and Social Sciences School and worked hard to build a close relationship between the Library and the students, researchers and academic staff.  You may have also met Chris at the Library Help Desk or out and about at University meetings or our programme of taught seminars.

Chris has decided to spend more time with her family and will be enjoying London living in the week and Birmingham visits at the weekends.  Library staff joined Chris at a farewell lunch in the Sacks of Potatoes and past members of the team came for a celebratory drink.  We will miss her calm presence in the Library office and her cheery smiles.

We hope you join us in wishing Chris well and although she will be missed, we hope she enjoys her new adventures.  Get spending those theatre vouchers soon!

Library & Information Services

Farewell to our Aston Star - Martin Scyner

Retirement of our Aston Star Martin Scyner,

The library staff held a celebratory party for Martin Scyner who retired from the library on the 11^th June.  Martin is a real character who started work as a member of the library shelving team after he was already of pensionable age.  You may have seen him on the 2nd floor shelving the Life and Health Science books but staff will remember his love of Suduko, plying the staff room with newspapers and telling a good story.

Martin was chosen as an Aston Star because of all his charitable work.  He also plays in the Fire Service Band and has played in front of royalty and Jon Bon Jovi.  He will still be seen playing his clarinet and bassoon as a member of the University Music Society.  

Martin was joined on his special day with his wife Val to whom he has been married for 50 years.  

We hope you will join us in wishing Martin a long and happy retirement.

Proquest databases will be unavailable Sunday 16th February

On February 16, 2014 ProQuest will make improvements to its internal systems to accomodate a growing number of users and to reduce the need for future downtime.

To minimize the impact these enhancements will be installed during an eight hour window of typically low usage from Sunday 16th Feb 03:00amto 10:00am. 

During this time the following ProQuest products will not be available:

• ProQuest: ABI Inform Complete
• ProQuest Dialog
• ProQuest Congressional
• ProQuest K12 databases
• ProQuest Genealogy databases
• ProQuest Digital Microfilm
• RefWorks

Welcome back Michelle Sidhu!

Michelle has recently been away on maternity leave looking after her beautiful baby girl.  Michelle is our Planning and Resources Assistant and some of you may know her through her liaison role with Estates and Finance.  Michelle's main role is to assist with aspects of Finance within the Library Office but you may see her on the Library floors checking aspects of Health and Safety.  Please join us in welcoming Michelle Sidhu back to the Library Office.

Planning and Resources - staff changes

Today we say a goodbye to Nathan Bailey who has been working as the Planning and Resources Assistant covering a maternity leave post.  Although, Nathan has only been working with us for a few months he will be missed by Library staff.  We would like to thank him for all his hard work and in particular for helping the Induction Project Team prepare materials for the Induction programme.  We hope you join us in wishing Nathan all the best for the future.

A new face in the Library

The Library said goodbye to Lois Chambers who has been working as our Planning and Resources Officer covering a maternity leave post.  It has been a pleasure working with Lois but our loss is Conference Aston's gain as she has accepted a full time position in their Team.  We wish Lois all the best in her role!

We welcome Nathan Bailey who will be continuing the maternity cover as our new Planning and Resources Officer. 

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Smith

We hope that you join us in congratulating Dave Smith from Information Systems Aston who got married on Saturday.  Dave worked in the Library for a number of years before moving to his role as a Network Engineer in ISA.  The staff in Aston University Library wish Mr & Mrs Smith a happy life together.

Information Resources Team – staff changes

Last week we said goodbye to Jane Brown who was one of our Public Services Assistants. Jane has been a member of library staff for over five years and in that time you may have met her on the Library Help Desk, helping you with an query or if you needed support with the printers. We would like to thank Jane for all her hard work and she will be missed by everyone in the Library. We hope you join us in wishing Jane every success in her new venture working for Estates.

Information Services Team - staff changes

Last month we said goodbye to Malcolm Horne who worked in the Information Services Team.  Malcolm was one of our Information Specialists supporting staff and students in Aston Business School covering a maternity leave post. We would like to thank Malcolm for all his hard work and professionalism over the last year. 

We welcome Nicola Dennis who is now back from maternity leave and will continue in the role.  Nicola supports staff and students in Finance & Accounting, Law, Operations & Information Management, Work & Organisational Psychology and is the lead contact for ABS PG's and Research.

We say goodbye to..... Roger Hart

For many returning students there will be a familiar face missing from the Library Reception desk this year, following Library Attendant Roger Hart’s retirement from Aston University at the end of August. Roger says he will really miss meeting the new students this year, but is looking forward to spending more time travelling around the country in his new camper van. We are sad to see him go, and wish him a long and happy retirement.