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News and updates

News or updates on Library services and resources

You will find information about updates on the Library, our services and planned downtime for resources that we subscribe to.

Current

    Partial Library closure 22 July to 20 September 2024. Posted - 04 July 2024.

    • From Monday 22 July, work will take place to create a new Immersive Learning Centre for Birkbeck students and staff. The aim of the new centre will be to increase access to learning beyond the classroom by providing virtual learning experiences that would be too expensive or impossible to provide in the real world: virtual field visits, gallery and museum tours, immersive documentaries, simulations, games and more. An Immersive Learning PC Lab and Studio will be created in the Library and an Immersive Learning Classroom just outside the Library in Room 109.
    • The work is expected to last for eight weeks. Part of the Library’s first floor will be closed. There will be no access to:
      • Library toilets (on Level 1)
      • Room 107 (seminar room)
      • Audiovisual collection
      • Accessibility Centre
      • Study Support Rooms A and B
      • Group study pods 1 and 2.
    • There will still be access to printing, scanning and copying. Study Support Room C will be available as usual. Group study pod 3 and other furniture will be moved around to provide additional group study spaces in the open areas on Level 1.
    • We will provide alternative study spaces during the works:
      • There will be a temporary Accessibility Centre in MAL412 (Malet Street, 4th floor, near Lift A). Toilets, including accessible toilets, are located near this room.
      • There will be a bookable individual Study Support Room in MAL411.
    • We will monitor the use of the remaining Library study spaces throughout the period and provide more spaces elsewhere if needed.
    • From 8 July there will be preparatory work taking place on the first floor of the Library and some disruption to the spaces described above.
    • We apologise for any inconvenience or disruption this may cause you.

    British Library's major technology outage. Posted - 02 November 2023.

    • The British Library is experiencing a major technology outage as a result of a cyber incident. 
    • This is affecting their website, their online systems and services including Interlibrary loans and Ethos (Electronic Theses Online Services). Birkbeck students and staff can still place interlibrary loan requests with us as usual.

    Past

    VLEbooks unavailable 6 - 7 April. Posted - 03 April 2024.

    • VLeBooks will be unavailable due to planned maintenance, from Saturday 6th of April starting at 10pm and finishing 7th April at 4am. 
    • We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

    SCONUL Access Scheme site downtime 27 March. Posted - 27 March 2024.

    • The SCONUL Access scheme site will be moving to a separate site and before it is migrated there will be a period of downtime on Wednesday 27th March between 9pm and 12am This was originally scheduled for Tuesday and has now been moved to Wednesday.
    • During this time you will not be able to submit applications and staff will not be able to process outstanding submissions.
    • If you intend to make use of the SCONUL Access scheme please do so outside of this downtime period.

    Introduction to Systematic Reviews. Posted - 04 March 2024.

    • In this online session we will delve into the details involved in conducting systematic reviews. We will look at the basics of systematic reviews, the difference between systematic reviews and literature reviews, the purpose of systematic reviews, research questions, methods and approaches, inclusion and exclusion criteria, search techniques and tools to support you in the process.
    • The online session is being offered on two different dates, no need to book in advance, just join the session on the time and day given below:
      • OR

    Systematic Reviews Drop-ins. Posted - 04 March 2024.

    • Come along to the drop-in session to ask any questions you may have about systematic reviews. No need to book in advance, just drop in on the day.
    • In-person:
      • Wednesday 13th March 3pm in MAL G11 – PSW MR 21
      • Monday 18th March 3pm in MAL G11 – PSW MR 21
    • Online:

    Access issues with titles on Kortext platform - 25/03/24. Posted - 25 March 2024.

    • We have been made aware that currently, it is not possible to access any ebooks on the Kortext platform, all other platforms are fine. We are investigating this issue with Kortext and hope to resolve this as soon as possible.
    • We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
    • Update at 17:21 - The issue seems to have been resolved and ebooks on the Kortext platform are now accessible.

    Limited access to certain Kortext titles. Posted - 16 February 2024.

    • There is currently a limited experience when trying to access certain titles on the Kortext platform. They are investigating the issue and will try and resolve this as soon as possible.
    • Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
    • The issue has now been resolved, if you are still experiencing this issue, please refresh your browser - updated 16/02/2024 at 17:00.

    Box of Broadcasts (BoB) maintenance - 14 February. Posted - 09 February 2024.

    • BoB is undergoing scheduled system maintenance between 1pm and 3pm on Wednesday 14 February. 
    • Please consider the service at risk during these times and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

    Kortext platform update 1 February. Posted - 31 January 2024.

    • Kortext titles will not be accessible on Thursday 1 February between 6pm-8pm while the Kortext platform is being updated.
    • We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.