Introducing your subject librarian...

Hi, my name is Sam Scoulding and I'm an Assistant Librarian here at the Owen Library on the Mount Pleasant campus. I look after the subject areas of Leisure, Tourism & Sport, Public Services, and Health...so I have plenty of variety! I've been working here for 15 years now (not that I'm counting!) but I haven't always been a librarian...

Having got my B.A (Hons) degree in English Literature from Swansea University in 1996, I first started off as a Library Assistant for Swansea public library service, working in Gorseinon, Pontarddulais, and eventually Swansea Central Library. That was followed by 8 years as a Library Assistant here at SMU (or Swansea Institute of Higher Education as it was then!) until I eventually decided to take the plunge and study for my Postgraduate Diploma in Information and Library Studies as a distance learner with Aberystwyth University. During that time I worked as a Trainee Assistant Librarian here, before I finally qualified in December 2008. So having done my fair share of studying, I like to think I'm in a good position to understand what our SMU students are going through!

Outside of work I enjoy going to the cinema, theatre, walking, and travelling to new places - just as well since I'm a tourism librarian. In fact, I've just got back from a fantastic trip to Croatia and have already got holiday brochures for next year! I could probably get struck off as a librarian for saying this but, I'm not an avid reader...unless you count celebrity gossip magazines!! I am, however, a big fan of social media and am very active on Facebook and Twitter, and also contribute to our official library blog.

So, that's me! Pop in and say 'hi' sometime soon, I look forward to meeting you.

SMU Sustainability Questionnaire

Pop into any of our three Libraries and complete a short SMU questionnaire on sustainability, for your chance to win a prize (to be confirmed).

You can also pick up a free pen and bag in the process!

Win an iPad 2!

SMU Libraries are taking part in a Libraries Together scheme 'Reading Roadshow' competition funded by the Welsh Government, which gives you the chance to win an iPad 2!

Call in to any of our libraries and pick up an entry form - you'll just need to answer a set of 3 easy questions based on the online resource NewsBank. This database can be accessed both on and off campus via the library website, and contains thousands of full-text articles from more than 370 UK daily and weekly newspapers.

So come in and collect a form, and please note that the closing date is Monday 31st October 2011! Good luck!

New SMU students - see you at Freshers Fayre!

Some of the library staff will be attending Freshers Fayre at the Townhill Campus tomorrow, so do come over to our stand and have a chat with us about our many services and resources to help you with your course. We'll also be giving away some freebies such as bookmarks, and chocolates...mmm!

Have you collected your SMU ID card yet?

Calling all new (and returning) students...if you have completed the enrolment process, either online or in person, we should have your SMU ID card ready for collection at the library on your designated campus. You will need to bring some appropriate photo ID with you, such as your passport or driver's license.

Your SMU ID card will be required as proof of ID when on campus, it will also be your library card, printing and photocopying card, provide door access to certain buildings, and the P number on the front doubles as your username for computers and online access to library e-resources.

Your card will last for the duration of your studies here at SMU and there is a £10 charge for replacement of lost cards, so keep it safe! Also, due to the microchip technology embedded within your new card we request that you don't punch holes in them (to attach to keyrings etc) and keep them as flat as possible. To this end (and because we're feeling generous!) we'll give you a free lanyard and card holder as well.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Happy birthday F. Scott!

If he was still alive, American author F.Scott Fitzgerald would be celebrating his 115th birthday this Saturday, the 24th September. His novels chronicle the Jazz Age of good times and fast living for the social elite in America. His tales of wealthy, glamorous people spiralling towards self-destruction feel just as relevant today as they must have done in the 1920s! Townhill Library has a number of Fitzgerald's novels and collections of short stories available for loan, as well as the DVD of The Great Gatsby, starring Robert Redford, Mia Farrow and a very young Patsy Kensit. Come in and borrow something!

Nice to meet you!

It was nice to meet some of our new international students at the International Student Welcome Event this morning, held at the Townhill campus. We look forward to seeing you again when you come for your library induction sessions.

Library staff will also be at Freshers Fayre a week tomorrow and we look forward to having the opportunity to chat to all new students there. You will also have the opportunity to ask us any questions about the SMU Library service and resources, that perhaps you haven't thought of before...and we'll be giving away free chocolates! See you there...