RGU Library

Workshops and Appointments

The library offers a comprehensive programme of workshops throughout the academic year to help support your studies, covering topics such as academic searching, Harvard referencing and RefWorks. We can also support you on a 1-1 or small group basis.

Workshops

The library offers a number of workshops throughout the academic year to help support your studies, covering topics such as academic research, referencing and RefWorks.

Find out what is on offer by exploring the sections below and then check our timetable and bookings calendar for the available dates and times and to sign up for the sessions. Just select the class you wish to attend and then click "Begin Registration".

NOTE: This semester, we will be running our workshops in a hybrid format, both in-person and online.

If you register for in-person attendance, go to The Library, Level 5 of the Sir Ian Wood Building for the event start time.

If you register for online attendance, join at the event start time using the link provided in your confirmation email.

Questions? You can get in touch at library.support@rgu.ac.uk.

About our workshops

KnowHOW To SearchSMART: Beginner and Advanced

KnowHOW to SearchSMART: Beginner will introduce how to effectively critique the information we encounter online, and how to use advanced search techniques to modify our search results when using databases. KnowHOW to SearchSMART: Advanced will build on this, showing you how to effectively critique academic information, and how to develop an advanced search strategy using databases. NOTE: We strongly recommend you attend KnowHOW to SearchSMART: Beginner before taking the advanced session.

We also have a range of online guides to support your literature searching

Search Techniques

Subject Databases

Database Guides

Library Skills Guides

KnowHOW To Reference: Harvard

These sessions will cover the basics of referencing in the RGU Harvard style. Although these workshops are aimed at beginners, if you have prior experience but would like a refresher, then please feel free to sign up.

Please note: If you are required to use a different style of referencing, such as Vancouver, APA, or OSCOLA, please contact the library support team to arrange a session library.support@rgu.ac.uk

Our various referencing guides can help you make the correct decision regarding references in your assignments

RGU Harvard Basics

RGU Harvard Templates

RGU Vancouver Referencing

APA Referencing

OSCOLA

KnowHOW To Use: RefWorks - Beginner and Advanced

KnowHOW to Use: RefWorks - Beginner will show you how to setup and start using your RGU ProQuest RefWorks account. RefWorks is a citation manager that allows you to store reference data and generate reference lists in a chosen style. This can be a huge timesaver for your research! In KnowHOW to Use: RefWorks - Advanced you will learn how to use bookmarks and word processor plugins to quickly import references and generate citations in your documents, as well as share folders and create separate projects for collaborative research. Please note we will demonstrate using the RGU Harvard style. NOTE: We strongly recommend you attend KnowHOW to Use: RefWorks - Beginner before taking the advanced session.

Timetable and bookings

Live workshops run throughout Semester 1 and Semester 2. Use the calendar below to find a workshop you are interested in, click on it and sign up by filling in the booking form - you will then get a confirmation email (or if the session is full you'll be added to a waiting list). Don't worry if there's not a time that suits you. We mix up the times and days so check later weeks, or you can access recordings of previous workshops further down this page.


All workshops are run on a hybrid basis and you can choose whether to attend online or in-person. Please select your preferred option during the booking process. In-person spaces are limited so please let us know if you need to change your attendance mode after booking.

Recordings

If you can't make it to a live workshop, see below for links to previous recordings of our Harvard Referencing, RefWorks and Search Smart workshops. Live workshops will run during Semester 1 & 2 each year. The recorded sessions below are from year 21/22 and will eventually be replaced with recordings of our updated Beginner and Advanced sessions for this year.

Individual Appointments

We encourage students to book onto one of our Workshops in the first instance. These are great for an introduction to the topic or if you need a general refresher. If you have further questions then our team are available to meet with you on a 1-1 basis to support you with topics including literature searching, referencing, RefWorks, and any other Library related topic you need help with. Use the link below to book a 1 hour appointment.

Most appointments are carried out online via Blackboard Collaborate. If you prefer an in-person appointment please let us know in the 'Further details' section of the booking form and we'll be in touch to arrange that.

If you are a student with disabilities and would like to discuss additional support that the Library can offer to you, please see our Accessibility Support page for further information.


How we can help

Our Academic Suport team work Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. If you need an appointment outwith this time please contact us by email and we'll try to accommodate your request.

Appointment times will depend on team availability and demands on the service. If you have an urgent deadline then please make us aware of that when you contact us and we’ll do our best to assist.

We are here to support your academic skills in a wide variety of areas including literature searching, databases, search techniques, referencing and more. We will:

  • Check your reference lists, provide useful comments where we notice issues, and point out areas requiring improvement. However, we don't carry out a full proofreading service or write references for you.
  • Advise on your search strategy, providing guidance to help you search more effectively and offer suggestions on where to search, but we don't carry out searches on your behalf.

Group Appointments

You and your classmates can set up sessions with one of the library team on topics including referencing, finding information (books, journals, websites), guidance about specific journal databases or using RefWorks. We're happy to discuss specific requirements with you and tailor the session to your needs.

All sessions are currently online, via Blackboard Collaborate.

Interested? Then drop us an email at library.support@rgu.ac.uk and let us know how we can help. The information we need from you is:

  • How many people would like to attend
  • What dates and times would be preferable
  • What you would like us to cover

How we can help

Please see the Indiviudal Appointments section above for more information on the support services offered.