New print system: Important

Don't shoot the messenger here, but when the upgraded print management system was installed, the default print mode was set to colour. Yes, colour printing is default. Colour printing costs 25c per sheet as opposed to 7c per sheet for black and white. Hence you may want to change the print mode back to black and white before you print anything. Select 'Print' and 'Preferences' and under the 'Quality' tab, select 'Greyscale' to save money. You will need to do this each time you want to print. We'll see if we can get this amended soon. Wish us luck on this great endeavour.

New print system = New log in details to PCs

The PCs in DBS Libraries are all being upgraded to allow you using our brand new print machines that can print, photocopy and scan.
When you log in on a PC, you will need to enter your student number both as your username AND password.
You will then be asked to change your password: you can enter whatever password you wish, with letter and/or numbers.
Enjoy our upgraded print/photocopy/scan system!

Renewing Online part deux

The problem with renewing books online has been solved, just in time for the weekend. Hooray! Software developers should live by the maxim "if it ain't broke don't fix it", but don't. Bah

Renewing online

Our new library catalogue upgrade is being very naughty and not allowing renewals online. This s a bit of an inconvenience for everyone and we are in contact with vendor technical support concerning the problem. If you want to renew books without visiting the library please call the issue desks on 01 417 7572 or 01 417 8745. You could email the library as well (but ask for a reply).

Changes to library catalogue

We have just installed a new version of the online library catalogue. We've switched to Heritage Online 3.3 from Heritage Online 3.2. Fascinating. Well actually, there are a few nifty new features in the latest version. Here's a quick summary of what's new (in no particular order):

• Favourite searches - Readers can now save their favourite searches so they are able to run them again by simply clicking a link. Readers must log in to access this feature.
• Search history - Readers can now view a list of their most recent searches, and re-run them by simply clicking a link. Readers must log in to access this feature.
• Star ratings - This feature allows readers to rate items using a star rating system. Readers must log in to access this feature.
• Reader reviews - This feature allows readers to submit reviews for books and other catalogue items. Readers must log in to access this feature. Reviews will be moderated, as we don't want reviews consisting of streams of bad language (unless it's otherwise well-written, and even then...).
• Reader preferences - Readers can now set their own default Enquiry settings such as the default display format, font size and whether Boolean icons are displayed.
• Google Preview - Catalogue records now contain links to Google Book Search previews (where these are available). The preview is then available when the catalogue record is viewed using the display format ‘Cover image with dynamically generated information’ (which we'll probably make the default display setting whenever I get round to it)
• Social bookmarking sites - The Heritage Online screens now contain links to the social bookmarking sites Delicious, Digg, Reddit, Facebook and StumbleUpon.

Any feedback on the new catalogue will be appreciated

Mintel 'Global Market Navigator' Trial access

The library has trial access to Mintel's 'Global Market Navigator' database from today until next Tuesday (August 11th).

Global Market Navigator provides comprehensive access to market research reports, market segmentation, forecast and economic data for 22 industries and 54 countries. Reports can be generated which compare industry and country data and all results can be exported as charts or spreadsheets.


So, if you want to compare Compound Annual Growth Rates (CAGR) for beer and wine in Ireland and the UK (we are not guzzling quite as much of the stuff as our national reputation might imply it seems) email laura.rooney@dbs.ie for access details.