Author: Dita Krauze

Celebrating LGBT+ History Month

February is when we celebrate the LGBT+ History Month, to coincide with the abolition of Section 28 in the UK.

Although we’re currently living in the era of social distancing to protect each other during the pandemic, there are plenty of events and activities to get involved in to celebrate and remember the history, contributions and resilience of our lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, gender-nonconforming and other peers who have been unfairly treated by the society and yet prevailed and contributed immensely to our culture and understanding of what it is to be human.

Stream the discussion of CityLIS alum Isadore Auerbach George’s work to promote reading by and for LGBTQI+ people, or watch CitySport’s conversation with TV & Radio Presenter and LGBTQI+ advocate, Helen Scott, about this year’s theme ‘Mind, Body and Spirit’ and her journey to fitness and wellbeing. Join a guided meditation with artist Ric Stott to ‘feed your spirit’ as part of LGBT+ History Month 2021’s theme, or discover more events organised by City and other organisations to celebrate, remember, learn, and be together.

Otherwise, have a look at a selection of e-books related to the LGBT+ issues available via CityLibrary, below, or, if you are in the UK, immerse yourself in the playlist of programmes and films exploring the topic, put together by CityLibrary staff.

More books? – More Books!

It’s a new year, a new term… but did you know that you can request new books, too?

More Books is a scheme that allows our undergraduates and postgraduates suggest books that would be useful for their studies. It might be for a project you’re working on, an area you wish to explore in your research, or anything else that would help you get ahead – just fill in the More Books form to let us know.

If you are a research student or a member of staff, have a look at our Read for Research scheme instead. Or, if you would like to help us expand our collections by recommending a title by or about LGBTQI+ people or which recognise overlapping identities and experiences such as gender, class, sexuality and disability, check out our Liberating CityLibrary scheme.

Browse the book display below to see some of the e-books previously chosen by Library users via More Books:

Three things to help you unwind over the festive break

It’s been a tough year for most of us, but now it’s almost over. Although some of you might have assignments coming up, we really hope you might find a little bit of time to sit down comfortably, relax, and recharge for a bit during the winter break. So, here you will find some of our virtual treats:

1) If you are staying in the UK, check out the festive playlist of films put together by CityLibrary staff to help you unwind. From well-known Christmas feel-good classics, to comedies and beyond, find it on Box of Broadcasts.

2) If you are eager to set your eyes on some fiction and forget all else, have a look at this selection of e-books available though the Library:

3) This winter break will be very different for many of us, not being able to see our families and friends, and dealing with the craziness around us. If that’s the case for you, please remember that you are not alone. Speak to somebody, if you can. And have a look at our wellbeing e-books below, if that can be of help:

Please take care and stay safe this Christmas and New Year.

With love (and Love Actually),

Your CityLibrary.

Getting stuck with your assignments?

Do you sometimes feel confused and unsure where to start when an assignment deadline is approaching? Do you think your writing or argumentation skills could benefit from a little push? Fret not, there are various teams at the University that are here to give you all the support you need. Continue reading Getting stuck with your assignments?

Black History Month

October is Black History Month in the United Kingdom, when we pay special attention to the often untold history, experiences, and contributions of black people to this country and to the wider world. The Black Lives Matter events have brought to the forefront the issues of systemic racism and social inequalities. Whatever our skin colour, it is important to understand the background of these events, and to listen to the experiences of people who have suffered and continue to experience discrimination in many areas of their lives for no other reason than the colour of their skin.

Due to current circumstances we can’t have a book and information display in the physical space of the Library, but there is genuinely a wealth of resources and opportunities out there to learn, listen, and be together. Continue reading Black History Month

Time for fiction?

If you are lucky enough to have some time off during the summer, your thoughts might turn to books you’ve wished to read for a long time, or maybe to simply losing yourself in some attention-grabbing fiction to forget about all else and completely recharge.

The Library now offers a Click & Collect service for items that are located at either Northampton Square Library or Law Library (Northampton Square). However, if you can’t make it to the campus, don’t forget we have many e-books available, too. Like any other resource, you can find them using CityLibrary Search. Just type in the title and select the Full text online filter on the left hand side (you might need to click on the menu icon if using a mobile device). Here is a selection of what we’ve found:

If you find it too hot for fiction, why not browse a magazine via PressReader, or check Box of Broadcasts for a film or a TV show? Either way, we hope you manage to take some time off for yourself before it’s time for the next chapter.

Finding your dream job

Now that the summer’s here and you have less on your plate studies-wise, it can be a good time not only to have a breather, but also to take a moment and focus on the bigger picture. What is the job you would like to land after your studies? What are the tips and tricks of getting through the selection process? How can you prepare yourself and get ahead in your chosen career?

Continue reading Finding your dream job

Taking the time to look after yourself

Being in the midst of a global pandemic is not easy for anybody. Having to study or work from home, not seeing friends and family in person, and worrying about our loved ones and our own health makes this a difficult time for all of us.

Continue reading Taking the time to look after yourself

LFW stands for Library Fashion W…month, right?

With the buzz of London Fashion Week surrounding us, CityLibrary couldn’t help but highlight some of the more fashionable sections of our collections that many might not know we have.

Fashion display at Northampton Square LibraryRegardless of whether you are a fashionista or not, you might find something captivating here. Fashion embodies a lot more than the newest trends on the catwalk: it can help us understand what messages societies are and have been sending across to express ideas on class, changing beauty and societal standards, ideas on identity, sustainability, race, gender expression, and more.

Come and browse (and borrow from) our book and information display on Level 5 at Northampton Square Library this month, or use CityLibrary Search to find more. If you prefer to find your resources by catwalking through the Library, the best direction will be towards sections 746 and 391 on Level 5, or 070.4 on Level 3, if you are looking for fashion journalism.

Fashion display at Northampton Square LibraryAlternatively, if you are a distance-learner, or simply prefer reading online, there’s lots in stock electronically, too. Check out Vogue Archive for the entire run of Vogue magazine (US edition), from the first issue in 1892 to the current month, reproduced in high-resolution colour page images. PressReader has a whole section dedicated to fashion magazines in different languages, too. And, as always, CityLibrary Search will be the best place to find e-books and journal articles, just enter your keywords and use the “Full text online” filter on the left hand side. Have a look at some intriguing e-books below, and get inspired!

LGBT+ History Month in the Library

As you might have noticed from the colourful flags on Library Help Desks, celebration of LGBT+ History Month at CityLibrary is in full swing. So why not look behind the flags and find what else we have in store?

If you are at Northampton Square Library this February, stop by the book display on Level 5 to browse some of the LGBT-related print books in our collection. You can also search for more books at all Library locations on CityLibrary search, or request a new book on LGBT+ or other underrepresented topics to be purchased for the Library’s collection via Liberating CityLibrary. If you are a distance-learner or simply prefer to read online, CityLibrary Search will help you find lots of exciting e-books, too, some of which you can see in the book carousel below.

If you are looking for articles about LGBT+ topics, as always, check CityLibrary Search, or you can browse any of the journals that CityLibrary subsribes to, like Journal of Lesbian Studies, Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, Journal of Bisexuality, or Journal of LGBT Youth.

Don’t forget that with PressReader you have access to the latest issues of a wide range of magazines, including Gay Times and Attitude.

And finally, if you just feel like having a break with a good film, don’t be a stranger to our DVD collection which is right next to the Help Desk on Level 2 of Northampton Square Library: Call Me By Your Name, Carol, God Loves Uganda, The Crying Game, and many more fantastic films are there for you to borrow and enjoy. Or, if you are a distance-learner or don’t have a DVD player, Box of Broadcasts (or, as we lovingly call it, BOB) will be your best ally to find recordings of films and TV shows online.

Book titled "Living Out Loud", part of the LGBT+ History Month's book display
LGBT+ History Month Display on Level 5 of Northampton Square Library
Some of LGBT+ related DVDs in CityLibrary's collection
LGBT flags at Library Help Desk at Northampton Square Library
LGBT+ History Month Display on Level 5 of Northampton Square Library

Have a look at LGBT+ History Month’s events at or around City and nationwide, and we hope to see you around soon!