The Royal Agricultural University Library is really sorry to inform you that as from 31 July 2013 we will no longer index articles for the Land, Life and Leisure database (http://edina.ac.uk/landlifeleisure/ ), and sadly our contribution to this EDINA service will end, as will the service itself.

The RAU library has been involved in developing and running the service for over twenty three years. Initially under the name Update in partnership with Aberystwyth University (1990-2002) and more recently as Land, Life and Leisure (LLL) with EDINA as a host, we have been providing a unique bibliographic resource for land-based colleges and organisations. However, after careful consideration of costs, EDINA is no longer able to continue hosting the service.

The unique aspect of Land, Life and Leisure was its indexing of articles from non-academic, popular journals and magazines. Academic journals tend to be indexed on a regular basis, but this is not the case for the more popular or trade focussed end of the journals market, making the finding of individual articles within journal issues a difficult task without the help of a database like Land, Life and Leisure.

So:
• We would like to take this opportunity to thank the users of Land, Life and Leisure who have valued the service all these years.

• We would like also to thank all the other contributing libraries who have done an amazing job at keeping it going – Bicton College, Coleg Sir Gâr, Hadlow College, Harper Adams University, Kingston Maurward College, Myserscough College, Pershore College.

• Many thanks too to the team at Edina for their support in recent years.

Currently there is a message on the login page at http://edina.ac.uk/landlifeleisure/ announcing that the service will end on 31 July 2013.

On 1 August 2013 we will remove the Land Life Leisure database from our library website (A-Z list) and it will no longer be accessible.

Land Life Leisure – you will be missed!

An international bestseller is now available for Chinese students. This item conveys the western studying techniques to you in your own language. It tells you how to learn effectively and efficiently; how to think critically and write academic papers confidently. If you find it hard to study in an English-speaking country, this is a right book for you. Highly recommended by Ted Carter – your language tutor. Location number is : 371.3 COT

“Mud, sweat & tractors”: the story of agriculture. The history of modern farming in Britain is presented through individual stories of man’s relationship with the land. The series charts the revolution that food production in Bri…tain underwent in the 20th Century, and examines the impact this had on the lives of farmers and consumers alike. It consists of four episodes:
Part 1: Milk
Part 2: Fruit and Veg
Part 3: Wheat
Part 4: Beef

Don’t miss your chance to borrow and see this brilliant documentary series ! Dvds can be borrowed for one week (renewable).

If you love the joys of growing organic vegetables & herbs or want a successful vegetable farm, this book is for you. Keith Stewart offers everything you need to know to successfully grow and market organic vegetables and herbs, covering land, equipment, crop mix, growing techniques, irrigation, soil fertility, pests, greenhouses, harvesting, storage, labour, debt, customer management, sales, accounting, and much more. With this comprehensive guide, you can turn your dream of a thriving farm into a profitable reality.
Overall, very informative, practical and inspirational guide.
It can be found on the library shelves with call number 635 STE.

Our library has a new book available for checkout!

Ecosystem Services in Agricultural and Urban Landscapes by Steve Wratten and colleauges. The book covers all aspects of soil health conservation and enhancement, water and biodiversity management. It also explores methods of evaluating Ecosystem Services (ES), and discusses how these services can be maintained and enhanced in our farmlands and cities. We hope that this book can be used both by undergraduates and postgraduates, and can help lecturers from a variety of fields, understand the concept of ES in a sustainable future.

Quick! Grab it now!

Handbook of Agricultural Entomology by H. F. van Emden is a well-illustrated book that provides a fascinating introduction to entomology and includes coverage of the major insects (and mites) that cause harm to crops, livestock and humans. It can be used as a reference and as a general textbook. See in the library catalogue:http://catalogue.rac.ac.uk/

Are you struggling to write your literature review? An excellent and accessible handbook ” Succeeding with your literature review” by Paul Oliver will help you to understand the process of researching a range of relevant literatur…e on a subject as well as a planning and writing a literature review. Essential reading for all our research students and academics.
The library has three printed copies of this book, and it is also available as an eBook! See in the library catalogue:http://catalogue.rac.ac.uk/

Our opening hours will therefore be:

• Saturday 18th May – open 12 to 8pm.
• Sunday 19th May – open 10am to 8pm.

• Saturday 25th May – open 12 to 8pm.
• Sunday 26th May – open 10am to 8pm.

In addition, we will also open for longer on Bank Holiday Monday 27th May. So instead of our usual 12-5 on Bank Holidays, we will extend opening until 8pm – i.e 12-8pm.

We hope this helps some of you with your revision and study.

Best of luck in your exams!

As the Principal Chris Gaskell CBE said the new title would greatly enhance the university’s reputation and is a really exciting opportunity for further success and development.
University status best describes what the institution does and aspires to do,” he said.
“University title will benefit our students, their employers and the industries to which they contribute – and agriculture, food and land management are some of the most important industries in the world today.”

BBC ONE’s popular Sunday evening programme Antiques Roadshow will be filming for its 36th series in the historic grounds and buildings of the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, on Thursday, 13th June, 2013. The doors open at 9.30 am and close at 4.30pm. Entry to the show is free.
Some of the University Archives Artifact Collection will be presented.

People with large pieces of furniture or other big items can send details and photographs of their objects to: ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR or e-mail them to:antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk. It may be possible to arrange to look at the item in advance and organise transportation to the venue.

More information can be found at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow