3D Christmas

In Luton, there is an open-to-all 3D printer service in A block. It's an amazing machine which builds copies of 3D objects (or interprets design files) in layers of powder which then sets to form a solid object. These can be highly irregular shapes like the pretend cookie in this picture or precision objects like the threaded bolt behind it. The process is mesmerising, if a bit smelly.

There is a nominal charge to use the service (which is calculated by the size of object or length of time required). You do not need to be an art, design or engineering student either.

So, if you've got a friend or relation who you think would like a replica of your oldest Chuck Taylor on Christmas morn, the opportunity is there.

Everybody shout now!

[With apologies to the Isley Brothers.]

Thanks to all the feedback at the staff-student consultative committees, course rep meetings and other fora, we've had the builders and glazers and painters and window cleaners and Uncle Tom Cobley in...and the Silent Study Area in the Bedford (Polhill) library is now open.

The Vice-Chancellor Bill Rammell formally opened the newly peaceful second floor on 15 October. Staff and students studiously broke cake and were suitably festive.

So far the feedback has been really positive but if you have comments, compliments or concerns please let us know via the Tell Us site.

The old silent study area (on the ground floor) is now a group study room.

Update workshops during (school) half-term week

The Education and Sport team of Academic Liaison Librarians are running a series of update workshops during half-term week this year. To check out what is on at the 'What's On' calendar on LRWeb: http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/help/events-calendar.There is no need to book.

The sessions will cover using DISCOVER for researching topics, the RefWorks referencing tool and how to personalise your favourite mobile device. There will also be sessions on going beyond DISCOVER and using some of the advanced research databases and other resources.