The stage of academic life

 

By Jillian Viljoen

 “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages”.  This is an excerpt from William Shakespeare’s play, “As you like it, Act II, Scene VII”; a monologue spoken by Jacques, https://shakespeare.folger.edu/downloads/pdf/as-you-like-it_PDF_FolgerShakespeare.pdf

 This excerpt may be familiar to students studying drama or English. For those of us who are unfamiliar with this monologue, it outlines what Shakespeare refers to as the seven stages of life, from birth until death. It follows the growth and experiences of an individual throughout his life. The tone of the monologue is somewhat melancholy because it conveys a beginning of life which is helpless. The individual transitions through various stages which seem somewhat normal and successful, and then returns to helplessness towards the end of his life. The world is referred to as a stage as if we are staging a show where we are all actors in a play. The entrances and exits refer to birth and death. When you read through the whole monologue, you are left wondering “What now? Is this truly how life begins and ends?”

 

When we examine our academic life, what do we see? Do we have a beginning of helplessness and an ending which is much the same? It is true that we experience a sense of helplessness at the outset. Unfamiliarity creates anxiety and uncertainty. We slowly start investigating and exploring our options to navigate our way to get on track with our academic pursuits.  Dedication, sacrifice and discipline become the order of the day; we want to succeed and make the necessary adjustments to do so.

 

Our academic life has its challenges. No two days are the same. We are inundated with so many changes, rules and dynamics. The curriculum and social setting are completely different to the school environment. We are acutely aware that we need to modify our lives to accommodate what is sometimes a juggling or balancing act to meet our deadlines. A survival guide via the library, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ukzn-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5900318

 

In our academic life, after years of consistency and diligence, what is the end result? Helplessness? … No. The helplessness which we experienced at the onset is replaced with a sense of accomplishment; a completed qualification. A qualification which, hopefully, broadens our scope of possibility in terms of employment and self-worth. A library resource to assist with anxiety and stress management,

  http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=ebe612c5-7bcf-4535-a5dc-6ac6c8a5843a%40pdc-v-sessmgr03&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=1483585&db=nlebk

 

If academic life is a stage, how are you playing your role? What will the end of your act be? Only you can answer that question. The choice is yours.

Your library tool kit

 

By Jillian Viljoen

Traversing the academic terrain can be daunting, mystifying, unnerving and sometimes overwhelming. Imagine boarding a plane to your chosen destination. You trust that the pilot has the necessary navigation instruments to get you there. But along the way, there are unanticipated occurrences; turbulence, a flock of birds flying directly in the flight path, a thunder storm, fog. These unexpected obstacles would result in the pilot having to alter the flight plan until it is safe to return to the original course. Your academic journey is sometimes like that but there are library resources available to assist you on our way so that you eventually end up at your chosen destination.

 

The resources are at your disposal via the library home page, https://library.ukzn.ac.za/. Don’t forget to  check for updates on the library services. Subject librarians, https://library.ukzn.ac.za/contact-subject-librarians/, are available to assist with queries via email, Zoom, Skype for Business and Microsoft Teams. Make an appointment with one of them for assistance with information searches on the library catalogue and databases. Scheduled trainings on the use of the electronic resources are also posted on the University Notices so keep an eye out for those notices. Join a group training or have a one-on-one training. It’s your choice.

 

The friendly library staff will assist you when you visit the physical facilities. Don’t forget to wear your  mask and sanitise. No mask, no entry.

 

When accessing the electronic resources, ensure that you have Global Protect Client installed on your mobile device, https://y9i7u2z7.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Global-Protect-Installation-For-VPN-Access.pdf. Cost-saving for you because you can access the resources absolutely free via this facility. Save your data. What a bargain! And 24/7 access to electronic resources.

 

There are LibGuides, https://libguides.ukzn.ac.za/, for specific disciplines which provide helpful tips to assist you with discipline related information. If you need quick access to step-by-step guides to access the online resources, visit the UKZN Online Library Training Guide, https://libguides.ukzn.ac.za/c.php?g=1043478.

 

In your downtime, check out our blogs, https://libwebteam.blogspot.com/2021/08/. There are interesting topics and you can engage by posting comments anonymously to give aor

 

These options AND SO MUCH MORE are available to you whenever you need them. Loads of resources. Loads of services. Loads of options. Loads of help. Grab your library tool kit and start your academic engine. You are in for an eventful ride... Let’s get started.

 Learning how to effectively use the library resources and services is a good place to start your academic journey. Your flight plan may have twists and turns but the library will help to keep you on course to eventually reach your final destination, wherever it may be.

 

 

Improved UKZN iCatalogue Interface: coming 28 July 2021!

by Varsha Sookraj 

On 28 July 2021, our library catalogue and discovery system, iCatalogue will move to a new “modernized” interface and some new features.

The WorldCat Discovery interface redesign modernizes the landing page, search results and item detail pages in WorldCat Discovery to enhance the user experience.  

Search results: The modernized search results screen enhances access to fulfilment and discovery options.

Item detail: The modernized item detail page simplifies access to location and fulfilment information.

Landing page: New, improved look and custom notifications that will display across iCatalogue.

 

 

A modernized interface with an updated look and feel includes:

 

Redesigned search results page: The search results screen will have a new layout and display more information.

Highlighted search terms: The search terms used in your search will be highlighted in yellow to indicate the search relevance.

 

  

Access options panel: A new access options panel on the item details page shows all options to access the item. The box will show the shelf number for the item located in the library, access online resources, request book holds, and submit Interlibrary Loan requests. The access panel moves with you as you scroll down the record.

 

Browse the shelf: Browse the shelf to view items located next to the selected item at all UKZN libraries.

Additional editions and formats: New display to additional editions and formats with available filters to narrow the results. Search terms are highlighted amongst the additional results.

 

Improved availability display on search results: Summary statement to indicate the number of copies available and the number of locations. Sorting and pagination in availability.

 

Searching: Expand Search with Related Terms setting. Clear or retain filters applied to search results. Clear search terms with an X. Group Related Editions setting.

Tryout the new iCatalogue now! Use the search box on theLibrary homepage (http://library.ukzn.ac.za)                        or go directly to iCatalogue (https://ukzn.on.worldcat.org/discovery)

 

Ask a UKZN Librarian for help and tips on smart searching.

Book a training session now!!!