Problems with Lexis Newspapers now resolved

The problems with searching Lexis Plus UK Newspapers  have now been resolved. Please let us know if there are any further issues.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for library services

University of Bedfordshire has been using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for some systems such as BREO and email for some time, and now this is being extended to more systems including those used for access to library services.

 

Starting 7th January 2025, the following applications will require MFA when logging in:

 

Library services:

 

• DISCOVER
• Ejournals
• Databases
• Ebooks
• book reservations and renewals 

 

Careers:

 

• Handshake

What you need to do

• To access these applications after MFA is enabled, you must log in using your University of Bedfordshire email address.
• If you haven’t set up MFA yet, please follow the instructions in the MFA guide for students. 

 

Need help?

If you experience any issues with MFA or require assistance, please contact the Student Information Desk (SID) 

Lexis newspapers - searches returning no results

There is currently a problem with the search function in the Lexis newspapers service. All searches are returning zero results. Lexis are working on it and hopefully this will be resolved soon. You might want to use NewsBank  for newspaper searching instead in the meantime. 

Top searches in November

These were the most popular searches in DISCOVER last month:

Goodbye Marketline, hello Global Data Explorer

We have now transitioned from Marketline to GlobalData Explorer, a more advanced platform offering enhanced business intelligence, data and insights. Explore the upgraded features here 

20 years of Scopus

Scopus is celebrating its birthday this month, check out this blog post for more information.

Top DISCOVER searches in October

These were the most popular searches in DISCOVER in the past month. Bizarrely, the most popular search term was "discover" - not sure what people are hoping to find?

DISCOVER maintenance 24th October

The system that powers DISCOVER is going to be undergoing mainteance on 24th October, 9am - 1.30pm.

During this maintenance, DISCOVER will be available but you may notice issues with performance and momentary functionality loss.

DISCOVER maintenance 17th October

The system that powers DISCOVER is going to be undergoing mainteance on 17th October, 9am - 1.30pm.

During this maintenance, DISCOVER will be available but you may notice issues with performance and momentary functionality loss.

Top searches in September

This were the top searches in DISCOVER last month.

Library login at risk Wednesday 2nd October [change of date]

In a slight change of plan we are now going to be upgrading the server that manages login to library services on Wednesday 2nd October. We are not planning any downtime if all goes to plan, but there is a risk of disruption to logins from 9am.

Logins at risk include:

• book renewal and reservations
• access to digital library services including DISCOVER, ebooks, ejournals and databases
• reading list editing

Library login at risk Tues 1st October

We are going to be upgrading the server that manages login to library services on Tuesday 1st October. We are not planning any downtime if all goes to plan, but there is a risk of disruption to logins from 9am.

Logins at risk include:

• book renewal and reservations
• access to digital library services including DISCOVER, ebooks, ejournals and databases
• reading list editing

Most popular DISCOVER searches in August

These were the most popular searches in DISCOVER in August:

IEEE Xplore planned downtime Saturday, 17 August 2024

IEEE have warned us of planned maintenance to the IEEE Xplore platform during 17th August. There may be periods of downtime throughout the day.

Library Catalogue unavailable (2nd August)

We are having an unexpected problem with the library catalogue today, which we are working to resolve.

In the meantime please use DISCOVER, help page here, as all of our books and ebooks are also listed there.

Most popular searches in July

These were the most popular searches in DISCOVER last month: 

Guest Wi-Fi

The Guest Wi-Fi system has now changed. To access it follow these steps:

 

1. Select Guest-UoB from the networks list on your device
2. Then click again to Sign-in to network
3. When the web page loads enter your email, mobile number and reason for visit etc.
4. Check your email for the code - copy it
5. Return to web page -paste in code and Submit
6. You will then be connected to the Guest-UoB Wi-Fi.

 

 

 

Library catalogue problems

We are having some issues with the library catalogue today. Please bear with us while we try to sort this out.  Most of our resources are available via DISCOVER, which is working normally.

Most popular DISCOVER searches in June

 These were the most  popular DISCOVER searches in June 2024:

Library system upgrade 25th June

We are going to be upgrading our library system from 1pm on Tuesday 25th June. Access on Wednesday 26th will only be affected if there have been problems.

During the downtime the library catalogue, self issue/return machines, book renewals and reservations will be unavailable. You may still borrow and return books at the customer service desks.

DISCOVER will still be operating normally and many resources can also be accessed via this list.

If you a particular issue accessing a resource please contact us at library.technical@beds.ac.uk

Wi-Fi installation at Luton Campus - from Thursday 20th June 2024

What are ICT doing? The Wi-Fi system is being upgraded. Contractors will be installing new Wi-Fi access points throughout the Luton Campus.   When will this be?   The installation will take up to 6 weeks to complete and the work will begin on Thursday, 20 June 2024.   What will be affected?   Wi-Fi access in the installation areas within the Luton Campus will have short periods of localised disruption (perhaps 10-15 minutes) while Wi-Fi hardware is replaced.  Before any work is undertaken in the local area, the contractors will inform impacted users.   Why are we doing this?   The upgrade will deliver the following benefits: Simplified guest access to 'Guest-UOB' only.  No need to connect to 'Guest Registration' first. Improved support for modern Wi-Fi standards, which gives better security and resiliency for modern equipment (e.g. laptops mobile etc).

Top searches in Discover in May

These were the most used search terms in DISCOVER last month:

Maintenance on MyBedsLife Wednesday 5th June

MyBedsLife will be temporarily unavailable on Wednesday 5 June between 7 – 9.30pm due to scheduled maintenance work.

You will not be able to access the app during this time, but it will be back up and running from 9.30pm onwards. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

New Wi-Fi installation at Bedford Campus, Tuesday 28 May

What are ICT doing?

The Wi-Fi system is being upgraded. Contractors will be installing new Wi-Fi access points throughout the Bedford Campus.

 

When will this be?  

The installation will take up to one month to complete and the work will begin on Tuesday, 28 May 2024.

 

What will be affected?  

Wi-Fi access in the installation areas will have short periods of localised disruption (perhaps 10-15 minutes) within the Bedford Campus while Wi-Fi hardware is replaced.  Before any work is undertaken in the local area, the contractors will inform impacted users.

 

Why are we doing this?  

The upgrade will deliver the following benefits:

1. Simplified guest access to “Guest-UOB” only.  No need to connect to “Guest Registration” first.
2. Improved support for modern Wi-Fi standards, which gives better security and resiliency for modern equipment (e.g. laptops, mobile etc).

Good news - library resources back online

Good news! all our library resources are back online!

If you have any further issues please let us know right away at library.technical@beds.ac.uk

Digital library problems

Unfortunately our problems have got worse rather than better, and currently all digital library resources are unavailable.

We will update you as soon as we have some progress to report.

Library Catalogue problems

 We are having some problems with the library catalogue today.

We hope to have this fixed soon so please check again later. There is a list of databases at https://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/digital/what-does-the-via-uk-access-management-federation-link-mean/, you may be able to access the resource you need there. 

Popular searches in DISCOVER in March

These were the most popular searches in DISCOVER last month:

Searching for DISCOVER inside DISCOVER is still oddly popular.

XPertHR problem fixed

Good news, our access to XpertHR has been restored. This is now on a new platform, Brightmine, and looks a little bit different. 

If you have any problems please contact us.

XpertHR unavailable

We are currently unable to login to XpertHR - we have contacted our supplier and hope to have it restored soon.

Digital library logins at risk Monday 15th April

The authentication system for most of our Digital Library resources is going to be updated on Monday 15th April. We are not expecting any downtime unless there are problems with the installation.

Popular searches in March

This is what people were searching DISCOVER for in March - a mix of very specific searches, and people who really wanted to be searching somewhere else (or didn't realise they were already in DISCOVER!):

DISCOVER/EBSCOhost research databases maintenance 21st March

EBSCO have warned us there may be disruption to our DISCOVER platform and EBSCOhost research databases today between 11am and 12 noon

the following features may be unavailable during the maintenance window:

Classic user interfaces (EBSCOhost)
* Folders/Custom Folders
* Search and journal alerts
* Saved searches
* Saved persistent links
* Saved preferences

New user interfaces (EBSCO Mobile app, Discover)
* Projects (including Add to project feature)
* Saved articles (including the ability to save articles to the Dashboard)
* Saved searches
* Liked items

DISCOVER and EBSCOhost databases at risk 11am to 12 noon, Tuesday 19th March

EBSCO have warned us there may be disruption to our DISCOVER platform and EBSCOhost research databases today between 11am and 12 noon

the following features may be unavailable during the maintenance window:

Classic user interfaces (EBSCOhost)
* Folders/Custom Folders
* Search and journal alerts
* Saved searches
* Saved persistent links
* Saved preferences

New user interfaces (EBSCO Mobile app, Discover)
* Projects (including Add to project feature)
* Saved articles (including the ability to save articles to the Dashboard)
* Saved searches
* Liked items

IEEE Xplore downtime Saturday 16th March

We have been notified of planned downtime for IEEE Xplore (IEEE/IET electronic library) on Saturday 16th March, from 1pm to 6pm. Due to the nature of the upgrade, the platform will be unavailable for the entire duration of this time.

Top DISCOVER searches in February

These were the most popular searches in DISCOVER last month:

27 people searched for "discover" in DISCOVER - what were they looking for?

DISCOVER login issues - resolved

We believe that last week's problems with logging into DISCOVER have now been fixed. 

If you continue to have any issues, please contact us at library.technical@beds.ac.uk, with as much information as you can, including your student number and a screenshot of the error message if you can get it. 

DISCOVER login issues

We've had some reports of people getting error messages when trying to log in to DISCOVER recently.

If you get either of these error messages

please get in touch with us at library.technical@beds.ac.uk

Top DISCOVER searches in January

These were the most popular searches in DISCOVER last month (we're wondering why so many people search for "discover" when they are already in DISCOVER - can anyone tell us?):

Top DISCOVER searches in December

 Here's what our users were searching DISCOVER  for most in December: