How do I join the library, and access online and physical resources?
Your NHS Scotland work email address and password enable you to register for library membership. You no longer need an Athens username and password. Once registered, you can borrow physical books at NHSGGC libraries, and access online articles, databases, ebooks, book requests and loan renewals via the Knowledge Network.
You need to sign in to the Knowledge Network to activate your membership initially (this is easiest when you are already logged into a NHSGGC-networked device):
Sign in the same way at the Library Search page any time you want to access an online resource, place a request on a book, or renew your loans.
Contact your local library if you need help with registration or with your existing account. For more information, visit How to find books and articles.
How do I become a library member if I don’t have an NHS Scotland work email address and password?
If you don’t have an NHS Scotland work email address and password – for example, if you are NHSGGC staff but don’t use work email, or if you are a student currently on placement in NHSGGC – you can register for a NHS Scotland Athens account:
What is the Knowledge Network?
The Knowledge Network provides access for NHS Scotland staff and partners to thousands of print and online resources for free, including books and ebooks, journals and ejournals, databases and evidence summaries, and many other resources. Help and training is available:
Can I use my University Athens account to access resources?
Your University Athens account will only provide access to university-subscribed material. To access NHSGGC-subscribed resources, you must log into the Knowledge Network with NHS Scotland credentials. If you don’t have an NHS Scotland email and password, follow the guidance in the section above.
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The Library Network Support for Evidence and Searching (SENSE) services aim to support NHSGGC staff in all aspects of patient care, service development, professional decision making and with their research and CPD. The service can be accessed by all staff via eHelp.
Place a request from your NHSGGC device either by clicking the eHelp icon on your desktop, or selecting eHelp from the NHSGGC Favourites folder in the Microsoft Edge browser. Select Knowledge Services and the relevant request type. For support contact ggc.librarynetwork@nhs.scot.
Search services
Literature Search Service
Place a request for a literature search and a professional searcher will search the evidence base and send you a list of relevant articles and other materials, with links to full text if available. If you need support relating to postgraduate and further studies, please request a training session.
Evidence Summary
An enhanced search and synthesis service to support service improvement, clinical guidelines, patient care and research. It is usually a short and focused piece of work, organising and summarising a list of search results into a single framework or summary. The content of the searches, format of the final results, and timescales are all agreed with the user and tailored where possible to suit the needs of individual projects.
Tools and Measures Enquiry Service
A specialist enquiry service which investigates copyright permissions for diagnostic tools and outcome measures. Where possible, the Library Network will seek to obtain permissions for tools to allow NHSGGC staff to use them. The Library Network does not arrange the purchasing of tools or licences. Please check the Tools and Measures catalogue before you submit a new request. You may need to log in with your usual network username and password to access this SharePoint site.
Literature to Support Strategy and Planning
The Library Network can provide support for strategy, planning and service improvement. Depending on your requirements and timescales, any of the methodologies outlined above can be used. We will usually gather together a team to work on this, and commit a significant resource. In order to help us plan effectively, please engage with us as soon as you can.
Support for Systematic Reviews
Systematic review support is based on close collaboration between you and your librarian over a long period of time, for all or part of the lifespan of the systematic review. We require your initial search strategy or research proposal by email before consultation. Please note: this service is not available for reviews carried out as part of postgraduate coursework.
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The Library Network provides a range of information skills training and support, which you can request via eHelp. Training sessions can take place in person or on Microsoft Teams.
Place a request from your NHSGGC device either by clicking the eHelp icon on your desktop, or selecting eHelp from the NHSGGC Favourites folder in the Microsoft Edge browser. Select Knowledge Services and the relevant request type. For support contact ggc.librarynetwork@nhs.scot.
Core Skills
Core Skills training gives NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde staff the chance to brush up on core writing, reading, number and computing skills used every day. For more information please contact library staff or visit a site library.
Knowledge Skills
Introduction to literature searching
Tailored to your requirements. Introduction to literature searching for relevant articles. Includes forming and planning a search, basic search techniques and locating full text. You will use databases such as Medline, Embase, CINAHL, or PsycInfo.
Advanced literature searching
Tailored to your requirements. For people with previous experience of literature searching.
Finding the fulltext
Accessing full text journal articles via the Knowledge Network, and what to do if the information you want is not available online.
Managing your search results
An introduction to using RefWorks to organise your search results, create a bibliography and create citations in a document.
Finding evidence quickly
An overview of services which help you to access key resources to support clinical decisions at point of care.
Keeping up to date
Suggestions on how to keep up to date with the latest news, research and publications in your area of interest.
Introduction to the NHS Scotland Knowledge Network
Using the Knowledge Network to identify and access relevant information.
Introduction to critical appraisal
Tailored to your requirements. An introduction to how to critically appraise journal articles or guidelines. This training is also available as a group session.
Copyright
To find out more about copyright and the training available please contact library staff or visit a site library.
Survey Tool – Webropol
An overview of Webropol software, which can be used for online surveys, questionnaires and events management. The session is tailored to your requirements.
M365 Skills
The NHS Scotland M365 Skills Hub contains support, advice and training on the M365 resources used in NHS Scotland – Teams, O365/M365, Outlook, Sharepoint, OneDrive, and more.
You should also see a link to the Hub in the left-hand navigation bar in Teams. If you don’t see it, click on the three dots … and click on the M365 Hub app to pin it to your left-hand margin.
eLearning – literature searching
The guide to effective literature searching module is designed to help the healthcare workforce (clinical and non-clinical) in Scotland build confidence to search published literature for articles and evidence relevant to their work, study and research. It takes 30 minutes to complete and may be ‘dipped into’ for reference or completed to obtain a certificate for CPD. You must sign into Turas first in order to access the content.
It is freely accessible to anyone with a Turas Learn account, which is available to all health and care staff in Scotland. If you do not have an account already, please register. This will ensure your learning activity is recorded and you will be able to generate a record of completion.
Contact the Knowledge Network Help Desk with any questions or feedback.
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Do you need help with keeping up to date with new research in your area of interest? The Library Network can help.
Place a request from your NHSGGC device either by clicking the eHelp icon on your desktop, or selecting eHelp from the NHSGGC Favourites folder in the Microsoft Edge browser. Select Knowledge Services and the relevant request type. For support contact ggc.librarynetwork@nhs.scot.
Current Awareness Bulletins
Current Awareness Bulletins (CABs) provide details of recent publications in specific subject areas and provide a quick and easy way of keeping up to date.
To see the full list of CABs produced by librarians in NHS Scotland, and to subscribe to receive copies, go to the Knowledge Network current awareness site.
Please let us know if you have any comments about this service, e.g. suggestions for new topics.
Email alerts and RSS feeds
These are used to publish frequently updated information such as new research and publications. Many professional organisations use them to keep readers up to date. Look for links on your favourite web sites and resources and sign up for updates. Library staff are happy to give advice on email alerts and keeping up to date.
Useful links
Here are some useful resources for updates:
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To find books and articles, go to the Knowledge Network and select the Library Search button in the top right of the screen. This catalogue search allows you to:
- Find titles across NHS Scotland libraries’ print books and journal archives
- View and download online journal articles and the full text of national and NHSGGC-subscribed ebooks
- Renew items you have on loan
- Reserve items (whether on loan or not) and have them sent to your preferred library for collection
You need to sign in to view your library record, to renew or reserve items, or to view/download articles and ebooks – select Sign In at the top right of the Library Search screen. If you haven’t signed in before, find out more here:
Joining and accessing resources
Once signed in, click the drop down arrow next to your name to view your library record of loans and renewals.
A Knowledge Network guide is available on using Library Search to find a specific book or article:
Searching for an item you know on the Knowledge Network
This guide also explains how to request a book or article that isn’t held in the library or isn’t available through our online subscriptions, using the Get It For Me option. Please note, this service is only available for NHSGGC staff and partnerships. If you need further help with your request, contact ggc.library.documentdelivery@nhs.scot.
Is there a book you’d like to recommend for library stock? We welcome suggestions from NHSGGC staff, please contact your local NHSGGC library to discuss.
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The Library Network, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, provides library and information services to all staff working within NHSGGC and its partner organisations.
With nine staffed libraries across NHSGGC, we offer access to an extensive collection of healthcare and associated resources, in print, online and on time.
Library locations
Beatson
The Beatson Library provides specialist cancer information services and resources to all NHSGGC staff and partners.
We are located in the Education Suite, Level 0. Access is available 24/7 using your Beatson swipe card.
Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre Library
1053 Great Western Road
Glasgow
G12 0YN
Telephone: 0141 301 7283 (x57283)
Email: ggc.library.beatson@nhs.scot
Gartnavel General Hospital
The Library is in the Administration corridor on the ground floor of the main hospital building, near Medical Illustration’s offices. Library staff are usually available Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm. Out of hours access is available for NHSGGC staff: please ask for details.
Library
Gartnavel General Hospital
1053 Great Western Road
Glasgow
G12 0YN
Telephone: 0141 211 3013 (x53013)
Email: ggc.library.ggh@nhs.scot
Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Glasgow Royal Infirmary Library is on the first floor of the New Lister Building. If you enter the building from Alexandra Parade, the library is just behind and to the right of the help desk.
Library staff are available:
Monday: 9.30am to 5.00pm
Tuesday to Friday: 9.00am to 5.00pm
Please note, this may vary depending on staffing levels.
Out of hours access is available for NHSGGC staff: please ask library staff for details.
Glasgow Royal Infirmary Library
10 Alexandra Parade
Glasgow
G31 2ER
Telephone: 0141 201 5867 (x65867)
Email: ggc.library.gri@nhs.scot
James Bridie Library, New Victoria Hospital
James Bridie Library is on Level 2 of the New Victoria Hospital in the Conference and Education / Staff Facilities corridor. This video provides instructions on how to locate us in the New Victoria Hospital.
24-hour access is available for NHSGGC staff via swipe card.
The library is staffed Wednesday to Thursday from 9.00am to 4.30pm, although this may be affected by staff absences. If you need assistance outside of staffed hours, contact ggc.library.vic@nhs.scot or ggc.librarynetwork@nhs.scot and the library team will be able to assist you.
James Bridie Library
The New Victoria Hospital
Grange Road
Glasgow
G42 9LF
Telephone: 0141 347 8885 (x68885)
Email: ggc.library.vic@nhs.scot
Maria Henderson Library, Gartnavel Royal Hospital
The Maria Henderson Library is the main library for staff working in mental health, psychiatry, psychology, learning disabilities and the community. It is on the ground floor of the Administration Building at Gartnavel Royal Hospital.
The Library is open Monday to Thursday, from 9.00am to 5.00pm and 9.00am to 4.00pm on Fridays, and is staffed Tuesday to Thursday, from 9.00am to 5.00pm.
The Admin Building front door is locked at 4.30pm, please phone Library staff for access after that time (available on staffed days only). The Admin building is not accessible out of hours; however, nearby Gartnavel General Library has out of hours access. Ask staff for details.
Maria Henderson Library
Admin Building
Gartnavel Royal Hospital
1055 Great Western Road
Glasgow
G12 0XH
Telephone: 0141 211 3913 (x33913)
Email: ggc.library.grh@nhs.scot
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Campus
The QEUH Library is on the 1st Floor of Queen Elizabeth Teaching and Learning Centre, which is situated between the Institute of Neurology and the Office block.
At the moment users can access the Library during the Teaching & Learning Centre’s opening hours: Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 6.30pm.
Between 5.30pm and 6.30pm, please use the link corridor only.
Library staff are available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4.00pm.
The Library
First Floor
Queen Elizabeth Teaching and Learning Centre
1345 Govan Road
Glasgow
G51 4TF
Telephone: 0141 451 1216 (x81216)
Email: ggc.library.qeuh@nhs.scot
Robert Lamb Library, Inverclyde Royal Hospital
The library is in the Education Centre, within the Inverclyde Royal Hospital campus.
Out of hours access is available 7 days a week. To apply for out of hours access please speak to our team.
Robert Lamb Library
Education Centre (Ground Floor)
Inverclyde Royal Hospital
Larkfield Road
Greenock
PA16 0XN
Telephone: 01475 504402 (x04402)
Email: ggc.library.irh@nhs.scot
Library staff are normally available:
Monday: 9.00am to 4.00pm
Tuesday: 9.00am to 4.30pm
Wednesday: 9.00am to 4.00pm
Thursday: 9.00am to 4.30pm
Friday: 9.00am to 4.00pm
Royal Alexandra Hospital
The library is situated within the Education corridor at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
Out of hours access is available on request.
Library
Royal Alexandra Hospital
Corsebar Road
Paisley
PA2 9PN
Telephone: 0141 314 7178 (x07178)
Email: ggc.library.rah@nhs.scot
Library staff are normally available:
Monday: 9.00am to 4.30pm
Tuesday: 9.00am to 5.00pm
Wednesday: 9.00am to 4.30pm
Thursday: 9.00am to 4.30pm
Friday: 9.00am to 4.00pm
Stobhill Campus Library
The library is on Level 3 of the New Stobhill Hospital in the Management Offices corridor. You require a Stobhill ACH ID badge for swipe card access. Please contact Security beside Minor Injuries for assistance with access.
Library
The New Stobhill Hospital
133 Balornock Road
Glasgow
G21 3UW
Telephone: 0141 355 1684 (x11684)
Email: ggc.library.stobhill@nhs.scot
Library staff are normally available:
Tuesday 9.00am to 5.00pm
Thursday 10.00am to 2.00pm
If you require help when the library is unstaffed, please email ggc.library.stobhill@nhs.scot. Alternatively telephone the library at Glasgow Royal Infirmary on 0141 201 5867 (x65867).
Unstaffed libraries
Vale of Leven
The Library Resource Room at the Vale of Leven is in the Postgraduate Education Centre which is on the 1st Floor of the Community Maternity Building. The Library contains two computers for NHSGGC staff use and a small book collection.
Library Resource Room
Postgraduate Education Centre
Vale of Leven District General Hospital
Main Street
Alexandria
G83 0UA
Access is by keypad. Staff should contact the RAH Library for details.
The Library Resource Room at the Vale of Leven Hospital is part of the Library Services based at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
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