Online research facilities at York Libraries

Students, independent researchers and small businesses can now access many of the world’s best academic papers across science, technology, medicine and other disciplines through York’s Libraries and Explore centres.

This is the result of a unique collaboration between librarians and publishers, who have made their journal content available for free to UK libraries under a new initiative, Access to Research.

Access to Research will provide licensed online access to over 1.5 million journal articles and conference proceedings through library terminals. With 8,400 journals included in the initiative at the moment, this will make content in the fields of Health and Biological Sciences (20%), Social Sciences (18%) and Engineering (14%) available to the public for the first time. Users will also be able to read a wide variety of articles in the fields of Art and Architecture, Business, Environmental Science, History, Journalism, Languages, Politics, Film, Philosophy and Religion, Mathematics and Physics.
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York signposting revamp cost questioned

The York Council has announced that it is to employ consultants to recommend a new design for “signposts” in York.

The Council has refused to reveal how much the design work will cost or , indeed, how much changing all York’s signposts would cost.

The Council has been increasingly criticised for neglecting sub-urban shopping and residential areas while ploughing millions into cosmetic improvements to a limited number of city centre streets.

It also faces a potential financial crisis in the wake of the Lendal Bridge/Coppergate affair with many commentators expecting that that Council will be forced to repay the £2 million in fines that it unlawfully imposed..

The Council’s media release says,

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City leaders back High Speed Rail College for York

York central site

York’s political party Group Leaders have backed calls for the Government proposed High Speed Rail College to be situated in York.

The college, expected to deliver specialised training and qualifications needed to construct high speed rail, will not only benefit HS2 but other future infrastructure projects in the region.

The first new incorporated further education college in over 20-years, it will offer technical training ensuring HS2 can be built by skilled British workers including; rail engineering, environmental skills and construction.

York Central site proposed

York Central has today been put forward for consideration for the new national high speed rail college.

The proposed hub would be located on a site next to the rail station in York, on land owned by Network Rail, yet harnessing the strengths of employers and skills providers from a broader geographic region through the rail connectivity this location affords, up and down the East Coast Mainline, and across to West Yorkshire through the Transpennine route.

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York Curiouser explores York

An exciting and innovative new visual arts project which explores hidden areas of York, has been unveiled as part of the York: Be part of it programme, a dynamic arts build-up to the Tour de France coming to York on 6 July, and part of the region-wide Yorkshire Festival 2014. york curiouser 1

York Curiouserwill explore the historic city through contemporary art interventions. From 14 June to 7 July – the day after the Grand Départ leaves York – new artworks will lead people into unexplored and hidden areas of York, as well as encouraging them to take a fresh look at better-known parts of the city.

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Budgeting tips to help your money go further

A free booklet ‘Making the Most of Your Money’ is now available for anyone who wants to manage their money better, cut back on spending or get help to pay off debts.

The booklet is available now from York CAB – based at West Offices– and from all York libraries. It can also be downloaded from the council’s website at http://www.york.gov.uk/small_changes and from CAB and York Advice Partnership websites.

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