Information Service

The Information Service is located within the Information Centre on the upper floor at the east end of the building. It is fully accessible to disabled visitors by way of the ramped entrance and lift.

Specialist Information Services and facilities include:

• Access to a wide range of online databases some of which are available remotely to Library members.
  See Online Resources below.                    
  
• Aberdeen Community Contacts and Neighbourhood Directories - Aberdeen Community Guide an online directory of clubs, groups, organisations and services in the Aberdeen area
• Business Information - See Below
• Health Information
• Careers Information
• Information for Migrant Communities 
• Grants and Funding Information for groups and individuals
• Statistical information
• Acts of Parliament & Statutory Instruments: UK and Scottish 

Getting Online in the Library

Following the completion of several successful coures in 2011, we are presently planning to offer short, introductory courses for those new to computers and the internet.

We are prepared to consider other topics and can vary the duration of courses if demand allows. If you would prefer to be taught one-to-one we can help but you may need to be flexible on choice of time and venue

Staff in the Information Service will be more than happy to discuss your computer training requirements. Please call us on (01224) 652511 during Library opening hours (see below). It may be necessary at busy times for us to call you back but we will do so as soon as possible. 

Business Information

• Companies and Products
• Market Research
• Standards: Technical standards, regulations and guidance notes are available to consult in print or electronic format. View publications from BSI, API, HSE and others.
• Intellectual Property and Innovation for Patents, Copyright etc.
• Business Management
• Health and Safety Information
• Statistics
• Oil and Gas Collection
• ABCOM: A unique source of information on Aberdeen Companies forms part of our press cuttings services.
  
  

FREE COMPANY INFORMATION IN MAY

During May 2012, the Information Service of Aberdeen City Libraries is offering SME companies trading within Aberdeen City (annual turnover of under £1 million) the excellent opportunity of 300 free company information downloads. from either of the following leading business databases:

Hoover's Online – 85 million+ business records worldwide

Kompass Global – 3 million B2B companies in 60+ countries worldwide

Downloads can be in Excel or CSV format.

Contact (details at bottom of page) us to take advantage of this offer or to ask about any of your business information needs. Take a few minutes to view our overview of business information and how we can help you. Business Intelligence Presentation (PDF 3MB)

Or view a sample product search looking at the UK Soft Drinks industry and featuring the company that makes "Your other national drink, made from girders". View Company Information on a Shoestring (PDF 3.1MB)

Business Information Taster Sessions

If you would be interested to discover how much our extensive business information resources can benefit your career or business, please contact us (details at foot of page) to arrange a taster session. This could be as a 1-2-1 or a small group.

Fax Facilities

• Send within UK & Europe £1.20 for 1st. page; 60p. per page thereafter
• Send elsewhere £2.10 for 1st. page; £1.20  per page thereafter
• Receive £1.20 for 1st page, 30p. per page thereafter. (UK, Europe or elsewhere)
  
  

Online Resources

We have an extensive collection of online databases available for use within the Information Centre; a number of which are also available remotely 24/7 to Library members. They include extensive resources on Business Information, Newspapers, Consumer Advice, Health, Careers and Funding and those available remotely are accompanied by handy, downloadable User Guides. More information, and access to those available remotely, can be found on our Online Resources page.

24 Hour Chat and email Enquiry Services
                                     

Staff in the Information Service participate in staffing the Enquire "Ask a Librarian" 24 hour service. 
Have your questions answered by a Librarian, either through live chat or by email.

Our colleagues in Local Studies take part in the Ask Scotland service. Any queries you may have on Scotland
or matters Scottish will be answered by staff in Scottish Library services. You can email a query at any time or chat live to a Librarian from 9am. to 5pm. Monday to Friday.

To learn more about these services or to access the enquiry pages, click on the relevant logo above.

Scotland's Information Landscape

Scotland's Library Services work together to provide services to users in Scotland. Click on the logo to discover information on all library and related services and what they provide. There is also information on collections in Museums and Archives.

Open University

The Information Service is a partner of The Open University (OU). OU students are provided with free access to the PCs in the Information Centre and can also receive basic ICT support. To learn more contact the Information Service or click on the logo to go to "Student Support" on the OU website.

Journals & Magazines

We have a collection of current journals covering a broad range of topics including science, engineering, management, Scottish and general interest.

Leaflets

Information leaflets on subjects such as taxation, insurance, pensions and benefits.

Catalogue

All Information Service books and pamphlets added to stock after 1993 can be found on the Talis on-line catalogue.
Go to: Library Catalogue

Selected items from before 1993 have been added to the Talis on-line catalogue. However, please ask staff to check for Items likely to have been acquired prior to 1993.

Special Collections

Cosmo Mitchell Bequest

Bequeathed to the Library by A. C. Mitchell, a Dancing Master in Aberdeen, this is a collection of books on the art and execution of dance spanning the late 19th. and early 20th. Centuries. 

Frank Robertson Collection of Books, Ephemera etc. relating to Robert Burns

In 1957, Aberdeen Burns Club presented an extensive collection of Burns material to the City Library with the request that it be named "The Frank Robertson Burns Collection" in honour of one of their veteran office bearers who had served the club over the previous 40 years. Presentations are made on a regular basis and the collection now consists of well over 300 items of books, ephemera, artefacts, memorabilia and paintings.

 James Walker Collection

This collection consists of books on the theory of music and music scores and includes some rare examples of early Scottish music.  

Useful Links

• Consumer Advice from DirectGov 

When you buy something the law gives you certain rights that protect you if it's faulty. You may also have extra rights depending on where you buy the item and how you pay for it. Find out what your rights are and who can help if things go wrong.

 

• Advice Guide

Click on the logo for online help from CAB's Advice Guide
 

• Best of Aberdeen

Click on the logo to access a useful local directory for Aberdeen City & Shire including local businesses, news and events. Aberdeen City Council take no responsibility for the contents of this website'. 

Public Announcement - Reserve Stock Materials

During periods of reduced staffing it may not be possible to retrieve items from our Reserve Stock areas. Periods affected are from 12 - 2pm., especially on Fridays and Saturdays, and the evenings of Monday and Wednesday from 5.30 - 8pm.
This decision has been taken following Health & Safety guidelines.

We regret any inconvenience caused and ask that, where possible, you request any such material in advance of your visit. Please contact us using the details given below. The items affected within the Information Service include:

• Material marked as Reserve Stock in the on-line catalogue
• Acts and Statutory Instruments: UK & Scottish
• Back files of Journals, Magazines and Yearbooks
• Historic Oil and Gas Collection 

 Contact

• Information Service
  Central Library
  Rosemount Viaduct
  Aberdeen, AB25 1GW.
  Tel 01224 652511
  Fax. 01224 624118
  InformationCentre@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Opening Hours

• Monday & Wednesday 9am to 8pm
• Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 9am to 5pm

Back to the Aberdeen Library & Information Services home page.