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Supporting Research.

Supporting AFBI.

Library Training Events

AFBI Library training events
September to December 2025

AFBI Library delivers two training programmes per year, from January to May and September to December, covering search strategies, using databases, bibliometrics and EndNote, both online and in person. We also welcome any queries on copyright and Open Access.  See below for further details of the September to December 2025 programme. Outside of the programme we can also provide individual or small group training on request and can offer these sessions in a format and at a time that suits you.

For further information on training events please email us at afbilib@qub.ac.uk
Introduction to the Library

This 30 minute session is ideal for new AFBI staff and students, and for anyone wanting a refresher on the resources and services provided by the Library.

Register for this event to:

  • Meet with AFBI Library staff.
  • Find out more about AFBI Library and how we can help your research.
  • Learn how to navigate the AFBI Library website.
  • Take a look at how to find books, journals and articles via AFBI Library Search.
  • Get a comprehensive overview of the Library's key resources and services.

Session dates:

  • Monday 22nd September –  10.00am to 10.30am (VSD Library).
  • Thursday 25th September – 10.00am to 10.30am (Newforge Library).
  • Tuesday 25th November – 11.00am to 11.30am (Teams).
  • Thursday 27th November – 10.30am to 11.00am (Teams).

Book here, and once you have registered for this session you will be sent a course invite.

Search strategies: develop an effective search strategy for a literature search

This 1hr session covers the key principles of creating a search strategy to facilitate a systematic approach to finding relevant information and save valuable time in the research process.

Register for this event to learn more about:

  • Identifying key concepts, synonyms and alternative terms.
  • Using search symbols and Boolean operators to create a search sentence.
  • Applying a search strategy to a database.
  • Methods for refining a search strategy.
  • Saving search strategies and setting alerts.

Session dates:

  • Wednesday 8th October – 10.00am to 11.00am (Newforge Library).
  • Wednesday 22nd October – 2.00pm to 3.00pm (Teams).

Book here, and once you have registered you will be sent a course invite.

Finding literature using Web of Science

This 1 hr session covers how to apply literature searching principles to a specific database, Web of Science.

Register for this session to learn more about:

  • The principles of the literature search process.
  • Applying your search strategy to the Web of Science database.
  • Utilising bibliometrics and cited references.
  • Saving your search and setting alerts.
  • Exporting results to EndNote.

Session dates:

  • Tuesday 21st October – 2.00pm to 3.00pm (Newforge Library).
  • Monday 20th October – 10.00am to 11.00am (VSD Library).
  • Tuesday 9th December – 11.00am to 12.00pm (Teams).

Book here, and once you have registered you will be sent a course invite.

Introduction to EndNote

This 1 1/2 hr session is suitable for new EndNote users for and for those who would like a refresher on using it to support their research output. The last half hour of the session will be a Q&A.

Register for this session to learn more about:

  • Creating and backing up an EndNote library.
  • Creating and importing new references from a range of relevant resources.
  • Organising your references and managing your library.
  • Using EndNote’s Cite While You Write plugin to automatically create citations and bibliographies within Word.
  • Working with referencing styles.
  • EndNote Online/syncing/sharing.

NB: This session will demonstrate the tool using the latest version, EndNote 25. If you are still using EndNote 21, you can install the latest version to your AFBI device from the Software Centre.

Session dates:

  • Tuesday 11th November – 10.00am to 11.30am (Newforge Library)
  • Monday 17th November – 10.00am to 11.30am (VSD Library)

Book here, and once you have registered you will be sent a course invite.

Open Access Tools and AFBI Institutional Repository

This session will outline key tools and resources available that can assist you in publishing your research open access.

Register for this session to learn more about:

  • Scholarly publishing landscape.
  • Open Access options.
  • Tools to help you make informed choices when publishing  .
  • AFBI Institutional Repository Overview.

 Session dates:

  • Tuesday 9th December – 10.30am to 11.00am (via Teams).

Book here, and once you have registered you will be sent a course invite.

Externally delivered training events
Arranged by AFBI Library staff

We regularly arrange for external trainers to run online sessions on specific products and tools. Please see below for the current programme of external events.

EndNote “Ask the Expert” Q&A session.

This 1hr online session, facilitated by EndNote Product Representative Peter Masurat, gives AFBI EndNote users an opportunity to ask about specific issues they are having and to enquire about product developments. An extremely useful session for regular users of EndNote who want to enhance their EndNote skills and knowledge.

Session date:

  • Tuesday 25th November, 2pm - 3pm

Please register for the session on the EndNote FAQ for AFBI page.

If you have any queries about this session, or would like to send Peter your EndNote questions in advance, please fill out this form or email us at afbilib@qub.ac.uk to let us know. 

NB: This session will cover the latest version, EndNote 25, which is available from Software Centre to install on your AFBI device.

Nature Masterclasses Presentation and Q&A

Delivered online by Springer.

Nature Masterclasses launch presentation.

This 45 minute presentation provides a walk-through overview of the Masterclasses platform with an opportunity for Q&A.  Register below to make the most of this CPD resource on trial subscription at AFBI until February 2026.

Session date:

  • Wednesday 17th September - 10.00am to 11.00am

Book here, and once you have registered you will be sent a course invite.

Get to know your AFBI Library Resources: Spotlight on CABI/CAB Abstracts

CABI Awareness Session

Delivered via Teams by CABI product rep Neil MacDonald, this session provides an overview of CABI resources.  Neil will take questions on CABI resources (CABI Digital Library platform, CABI journals and publishing options e.g. CABI One Health (Open Access journal publishing on animal, human and plant health).  Register to learn more about how CABI resources can benefit you.  

  • Monday 10th November, 10.30am - 11.15am

Book here, and once you have registered you will be sent a course invite.