Laura JeffreyOct 2007

Getting the most out

of the Library for new students

Outcomes

After this session you will

• Be aware of the range of services on offer

• Know how to effectively search the library catalogue

• Be aware of the range of resources in print and online

Where is the library and when can I visit it?

Libraries

• College

• Main Library – most subjects

• Palace Green – Law and Music

• Education

• Queen’s Campus Stockton

• Opening hours vary

• Don’t forget your campus card

My subject doesn’t use many books. Does that mean I don’t need to go to the library?

• Study areas– Silent– Group– Study rooms

• Wireless & laptop loan, Open Access PCs

• Photocopying

• The online library – access where & whenever you choose

Facilities

www.dur.ac.uk/library

How much can I borrow and for how long?

Borrowing

• Undergraduates = 20 print items at one time• Loan types

– Long Loan = 3 weeks– 3 day– Short Loan = 4 hours, overnight, over the weekend

• Use borrowing machines– You must not have overdue books or fines of more

than £5

• Returns– Machine at Main Library– Leave at Service Point in other libraries

What happens if I bring a book back late?

Fines

• Fines are charged according to the loan type

Short £1.00 per item per hour

3 day £1.00 per item per day

Long 20p per item per day but if wanted by another user: £1.00 per item per day

• Pay at Enquiries on Level 2 or the service point at other libraries

• You must stay below £5 or you will not be able to borrow or renew items

I can’t remember when my books are due and I’ve lost the receipt the machine gave me. Should I come in to the library to ask?

Your record

• Check due dates - if someone else wants a book we will email you

• Select contact options

• Renew books up to 4 times as long as no-one else wants them

• Check fines, bookings and reservations

• Reading history

I’ve just received my reading list. What does it all mean?

Reading list references

Parkin, M. (2005) Economics. Boston: Addison Wesley.

Stedman-Jones, S. (2000) ‘Fact/value’ in Jenks, C. (ed.) Core sociological dichotomies. London: Sage, pp. 7-14.

Vassylyev, D. (2007) ‘Structural basis for substrate loading in bacterial RNA polymerase ’, Nature, 448(7150), pp. 163-168.

My school library had a small selection of books so we just browsed the shelves. How will I find what I need?

Using the catalogue

• The Library Catalogue contains records of all printed and online resources

• Search University and/or College Libraries– Author – Title– Keyword

• Browse by shelfmark

Everything on my reading list has been borrowed and my essay is due in next week. What can I do?

Wider resources

• Online resources always available such as

e-books

• Browsing the shelves

• Reservations

• Bookings on Short Loan

• Liaison librarians

Can’t I just use Google?

Internet

• Who is the author? Their affiliation? Bias?

• Who hosts the site? When was it published?

• Are there any references to follow up?

• Use gateways for pre-evaluated web resources e.g. Intute

• Tutorials

If I’ve got a reading list should I just use that for my references?

Keeping references

• Check departmental style

• Include page numbers where necessary

for quotes, chapters and articles

• Keep records as you go along – may differ

from reading list

• Avoid plagiarism

• Email records from catalogue

• Set up reading history

How will I remember where to go to get access to all these resources?

Subject pages

www.dur.ac.uk/library/resources/subject

• Links to resources

• Contact details

• Training material

What happens when I’ve forgotten all this in a few weeks time?

Assistance

• Enquiries and service points at university

and college libraries

• Online enquiry service

http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/use/enquiries.htm

• Academic Support Team

Hands-on experience

• Take time to explore the library web pages and resources.

• Go New Students page and try online training

http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/newstudents/