Here at the Library, we’d like to welcome you to Session 1, 2020! To help take some of the pressure off in the first few weeks we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about accessing your subject readings through the Library. We’ll also break down some of the terminology around your readings to help you get oriented with Library-lingo!
How do I find my textbook?
The easiest way to find your textbook is to search for the title only in Primo Search, the Library’s catalogue search tool. Searching for a book using the the full citation (author, date, book and chapter title) gives Primo too much information to work through. By starting out searching the title only, you can use the rest of the citation to filter the results to make sure you’ve got the right book.
You can learn more about Primo Search in our Primo Search Help Library Resource Guide, or by watching the video below.
This goes for eBooks, as well. If you’ve been told to read a chapter of an eBook, search the book title in Primo and use the contents page of the eBook to navigate to the right chapter. There’s a lot to consider when you’re using eBooks, including download allowances and limitations on the number of simultaneous users. Conditions vary between platforms, so you should check our eBooks Library Resource Guide and watch our eBook Etiquette video for more help.
What is eReserve?
When a text isn’t available online or the physical copy is in high demand, a portion of the book can be scanned and made available to students, in compliance with Copyright law. Typically no more than a chapter is available online but sometimes that’s all you need! Not every subject has readings in eReserve, but during your degree it’s likely you’ll come across several.
There are two main ways for you to access your eReserve readings, the first is in Primo Search. To search for your subject’s eReserve listings, enter your subject code into Primo Search and select “eReserve & Reserve” from the drop down box. This will bring up every eReserve item for your subject, you just need to match the citation details to the available records! The video below will walk you through the process.
Another way to access your eReserve readings is through your subject’s Leganto reading list. Leganto is a platform the Library uses to help us organise all the readings for a single subject in one place, making your life (and your lecturer’s!) easier. We’re rolling these lists out gradually, so they aren’t in every subject yet, but they’ll usually be under “Reading list” in your subject’s Interact2 site. Check out our Using Your Reading List (Leganto) Library Resource Guide for everything you need to know!
For more help…
Want to go back over finding your subject readings and freshen up your Library skills more generally? We’ve got you covered! Check out our Getting started with your Library modules for a quick, in-depth review of everything you need to kick-start your year with the Library.
You can also get in touch with the Library in all the usual ways throughout the session – let us know if you have any questions!