How to use the Library

Books and Desks

Library desks

• The smaller desks on the right-hand side of the main Library (Nos. 17-37 odd numbers only) are available for day visitors.
• The remainder of the desks, including all those in the Hexagon area, are rented to individual scholars. Speak to the Librarian if you wish to apply for a rented desk.

Online Library Catalogue, TynCat

• Use a keyword search. You may combine one or more subject terms with keywords from a title or series, and/or an author's name.
• A list of matched books appears, with a call-number, eg. 226.11 KLO, on the right of each. The call-number indicates where you can find the book on the shelves. Click on a title to see its full bibliographic details.

Using books at your desk

• At the back of each book or bound volume of journals there is a card in a plastic pocket.
• Write the date, your name and desk number on the card, and leave it on the shelf in place of the book.

Please always leave a card on the shelf for each item that you remove.

All books are for reference only and may not be borrowed or removed from the Library.

Scholars using rented desks may keep Library books at their desks.

Day visitors are asked to reshelve their books at the end of their visit.

• If the book that you need is in use at another reader's desk, make a note of the name and desk number appearing on the shelf card.
• Negotiate the use of the book with the reader concerned.
• If the reader is not at his/her desk, you may remove the book; but leave behind a red slip indicating which book has been removed, and adding your own name and desk number. Red slips are available on the cabinet near the Library entrance.

Quick Reference Collection

• This collection of heavily used books is shelved near the Librarian's Office. The call-number of each book is prefixed by the letter R (or REF).
• Instead of leaving a card on the shelf, sign each book out on the red clip-board provided.
• Return the book as quickly as possible - certainly before the end of the day - and cross your name off the list.

Journals, Theses, Maps

Journals

• The latest issues are displayed each week on the cabinet to the right as you enter the Library.
• Recent issues waiting to be bound are in green boxes, arranged alphabetically by title, near the online catalogue terminal.
• The latest issues are displayed each week on the display unit nearby.
• Bound volumes are arranged alphabetically by title on the top shelves of the stacks all round the main Library area.

Theses

• The collection of MPhil and PhD theses may be found in Bay 1