how to make the most of birkbeck library during your studies more than just books! birkbeck library

How to make the most of Birkbeck Library during your studies

More than just books!

Birkbeck Library

Library basics

• At Bloomsbury the entrance is on the ground floor – next to the café

• Covers 5 levels of the main building• Tours on offer at the start of term• Look around this week with a day pass• Introduction to the Library video• Read the Welcome to the Library guide • Check out the Library web site

www.bbk.ac.uk/lib

Get to know the layout ofthe Library

• Books - over 300,000 items• A/V Collection – DVDs, CDs• Journals – print journals are on 4th floor• Study areas • Reading Room – a silent study area• Workstations / access to wireless network• Printing and photocopying• Self-service machines• Help Desk and Issue Desk

Opening hours

Term time:08.30 – 23.45(self-service: before 10.00 & after 22.30 weekdays, before 10.00 & after 18.00 weekends)

Changes to these times / vacation times are advertised on the Library web site.

Search for books, electronic books, journals, DVDs & CDs via the online Library catalogue.• You can borrow up to 10 books at a time • Many books can be borrowed for 3 weeks• Some books are 1 week loan, 1 day loan or

reference only• eBooks are accessible from outside Birkbeck

with your ITS username and password

Get to know the Library catalogue

• Renewals– Once you have borrowed books, you can renew

them as long as no-one else requests them• Reservations– If all copies of the book you wish to read are out on

loan you can place a request– The next available copy will be held for you– You will be notified by email

Get to know the Library catalogue

Get to know the eLibrary

• Over 35,000 electronic journal and newspaper titles

• Over 90 research databases to find out what has been published in your subject area

• Exam papers from 2002 onwards• Accessible from anywhere with internet

access

Get to know the Libraryweb site

• Opening times and service information• Detailed subject guides • Information about finding materials for essays

and dissertations• Library Induction For Everyone (LIFE) – free

online library tutorial

Getting a head start

• Get to know your library early on• Don’t leave essay writing to the last minute!• Familiarise yourself with your reading list – what

are you trying to locate? Is it a book, a chapter in a book or a journal article?

• Improve your library skills – use the LIFE tutorial• Read around your subject• Reserve books which are on loan• Make full use of the Library web site

Access to other libraries

• Reference access to University of London libraries

• SCONUL Access scheme• British Library• See the Other Libraries section of the website• You can also request items not available at

Birkbeck via the Interlibrary Loan Service

Distance learners/students with a disability or dyslexia

We have extra services for you:

• LAMP service – postal loans• Access Support Service• Assistive Technology Centre

Further help

• Library web site: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/lib• LIFE – online Library tutorial• Visit, ring or email the Help desk:• library-help@bbk.ac.uk• 020 7631 6063• Check your Subject Guide (online and in print)• Your Subject Librarian