15 tips from those in the know...
The 100+ libraries of the University of Cambridge fit together and complement one another to provide a comprehensive library service for the University. The libraries can be grouped into three categories; the University Library and its dependents and affiliates, the Faculty and Departmental libraries and the College libraries.
You will need to find out about the specifics of each library you use and their practices and rules. The questions on this page marked with * show where library practices differ and where enquiries are best directed to an individual library. All libraries information and contact details can be found in the Libraries Directory
1. Which libraries can I use?
2. How do I find libraries?
3. When are my libraries open?
4. What if I have a disability? *
5. How do I find library material?
6. How many books can I borrow? *
7. How do I renew the items I have on loan? *
8. What about fines? *
9. How do I photocopy? *
10. How do I find e-resources?
11. When I'm there, how do I get connected? *
12. What if I don't have a mobile device?
13. How do I find special collections?
14. How do I get information about good academic practice and plagiarism?
15. How do I get help?
Members of the University are usually granted access to their own College Library, their departmental/ faculty libraries and the University Library. While your registration in the University Library is usually automatic if you are a student or member of staff, you may need to register when you first visit one of the other libraries in Cambridge.
If you can't decide which library to visit first, watch this film the Perfect Desk
All the libraries are listed in the Libraries Google Map or the Libraries Directory. You can also find the map on CamLib, the Cambridge Libraries mobile interface.
3. When are my libraries open?
When you login to 'My Library Account' on the Libraries Gateway the opening hours for the libraries in which you are registered will be displayed. All opening hours are also available in the Libraries Directory.
4. * What if I have a disability?
Take a look at the Library Access Guide . If your library is not listed there, contact them directly.
5. How do I find library material?
Search our online catalogue LibrarySearch to search all libraries within the University as well as the Cambridge DSpace repository.
6. * How many books can I borrow?
It depends on the individual library, but you can check all of your loans from all of your libraries in one place; whenever you see the option to login to 'your account' on LibrarySearch, or on the Libraries Gateway. Some library websites also have this option. The 'your account' widget is also available for Facebook, iGoogle and CamTools. See here for more information.
7. * How do I renew the items I have on loan?
Whether and how you are allowed to renew an item will depend on the individual library. If online renewals are allowed you can carry these out whenever you see the option to login to 'your account' on LibrarySearch , or the Libraries Gateway, and on some individual library websites. You can also get the 'your account' widget for Facebook, iGoogle and CamTools. See here for more information.
All Cambridge libraries set their own fines and fine rules. The best way to avoid them is to make sure you know the rules and get your books back on time! You can automatically add the due dates to your Google calendar (http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/toolbox/rss.html)
All libraries will have different procedures for photocopying .The University Library's photocopying facilities are run by its Imaging Services department. Full information can be found here.
To make sure you stay within the Law when making copies, check out the University's Copyright compliance advice.
10. How do I find e-resources?
Eresources@cambridge provides a comprehensive list of all available citation and full text databases available to the University. It is possible to search and browse for resources by broad subject area, name and type of resource (ebooks, databases, newspapers, journals, theses). Eresources are also listed in LibrarySearch.
Ejournals can be found by search the A-Z listing at ejournals@cambridge, or by searching LibrarySearch. It is possible to limit your search to ejournals.
11. * When I'm there, how do I get connected?
Access to the University's wireless networks (Lapwing and eduroam) is available in many of the libraries in the University (for a list of wifi enabled sites go here).
These networks are available to University members via Raven logins. Temporary Lapwing tickets are available to visitors.
For access to library electronic resources (including ebooks and ejournals), you should use the eduroam network. As these resources are protected using a library proxy, Lapwing blocks this access. For information on how to configure your laptop to use eduroam, please visit the Computing Service website:
http://www.cam.ac.uk/cs/wireless/eduroam/localusers.html
eduroam will allow you to use the network and login in using your Raven account at other institutions that are also members of the eduroam initiative! (But you need do the configuration while you are here in Cambridge)
Kindles will not connect to Lapwing or eduroam
iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad will not work with Lapwing but will with Eduroam.
12. What if I don't have a mobile device?
If you see an area marked 'Desktop Services' or 'Managed Desktop Machines' (formally called PWF - Public Workstation Facilities) you will be able to access online library resources using your DS account (available through the University's Computing Service).
At the University Library a 'Digital Resources Account' is needed to use the public machines. A DS account will not work.
13. How do I find special collections?
Many libraries house and maintain special collections and some of the collections are listed in the Libraries Directory. Where material, including University Library theses, is catalogued it is likely to be available in LibrarySearch . However, if you cannot find what you are looking for it is best to contact library staff for help. Some of the University Library's special collections are digitised or undergoing digitisation. See here for details. For archive and photograph collections search Janus.
14. How do I get information about good academic practice and plagiarism?
The University has up to date and accurate information here. Any librarian would also be pleased to help you, just ask!
If you are in a library the best way is to ask library staff. Faculty and Departmental Libraries offer specialist subject knowledge and advice on which databases to search, which e-resources to use etc., as well as on physical collections.
If you need remote help please check your libraries' websites.
Here are some central points of contact:
- Help with LibrarySearch
- Help with e-resources
- Help with e-journals
- Help with ebooks
- University Library help
- Help with DSpace
