All posts by Matthew

Getting to Grips with Reading Lists

Want to get started with Reading Lists? This post will show you how to:

  • Find reading lists for your course
  • Use reading lists to find library resources
  • Download your reading lists

Reading List Guide

Check out our PowerPoint to find out all you need to know about accessing and using reading lists:

screenshot

Have a go yourself!

Try our fun Reading List to learn how to use reading lists:

Back to the 90s – Example Reading List

Need help?

If you get stuck we’re always happy to help. You can either email the Reading List Team or the Library.

Psychology Toolkit Today!

If you’re taking part in the Psychology Toolkit today you will want to use the following details to access the Padlet tool:

https://padlet.com/library2/obhyr5v10nio

ThisIsThePassword

5 Things Freshers Need To Know About RHUL’s Libraries

Using the Library and its resources could well help you get a better grade. Fact. So here are some tips to get you started and make sure your library experience is more this:

GoodLibraryExperience

than this:

BadLibraryExperience

So here are the top things you need to know to get started with the libraries on campus.

1. Where even are the libraries?

There’s a lot going on in Welcome Week and finding the libraries might not be the first thing on your Fresher’s bucket list. When your first essay drops, though, the libraries are the place to be on campus so you’re better off getting ahead of the pack and finding them early.

1.Lost

Don’t worry, campus takes a bit of getting used to but you’ll have it worked out in no time. The main things you need to know are that there are two libraries on campus: Founder’s and Bedford. Each has different subjects in them, so check which one holds the books relevant to you. We’ve ringed the two libraries on the campus map below (click on it for a larger version).

campusplan

Come by and see us any time – we’re open 7 days a week during term time (full opening hours are here) – you can even enjoy a virtual tour before you arrive!

2. Ok, that’s a lot of books – how do I find the stuff I actually want?

2.TooMany

Academic libraries are way bigger than school or public libraries, and it’s not just books – we’ve got journal, electronic resources, databases – you can even borrow laptops! So how do you find what you actually want?

Well, that’s where LibrarySearch comes in. This is the tool that searches all of our collections  and helps you locate the resources you need. So don’t get in a spin over our collections, read our guide to searching for items and you’ll be sorted.

2.TooMany2

And if you want to make sure you’re finding the A* quality resources to make your essays really sparkle, you can always come along to one of the regular training sessions we run to help you with search strategy and advanced skills.

3. Perfect book found, now how do I actually borrow it?

3.BorrowBooksHermione

Don’t worry – you’ll have a lot of reading to do and we don’t expect you to work through those big textbooks in the library. That’s why undergraduates can now borrow up to 25 items at any one time. (You’re welcome.)

Borrowing couldn’t be easier – your College Card doubles as your library card while you’re with us (so make sure you bring it with you every time you visit the library). All you need to do is pick the items you want to borrow and check them out on our self-service machines (don’t worry, staff are on hand to help if technology hates you).  Best of all, it’s completely free to borrow items (just bring them back on time, or – fines!)

4. This is all great, but I still need HELP, where do I turn?

4.OMGNeedHelp

Hey, this is what librarians are for – helping you get the resources you need is what we do.

Every department is assigned a librarian to help support you, and you can read handy guides from each of them online here: http://libguides.rhul.ac.uk/home

And if that doesn’t answer your question you can always pop in to see us – the helpdesks in both libraries are staffed during core hours – or you can email us at library@rhul.ac.uk or start up a live chat with a librarian right now.

5. Sounds good, anything else I should know?

Correct, and yes, go on then, one more information morsel for you:

As a member of the University of London, we have full access to Senate House Library and all of their e-resources. You don’t even have to go into London to register, you can do it online. Want to know more? Read our guide on accessing Senate House Library.

 

We hope that’s been a helpful introduction to us and our services. Come in and chat to us any time to find out more, or visit our website: www.rhul.ac.uk/library

And remember, getting the job done isn’t hard…

Sign-off

Enjoy your time with us!

Your laptop has a virus and is feeling far from ship-shape. Where would you take it to get fixed?

 

You also need to answer the following two questions on your answer sheet:

9. If you wanted somewhere silent to study which level would you choose?

10. You’ve forgotten your laptop, where can you borrow one from?

Congratulations – you’ve completed the Treasure Hunt! Take your answer sheet to the helpdesk for some chocolate plunder.

 

You also need to answer the following two questions on your answer sheet:

11. How many hours at a time can you book a group study room for?

12. What is the course code for our Information Skills Session: SOS: Search our Stuff?

You need help navigating the sea of information. Where would you ask for help?

 

You also need to answer the following two questions on your answer sheet:

7. If you return a DVD late, what is the fine rate?

8. What hours is the Library open on Saturdays during Autumn term?

Solve this anagram to find the next clue:

PORTICO HOPE

 

You also need to answer the following two questions on your answer sheet:

1. In which library would you find the History collection?

2. Books are classified by subject using a numerical system (Dewey Decimal Classification scheme). What is the number for books on Economics?

A shipmate needs help. They remember borrowing a book:

The Pirates ‘who’s who’. 

 

Can you help them find it on the shelf?

 

You also need to answer the following two questions on your answer sheet:

5. If you borrowed a short loan book on a Tuesday at 4pm, when would it be due back?

6. What subject do you study, and who is your Information Consultant?

You need help navigating the sea of information

where would you ask for help?

 

You also need to answer the following two questions on your answer sheet:

7. If you return a DVD late what is the charge per hour?

8. What hours is the library open on Saturdays?

The local tavern is closed, so you decide to watch a film with your shipmates. Where would you head to in the Library to do this?

 

You also need to answer the following two questions on your answer sheet:

9. If you wanted to work in a group in Founder’s library, where would you go?

10. Where would you go to borrow a laptop?