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Subject Guide: Rural Skills, Access Courses and Continuing Education: How to Use the Library

Welcome

Welcome to the 'How to Use the Library' Guide.

SRUC Libraries

SRUC has libraries at Aberdeen, Barony, Edinburgh, Elmwood and Oatridge campuses.

Each library has a full collection of books and journals focused on the subjects taught at that campus. You may borrow books and use the facilities at all campus libraries.  Access to electronic resources is also provided for staff and students.

Further information can be found on the library pages of the 'SRUC website' (link below). The libraries are open to the public for reference only.

Finding Materials in the Library

 Log in to 'SRUC's library catalogue' (link below) and you can search by title, author or keyword.

Books are arranged on the shelves in subject order using the Dewey Decimal Classification system, starting at 001 and running through to 999. Current print journals are on display in subject order (journal back issues are retained for reference).

On the catalogue you will see items from the other SRUC campus and UWS libraries as well as your own campus library. These are also available for loan. If you would like to borrow one of these items, you can place a reservation via the catalogue or ask library staff. 

Contact library staff if you have any problems using the catalogue or if you can’t find what you’re looking for. 

Borrowing

Your SRUC matriculation card acts as a library card for borrowing books and other materials.  Students can borrow a total of 15 items, staff 25.

Books

Most books can be borrowed for up to four weeks initially, although some items are limited to one week.  

Newspapers (Image)

© Jon S (2011), CC BY 2.0

Journals and e-Journals

Journal titles will show up when you search the library catalogue.

Some are available online, while others are on the shelves in the library. The catalogue record will tell you if available in print or online, and will have a link to the electronic version if available.

New subscriptions are always being added, so please check with library staff if you are looking for a particular title.

Renewals

You can renew by phone, e-mail or online via the ‘My Account’ option on the library catalogue.

Off-Campus Access

Students can access many of the library’s electronic resources from home.  For password authentication use your SRUC username and password.

Using the Library (Image)

© Camera Eye Photography (2012), CC BY 2.0

Online Services

SRUC subscribes to a number of databases, including Science Direct, Web of Science, and CAB Direct. Most of these won’t need you to enter a password if you are on campus. Library staff can recommend the best database to use and help you search. Find the full list on the library Moodle page.

Printing and Photocopying

Each Library has a multi-functional device that allows you to print, copy and scan. For full details on this service, see the Print, Copy, Scan guide.

Opening Hours

The library is open throughout the year. Any changes to opening hours will appear on library web pages and Moodle.

References

References for images included within this guide:

Camera Eye Photography (2012) Week #1 "New". Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/camera_is_a_mirror_with_memory/6628934195 (Accessed: 10 October 2019).

Jon S (2011) Newspaper grape purple. Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/62693815@N03/6280036507 (Accessed: 10 October 2019).