International Students: Welcome to the library!
About us:
We support learning and research by providing Libraries at each campus and a wide range of print and online resources to help you find information for your studies.
All students become library members on matriculation. You will need your student card to use our services and borrow material so remember to bring it when you visit us.
You can borrow 15 items: books, journals, dvds etc, from any of our libraries, and use our e-resources.
Information Services (Library and IT) induction sessions were held during Week 1.
If you missed these or want a reminder, look at our presentation or ask at a service desk for a quick tour of a library and introduction to our services.
Finding resources:
Search our library catalogue, which lists all our print and online resources, using a catalogue terminal in a library or any web enabled pc, our guide will help you.
Most Items are arranged on the shelves by shelfmark, so write this number down.
Borrowing is easy: just collect the items from the shelves and take them to a Self Issue machine or Service Desk to be added to your account.
Remember to note the due back date - you will be fined if you return or renew something late.
You can renew an item unless someone else has requested it, or if you have fines over £15.
If the item you want is on loan or at another campus you can request it and we will email you when it is available for collection.
Online Resources:
You have access to thousands of e-books, e-journals and other services.
You will need to use a password to access these
Many of our Databases have a translation facility
Bookshops: our libraries will hold copies of all the books on your Reading List, but we cannot provide personal copies. If you want to buy some of the core texts, we have bookshops in Craiglockhart and Merchiston libraries for the first few weeks of Semester, or online.
Access to other libraries: you can use other university libraries through the Sconul Access Scheme
Help: if you need help with our services ask at a Service Desk, or use the Enquiry Service for specialist advice.
A place to study:
Libraries are great places to meet and work with friends, or to find a space to study in peace. To keep them clean and comfortable we have some rules: for example you must not eat, drink or smoke, or disturb other people in quiet areas by talking loudly or using a mobile phone. Most libraries have areas where you can talk and use your phone, or rooms you can book for group projects. We ask that you eat in the cafes, but you can bring bottled water into the libraries. There are notices to remind you what is and is not allowed – please read them!
PCs and laptops: there are student PCs & printers in every library, and most of the libraries have WiFi. To find out more about this contact C&IT.
Photocopying: we have black & white copiers in all our libraries; you need to buy a Copycard from a dispenser or a service desk to use them.
Copyright Law limits the amount you are allowed to copy to:
Up to one chapter or 5% of a book
Not more than one article from a journal issue
Library jargon:
There is a Glossary to help you understand some of the words we use in the library, if you can’t find the word on this list, ask us. You might also find the American Library Association’s list of commonly used library terms with translations into Chinese, Korean, Japanese, French and Spanish helpful.
Library links:
Getting started
Where are the libraries?
Subject Guides : How do I find information for my subject area?
InForm: Information skills online
Electronic Resources
Guides to our services and resources
Living
IDEA (International Development and External Affairs)
Living & studying in Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh Council
Studying
Get ready for university study
In-session support – help with English
Multilingual dictionaries & encyclopedias
Websters Online Dictionary
Langtolang Multilingual Dictionary
The Yahoo translation page
Google language tools
Wikipedia
LearnEnglish Central English language practice
Newspapers
World newspapers, in many languages