Introduction to Durham University Libraries

Richard Holmes July / August 2014

Aims of this session

1) Show you how to borrow and return library books

2) Help you understand the requirements of English academic questions

3) Show you how to create a search strategy

4) Help you find books and journal articles

English academic questions

• Show a wide knowledge of the subject (important authors and theories, different opinions and perspectives)

• Present your opinions and support them with evidence

Terminology – what do you have to do?

“assess…” “critically evaluate” “discuss…”“outline different...”

“to what extent…” “what should…”

“how important…”These are asking you to make a judgement or give an opinion based upon what you have read

Sample questions

• Bilingual Education is beneficial for Individuals and Societies. Discuss.

Sample questions

• Bilingual Education is beneficial for Individuals and Societies. Discuss.

How to search: keywords

• Identify key words and phrases Bilingual, education, benefit,

• Think of alternative words (synonyms) for each:

Bilingual / multilingual Education / teaching / learning Benefit / advantage

Where to search

• Library Catalogue http://library.dur.ac.uk

• Full text databases (e.g. JSTOR)

• Citation Databases (e.g. Web of Science)• Find other relevant search tools from your

subject information page

Finding a specific book

• http://library.dur.ac.uk/• Select ‘Author & Title’• Type in author’s family name + one or two

words from the title• Click on ‘search’• Check availability• Note shelfmark

Finding books on your subject

• http://library.dur.ac.uk/• Click on ‘keyword’• Type in your search words,

e.g. bilingual and education

• Click on ‘search’• Look through results and write down shelfmarks

and titles of useful books (or tick the boxes and print them out)

If you cannot find your book

Books may be missing or all copies are out:• Recall one of the copies• Find an alternative:

– Other editions– Other titles by same author– Browse shelf for other books with the same

classmark

Finding a specific article

• Select ‘Title’ from the drop-down menu• Type the title of the journal (not the article

title) into the search box• Follow link[s] to the journal’s homepage• Find the volume and issue you need• Find the article in the contents list for that

issue

Finding articles on your subject

• Identify key words and phrases to describe your subject

• Go to the Library homepage• Click on Databases (left of screen)• Click on Web of Science (right of screen)• Type your key words into the search boxes• Identify the articles that look relevant• Click on Connexions to check for availability in

our collections

References and bibliographies

• ALWAYS keep a full and accurate record of your information sources

• Set up your borrowing history immediately

• Use the Library Catalogue to save or email details of the books you use

Where to go for help

• Help & Information Desk in Main Library

• Enquiry service:

http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/using/enquiries

• Subject pages and Liaison Librarian contacts

https://www.dur.ac.uk/library/resources/subject/