1. An overview of resources at the library
Paul Biggs – Librarian at Staffordshire University

2. In this session we will cover
Why you should use Library Resources
Information about the Library
Searching for books and eBooks and how to reserve books
Searching for eJournals
Searching for material outside of our collections
Referencing support and advice
Your Subject Resource page
How the Academic Skills Team can help you
Your Student
How you can get free software
You should be able to access and search our resources by the end of the session

3. Where do you search for information?

4. Why use library resources instead of just googling information?

5. Using the internet to find quality information
Web information can be…
Added by anyone (anyone can buy web space and create web pages)
About anything (and does not have to be checked or accurate)
Added from anywhere in the world
Left without update or removed with no notice
Hoaxes /fake information (i.e. usually humour or parody sites which may or may not include disclaimers)
Biased & only provide information to support one side of an argument

6. Student card is also your library card Postal loans are available
The Library Service
We have 2 main Libraries. The Thompson Library in Stoke and the Blackheath Lane Library in Stafford
Thousands of books, journals, statistics, reports, electronic newspapers, online resources, media resources, PC’s, printing, photocopying and scanning services
Student card is also your library card
Postal loans are available
Access your Library Account using your student username and password
For more information please visit
The Library Service

7. Your password is your date of birth in 6 digits
Usernames & Passwords
Your username is your student number which consists of 2 letters and 6 numbers.
b123456f
Your password is your date of birth in 6 digits
ddmmyy
This is also your account when using e-journals, e-books and databases

8. Where to start
To access the Library Resources page please navigate to

9. Where to start
To access the Library Resources page please navigate to

10. Search for books
You can search for books using the search box on the front of the Library Resources Page at
Narrow your search to books & eBooks using the limiter on the left – hand side of the page

11. Accessing a book
You can see if we have the book as a physical copy in the library or as an electronic book. Select the book link

12. Placing a hold on your books
You can renew your books via your account on the library catalogue via
To place a hold on the book you can select the book
Select place hold, log into your account and follow the instructions

13. Placing a hold on your books A Postal Loan
If you are a Distance Learning Student living in the UK we provide a postal loan service. When placing a hold on a book log into your account. Make sure when you place a hold you open up the options and in the box type “Off Campus User”. Select Place Hold

14. Searching for an e-book
In Summon limit your search to books & eBooks and also limit to Full Text Online. The limiters are on the left-hand side of the page. To access the book select Full Text Online. You will be asked to log into the eBook provider

15. access an e-book
To read the eBook select Read Online or the Read Online Icon symbol depending on the eBook provider you are looking at

16. Renewing your books
Your books will automatically renew every two weeks if they are not requested by other students
You could have the book out for up to 1 year before you have to bring it back!
However! If the book is popular and other students request it – you will get an reminder to your student inbox to bring the book back. Make sure you bring it back otherwise you will be charged £1 a day (excluding weekends)

17. Ebook Collections
The Library has 4 eBook collections that are useful depending on your study:
ProQuest eBook Central: a collection of ebook titles
Dawsonera: 1000’s of books specifically chosen by your lecturers
EBSCO eBook collection: A collection of eBooks
PsycBooks: A collection of Psychology books and book chapters

18. Why use journals? Why not just use textbooks

19. Journals
Journals like magazines, newspapers and annual reports are in a group of publications known as serials or periodicals. This is a term used to describe publications that are issued at regular intervals, either daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually. You will need to carry out further reading as your studies progress.
Why Use Journals?
Timely – journals are published more often than books, as a result you will find up-to-date information in recent journals
Authoritative – articles are written by experts and in peer reviewed journals the articles are screened by a ‘jury’ of other experts before they are published

20. Journals
Journals can be divided into 3 types:
Scholarly: written reports on research, articles are written by researchers or subject experts, articles are peer reviewed and include references and bibliographies
Trade and professional : Articles relate to an industry or profession, contain information about  products or services, cover current issues affecting an industry or profession  
Popular magazines: Written to entertain, have a glossy appearance & photographs, information is reported second or third hand by freelance reporters     

21. Electronic Databases
We have 100’s of databases at the university. These databases house journal titles. Inside these titles you will find articles. Just think of databases as giant electronic shelves. All you have to do is enter the correct keywords to locate your journal article! Summon can help you get what you want from these databases!

22. Tips when searching Electronic Resources
Think about your assignment question. Always try and identify keywords. Keywords can be taken from class literature and background reading as well!
You can also use a Thesaurus to identify synonyms for keywords. This will widen your search
It can be a good idea to have some keywords noted on a pad before you start to search the resources. You can also speak to us if you need further help familiarising yourself with all of our eResources
Tips when searching electronic resources

23. Search Tips Techniques
AND, OR & NOT are used to combine search terms…
AND will find all search terms (probably the best to use as it narrows your searches). For example cat AND dog. Your search will be limited to articles with cats and dogs in them only
OR will find one or another or both. For example, cat OR dog. This will widen your search as it will search for articles with cats OR dogs
NOT will exclude terms and limit your search. For example, cat NOT dog will only search for articles with cats in it!
If you are looking for a particular phrase just typing it into a search box on a database may not give you the exact results you are looking for. However, if you use quotation marks “” you will get more exact hits as this searches for a phrase side by side
“cat hair”
“dog collar”

24. Searching for a Journal Article Using summon around a topic
A good starting place to look for a Journal Article is Summon and you can search for a Full Text article using Summon Via the Library Resources page at:
After your search. Select Full Text Online & Journal Article from the limiters on the left-hand side of the page. Access the article by selecting Full Text Online

25. Searching for a Journal Article Using summon around a topic
You might be required to log into the resource. You will then be taken into the database and you can download the article as a PDF. Look for the PDF icon or select download PDF

26. Accessing Online databases
For a suggested list of databases a full list can be found via the eResources A-Z link on Library Resources page
Your Subject Resource page will also contain links to databases. It will also have guides and podcasts on how to use these resources.

27. Search for a journal title
If you need to know which specific journal titles we subscribe to, you can search for them using the eJournals by title link via the Library Resources page at

28. Off campus access
You can also access information regarding our Off Campus Services via
Select the Off-campus users button.

29. You can use Google Scholar
You can use Google Scholar to search for journal articles
Google Scholar is useful as it links to our collections and also has free Open Access materials
It is worth using Scholar as a secondary resource after you have searched our own online resources
If you are using Scholar Off Campus you will need to configure it so you can search our collections to find out how to do this visit

30. Newspapers
We have a database called European Newsstream where you are able to access newspaper articles. Access via
Newspapers

31. Searching for information on the Web
You might need to use Google to search for information on the Internet. When using Google I would suggest using the Advanced Search Tool. This allows you to enter keywords and search specific Web Domains such as .gov.uk .ac.uk or .org.uk
You can also specify the last time a document has been updated so you know that you are getting up to date material.
Access the advanced search on Google here

32. Other places to look for literature -SCONUL
SCONUL Access is a scheme which allows members to use each other’s libraries.
It is free to join for staff and students and it allows members to borrow items (except for Full-Time Undergraduates, who are allowed reference purposes only.)
An on line application form, a list of participating libraries and information about the scheme are available via the Off Campus Support Page
If you have any queries please ask at the Customer Service desk or telephone for details.
SCONUL access

33. Document Delivery Service
If you really cannot find the book or journal article you need we have a Document Delivery Service
This sources the item from the British Library at a cost of £5
It can be posted to you if the item is a book. If your item is an article it will be scanned and ed to you
For more information please visit our Off Campus support page at
Document Delivery Service

34. Lynda.com – Brush up on your I.T Skills
Lynda.com contains thousands of instructional videos ranging from I.T to various business systems
Need to know how to use PowerPoint more effectively? Learn how via Lynda.com
For all courses completed you receive a certificate
Access Lynda via this link
Lynda.com

35. Access BoB via this link http://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/az.php?a=b
Box of Broadcasts (BoB) allows you to watch, record and store television & radio programmes that are free to air
Access BoB via this link
Box of Broadcasts

36. Referencing
We have access to a resource called Cite Them Right Online this is available via the A-Z list of eResources
If you use APA or OSCOLA, please visit

37. Reference Management Software
RefWorks is a Reference Management tool. Staffordshire University subscribes to RefWorks so you can access it using your username & password. Find out more at

38. Your subject Resource page
You have a Subject Resource page where you can find subject specific resources. These can be found via

39. Contact our Study Skills team and book an appointment
If you need to refresh your academic skills with academic writing, time management, or you just want to enhance your presentation skills
Contact our Study Skills team and book an appointment
Help guides can be found via
Book appointments via

40. How your librarian can help you
We can help you find library resources for your study!
You can book appointments with us. We can show you how our eResources work and how you can access information such as books, eBooks, journals and eJournals
You can also , phone or book Skype appointments with us, especially if you live off campus
If you use our resources – it will help you get a better grade
So it’s really important that you make contact with the Academic Skills Team so we can help you get the best grade possible!
Book appointments via

41. Your eMail address will appear like this example below
Your student
If you log onto a computer on campus, simply select the Outlook Icon and access your student
If you are off campus you can access your via and at the login prompt enter student\username
Your address will appear like this example below
Student

42. Free Copies of Microsoft Office 365
As a student you are entitled to download copies of Microsoft Office for the various devices you own
You will also be able to access and use Microsoft Office 365
Find out more at:

43. If you need urgent help please email academicskills@staffs.ac.uk
Contact us
If you need urgent help please
You can find locations and contact details for our Libraries here
If you need IT help please look at the Digital Services support page

44. You should now…
Know why you should use Library Resources
Be updated on Library Services
Know how to search for books and eBooks and how to reserve books
How to search for eJournals
Search for material outside of our collections
Know where to get referencing support and advice
Know how to access your Subject Resource page
Know how the Academic Skills Team can help you
Know how to access your Student
Know how you can get free software
Know how to access our resources and where to get help!