1. How to make the most of Birkbeck Library during your studies
More than just books!

2. Library basics
At Bloomsbury the entrance is on the ground floor – next to the café
Covers 5 levels of the main building
Tours on offer at the start of term
Look around this week with a day pass
Introduction to the Library video
Read the Welcome to the Library guide
Check out the Library web site

3. Get to know the layout of the Library
Books - over 300,000 items
A/V Collection – DVDs, CDs
Journals – print journals are on 4th floor
Study areas
Reading Room – a silent study area
Workstations / access to wireless network
Printing and photocopying
Self-service machines
Help Desk and Issue Desk

4. Opening hours
Term time: – (self-service: before & after weekdays, before & after weekends) Changes to these times / vacation times are advertised on the Library web site.

5. Get to know the Library catalogue
Search for books, electronic books, journals, DVDs & CDs via the online Library catalogue.
You can borrow up to 10 books at a time
Many books can be borrowed for 3 weeks
Some books are 1 week loan, 1 day loan or reference only
eBooks are accessible from outside Birkbeck with your ITS username and password

6. Get to know the Library catalogue
Renewals
Once you have borrowed books, you can renew them as long as no-one else requests them
Reservations
If all copies of the book you wish to read are out on loan you can place a request
The next available copy will be held for you
You will be notified by

7. Get to know the eLibrary
Over 35,000 electronic journal and newspaper titles
Over 90 research databases to find out what has been published in your subject area
Exam papers from 2002 onwards
Accessible from anywhere with internet access

8. Get to know the Library web site
Opening times and service information
Detailed subject guides
Information about finding materials for essays and dissertations
Library Induction For Everyone (LIFE) – free online library tutorial

9. Getting a head start Get to know your library early on
Don’t leave essay writing to the last minute!
Familiarise yourself with your reading list – what are you trying to locate? Is it a book, a chapter in a book or a journal article?
Improve your library skills – use the LIFE tutorial
Read around your subject
Reserve books which are on loan
Make full use of the Library web site

10. Access to other libraries
Reference access to University of London libraries
SCONUL Access scheme
British Library
See the Other Libraries section of the website
You can also request items not available at Birkbeck via the Interlibrary Loan Service

11. Distance learners/students with a disability or dyslexia
We have extra services for you:
LAMP service – postal loans
Access Support Service
Assistive Technology Centre

12. Further help Library web site: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/lib
LIFE – online Library tutorial
Visit, ring or the Help desk:
Check your Subject Guide (online and in print)
Your Subject Librarian