Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is there an alphabetical list of the subjects covered by the Library showing the Library classmarks?
  2. How can I find books on the subjects I'm interested in?
  3. What do the letters R and P before a classmark mean?
  4. What do the different coloured labels on the books mean?
  5. Where can I find the children's literature?
  6. I've been given a reading list - how can I tell which references are books and which are journals?
  7. How do I search for a journal on the LibrarySearch catalogue?
  8. The LibrarySearch catalogue doesn't give a classmark for journals - how do I find them?
  9. How can I suggest books for the Library to purchase?
  10. How can I return books when the Library is closed?
  11. Can I renew books online?

1. Is there an alphabetical list of the subjects covered by the Library showing the Library classmarks?

There is a leaflet available in the Library called 'Classification - a quick guide.' You can also search for books by subject on the Catalogue - see point 2 below for further information.
Please ask a member of Library staff if you need help.

2. How can I find books on the subjects I'm interested in?

Take a look at this tutorial guide to find material by keyword using the LibrarySearch catalogue - please ask a member of Library staff if you need help.

3. What do the letters R and P before a classmark mean?

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4. What do the different coloured labels on the books mean?

See the following table for an explanation of the different coloured labels used in the Library:

White Theoretical or mainly theoretical books
Yellow Resource material for use in the classroom; school textbooks
Green Reference material
Blue Children's fiction - novels
Silver Children's fiction - fairy tales, legends
Orange Children's fiction - short stories
Gold Children's fiction - poetry

5. Where can I find the children's literature?

The children's literature is kept on the Lower Ground Floor, directly behind the Issue & Enquiry Desk, and on the lower ramp.

6. I've been given a reading list - how can I tell which references are books and which are journals?

A typical book reference will appear as follows:

Holt, J.(1982) How Children Fail .Rev. ed. New York: Perseus Books.

The information that you are given here is the author, date of publication, title, edition, place of publication and publisher of the book. You can search by author and title on the Newton catalogue.

A typical journal article reference will appear as follows:

Thomas, Gary. (1998) The myth of rational research. British Educational Research Journal, 24 (2):141-161.

The information you are given is the author of the article, the date of the publication, the article's title and the title of the journal. The numbers at the end of the reference refer to the volume number of the journal, the number in brackets is the number of the particular issue and the final numbers are the pages of the article. To see whether the Faculty Library holds this journal, search the Newton catalogue for the journal's title. FAQ no. 9 shows you how to do this.

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7. How do I search for a journal title on the LibrarySearch catalogue?

Take a look at this

tutorial guide

to find journal titles using the

LibrarySearch

catalogue - please ask a member of Library staff if you need help.

8. The LibrarySearch catalogue doesn't give a classmark for journals - how do I find them?

The current issues are displayed on the racks in the journals area on the Lower Ground Floor of the Library. Bound volumes of past issues are shelved in alphabetical order by title on Lily Pad 1. If you are unable to find the journal you need in either of these locations, please ask a member of Library staff.

Please note that all journals are for reference use only and may not be borrowed from the Library.

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9. How can I suggest books for the Library to purchase?

If there is a book which you think the Library should buy, and you are in the Library, fill in the details on the white request forms which are kept near the catalogue terminals and give it to a member of Library staff. Make sure you specify that it's a request for a new book.

Alternatively you can e-mail your request to the Library (library@educ.cam.ac.uk).

The Acquisitions Librarian will let you know if it is to be ordered and you will also be notified when it is ready to be borrowed.

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10. How can I return books when the Library is closed?

If the Faculty building is open but the Library is closed, you will find a book return box near the entrance to the Library next to Reception.

The opening hours for the building are :

Monday-Thursday: 6.30am - 9.00pm
Friday: 6.30am - 8.00pm

Please note that there is no access to the Faculty Building at weekends other than on Saturday mornings during term time.

11. Can I renew books online?

If your books have not been recalled and are not overdue, you can renew them by using My Library Account on the LibrarySearch catalogue.
To do this:

If you have any problems renewing material this way, please contact a member of Library staff.