Objectives
General Information
Gaining Access
Finding Materials
Other Considerations
Finding Libraries
Stacks
Library stacks (the areas in which books are shelved) may be
open or closed. Most American libraries have open stacks, which
means you have access to them to browse or retrieve books. Many
overseas libraries have closed stacks, which means library users are not free to browse or retrieve books from these areas. In these libraries, you will need to request (in-person or by filling out a form on the library Website) that
library staff retrieve materials for you.
Catalogs or Catalogues (as it is spelled in England)
If a library has closed stacks, the catalogue will be your only means of searching for items in the collection.
Many of the online catalogues in the UK are similar to UNC's online catalogue, giving call numbers and other useful information.
Finding books in the stacks
Books in most libraries are arranged on the shelves by call
numbers, the numbers assigned to specific books and other
materials. If open stacks are available you will need call numbers to find books. Libraries in the UK generally use the
Dewey Decimal system, while libraries in Ireland may use Dewey or the Library of Congress system, which
is what we use here at Carolina.
Borrowing
You will likely be allowed to check books and other materials out from the library of the university at which you are enrolled,
but you should ask about borrowing policies to be sure. You should also find out the length of the loan period.
Borrowing may also be referred to as "visitor privileges".
