HOW DO I?

To find books at Bishop’s University Library, search the BORIS Bishop’s Online Retrieval and Information System) catalogue.

To search BORIS, enter an author, title, subject or keyword.  In the full record for each item in BORIS, you will find the location and call number that will allow you to find the item within the library.  Books with the location ‘General’ are on the second floor.

To find out what books are held at other libraries, you can search other library catalogues. Find them using LibWeb.

You can use the Limit Search feature in the library catalogue to find out if Bishop’s library has materials on your topic in published in a particular year, in specific languages, or in special formats.

To find items published in a specific year or range of years using the library catalogue, begin with a keyword search. You can use whichever type of keyword search you find the most useful. Once the catalogue returns a list of hits for your keyword search, select the Set/Clear limits option at the left of the screen. This will bring you to a new screen, where you can enter a single year or a range of years (e.g. 1988-1992) in the box marked Date. Then click on Set limits, and the catalog will return a smaller list of items from your original keyword search that were published on or between the dates you specified, if there are any such items in the catalogue.

To find materials in a specific language, begin with a keyword search for your topic of interest. Once you have a list of items returned to you, click on the Set/Clear Limits option at the left of the screen. This will bring you to a new screen, where you can select a language from the drop-down menu labeled Language. Click on Set Limits, and the catalogue will search through your original result list and return any items in the language you specified by limiting.

Similarly, to find items in a specific format such as videos, sound recordings, computer software, or music scores, you must begin with whatever type of keyword search you find most useful. For example, to find out if Bishop’s library has any videos about the environment, begin with a keyword search on all words for ‘environment’. Then select the Set/Clear limits option from the left of the screen, and at the next screen, select Videos, films, slides, etc. from the drop-down menu labeled Material Type. You will then be presented with a list of items in the format you specified on the topic you are interested in.

Bishop’s Library, like many other university libraries, uses the Library of Congress classification system to arrange items on our shelves. The Library (LC) classification system is an alphanumeric system, using a combination of letters and numbers to classify things by subject. These classification numbers, or call numbers, are found on a label on each item and on the corresponding record for the item in our library catalog.  Call numbers serve to identify each item, and to provide them with specific locations on the shelves relative to all the other materials on the shelves.

Each call number begins with a letter or combination of letters representing the broad subject area of the item, for example JA for political science.

The letters are followed by a number, which represents a narrower subject area, such as JA81, history of political science. Please note that these numbers are regarded as whole numbers, so JA3 comes before JA81 on the shelves.

The next line of the call number begins with a letter, and ends with a number. The numeric part is a decimal number, not a whole number, so .C33 comes before .H33, but .C3113 would be shelved before.C33.

The call number often ends with the date the item was published.

When you take note of a call number, be sure to note the whole number to help you differentiate between similar items on the shelves, and also take note of the location code for the item, which will help you determine which area of the library to look in.

For more on Library of Congress call numbers, see the Library of Congress Classification Outline.

For more information on location codes at Bishop’s, see How to find things on our shelves.

Broad subject areas in the Library of Congress Classification System

A -- GENERAL WORKS
B -- PHILOSOPHY. PSYCHOLOGY. RELIGION
C -- AUXILIARY SCIENCES OF HISTORY
D -- WORLD HISTORY AND HISTORY OF EUROPE, ASIA, AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, ETC. 
E -- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAS
F -- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAS
G -- GEOGRAPHY. ANTHROPOLOGY. RECREATION
H -- SOCIAL SCIENCES
J -- POLITICAL SCIENCE
K -- LAW
L -- EDUCATION
M -- MUSIC AND BOOKS ON MUSIC
N -- FINE ARTS
P -- LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
Q -- SCIENCE
R -- MEDICINE
S -- AGRICULTURE
T -- TECHNOLOGY
U -- MILITARY SCIENCE
V -- NAVAL SCIENCE
Z -- BIBLIOGRAPHY. LIBRARY SCIENCE. INFORMATION RESOURCES (GENERAL)

Through our library catalogue, you can find records for library materials in different formats and different locations. Some of these items you can find for yourself on the shelves, others we must retrieve for you.

The following codes are used in the library catalogue for things you can find yourself on the shelves.

On the top floor of the library:

General – Most books have this code, and are arranged alphabetically by call number.
OverS – Stands for oversized. This is a collection of books that are too big to fit on the regular shelves, found on the top floor at the end of the PS to Z section.
DVD – Speaks for itself, found on shelves near the top of the central staircase.
General/Video – Videos in VHS format, shelved with the DVDs.
RefM – Stands for Reference Mezzanine, and on these shelves are older reference materials.

In the basement of the library:

Period - Meaning periodicals. Current issues are found in the Periodicals Room on the main floor of the library, and older volumes are kept in the basement.
CD-ROM – Non-musical audio CDs and compact discs are kept in a cabinet in the language lab area of the basement
Fiche – Microfiche is a space saving format of materials that can be used only with a special reader. The Fiche and the reader are in the basement.
MFilm – stands for microfilm. This is another space saving format. Both Microfiche and microfilm can also be used as a method of preserving and sharing the content fragile documents that are in danger of disintegration.
MapColl – Maps and atlases are kept in the map room downstairs.
GibsonRm – Items with this code are found on the shelves of the Gibson Graduate Study room in the basement. Among other things, this includes all books with call numbers beginning with PZ.
Kit – Mixed media items, found on shelves in the language lab area of the basement.
SciRef – Science reference materials found on the shelves of a special section amongst the periodicals.

On the main floor of the library:

Ref – Reference materials including dictionaries, encyclopedias and other materials meant for quick consultation can be found on the shelves of the Reference Room.
MusicR (music room) and MusicOs (music oversize)– All books, reference works, scores and music recordings  with these codes can be found on the shelves and in the cabinets in the Music Room.
GovDoc – Government publications from the federal and provincial governments with this code are found in a small section at the end of the Music Room.
Period – Current issues of periodicals - journals magazine and newspapers, can be found on the shelves of the Periodicals Room.

The following codes are used in the library for materials that a staff member must retrieve for you, and that generally have some restrictions on use. Ask for help at the Circulation Desk if you want to use items you find in the catalogue that have these location codes. Circ – Things kept at the Circulation Desk

Reserve – Items put on reserve for specific classes.
AcqDept – Items that are still on order or in processing.
BelGd – A special collection called the Belanger Gardner collection.
CStor – Items kept in storage.
RareBk – Rare books.
SpecC – Special collections materials.

Any library materials with a location code that begins with the letters Old Lib are found in the Old Library in the McGreer building. These items are for on-site use only. See the archivist, Anna Grant, for more information.

To find articles related to a particular topic, author or keyword, begin by searching in a periodical index or database.

Several electronic indexes and databases are accessible from the library’s web site, and several indexes in print and CD-ROM format are available in the library.

To use the electronic indexes, look through the list of Periodicals Indexes and Databases, or the list of Databases by Subject.  Certain databases provide article citations (references) only, and others provide full text access to some or all of the sources indexed.  Look for links to ‘full text’, ‘text+graphics’, ‘HTML’ or ‘PDF’ beside a citation.

To find an appropriate print or CD-ROM index, browse through the ‘Periodicals’ or ‘Indexes and Abstracts’ section of the appropriate Subject Guide, or consult a Reference Librarian.

For more detailed instructions, ask in the library, or use the help features of the individual databases.

Once you have searched an index and found a reference to an article, take note of the journal, magazine or newspaper name, volume number, date and pages. 

To find out if Bishop’s has the journal in print, search by journal title (not the title of the article) in BORIS. Check the full record for the journal to find the call number and holdings.  The holdings information tells you which volumes can be found in the library.  Current issues are kept in the Periodicals Room, previous issues in the basement.  Some electronic journals are also listed in BORIS, with a link to the online version.

To find out if Bishop’s has access to the journal in electronic format, search for the journal title in the list of Electronic journals.  This will tell you if we have access to the title, which database it is accessible from, and the range of volumes available electronically.  Click on the link to the database indicated, then the issue, and finally the article you need. 

For further assistance locating journals, magazines and newspapers within the library, ask staff in the Periodicals Room or the Reference Room.

Bishop’s library materials are mainly in English, but materials in French, German, Italian and Spanish are also collected.  To find these materials, use the ‘limit’ feature in the BORIS catalogue.

To limit your search to materials in a language other than English, select ‘Keyword Searching’. Select the ‘Limits’ tab at the left of the screen then select the language desired from the language pull-down menu.  Press ‘Set Limits’, and perform a keyword search by topic or author. The results will tell you if the Bishop’s library has any materials in the language you selected with the keyword you selected.

To search for newspaper and magazine articles in French, try the Eureka.cc web site.  Select ‘Accès au panier sans abonnement’.  This allows you to search by topic within a specified array of sources. You can purchase the articles online, or search the BORIS catalogue and the list of Electronic Journals to see if the articles are accessible at Bishop’s.

For further assistance finding French language materials, ask the Reference staff.

How to Find Items on Reserve (PDF)

To find out if Bishop’s has the journal in print, search by journal title (not the title of the article) in our catalogue, BORIS. Check the full record for the journal to find the call number and holdings.  The holdings information tells you which volumes can be found in the library.  Current issues are kept in the Periodicals Room on the main floor; previous issues are bound and located in the basement.  Some electronic journals are also listed in BORIS, with a link to the online version.

To search for a specific journal in electronic format, click on E-Journals from the library’s homepage and search for the title of the journal (not the title of the article). This will provide various links to access the journal electronically via one or several of the library’s databases. Take note of the range of volumes available electronically before choosing which link to click.

The subject area you are researching will determine which database(s) will be most useful to you. From the library’s website you can browse through a list of suggested Databases by Subject or you may consult a reference librarian.

Interlibrary Loans (Books and Journal Articles)(PDF)

Borrowing Books Through CREPUQ (Under construction)

Bishop’s undergraduate students may apply at the Reference Desk in the library for a CREPUQ card which will enable them to borrow up to 4 books at a time from participating university libraries. Click here for more information.

Borrowing Books Through Pôle Universitaire

Both Bishop’s and Champlain students may borrow up to 4 books at a time from participating local libraries that form the Pôle Universitaire. Please see the Circulation Dept. in the library with your student ID card. Click here for a list of participating institutions.

Reference staff members are available in the Reference Room of the library to help you use these services. See the library’s home page for Reference hours. They can also be reached by telephone at (819) 822-9600 ext. 2608 or by email at reference@ubishops.ca.

How do I find out about plagiarism (PDF)

How do I find out if this is the right resource (PDF)

How to find library books in BORIS (PDF)