GCU Library, FAQs

... Athens web site? Don't go there! Athens is a password system to log you in to individual electronic resources. Go to the specific database, ebook or ejournal and enter your Athens username and password when you are asked for it.

... books marked workroom? These are new books which are being processed. You can either place a hold on them to be first in the queue, or wait till they appear on the shelves.

... books which are on hold for me? Collect them at The Base on level 0. We keep them for 1 week.

... I have ordered a book, why is it taking so long to appear in the library? The time for orders to be filled depends on stock availability at the publishers. Occasionally there can be a delay if the title is reprinting due to high demand.

... is there software to help me with citing and referencing? We subscribe to RefWorks. There is a workthrough guide and a handy hints sheet. Some departments prefer a modified output, for HSC use Glasgow Caledonian University HSCa. For Nursing, use Harvard - Nursing. Do not use the group code login, click the blue Athens users link to log in. You can continue to use RefWorks after you graduate as an indivudual subscriber.

... a computer with a floppy disk drive? Sorry, none of our PCs have these - we now use USB pen drives.

... a computer with SPSS? All networked computers in the Saltire Centre run SPSS.

... computers in the Saltire Centre? Networked PCs are available on level 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4. You can borrow netbooks from The Base to use anywhere in the building.

... a cover sheet for my assignment? Available from your department, check blackboard or ask your tutor.

... digitised material? at present this is stored on blackboard and attached to individual modules

... dissertations? on level 1 on the bookshelf wall near the toilets. We hope to introduce a digital archive in the near future.

... dvd players? we don't have separate equipment, use the cd drive in the PC.

... EndNote? We don't support EndNote, we use RefWorks. You'll find it on the A-Z database list.

... information on ethical approval? this varies by department so you will find it on BlackBoard, usually associated with the research section.

... historical material for a research project? We have Research Collections which include the university archives, the Centre for Political Song, the Heatherbank Museum of Social Work and some other special collections.

... a list of all GCU staff? We don't have one, look up the individual department's web pages for staff information.

... lost property? This can be handed in at either The Base on level 0 or the Reception desk at level 1, so best to ask at both. If unclaimed, it is then passed on to the security office in the William Harley Building.

... a machine to reset my password? there are 4 kiosks configured as password reset machines. There is one on level 0 behind the printing pod and the other 3 are in the printing pods nearest the lifts on levels 2, 3 and 4. When you turn on the machine it auto-logs-on and starts up the touchscreen password change application. That’s all it does.

... past exam papers? These are in My Caledonian, in the Me (Student) section. The database does not include the answers!

... is there guidance and software to help me avoid plaigiarism? The coursework web page on plaigiarism gives more information and a link to the Plato system. You log in using your Caledonian domain username and password, but type Caledonian\ in front of your username - for example JSMIT10 becomes Caledonian\JSMIT10

... a machine to rechange my print credits? In the printer pod towards the back of level 0.

... colour printers? on levels 0, 2 and 3. There is a colour acetate printer on level 3.

... a PC with scanner? there are PCs with scanners near the landmarks (big black pillars with red messages on them) on levels 2, 3 and 4. Instructions are on the scanners.

... quiet study areas? Levels 2, 3 and 4 of the Saltire Centre have been zoned as quiet study areas.

... reference (reading lists) books? These books are shelved on open shelves along with weekly loan books.

... referencing guidelines on Harvard format? There are several options within RefWorks such as Harvard - GCU (for newsapers), Harvard HSCa, or Harvard - Nursing. Consult the departmental referencing guidelines on your department's website or Blackboard (such as NMCH) and show a sample bibliography to your supervisor before submitting coursework. You can also view general guidelines from ELS for manual referencing.

... theses? We now use EThOS to search and order PhD theses online.

... timetables for my course? These should be available from your department or on blackboard.

... Turnitin? It is on Blackboard. If the link is not live, talk to your tutor.

... help with writing my coursework, citing references and all that? Try Improve Your Coursework. If you still need help contact the Effective Learning Service

... what's my library number and where do I find it? It is the long number starting with 28027 at the foot of your student card.

... what's my PIN? Your library PIN is listed on My Caledonian. Click the Me (Student) tab and then the My library details link.

... in the databases, why doesn't the link get me an article every time?
This just checks whether we have access to the full text of an article. It takes you to a page which gives you ways to access full-text or tells you that we don’t have it. It also tells you if we have the journal in print and links to the catalogue. Other databases may show

, this will take you to the full text but sometimes some extra links should be followed. If there are already full-text links next to an article – for example, in CINAHL or ScienceDirect – you are better to take these rather than the TOUR link. For more information, view our online demonstration. Contact your librarian if you have questions.

... I am a lecturer, how do I order library books for my students? Instructions and an online order form are on our ordering books page.

...What do I do if there is a fire?
You will hear a klaxon to alert you. Do not use the main spiral stairs, use the special fire stairs which are at either side of the book floors. They will take you directly out of the building. Do not use the links to the Wood and Moore buildings on level 1 and 4. The doors at the front of the building on level 0 are fire doors. Watch out for fire wardens who will direct you to the nearest exit. They will be wearing either a red hat or flourescent waiscoat. The lift on the book floor (not the central stairwell) is a safe evacuation lift for people who cannot safely use the fire stairs.

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