How Do I Obtain the References that I Need?

If they're in the Library

The Library Catalogue tells you what is in the Library's stock. It covers books, pamphlets, computer software, print journals and electronic journals - everything that we have within our four walls plus those 'virtual resources' that we can access on the World-Wide Web.

Electronic journals give access to full text periodicals online.

The Library's Special Collections:

If they're not in the Library

Interlibrary Loans Service

The Interlibrary Loans Service will obtain books and photocopies from elsewhere on your behalf. Some Schools and Department require their students to have their interlibrary loan request forms countersigned by the student's tutor.

Local libraries and archives

Portsmouth City Libraries (joining which is free) have good collections of academic materials as well as internationally-respected collections in naval history and in the life and works of the local author Charles Dickens.

Portsmouth City Libraries' OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue)

Other local libraries that may be of interest are: the Royal Naval Museum Library in Portsmouth Dockyard, the Royal Marines Museum Library in Eastney and the English Heritage Centre for Archaeology Library in Eastney.

Other library catalogues

Many UK academic libraries will allow at the very least reference access for bona fide researchers. You can check their catalogues (where you should find information about their services) as well a range of library websites; academic and public, national and international, online.

SCONUL Access

SCONUL Access is a cooperative venture between most of the higher education libraries of the UK and Ireland. It enables staff, research students, full time postgraduates and part-time, distance learning and placement students to borrow material from other libraries. See the SCONUL Access page for further details

National and international collections

National and international libraries can also provide valuable resources'

British Library Catalogues (all)
National Library of Ireland
National Library of Scotland
National Library of Wales
The European Library is the World-Wide Web service of Europe's National Libraries represented in the Conference of European National Libraries (CENL). In TEL you can find information about all the National Libraries of Europe, their services and the online exhibitions they offer.
British Library Sound Archive. The British Library Sound Archive catalogue includes entries for almost two-and-a-half million recordings held in the archive. It is updated daily. It is one of the largest catalogues of its kind anywhere in the world, covering both published and unpublished recordings in all genres from pop, jazz, classical and world music, to oral history, drama and literature, dialect, language and wildlife sounds.

Professional associations

The libraries of professional associations can often provide in-depth resources in a subject area.

The Aslib directory of information sources in the United Kingdom is a valuable guide to specialist collections in every area. The latest edition available is held in the General Reference Collection on the Ground Floor of the University Library at 026.0002541/ASL.

Purchasing books

If you wish to purchase books locally there is a branch of Blackwell's bookshops adjacent to the Students' Centre (opposite Mercantile House) and a branch of Waterstone's Bookshops in Commercial Road. If you want to purchase books online you can use an online bookseller such as Amazon.

If you wish to get your School or Department to buy books for adding to the Library bookstock you should approach your Library Liaison Officer to see how such orders can be arranged - policies differ widely around the University!