Everything that University of Manitoba Libraries owns, including books, periodicals, maps, government publications, etc. is listed in our online Library Catalogue, BISON. Since BISON is web-based it can be searched from anywhere, including your residence room or at home.
BISON is searchable by keyword, title, or author, as well as by other headings.
A keyword search is a good place to start, unless you know the title or author of the item that you're searching for.
You can practice using BISON using the tutorial below. If you have any questions or problems, you can contact a librarian to help.
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Each book in the Libraries has a "call number" on the spine. Call numbers work like an inventory code which tracks individual items. They also allow libraries to group items on similar subjects together.
Most university libraries use the Library of Congress system, which has this sequence: letters/numbers/letters + numbers, sometimes followed by the year of publication.
Most of the Libraries' books are shelved according to call number. These bookshelves are also known as stacks. There is a stacks sign at the end of each bookshelf to tell you the range of call numbers that are located on that bookshelf.
To find a book, simply match the call number that you've found in BISON with the call numbers located on the shelves. Work through the call number systematically, and use every part of the call number. This very important: books on similar topics will have call numbers that are alike, with small varations.
Also remember to note the name of the library that the book is in! The University of Manitoba Libraries has 20 locations, plus we share BISON with St. Boniface College and the University COllege of the North. The book you need could be in any one of those places.
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Most books and other items, including many journals, can be taken out of the library, but other items can't be borrowed. To find out if you can sign a book out, check the BISON record for the book.
Your UM student ID Card is all you need to sign items out. You don't need a separate library card, as you do for the public library.
Books can only be taken out for a limited period of time, and different libraries have different lending periods. If you do not return library books or renew them within the time alloted, you may have to pay a fine!
All library transactions, including items signed out, their due dates, items you have put on hold, and fines owing, are recorded in your confidential Library Account. It's a good idea to monitor your account on a regular basis.
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What if the book you need for your paper is already signed out?
There are 2 alternatives:
- Talk to a Reference librarian. Since the librarian knows the collection well, and has helped many other students with similar assignments, she may be able to suggest alternative ways to search for information, or other information sources.
- Put the book on hold. This means that when the book is returned, you are guaranteed to be the next person to get it. When a hold is placed on a book, the person who has it out is notified by email, and must return it in 7 days.
A study hint: Start your research early! Not only will this give you a better selection when looking for books, it will also give you the flexibility to adjust your search strategy, talk to your instructor or consult with a librarian. Leaving your research to the last minute means that you have fewer options.
Note: Placing a hold applies to books and other materials owned by the UM Libraries. It's different from the Document Delivery service, which locates and delivers books and journals not owned by UM Libraries. The two services aren't interchangeable.
You can practice placing a hold with the following tutorial:
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What Are Reserves?
If books or readings are in high demand for a course, the course instructor may ask the Libraries to temporarily remove them from their regular locations and set them aside for class use, usually at a Circulation Desk, or to make them accessible electronically.
There are 2 kinds of reserves:
Reserves (hard copy) are books and copies of readings. They can also include past exams.
Reserves can be searched in BISON, either by the course number or the instructor's name (last name first). You will have to ask the staff at the Circulation desk to get the Reserve item for you by giving them the location number as shown in BISON. You must have your student ID card and the call number of the material with you when you pick up reserve materials. You will only be able to use the material for a very limited amount of time.
E-Reservesare electronic copies of readings which are held in a searchable database, which is separate from BISON. The readings in EReserves are accessible only to UM students.
E-Reserves can be searched by the instructor’s name, the course number, the department, or the title and author of the readings. Sometimes E-Reserves require a password, which your instructor will give you. Library staff do not have access to E-Reserve passwords for individual classes.
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What happens if you need a book, journal article, or other item that the University of Manitoba Libraries does not own?
The University of Manitoba Libraries' Document Delivery departments allow students, faculty and staff of the university to request materials from other institutions. They also share our materials with other institutions.
Document Delivery is only used for items that the UM Libraries do not own, and is not the same as BISON Holds.
If you're not sure if you need to use Holds or Document Delivery, talk to a librarian!
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| Page Content By: Information Literacy (Last Revised Oct 1, 2007) |
Contact: Betty Braaksma betty_braaksma@umanitoba.ca |
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