Library website

Goldsmiths Library offers a wide range of services, collections and facilities to support teaching, learning and research within the University. A useful link for new students gives information on library tours, usernames and passwords, information skills training and subject support.

Contact Us

There are lots of ways to interact with the library, whether in person, online or over the phone. If you’re visiting the library, come to the ground floor library helpdesk to speak to a member of staff in person. Alternatively you can call the library on the following number 020 7919 7189 or email us at lending@gold.ac.uk. If you’re online you can use our Ask Us app to chat to a librarian and get real time answers to your questions. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Welcome to part two of our essential library tools designed to help you familiarise yourself with the library and make the most of your time here. Below are three more things to remember.

Self service machines

Although you can borrow, return and renew books at the library issue desk, it can be busy at the start of term. To avoid queuing, you can use the number of self service machines we have on the ground floor of the library. They are simple to use. You just need to use the borrow or return button the screen and follow the instructions using your ID card and placing the books in the right area for borrowing and returning. Check the screen to make sure all your books have been accounted for and keep the receipts provided, especially when you borrow as these will tell you the due dates of the books. You can also renew using these machines.

Senate House Library

Senate House Library is the main library for the University of London. University of London students (which includes Goldsmiths) can have free membership to borrow books and use their electronic journals and databases off-campus. They have a number of historic and research collections that few other libraries hold and their electronic resources are comprehensive (including many titles we don’t subscribe to). Students should register in person with their Goldsmiths ID card. You will then be provided with an ID card for Senate House, which you should use for subsequent visits. Use this ID card number and your name when accessing electronic resources off-campus.

Library Catalogue and Article Search+

The library catalogue should be the first place you search for items on your reading list, especially books. It’s simple to use – if searching for books, we recommend you retain the “all fields” search and search for a combination of author and title, although you can change this search to solely author, title, etc. if you wish. You can also use the tabs above to search for journals, videos/DVDs, PhD theses and more. When you search for items, you’ll notice columns in the search results that display author, title, location and copies (held/loaned). The last two columns explain where in the library the items are held, including the classmark, and how many copies we both have in total and how many are on loan (therefore showing how many are available). Click on either for more detail. You can also use the library catalogue to check your library record (to renew books) and request inter-library loans. The library catalogue can be accessed from the library website via the search widget or the link on the right.

Article Search+ should be where you search for journal articles; either those on your reading list or when you’re researching around your topic for assignments, for example. Article Search+ brings together most of our database and electronic journal subscriptions into one simple Google-like search tool. It can be accessed from the search widget on the library website (click Article Search+ first) or from the Resources tab on the library website. If you know the exact article you want, you can type the entire title in and assuming we subscribe, it should appear as one of the first results. Click on its title and when it shows you the article information again, click Go to take you to the full text. If you’re just searching for a topic, try a combination of keywords. We suggest starting with three or so, and adding more to reduce the results, rather than being too specific. Use the post-search filters on the left too, to further reduce the results. Again, access the articles simply by clicking on their titles and clicking Go on the next screen

Welcome to the Library! We will be blogging this week about the essential things you need to know about using the Library.

Part 1 explains your Goldsmiths card, your Library account and your campus username and password. Look out for Part 2 and 3 later on this week which will cover using the self-service machines, the library catalogue, Senate House Library and how to get in touch with us.

Goldsmiths card

After you’ve enrolled you will receive your Goldsmiths card. This card is your College ID card and also functions as your Library card. On the front it will have your photograph; barcode; your student number; department details and the expiry date of your card. You need to have your card with you each time you visit the Library.

Your card will allow you to

• Enter and exit through the turnstiles
• Borrow books
• Use the printing/photocopying facilities

Your Library PIN number

You can login to your Library account to renew or reserve books on campus or at home via the Library catalogue. To login click on Your Library record, you will then be asked to enter your library barcode number and your Library PIN number. Your Library PIN number is your date of birth as 6 figures with no dashes in between- DDMMYY

Campus username and password

IT will provide you with your campus username and password. You are provided with a temporary password that you should change by going to the registration portal and setting up the security questions.

You will need your campus username and password to login to any of the computers in the Library building, your email and learn.gold. You will also need your campus username and password to login to the following Library electronic resources-  e-journals, e-books, reading lists online and databases.

Welcome to Goldsmiths!

The Library is at the heart of Goldsmiths and over the course of your studies you will be spending a lot of time here! To get you started we are providing a series of welcome events that will help you to navigate the building, discover the varied resources we offer and find out how and where you can find assistance.

Tours

Come along to one of the Library tours so you can find your way around the building. We will show you the reading rooms; student IT zones; printing and photocopying areas; how to find and borrow books and where the service points are.

Tours run every 30 minutes from 10.00-16.30 Monday to Friday during Welcome Week. Meet at the Library tour bus top in the Library Foyer. Tours continue at 10.00, 12.00 and 14.00 during 29^th September- 3^rd October.

Inductions

Inductions will be taking place during Welcome Week so that you can meet your subject librarian and learn more about the library. Your subject librarian will usually be your main contact in the library. Your department may have arranged a library induction – please check your timetable to see whether they have. Otherwise, your subject librarian may attend your departmental induction instead. Your subject librarian will talk about the library’s extensive collections of resources and explain how he/she can support your studies.

Marquee

Library staff will be available in the College Green Marquee on Monday and Tuesday during Welcome Week. Stop by and say hello to the Library staff between 11.00 and 14.30 to ask us any questions you have about the Library.

Blog

Throughout Welcome Week we will be blogging about the 9 essential things you need to know about using the Library.

If you have any questions please contact us by emailing library@gold.ac.uk