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64 STUDY SKILLS FOR PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS
step one is to make sure these are all in order. This will give you access not only to
your own university’s library but to all other university libraries as well. Although
your borrowing rights will be more limited in other universities, they can be a
valuable resource, particularly if you happen to be near one in vacation periods.
The ways in which universities manage their learning resources differ. In some
cases, particularly in smaller institutions, the library and computing facilities
will be run as a single operation, and there will be single help desks and web
pages. In others they will be managed separately, and there may be separate
helpdesks and web pages. Listen to the briefings at the start of term to find out
how your institutions resources are organized.
Accessing books and journals
Books are a form of information technology and remain indispensable. University
libraries can be rather intimidating places, with several storeys of bookshelves
(usually known as stacks in large libraries) on a daunting range of topics.
It is therefore essential that you make an effort as soon as possible to begin to
familiarize yourself with the layout so that you become comfortable about
wandering round its nooks and crannies without feeling you are an intruder. It is
your library and the sooner you feel comfortable in it, the sooner you will start
making effective use of its resources. Go to any induction sessions or guided tours
that are laid on for you. There is so much to take in, particularly in the first weeks,
that you probably will not remember it all, but make a note of things to follow up,
identify the place to go for help and do not be afraid to ask for it. Librarians
have two jobs: keeping the place in good order and helping users find the information
they want. A good librarian gets pleasure from both, even if the demands
of the two roles sometimes conflict!
If your induction session offers exercises, it is very tempting to skip these and
go off for a coffee. Don’t. This is a good example of the benefits of active learning
and if you have already used the catalogue and tracked down a few books and web
addresses while there is support available, you will find you have remembered
what to do when you come to tackle your first assignment some weeks later.
Tip: Explore thoroughly
➢ Explore your library/learning resource centre thoroughly in the first few
weeks. Identify where the psychology books and journals are, and make a
note of the best places to work.
➢ Keep exploring. A good library is always changing and when you come
back for a new academic year you may find a different layout or useful new
facilities.