Computer Search in the Library
(Lancaster University)

Kenji Kitao and S. Kathleen Kitao

(Last updated on July 20)

There are a number of search resources available to students at Lancaster University. In this section, we will briefly describe them. Terminals listed as having access to CD-ROMs are found in the library in the alcove near the Interlibrary Loan office. The terminals with direct access to BIDS and NISS are located in the same place.

1. Library Search

You can search books, journals and video tapes using any terminal on campus. (If you are not in the library, type in or choose "library" in the Start Terminal Session dialogue box. Type "opac" from the login prompt.) You can make an on line bibliography from the books and journals that you find. (See literature in the library for instructions.)

2. Global Books in Print Search (CD-ROM)

You can search for books that are in print, using the terminals in the library which are connected to CD-ROMs. You can search by author, title, keywork, subject, etc. This database covers most English books which are in print.

3. Dissertation Abstracts (CD-ROM)

You can search MA and PhD dissertations (including those from US universities). You can get PhD theses through the interlibrary loan. It takes several days for British theses but three months for American theses.

4. International ERIC (CD-ROM)

International ERIC is similar to ERIC described above. There are Australian, British and Canadian ERIC. These are much smaller databases than ERIC in the US.

5. BIDS and NISS

There are four terminals from which you can access BIDS and NISS directly. Choose the icon that you want and press return. You still need the ID and password. See VI. Search Services (URL: http://www.ling.lancs.ac.uk/staff/visitors/kenji/search.htm) and VII. Internet Gateway: Using niss.ac.uk (URL: http://www.ling.lancs.ac.uk/staff/visitors/kenji/niss.htm) for explanations of how to use BIDS and NISS.

6. British Library

You can search books in British Library using the terminal on the first floor of the library, near the computer sciences and physics sections. You can search the holdings of British Library by author, title, subject, etc.

k.kitao@lancaster.ac.uk