Centre of African Studies Library

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Library Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a question.
Find an answer below:-
  • I am sure this book is in this library, why can't I find it on the Newton catalogue ?
  • There could be some simple reasons for this : make sure you are looking in the right Newton database ( Departments and Faculties A-E ) , is the author's name spelt correctly and are you sure of the title words ( don't forget American v British spelling), are you using the correct search for the terms you are using ( author, keyword etc) - see search strategies ( soon to be available )and Newton help. Check with library staff if this doesn't help.

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  • Why, when I search on Newton do I get a huge list of titles which is no help in finding what I need ?
  • You need to be using the correct type of search - e.g a Keyword Search is just that - if you type a whole title into this search it will treat minor words such as 'if' and 'and' as keywords and find thousands of records -use key or important words. Try using "guided search ". Ask library staff for help with search strategies

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  • Newton says this book is available why can't Ifind it on the shelf?
  • It may have just been returned (check on the trolley behind the issue counter) It may be a large book in a separate sequence on the bottom shelf or it may be in the separate archive store. We are gradually altering catalogue records to to let you know if a book is in either of these locations. (At present one indication of a book being in the archive store is if the classmark says 'box' after it).Ask library staff for help and access to the archive store.It may be the book is missing - library staff can register this on the system so that the book is held for you if it reappears.

  • How can I tell which libraries take a certain journal title?
  • Use the journal search in the Universal Catalogue

  • How do I know if I can access to the full text of a journal on-line?
  • Look on Ejournals@Cambridge - it will tell you the access routes for all the electronic journals subscribed to in Cambridge whether passwords are needed and how to obtain them.

  • How can I find journal articles?
  • You need to use an external database - see Catalogues and Search options - journal articles

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  • Will the library buy the book I need?
  • We always consider and often buy books requested by readers. We tend to not buy books published in the UK because they are usually available at the UL ( although we do buy books on reading lists for African subjects wherever they are published ) in order to save resources to obtain material from Africa, Europe and the States. Just get in touch with as many publication details as you have available. We are also interested in requests for sound and visual material.

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  • Does the library have African Language materials
  • With the exception of a few books, grammars which have been donated the library does not have the space or resources to collect African language material. The Language Centre has quite a bit of African language material - see the resources listed on their website link
Contact the Centre of African Studies, Alison Richard Building, 7 West Road, Cambridge. CB3 9DT.
Email centre@african.cam.ac.uk
Ph. 01223 334396 Fax 01223 769329
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