The Website

Vocabulary:

Summon

UBC Library's website is the best place to find out about library resources, services, and policies. Come here to start your research or get information about the library. This page will introduce you to some of the most important things you can do from the library website.

Watch the video below to learn more about the services available through the website:

Link to: Transcript of Library Website Video

The library website has information for all of our users, from new undergraduates to faculty researchers. This means that the website has a wide array of information and functions. A few of the most important are outlined below.

Search Library Collections

You can search most of UBC's books, journal articles, and other resources from the General Search tab on the homepage. The General Search Tab searches Summon, UBC Library's search engine.

Screenshot of UBC Library homepage with general search box indicated with a red border

The books and media tab search the library catalog for books (print and electronic), videos, and other information forms. The Indexes and Databases tab searches the names and descriptions of databases. The journal titles tab searches the titles of academic journals and newspapers. Later modules explain how to most effectively search using these tabs.

It is important to use the library website because the library pays for many resources that are otherwise hidden behind paywalls. If you are searching for library materials off campus, you will need to use your campus-wide login (CWL) to log in.

You can also use the library browser extension to find out if the resources you find online are available through the library.

For more information on searching see Module 3- Search in Summon.

Accessing Your Library Account

Access your library account by clicking login at the top right of the homepage, as seen below:

UBC Library homepage. A red square highlights the login button.

Your CWL username and password are used to log in. Your library account can show you items you’ve checked out, when they’re due, and any fees you owe for overdue materials. You can also renew items and pay your fees here.

Get Help

You can click Ask Us! to get help from a librarian. The link is on the right side of the toolbar, as seen below:

Screenshot of UBC Library Homepage with Ask Us! link indicated with a red border

The AskAway chat service allows you to get immediate help when you’re stuck. For more in-depth help, click subject librarians and contact a librarian who specializes in your area of study.

Research Guides

Research guides are created by librarians in specific subject areas to help access Library resources. The Research Guides list is available in the drop-down menu as shown below. Pick the guide that is most appropriate for your subject area.

Dropdown menu for research guides

Research Guides list

Research guides can include recommended key resources by topic including databases, books, articles, and more.

Example:

Anthropology research guide

Activity

(Need the worksheet? Library Introduction Worksheet)

Complete the following in your worksheet.

What information do research guides provide? Why might you use one when researching?
Name one way you can find help on the library website.

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