School of Social & Environmental Sustainability

Use OneSearch to search for print books in the Dumfries Campus Library collection. Book records will show how many copies there are and where they are shelved. Use the self-service kiosks to borrow books. If you need any help, please ask staff at the Library Info Point.

As well as the books held in the library at Dumfries, you have access to all print books in the wider University of the West of Scotland collection. If the books you want are not in the library at Dumfries, you can request these from another campus. To do this:

• from within OneSearch
• see this guide for information on your UWS ID and borrowing
• search for the book(s) you want
• use the reserve/request link to request the book
• select Dumfries (or your nearest campus)
• staff will send a notification to your student email when the book is available to collect

Scans of print books

The library at Crichton is also offering a scanning service for print books.  Please note that, due to copyright rules, the library can only scan one chapter from each book. Please email staff with details of the chapter that you require.  Staff will scan the chapter and send this to you by email.  The scans can be from any print books in the UWS collection. Use OneSearch to find the book details. Email your request to library@uws.ac.uk.

​What if the book I want is not available?

If the book you want to read is not available in print or as an eBook (remember to check Library Search for eBooks in the University of Glasgow collection), you can request a purchase.

To request the purchase of a print book, ask the staff at the Library Info point or email them library@uws.ac.uk. If you want to request the purchase of an eBook, please email your College Librarian, lynn.irvine@glasgow.ac.uk.

Request material to be sent from the library at the University of Glasgow

If the book you want is not available in the Dumfries Campus Library collection and is available in the University of Glasgow library collection, you have options.

• You can request a purchase. To request the purchase of a print book for the Dumfries collection, ask the staff at the Library Info point or email them library@uws.ac.uk. If you want to request the purchase of an eBook, please email your College Librarian, lynn.irvine@glasgow.ac.uk.
• You can request for the print copy to be sent from the library at Glasgow. Just ask staff at the Library Info Point in Dumfries or email them at library@uws.ac.uk. They will liaise with staff at the University of Glasgow who will arrange for the book to be sent to the Dumfries Campus Library. Return books borrowed from the University of Glasgow library to staff at the Library Info Point.

Scan and Send service for print journal articles and book chapters

If you are working remotely and require access to items only held in print in the library collections at Glasgow, the Scan and Send service can support you. Staff can scan a copy of a journal article or book chapter held in the print collection and send it to you. To request an item:

• First, look for the item on Library Search and for both print books and journals, note the Shelf-mark (shown on the catalogue record beside the loan and location information). You will need this when you make the request.
• Be sure to check that your item is available in the Library and not on loan to another user before submitting your request
• Log in to your library account
• Choose the option ‘Request scanned copy of chapter or article held by this library.  Then, choose either ‘Request a scanned article from a journal’ or ‘Request a scanned book chapter’. Fill in the required fields, including the Shelf-mark and submit your request.
• If you have any issues, please email library@glasgow.ac.uk and staff will help.

Visit the library at Glasgow

You can also use the library at Glasgow for borrowing or studying. All the information you need about the study spaces, collections, services, and opening hours is available on the library website. If you borrow books when you are at Glasgow, you can return these via the Dumfries Campus Library. Give the books to the staff at the library Info Point and they will arrange their return to Glasgow.

The university has a process in place that allows you to request the purchase of books that you need for your studies or research that are not in the library collection at Dumfries or available online via the University of Glasgow digital collections. You can request the purchase of print or online books. There is a process for both.

First, please check the UWS catalogue for print books – If the book is not at the Dumfries Campus Library but is in the UWS collection, you can request it to be sent from another site.  Use the request option on the catalogue to do that (you must log in). You will get details about how to collect any book you request in an email.  If there is no print copy available, please ask the staff at the Library Info Point or send a request to purchase a copy to staff on email at library@uws.ac.uk They will purchase a copy of the book to add to the collection at Dumfries.

To check online books, use the University of Glasgow catalogue – and search for the book, using the filter to limit results to online books only (see this guide for help). If there is not an ebook already available, please send your request to your College Librarian who will purchase a copy.

You can use the extensive University of Glasgow print and online collections and services, to find and locate information for coursework or research projects. Use Library Search to look for books, journal articles and other material. It is a useful starting point for searching for information. Guide on Using Library Search.

In addition, you can use databases to find high-quality information in your subject area. Databases are listed by name (A-Z) and by broad subject. Use your GUID and password to access these. If you need any help selecting which database to use, check the subject guides for guidance and links to help guides. The College Library Support Team can also help you get started with your research.

Dissertation toolkit for education students including:

• Getting started with literature searching
• Effective searching techniques
• Selecting key databases and search tools for education research
• Finding and using secondary data
• Evaluating information sources for quality and relevance

Dissertation toolkit for business students, including:

• Getting started with literature searching
• Effective search techniques
• Selecting databases and search tools for business research 
• Finding and using secondary data
• Evaluating information sources for quality and relevance

You can request the purchase of material that you need that is not available in the library collections. For books, see above. If you need access to a journal article that is not available in print or online, please see information on Article Reach and Inter-Library Loans.

As a member of staff based at the Dumfries campus, you can use the Dumfries Campus Library for print material, and library services provided by the University of Glasgow Library at the Gilmorehill campus. Your staff card acts as your library card at both campuses, and allows you access the library and to borrow material. Use the UWS catalogue to check what print material is held within their collections, including at the Crichton Library. Use the University of Glasgow Library search for print and online material.

The University of Glasgow Library provides access to extensive online collections, including textbooks, journal articles, major reference works, databases, reference management software and more. Staff and students can access these services 24/7 with their GUID and password.

Resources for teaching

If the book you want your students to use is not available in print at the Dumfries Campus Library or online via the University of Glasgow search, you can make a purchase request. Contact your College Librarian who can check for and purchase ebooks. You can suggest print books to be added to the Dumfries Campus Library by emailing staff at library@uws.ac.uk.

You may want to consider using our digital reading list system which makes it easier for your students to access key reading for their course. Library staff can help with the initial creation of lists on the system. Staff will add links for print books, scanned chapters and online material. For courses at the Dumfries campus, if the books you want to use are not already in stock, you should request their purchase as outlined above before you add them to your reading list.

Further information on library teaching support for staff.

Also see Reading Lists @ Glasgow.

Resources for research

Email your College Librarian, or use the online Book Suggestion Form to request books to support research. Your College Librarian will order ebooks where possible or liaise with UWS staff to order print for the Dumfries Library. You can also use the Article Reach and Inter Library Loan service for journal articles or to borrow books not in our collection.

Further information on library support for research.