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Getting Started

We look forward to supporting you through your studies at ATU

Information for your academic work can be found in many different sources.
The most important are books, ebooks and journal articles.

Books generally offer a comprehensive overview of a topic.

ATU Library has a large collection of books which you can read in the library or borrow to use at home. 

eBooks are books that are available in an online format. 

ATU Library has a large collection of ebooks that you can browse, read online or download. 

Journals are a valuable source of up-to-date academic information. 

Journals are published regularly and are usually highly focused on a specific topic.

ATU Library has a large collection of online journals and journal articles that you can browse, read online or download.

The library also has a smaller collection of print journals that you can read in the library or borrow to use at home. 

Databases are online collections of different information sources.

Databases usually consist of collections of ebooks, journal articles, newspapers, standards or other types or information. Some focus on particular subject areas, for example, business or nursing.

ATU Library subscribes to a large number of databases. Most can be searched simultaneously via the main search box on the library website. 

 

How to Search for Books, eBooks, Journal Articles and more in ATU Library

Use the library discovery service to start your search.

For books, you’ll see its location and class number; this will help you find it on the library shelves.

For ebooks and journal articles, simply click on the link to read it online or download.

 
Search Tips
  • Know what you're looking for? Use the author's surname and the book or article title. For example, Cottrell study skills
  • Browsing a topic? Use a few keywords. It's a good idea to be as specific as possible. For example, history Ireland famine
  • Use Refine Results to filter to books, ebooks or journal articles.  

How to Find Books on the Shelves

When you have found a book on the library website, you'll see information about its Location and Class Number (shelf number). 

 

 

Locate your book on the shelf by using the Class Number.

Books are shelved in numeric order.

Signs at the end of each row of shelves show what class numbers it holds. 

The class number for each book is displayed on the spine of the book. 

 

 

 

Class Numbers

  • 001 - 099   Computing
  • 100 - 199   Philosophy
  • 200 - 299   Religion
  • 300 - 399   Social Sciences, Economics, Law
  • 400 - 499   Languages
  • 500 - 599   Mathematics, Science
  • 600 - 699   Medical Science, Engineering, Hospitality, Business
  • 700 - 799   Arts, Architecture
  • 800 - 899   Literature
  • 900 - 999   Geography, Archaeology, History

ATU Reading Lists

ATU Reading Lists are a quick and easy way to find the core and recommended reading lists for your course. 

You can search ATU Reading Lists by your module or lecturer's name. 

Browse reading lists in:

Exam Papers

Working through past exam papers is a great way to prepare for upcoming exams. Find out what’s come up in previous years and practice your answer timings.

Browse past exam papers in:

Subject Guides

Explore our Subject Guides for recommendations on the best information sources to use in your academic work. 

 


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