How to use the Library resources
To use the resources of the University Library, you need to browse or search the NCU Library Catalogue – a multisearch tool that allows you to find books, journals, e‑books and many other materials.
Using printed books
After logging in to your library acount through the Central Authentication Service, you can:
- Request a book to be collected at the Loan Desk, Book‑o‑mat or the Main Reading Room (for items available for on‑site use only).
- Find the call number of a book located in the Open Acces Area, and then locate it yourself on the shelf, in the appropriate subject collection.
If the book is not subject to access restrictions, you may borrow it for home use.
Searching for and requesting books for external borrowing in the Library Catalogue
Using the Open Access Collections
The Open Access Collections are located on the first, second and third floors of the Library. They allow you to freely browse books and journals arranged on shelves by academic disciplines, making it easy to find needed materials.
Each collection is supervised by a subject librarian, responsible for selecting and updating the resources. The Open Access Area is a great place to explore literature related to your field of study. If you find a book you wish to borrow, simply take it to the Loan Desk or the Main Reading Room, where it will be checked out to your account. You can also use the Self‑check machines, which automatically register the loan on your library account.
When taking a book from the shelf, please check whether it has a red sticker at the top of its spine – items marked with this sticker may only be used on‑site, in the Library building. The same rule applies to all printed journals. They are for use in the Library only and cannot be borrowed for home use.
Returning books
Borrowed books should be returned to the library from which they were checked out by the due date, to avoid overdue fees.
Books borrowed from the Main Library can be returned either at the Loan Desk or via the Book‑o‑mat. Items from the Open Access Collections can also be checked back in using the Self‑check machines.
Using printed journals
Printed journals available in the Library are for on‑site use only and cannot be borrowed for home use.
To use a printed journal:
- Search for the journal title in the NCU Library Catalogue.
- Request the issue you need for use in the Main Reading Room or the Special Collections Reading Room.
- If the journal is part of the Open Access Area, you can locate it on the shelf yourself (journals are placed at the end of each subject collection, arranged alphabetically by title).
Searching for and requesting journals in the NCU Library Catalogue
Ways of accessing electronic resources
The University Library provides broad access to electronic books and journals. These resources can be searched through the NCU Library Catalogue. They are available from campus computers connected to the University network, or remotely after signing in via Central Authentication Service. Depending on the type of publication, access to electronic content may include the table of contents, an abstract or the full text.
Online Reading Room
In addition to the catalogue of e‑resources, the Library also offers direct access to selected databases. These include electronic books and journals, subject‑specific databases, as well as systems providing legal and scholarly information.
A complete list of available databases can be found on the Online Reading Room page.
Using e‑books and online journals
E‑Resources Search Assistant
The Assistant is an advanced AI‑powered tool designed to help users find academic and scholarly publications. Connected to the central, integrated index of materials from around the world, the Assistant provides fast access to over 5 billion records from leading publishers, data aggregators and repositores.