Find it!

An introduction to finding books and reading lists

Overview• Finding books

– What is OPAC?– Getting to OPAC– Finding books on OPAC– Reserving books on

OPAC– Renewing books on

OPAC

• Finding reading lists– What is a reading list?– Finding reading lists on

OPAC– Finding reading lists on

WOLF

What is OPAC?• OPAC stands for Online Public Access

Catalogue• OPAC contains details about the books and

journals available across all Learning Centres• OPAC is also the way to check your borrower

account – check your loans, reservations and fines; renew books; pay fines online

Getting to OPAC• You can find OPACs in all Learning Centres• OPAC can be accessed online• Links to OPAC from the University website.

Finding books on OPAC• Using OPAC, you can search for a known book

(e.g. one on a reading list) or search for books on a particular topic

Finding a known book

Finding a book on a certain topic

Reserving books on OPAC• If the book you are after is not available or is

based at another campus, you can reserve it• You can choose to collect it at whichever

Learning Centre is most convenient• You will receive an e-mail when it is ready to

collect

Reserving a book

Renewing books on OPAC• Most books can be borrowed for either one

week or three weeks• You may borrow the book for longer as long

as no one else has reserved it• You can renew your books:

– Online on OPAC – Over the phone at Learning Centre Direct– At the self service machines at Learning Centres

Paying fines on OPAC• You can now also pay your fines online using

the OPAC• You will need to use a debit or credit card

What is a reading list?• Many of your modules will have reading lists

within the module guide• This is a list of books and journal articles that

you will need to read as part of the module• Learning Centres will have copies of most of

the books on your reading lists (unless you are required to buy them)

Finding reading lists from OPAC• Some reading lists are available online and are

linked to the OPAC• You can use them to find out which books are

on your reading list and where you can find them

Finding reading lists on OPAC

Finding reading lists from WOLF• Not all reading lists are listed on OPAC• You can often find your module guide on

WOLF within each module area• Usually the module guide can be found in a

folder from the main page or in the Group Folder (go to the Tools menu)

• If you cannot find your module guide, contact your lecturer

Any questions?

Complete the activity to ensure you can find books on the OPAC.

Useful Linkshttp://www.wlv.ac.uk/lib

http://www.wlv.ac.uk/lib/assist

http://www.wlv.ac.uk/lib/infoskills

http://www.wlv.ac.uk/lib/facebook