Books can help you understand a subject, explore a theory or examine research in depth. You may use textbooks, reference works, research books or chapters by different authors in an edited collection. Choose what fits your assessment and the point you need to investigate.
For assigned reading, start with your module reading list. Check any notes about the edition, chapters or pages you are expected to read. To find other books, use LibrarySearch.
Open LibrarySearch and sign in with your Abertay account to see the access options available to you.
For more specialised or in-depth searching, subject collections may offer additional material or helpful ways to browse and search. A collection can be useful to search directly even when some of its content appears in LibrarySearch. Use your subject guide or Library Resources A-Z to find relevant collections. For help planning and improving a topic search, see Search effectively.
Check the description, contents page and publication details. A relevant chapter may answer your question even if the whole book has a broader title.
Use the edition specified for assigned reading. For your own research, consider whether changes between editions matter to your topic. Recent editions may be important for changing knowledge or professional practice; earlier editions can still be relevant for historical or theoretical work. Ask your tutor if you are unsure about an assigned edition.
Check the location, shelfmark and availability in LibrarySearch. The shelfmark is the code used to locate the book on the shelves. See Borrowing for finding books on the shelves, borrowing them and requesting a copy that is on loan.
Where possible, we provide reading-list books as ebooks so you can read on or off campus without visiting the Library to collect a print copy. You will also find ebooks when searching for additional reading.
Open the ebook through your reading list or LibrarySearch and follow the online access link. Sign in with your Abertay account if prompted.
You can usually read an ebook online. Downloading is optional where the platform allows it. Copying, printing and downloading limits vary, so check the options shown for that book. Some whole-book downloads expire after a set period and may require additional software. Follow the platform's current instructions.
Use the contents page, index and search within the book where these are available to find relevant sections. Keep the book or chapter's publication details and the pages you use for your references. For examples in your required style, use Cite Them Right Online.
If an ebook says all copies are in use, try again later. If the problem continues, the reading is needed soon, a link fails or the format is difficult for you to use, email library@abertay.ac.uk. Include the book title, the link and any error message so we can investigate.
Not every book is available for the Library to provide as an ebook. Publishers' institutional licences, access restrictions and costs can limit what we can offer. If you are struggling to access assigned reading, email library@abertay.ac.uk.
To share a reading, send its reading-list or Library link. Check permission before redistributing downloaded content or uploading it to an AI tool. See the Copyright Guide for Students.
Use your purpose and any assigned instructions to decide how much to read. A contents page, introduction and index can help you identify relevant chapters, but read the sections you use closely enough to understand their argument and context.
For fuller guidance, see Reading, Evaluate information and Note-taking.
If you need help finding a book or chapter, or accessing something you have found, email library@abertay.ac.uk. Tell us what you are looking for and include any relevant title, link or error message.
Last modified by Library Services