Glossary of terms
An explanation of some of the terminology you may come across in the Library.
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Call Number
The call number of a book is a code that tells you exactly where it will be shelved. The two main schemes used in the Library are Library of Congress and Dewey Decimal.
Library of Congress uses letters and numbers (e.g. "QA 54.26") - with books arranged firstly in order of the letters, then by the numbers. Dewey Decimal uses only numbers.
Hold/Recall
If someone else has borrowed an item that you wish to borrow, you can recall it from them by placing a hold on the book. The person currently borrowing it will be required to return it within a week.
iSolutions
iSolutions looks after the University's computing network, public workstations and much of the University-wide software.
NOL
NOL stands for the National Oceanographic Library. It is part of the University Library, and located at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS).
OPAC
OPAC stands for the Online Public Access Catalogue, and is commonly used to describe electronic catalogues of libraries.
PIN
Your PIN is your Personal Identification Number - a security code for use (in conjunction with your User ID) when you carry out any user-based transactions on the catalogue.
Quarto
Books significantly larger than normal are termed quartos. They are treated separately from the main sequence of books only because their large size means that it is more economical to shelve them together.
Renew
If you already have a standard (three or one week) loan item you can renew it yourself up to ten times by using WebCat - unless someone else has placed a hold on it.
Reservation
Reserve Collection items can be reserved for any period during the day or overnight or weekend use by using the facility on WebCat. See loans staff for guidance if necessary.
Reserve Collection
This collection consists of the high demand items on course reading lists. These recommended course books and articles can be borrowed for three hours or overnight.
ServiceLine
ServiceLine is iSolutions’ central help-line offering first line help and advice on any IT or telephony related problem. ServiceLine can be contacted by email or telephone serviceline@soton.ac.uk or 023 80 595656.
User ID
Your User ID is your Student Number, as printed on your University ID card (including the initial number - "4" in the case of undergraduates). You will need this, in conjunction with your Library PIN, to access various services available within WebCat such as placing holds, renewing loans, etc.
When you borrow a book you will need to present your University ID card to the Library staff at the Loans Desk as it also acts as your Library card.
WebCat
WebCat is the name of the Library's computer catalogue. This is available from terminals inside the Library, and to any computer around the world that is linked to the World Wide Web.
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