Library A-Z
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Address
Library and Information Services at Reykjavik University (LIRU)
in Uranus
Menntavegur 1, Nautholsvik
IS-101 Reykjavik
Reception and loans, phone: +354 599 6234
Information services, phone: +354 599 6235
E-mail: library@ru.is
Alumni - Graduates have the option of purchasing a library card. The cards cost 2,500 ISK and are valid for one year.
Article requests - If LIRU does not have access to an article that you need, we can order it for you. See ILL - interlibrary loan.
Articles - LIRU subscribes to several databases in RU's fields of study. The databases contain for example numerous journal articles, many of which have been published in academic and peer reviewed journals. Often, the full text of articles is available. View a list of subscribed journals. You can enter the name of a journal to find out if LIRU subscribes to it. To find an foreign journal articles by title search the CitationLinker tab.
Ask a librarian - Web chat with an information specialist. General enquiries and assistance in searching for and citing sources. When a librarian is online, you will get an immediate response. Otherwise, you can leave your e-mail and a message, and you will receive a reply by e-mail as soon as possible.
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Beverages - Beverages are allowed in the library on the condition that they are kept in a closed container. Remember to throw empty containers in the trash.
Book a Librarian - More on this service.
Book orders - Only for faculty.
Bookstore - The University Bookstore runs a store in Sól, the centre of RU's building. There, students can purchase textbooks and material used in courses taught at RU, in addition to stationery, etc.
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Citing sources - An information specialist can assist you in searching for sources and using the reference management programs Zotero and EndNote Web. Contact us to receive assistance or book an appointment.
Classification system - LIRU classifies all printed material and arranges it in shelves according to the Dewey system (Dewey Decimal Classification system [DDC]). Information on the classification number of works can be found in the library system, Gegnir, by viewing their location (the column, “Call number”).
Collections - The collections of LIRU mainly consist of books and journals, and the largest part of its collections is in electronic form. The purchases of the library are based on supporting and enhancing the creation and dissemination of knowledge in RU's fields of study. The library purchases access to databases and journals, as well as books. The library also provides the Parliamentary Gazette (Alþingistíðindi), Government Gazette (Stjórnartíðindi), law reports, textbooks used during the current semester, theses, as well as a small collection of DVD discs which support language teaching at RU. Collections are primarily in English and Icelandic.
Copyright - See general discussion on: About copyright
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Databases - The databases which LIRU subscribes to are free for everyone to access using LIRU's computers. Other access varies in accordance with agreements with publishers. Access can be tied to a password, to all RU computers (RU net), or to all computers in Iceland. Note that subscribed databases have an accompanying symbol which indicates the access type:
[+] = access from RU net (IP addresses) and remote access
[*] = password, remote access is not needed
[#] = country-wide access, all computers in Iceland, and remote access only from overseas
[~] = only access from RU net (IP addresses)
[!] = only accessible in the library
Dictionaries - LIRU offers its users a good range of dictionaries. Dictionaries are a part of LIRU's Reference Book Library and are to be used within the library. LIRU also offers electronic dictionaries which we encourage people to look at. It should be mentioned that LIRU purchases a subscription to all online dictionaries at Snara.is for the use of RU students and staff.
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Electronic library - LIRU places special emphasis on the possibilities of information technology in its work and on providing users with electronic material and an electronic library. LIRU seeks to give customers access to diverse material in electronic form, and its aim is to ensure that the access students and faculty have to material in their fields is comparable to best practice in the international academic community. Further information can be found on the home page of the library: Databases
Enquiries - Contact us if you have any questions, comments, or recommendations. E-mail us at library@ru.is or call us at +354-599 6234. LIRU also offers web chat – Ask a Librarian where an information specialist is online and responds immediately. See also Address.
Essays - Copies of all theses are stored at LIRU. The copies are either stored in the Reserve Library or in storage and are only loaned out for reading within the library. Theses are searchable in the library system, Leitir.is. An exception from this rule are theses of MBA students which the library does not hold copies of. As of 2010, copies of theses are also stored in Skemman.is, the online institutional repository of Icelandic university libraries.
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Facebook - The RU library is on facebook - facebook.com/bokasafn. Like us and keep up with what's happening. You can also contact us through chat and messaging on FB.
Facilities - The library provides students with various facilities, such as work tables for groups and individuals, some equipped with computers. One computer is only intended for searching Leitir.is. Library computers have various programs installed which are of use to students, such as Acrobat Writer and SPSS. Printing and copying facilities are in a printing room located outside the entrance to the library. There you can print and photocopy in color and black/white, as well as scan material. The printing room is open 24 hours a day. Printing quotas and photocopy cards are sold at the reception desk in Sól.
Food - Eating is NOT allowed in the library. Visit Sól or Málið if you wish to have a bite to eat. See also Beverages.
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Gegnir - Using LIRU's library system, Gegnir.is, you can get information about what is available in print both at LIRU and at other Icelandic libraries, in addition to getting information about whether material is out on loan. By signing in, users can view information about their own loans, extend them, and place materials on hold. When a user has signed in, a new tab appears in Gegnir, My account. The reception desk employee can give further information on signing in to Gegnir.
GSM - See Mobile phones
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Held items - Those who have registered in Gegnir.is can place books on hold which are checked out. A notification is sent via e-mail when a book on hold is returned to the library. Held items are kept in the LIRU reception for one week after the borrower is notified of their availability. When a book has been placed on hold, its loan period can not be extended.
History - The Library and Information Services at RU (LIRU) were formally opened in January of 1999 by then Minister of Education, Björn Bjarnason. From the beginning, the library's supervisors have tried to make as much use of information technology as possible in developing the library which is largely electronic today. In 2003, the operation of the European Documentation Centre (EDC) was begun at the library. The Centre was based on an agreement between the Executive Board of the European Union and the European Law Institute of RU. From 2005, when RU and the Technical University of Iceland merged, LIRU operated libraries in two locations. First, in Höfðabakki and Ofanleiti, but in spring 2010, in Ofanleiti and Nauthólsvík. LIRU is currently located in Uranus on the 1st floor in RU's building in Nauthólsvík. The first director of the library was Sólveig Þorsteinsdóttir who served as such from 1998 - 2001. From 2001, Guðrún Tryggvadóttir has served as director of LIRU.
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Information literacy - LIRU staff provides training in information literacy, both in the library and in individual courses in RU Schools. Training can be of a general nature where Gegnir and Google Scholar are discussed, but also more specialised and purposeful where databases subscribed to by LIRU are covered.
Information services - Information specialists have fixed office hours from 10:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 15:00 on weekdays. Appointments can also be booked throughout the day. The service covers everything to do with searching for information and sources, as well as citing sources and using utility programs to cite sources, as appropriate. For further information, contact Ragna Björk Kristjánsdóttir by sending an e-mail to ragnabjork@ru.is or calling +354-599 6235.
Interlibrary loans - LIRU can order books and photocopies of articles from journals which are not available in the library. This service is free of charge to instructors and staff.
Internet - People outside RU who visit the library can access the internet and subscribed databases during opening hours. Please contact the reception desk employee for further information.
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Journals - LIRU subscribes to more than 20.000 electronic journals in RU's fields of study. Most of the Icelandic journals are only available in printed form, and are arranged alphabetically in shelves at the front of the library. Printed journals can NOT be borrowed.
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Laptops - Laptops may be used in the library as long as their use does not interrupt others.
Leitir.is is a search portal which provides information on holdings in the Icelandic libraries' catalogue (gegnir.is), as well as access to digital content, both text and images from selected special databases, for example, Hvar.is, Tímarit.is, Skemman and Reykjavik Museum of Photography. Information on the databases in Leitir.is is here. English version of the portal is not yet completed.
Library and Information Services at RU (LIRU) - The library is located in RU's building in Nauthólsvík, on the first floor in Úranus. LIRU offers its customers all general library and information services, such as loans, information searches and interlibrary loans, as well as more specialised services. These include alert services, information services, assistance in searching for sources and citing sources, training in information literacy, a reserve library, and more. The services of LIRU are mainly intended for the students, instructors, and staff of RU. Everyone, though, is welcome to visit the library during opening hours and make use of its facilities, services, and collections. See also History.
Library cards - RU students and staff do not need a library card. Graduates need to purchase a library card if they wish to borrow material from LIRU's collections. The cost of a library card valid for one year is 2.500 ISK.
Library cources
Library system - See Gegnir.is
LIRU = Library and Information Services at Reykjavik University - Abbreviation.
Loans - Students can generally keep books on loan for four weeks, except for textbooks and theses. At Gegnir.is, you can sign in and extend loans twice before the loan period expires, and while no one has placed the material on hold. Journals can not be borrowed. Information on printed material at RU and at other Icelandic libraries can be found in the library system, Gegnir.is. Contact the reception desk if you need assistance. See also Overdue loans and Held items.
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Mobile phones - Phone calls are not allowed in the library. Please set your phone to “silent” and answer it outside the library.
My account - in Gegnir. Students and instructors who are signed in to the library system Gegnir.is have access to the “My account” tab. You sign in on the Gegnir home page; you type your ID number (kennitala) in the ID field, and in the Password field you type four numbers which you choose at your library. Contact the LIRU reception if you encounter any problems when signing in. After you sign in, you can view information about your loans, extend them, place material on hold, see your history of loans (last 100), and request interlibrary loans. Instructions for “My account” can be found on the Gegnir.is home page.
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New material - LIUR's new books on LibraryThing
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Opening hours - Opening hours follow the academic year at RU. Here you find an overview. Today's opening hours are on the library homepage.
Overdue loans - Recall notices are sent via e-mail. The loan period of material is stated on the receipt given to borrowers, but borrowers can also get information on loan periods by going to “My account” in Gegnir. If borrowers ignore the loan period of items and do not address recall notices, LIRU has permission to remove them from the list of registered borrowers until the material in question has been returned. The library can also send borrowers a bill for lost library material. See also Loans.
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Passwords - Passwords to databases and journals subscribed to by LIRU can be found on the password page of LIRU as well as on the database page. Note that according to agreements which LIRU has with the owners and publishers of databases, the passwords are only intended for RU students, instructors, and staff. It is therefore wholly prohibited to make them available to people outside RU.
Photocopying - There is a photocopier in a printing room outside the library. Photocopy cards are sold at the reception desk in Sól.
Price list - The price list contains information on the cost of individual library services.
Printing - Printers can be found in a printing room located in front of the library.
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Reading facilities - The library provides RU students with fine reading facilities. The arrangement, “first come, first served”, applies in the facilities and tables can not be reserved. Employees are allowed to clear tables which have not been used for more than an hour. An emphasis is placed on peace and quiet within the reading facilities, and on students being able to concentrate on their studies without the disturbance of phone calls and chatter. Computers can be used within the reading facilities as long as other guests do not have any complaints. General RU rules of conduct apply regarding the handling of food and drinks within the reading facilities: No food is allowed, but students are allowed to have beverages on the condition that they are kept in a closed container.
Remote access - Access to most LIRU databases is determined by user location. If you are not connected to the RU net, you can access most databases via our remote access solution. The remote access solution also extends to databases with country-wide access, so users can access them from overseas. More information can be found on the database page of LIRU. You do not need remote access to use databases and journals which are password protected. Information on these can be found on the page which covers password-protected databases.
Renewal of loans - You can renew your loans yourself in the library catalogue Gegnir.is. Contact the library for password. You can as well contact the library by e-mail library@ru.is or by phone 599 6234 and ask for renewal.
Repository - see Skemman.is
Reserve library - The Reserve Library contains a copy of all textbooks used in undergraduate programmes during the current semester, in addition to selected books used in graduate programmes. The books are only loaned out for use within the library. Read more ...
Return of books - The return date is specified on the receipt which accompanies loans. Generally, the loan period of books is four weeks.
Rules - The library has very few but simple rules. Be familiar with them.
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Scanning - You can scan material using the photocopier located in the printing room outside the library.
Searching for sources - See Information services
Services - LIRU offers its customers all general library and information services, such as loans, interlibrary loans and information searches, as well as more specialised services. These include alert services, information services, assistance in searching for sources and citing sources, training in information literacy, a reserve library, and more. The services of LIRU are mainly intended for the students, instructors, and staff of RU.
Skemman.is - As of 2010, electronic copies of theses are stored in the online institutional repository of Icelandic university libraries, Skemman.is.
Staff - The staff members of LIRU are 7, filling more than 6 full-time equivalents; 6 information specialists and 1 library assistant. In addition to permanent staff, students work in the library reception and on arranging material in shelves.
Study material - All RU instructors can send a request to LIRU regarding purchase of material they need for their courses. In addition to copies of textbooks, further reading is kept in the Reserve Library to ensure equal access. Instructors can also request that specific books from the library be kept in the Reserve Library. Instructors can determine the arrangement for loaning out their material. Other material which instructors submit to the Reserve Library is, for example, case studies, critiques, etc. Articles used in teaching can be submitted to the respective course Web site in MySchool. Further information can be found on the library home page: Reserve library.
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Textbooks - The reserve library in the reception contains a copy of most textbooks used in undergraduate studies during the current semester, as well as selected books used in graduate programmes. The books are only loaned out for use within the library. Speak with the reception desk employee if you wish to borrow them.
Theses - Copies of all theses are stored at LIRU. The copies are either stored in the reserve library or in storage and are only loaned out for reading within the library. Theses are searchable in the library system, Gegnir.is. An exception from this rule are theses of MBA students which the library does not hold copies of. As of 2010, copies of theses are also stored in the online institutional repository of Icelandic university libraries, Skemman.is, either open or closed.
Toolbar - LIRU has created a toolbar where the electronic collections of the library can be accessed in one place. The best way to make 80% of the library resources available from your desktop.
Twitter - Follow us on Twitter, twitter.com/bokasafn
Walk-in-users