Thursday, October 2, 2014

Searching for books in English in the KGU library

I received a good question during the first session of our class that I wasn't able to answer properly.  Though I'm somewhat late, I hope you will find the following answer to be satisfactory.
  1. Searching
    1. Click the following link to find a detail search menu in English:
      http://www1.lib.kumagaku.ac.jp/mylimedio/search/search-input.do?mode=comp&nqid=10&lang=en
    2. If you wish to limit your search to books published in English, type "eng" into the box marked "Language"
    3. Then, type a few search terms in the "Keyword" box.  I'll use "gender Japan" for this search.
    4. Books owned by this university can be stored in the "Library" or one of three research institutes.  It may be possible for you to borrow books from a research institute but it will normally be easier for you to access books that are kept in the "Library."  If you want to limit your search to books you can access quickly,  select "Library" in the "Select annex" section.
    5. To sea the most recent books first, choose "In order of publication year."
    6. Hit "Search."
  2. Interpreting the results
    1. Although we specified "English," some Japanese books that have an alternative English  title or perhaps an English chapter may be included in the list.

    2. The beginning of the third line in each item specifies the location.
      1. "Library 1F"
        Theses books are in the open stacks on the first floor of the library.  Use the call number (910/SH84 in this case) to find the book.
      2. "Library B2"
        This indicates that the book is stored in stacks on a lower level.  Undergraduate students cannot enter these stacks but one of the librarians will retrieve the book for you if you ask.
      3. "教員研究室"
        Books marked "教員研究室" are kept in a professor's office (kenkyushitsu in Japanese).  If you want to read one of these books, ask a librarian.  It may take a day or two but, under normal circumstances, you should be able to gain access to the book.