Off Campus Guide
The library holds a wide range of specialist books, journals, databases and archives to inspire your creative and research practice. There are librarians to help you find, access and use resources effectively to shape and inform your research. Building upon the Library Induction this guide will help you understand -
- how to find research resources
- how to use resources when doing your research
- becoming part of the research community
- how to disseminate your research
- where to get help when needed
The library is here to help - Contact the Library.
LibrarySearch
LibrarySearch provides the easiest way to find and access library print and online resources. It allows you to search across almost all library collections and resources, whether you are on or off campus.
When accessing a resource or service directly, for example ResourceBank, you will need to login using your University username and password. For more information about how to search effectively take a look at Searching Techniques.
Reading Lists
Reading lists enable you to find and access books, journals and other resources you are expected to use to ensure you complete your course successfully. They can be found within your course and unit areas on myUCA.
Google Scholar
Google Scholar provides a simple way to search for scholarly literature online. It is an Internet search engine that specifically searches for academic resources across many disciplines and sources. Google Scholar will provide you with a link to online sources, but please note these may be behind a paywall or access to abstract only.
Subject Resources
Provide a quick and effective way to find key databases and other electronic resources in particular subject areas. For more information see - Subject Resources.
When accessing electronic resources off campus campus you'll need to login using your University username and password.
You may be presented with various login options -
- it may say login via your University, Library, Athens or Shibboleth login
- choose any of these options and if asked select UK Access Management Federation and continue with your login.
When you are taken to the OpenAthens login you need to type University for the Creative Arts into the Find your organisation search box.
Select University for the Creative Arts login. 
Login with your University username and password, the same details you use to access myUCA.
Logging into electronic resources off campus -
If you have any difficulties accessing electronic resources contact eresources@ucreative.ac.uk.
The Library purchases electronic books wherever possible because they -
- can be accessed at anytime, on and off campus, wherever you have an Internet connection
- allow multiple users at one time, so no waiting for a book to be returned
- provide additional features such as making annotations, highlighting, and searching within the text
- they are more accessible, font sizes change be increased and they can be read by screen readers
Use LibrarySearch to find electronic books; if the book is available electronically, you will see a link to access it, as in the example below -
You will be prompted for your University username and password. The read online option will allow you to view the book online. Because of copyright restrictions you will only be able to print a proportion of any book.
As well as viewing electronic books online, you can also download a copy to your laptop, tablet or mobile phone. You can either download selected pages or a chapter to keep or download the entire book for a limited time. To download the entire book, you’ll need to install Adobe Digital Editions for your computer of if you are using a tablet or phone, you'll need to go to the App Store and install Bluefire Reader.
Journals are available in print or electronic formats, or sometimes both.
The Journals A-Z will give you a listing of all library journal titles.
LibrarySearch enables you to search for text across multiple electronic journals and will provide links to relevant articles when these are available.
The following video will show you where to find the key electronic journals on the Subject Resources guides, look at searching within e-journals and demonstrate how to search the Journal A-Z list.
Finding Articles
LibrarySearch is the name of the UCA search engine for library electronic resources. If you are off-campus, it is your primary search tool to search for library e-books, e-journals, databases, still images, moving images and streaming audio and video. You will need your University login details to access most electronic resources.
LibrarySearch is easy to use, the video will show you how to limit your results so that you only find material available to read or watch online.
Databases are collections of related articles, images, electronic books and other resources.
The library subscribes to over 50 databases, details of these and how to access them can be found in the Database A-Z.
The following video will show you where to find the key e-journals on your Subject Guide, look at searching within databases and demonstrate how to search the A-Z list.
Moving Images
- BoB This link opens in a new window
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BoB is on demand TV and radio service for education which allows staff and students to record programmes from over 75 free-to-air channels; and search our archive of over 2.2 million broadcasts. See - Using BoB to learn more about how to setup and use BoB.
- Atlasshorts This link opens in a new window
Atlasshorts curates and delivers short films (under 60 minutes) and visual art across live-action, narrative, animation, documentary, VR/AR/XR, from the leading film, media, art and design schools.
- Drama Online This link opens in a new window
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Drama Online is an online resource for theatre and performance, offering cross-searchable content, including e-books and transcripts of plays.
- BFI Player This link opens in a new window
The BFI video on-demand streaming service, showing critically acclaimed classic, cult and archive films.
To create or reactivate an account go to the Academic Subscription Page
See the FAQ for further instructions on creating an account. - Kanopy This link opens in a new window
- This link opens in a new window
Kanopy is a video streaming service with a Netflix-style interface which can be accessed via the link above or using the Kanopy mobile app for Android and iOS.
Login required off campus to watch films (log in with your UCA details to create a Kanopy login).
Still Images
- Bridgeman Education This link opens in a new window
Bridgeman Education is a complete visual resource offering over 800,000 digital images of art, history and culture from global museums, galleries, private collections and contemporary artists all copyright cleared for educational use.
- Britannica ImageQuest This link opens in a new window
Over 2.5 million rights-cleared and high quality images from 46 of the world's leading collections.
