FAQs Browse

What is a monograph?

A monograph is a book, pamphlet or document that is complete in itself; it's the opposite of a periodical or serial publication which are continuing resources.

What is a periodical index?A periodical index is a subject, author and keyword index to a selected list of periodicals; it's the key to finding articles on a particular topic. If the index also summarizes the contents of an article, it is called an abstract.
What is a recall? (Requests for materials that are checked out)

What is a recall?

A recall is a request to have a borrower bring back a semester book before the due date.

Once a book is recalled, the person who has borrowed the book will have three weeks to return it. 

How do I recall a book that someone else has checked out?

Once you have found the book you want in the Library Catalogue, sign in and select "Request item." (Don't see the "Request item" option? Make sure you sign in to the Library Catalogue.)

When the book is returned we will send you a notification and hold it for you.

If your book is recalled

If you have checked out a book and another library borrower requests (recalls) it, you will receive a notification telling you to return the book to the library within three weeks. 

To see if someone else has recalled any of your books view your library record.

More questions?

For more about signing in and requesting items, see Why and how should I sign into the Library Catalogue?

What is a research guide?

Research guides are created by subject-specialist librarians to recommend resources and search strategies by subject (including academic disciplines and courses), as well as format and publication type.

 

What is an abstract?An abstract is a brief summary of a book or article. Many databases will have journal article abstracts to help you decide if the article is useful to your research project.
What is an annotation?An annotation is a critical comment or explanation. An annotated bibliography is one which provides critical or descriptive notes about the works it lists.
What is an edition?Editions are copies of a book, newspaper, etc., printed at one time from the same plates. A second or revised edition is one with changes or additions to the text of the earlier work.
What is an imprint?An imprint is the name of the publisher, the place of publication and the date, usually printed on the title page of a book.
What is an index?An index is a list of topics, names, etc., treated in a book or group of books, with references to where they occur.

When a database contains articles from a certain journal, one may say that the journal is 'indexed' in the database.

What is an Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

Interlibrary Loans are requests for materials not available in your home library. If SFU does not own a book or journal that you need, our Interlibrary Loan department can get it for you from another library.

For more information about Interlibrary Loans see Request items from other libraries.