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Original poster

University libraries - can anyone access them?

36 replies

orangecheddarisbetter · 31/05/2023 12:42

I'm trying to find the full text version of a research paper I can't seem to get online. Someone suggested going to a university library for a uni with a medical faculty because it's a medical paper. But can I just walk in without being a student? How does it work?

OP posts:
ShinyHatStand · 31/05/2023 12:45

Just email the authors.

Original poster
orangecheddarisbetter · 31/05/2023 12:47

I tried that and didn't get a reply. I'm not 100% sure they're still alive.

OP posts:
user1497207191 · 31/05/2023 12:47

Depends on the Uni really. At our local Uni, anyone can go in to read their books/papers/documents and work at the desks etc. I know lots of sixth formers from local schools go there to revise for their A levels just for somewhere quiet and a desk to work at, and limited duration guest internet. All you can't do is use their computers (require a uni ID swipe card), copiers/printers (require a Uni app that is linked to your Uni ID) and you can't borrow any books/documents (again requires Uni ID card). But it's open for anyone to walk in, browse the shelves, etc.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Higher education
ApolloandDaphne · 31/05/2023 12:49

I am a matriculated student with access to a library. Let me know what the paper is and i will see if it can be accessed online?

user1497207191 · 31/05/2023 12:49

Also, without student ID, you may not be able to actually find the paper you're looking for as it may require A LOT of searching and the libraries are huge. With student ID, students can search the library online and get a shelve edge location as to where their chosen book/paper is located. Maybe possible to ask at the librarian desk to see if they'd search the database for you? No harm in asking I suppose.

EmpressMoo · 31/05/2023 12:49

You can usually get permission to use a university library but you would have to contact them first.

The British Library is another alternative.

ApolloandDaphne · 31/05/2023 12:50

Sorry I see you can't get it online. I am not at home so I can't even go and see if our library has it.

whereaw · 31/05/2023 12:50

Post the paper link, may be able to download it for you depending what it is

ohsopuzzled · 31/05/2023 12:50

It must depend on the Uni as any of the libraries at the Unis I’ve worked at are for students and staff only and you needed a swipe card to get in the door.
I’d identify the library you want to access and just drop the head librarian an email. You may find even if the library isn’t open to the public they can help you. Certainly places I’ve worked the librarians are super helpful!

ditalini · 31/05/2023 12:54

orangecheddarisbetter · 31/05/2023 12:42

I'm trying to find the full text version of a research paper I can't seem to get online. Someone suggested going to a university library for a uni with a medical faculty because it's a medical paper. But can I just walk in without being a student? How does it work?

What's the journal and how old is the paper? You would need access to a library that held a print copy of the journal, so check the catalogue first, and also access to their scanning or photocopying facilities. It would be dependent on the individual university whether you could a) get access at all, and even if you could whether you could b) get access to these services (although I guess you could read it there).

If they only had a digital subscription then you wouldn't be able to access it and it's unlikely they would be permitted to share it with you under the terms of their license.

You might be able to buy a copy from the publisher or the British Library which would cost around £30 usually.

user1497207191 · 31/05/2023 12:56

Our local one only restricts access to card holders outside normal office hours, i.e. overnight etc. During normal office hours, the barriers are left open.

From their website "The Library is open to the public; please contact us if you would like to join to borrow items."

You can join as a "community member" if you want to borrow things and if you want access outside normal office hours - then you get a membership swipe card.

As said above, probably depends on the individual university.

ditalini · 31/05/2023 12:57

Just saw that it's a medical paper. Is it relevant to your treatment? If so, you could contact your nearest hospital library - there are usually licence provisions that allow a single copy to be provided to a patient if it's relevant to their care, but again it would depend on the individual library/Trust what their policy was on patient information.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 31/05/2023 12:57

Graduates of the university may be able to apply for library membership. My husband did this years ago. It amused us that every year at renewal time they asked again for proof of his degree. They don't get withdrawn, to my knowledge!

MayBeee · 31/05/2023 12:59

Agree - try contacting the British Library , anyone can have access to books / information from them.

Oakbeam · 31/05/2023 13:02

It must depend on the Uni as any of the libraries at the Unis I’ve worked at are for students and staff only and you needed a swipe card to get in the door.

Some will issue a day pass for visitors.

woodpeckerz · 31/05/2023 13:05

I can get it for you. I'll dm you

Original poster
orangecheddarisbetter · 31/05/2023 13:14

Thanks - to reply to a few people:

I went to a uni without a medical faculty unfortunately.

I had no idea that hospital libraries were a thing - just googled and there are 2 options near me. Worth looking into!

Yes, it might be related to a medical condition I'm researching for personal reasons but I don't have a diagnosis yet. It's this paper from 1984 - https://www.proquest.com/docview/1866026779?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true

The problem is I'm not 100% sure it's the right paper. Essentially I found a podcast where an expert refers to an experiment involving 8 children. I bought the guy's book where he refers to the same experiment and gives a reference. But it seems to be the wrong paper (the reference given is a study with 8 adults so there was maybe a mix up). This looks to potentially discuss the experiment with the children from a comment someone else made online but it might just discuss the same adults again. I've tried to contact the expert but haven't heard back.

Syndromes of Hypothalamic Obesity in Man - ProQuest

Explore millions of resources from scholarly journals, books, newspapers, videos and more, on the ProQuest Platform.

https://www.proquest.com/docview/1866026779?fromopenview=true&pq-origsite=gscholar

OP posts:
Original poster
orangecheddarisbetter · 31/05/2023 13:22

Thanks - I'll look into the British Library too if Woodpeckerz can't access it easily :)

OP posts:
Phos · 31/05/2023 13:29

orangecheddarisbetter · 31/05/2023 12:47

I tried that and didn't get a reply. I'm not 100% sure they're still alive.

He's alive but he is very very old so probably not doing much work stuff these days.

BlueberryBasket · 31/05/2023 13:32

Public libraries can be part of the Access to Research scheme so you can access academic papers https://www.accesstoresearch.org.uk/ it's worth looking if it's available

BlueberryBasket · 31/05/2023 13:40

There's also this https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/toc/1975/07000 by same author which you can access full text and appears to be about 8 people (but you might have already seen it!)

Crazymadchickenlady · 31/05/2023 13:50

When I click on the link I get the full text. Could be because I'm sat in a medical uni. If you want me to send it to you then PM me your email.

TressiliansStone · 31/05/2023 13:50

Thank you so much for that Access to Research link, BlueberryBasket!

I opened this thread as I have a similar problem – and it looks like a library physically reachable for me is a member of scheme. Win!

(Now just need the Bodleian to play ball about accessing some special collection material. Unlike some of the other Uni libraries, the imaging service hasn't even replied to my emails.)

Crazymadchickenlady · 31/05/2023 13:56

orangecheddarisbetter · 31/05/2023 13:22

Thanks - I'll look into the British Library too if Woodpeckerz can't access it easily :)

I've unblocked private messages if you want me to email you the paper then PM me your email address

parietal · 31/05/2023 13:58

if you search for papers on Google Scholar, you will often find a link to the full text.

there is a 'pirate' site called SciHub that has even more full text papers.

or post a link here and one of the many academics on Mumsnet can find it.