Collections

What is an embargo?

A specific period of time during which full text journal articles are not available.

What does backfile mean?

Non-current year or volume journal issues.

What does cancellation mean?

The subscriber (University of Calgary) has asked a publisher or vendor to end a subscription to a journal or database. The University may continue to retain access to past years that have been paid for but this is not always the case (it depends on whether there are perpetual access rights in the license)

What is perpetual access? 

The term is used to indicate whether access rights to content are retained when the University’s license agreement ends.

What is scholarly sharing?

Sharing one to three journal articles with a research colleague at another institution that does not have access to a specific journal.  The library's search interface provides details about whether articles from a specific journal or journal package can be shared. Search for the journal or journal package to see license details for the relevant product.

How do I tell for which years a journal is available?

Check the journal search page.

Can I make journal articles and other library content available to my students for class readings?

In many cases, yes. The Copyright page can give more information on this.

What is a textbook?

Textbooks are typically designed to fit within a semester teaching cycle and often have a companion instructor’s edition. They are commonly reissued in updated editions every year or two and often contain review questions, problems, quizzes, etc.  Scholarly studies, works of literature, history, philosophy, etc. may be required or recommended reading for a class, but they are not considered to be textbooks as defined above.

What is consortial purchasing?

The University of Calgary is a member of several library consortia.  These consortia act as a buying club, allowing member institutions to get better prices and license terms than purchasing individually would do. Almost every e-journal and database that Libraries and Cultural Resources subscribes to is acquired through a library consortium.

Is the library accepting donations of books?

Yes, under certain conditions and in a limited capacity. For more information, please see the Gifts tab.

Please also see the FAQ for Libraries and Cultural Resources.