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Getting Started: Library Services for International Students

Find library resources and the staff who will help you with your research.

Academic Integrity

Research Tips and Tricks

Key Library Terms

Here are some terms to remember.  Understanding these terms will help you use the library successfully.

  • Abstract: a brief summary of an article or a chapter in a book.
  • Article  refers to a publication in a journal, magazine or newspaper.
  • Bibliography: a list of books or journal articles you used to write your paper.
  • Call number: It is the address of a book on the shelf.  Often, it is a combination of letters and numbers. In our library, the call number for a book starts with letters and ends with a combination of letters and numbers.
  • Catalogue: a library database  where you search for books and articles.
  • Citation: complete information of a book or an article such as author name, title, publisher, published location, dates, page number, volume etc.
  • Database: a collection of information that can be searched by a computer. In the library, there are article databases such as Academic Search Complete and book databases such as our library catalogue.
  • Due date: the date by which you must return any library material you have borrowed using your campus card..
  • Journal: a publication, issued on a regular basis, that contains scholarly research published as articles, papers, research reports, or technical reports.
  • Loan period: the length of time library materials may be borrowed.
  • Periodical: examples are Journals, magazines, and newspapers. 
  • Reserves: materials set aside by professors for required reading. These items have a limited loan period.
  • Stacks: shelves in the library where materials are stored. Books in the stacks are normally arranged by call number and can be borrowed using your campus card.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The University of the Fraser Valley is situated on the traditional territory of the Stó:lō peoples. The Stó:lō have an intrinsic relationship with what they refer to as S’olh Temexw (Our Sacred Land), therefore we express our gratitude and respect for the honour of living and working in this territory.

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