Library and Learning Resource Centre

Library study space at Caspian School of Academics

Learning & Resources

Library & Learning
Resource Centre

Academic, research and IT resources at your fingertips.

Your academic resource hub

CSA Library & Learning Resource Centre

The Caspian School of Academics Library & Learning Resource Centre offers a comprehensive range of resources and services to support both students and staff.

Equipped with modern facilities, the library provides access to a wealth of academic materials and offers responsive support services to enhance the learning experience.

Extensive Academic Resources

Books, journals and online databases support research and learning across a variety of disciplines.

Information and Guidance

Library staff help with reading lists, research enquiries and sourcing relevant academic materials.

Responsive Support Services

Practical assistance helps students and staff access resources efficiently.

Caspian School of Academics at CEME Business Campus
500+Books available to search, renew and reserve online

Personal guidance

One-to-One Student Support Sessions

Support is available face to face or virtually via Zoom to help students make effective use of library and learning resources.

Introduction to the CSA Library and Resources

Become familiar with the library’s facilities, services and available resources.

Searching Online Learning Materials

Learn how to navigate online databases and find materials relevant to your studies.

Access to Partner Institution Resources

Get help accessing resources available through partner institutions.

Login and Account Setup Assistance

Set up and manage your library account for seamless access to services.

ICT Assistance

Get support with Wi-Fi, printing and other technology available on campus.

500+books online
12dedicated study spaces
6 daysopen each week
On campusbooks and e-resources

Essential information

Using the Library

Study Area

The library has dedicated study spaces for students to study independently, research and work on coursework. This quiet zone provides laptop power points and college Wi-Fi. Twelve designated study spaces are available throughout the week.

Borrowing physical items

Books and other materials can be borrowed through self-service checkout or at the library help desk. Students and staff must use a valid CSA ID and contact the Resource Officer when borrowing books, journals or other resources.

Reserve, renew or return an item

Use your e-Library account to see current loans, place a hold and renew items. You may also visit the library to borrow, renew or return items and collect requests made through the online catalogue.

Items may be renewed before their due date if they have not been reserved by another borrower and your library record is not due to expire or blocked because more than £10 in fines has been incurred.

Renewal emails confirm whether the renewal succeeded and show the new due date. Items can be returned at the help desk or self-returned online while in the library, before being placed on the return shelf.

Borrowing rules and duration
Library usersNumber of booksBorrowing duration
Faculty members721 days
Students514 days
Staff314 days

Note: Teaching-practice items can be borrowed for 12 weeks.

Fines, lost or damaged books

Overdue items that are on hold are charged at £0.50 per day, per item, up to a maximum of £10 per item. If charges exceed £5, you will not be able to borrow more items until the fine is reduced to £5.

The borrower must replace lost or damaged material or pay the full price shown for the item.

Library clearance

The library will sign a clearance form only when all borrowed items have been returned.

Digital learning

Online Resources

Students can access e-books, journal articles, databases and other electronic resources on and off campus. When prompted, sign in using your college username and password.

EBSCOhost

Academic Search Elite

A multidisciplinary database with a user-friendly search interface and access to full-text, abstracted and indexed journals.

Access EBSCOhost via Moodle →
O’REILLY

O’Reilly Learning

Live training, interactive learning, certification support, books and videos to help learners develop practical expertise.

Sign in to O’Reilly →
Perlego logo

Perlego Digital Textbooks

Unlimited access to more than one million digital textbooks across over 950 topics and subtopics.

Visit Perlego →
For remote/off-campus access details, email librarian@caspianschool.co.uk.

Open-source databases

A–Z Research Resources

Find open databases and digital collections for your research.

Archives Hub (JISC)

Descriptions of unique and unpublished primary-source material held in UK archives.

CORE

Seamless access to millions of open-access research papers.

EUR-Lex

Free access to European Union law and other public documents.

OpenDOAR

An authoritative directory of academic open-access repositories.

The Gazette

Search Britain’s official public-record archives.

UK Data Service

Economic and social data for teaching and research. Registration may be required.

Extend your research

Using Other Libraries

Havering Libraries

Local Public Library Service

CSA Library and Learning Resource Centre continues to expand its resources so each student can access books and online materials. Havering is part of the London Libraries Consortium, a partnership between London library services.

Membership provides access to Rainham Library, other consortium libraries and thousands of online resources.

The British Library

The British Library is the UK’s largest library, with more than 150 million items. Much of the collection is held in closed storage and must be requested for use in reading rooms.

Reader passes are free. Applicants need to identify the material they wish to consult and provide identification and proof of address. See the British Library website for registration information.

Guidance when you need it

Help & Support

Online Support

Sessions cover library induction, online learning materials, Harvard referencing, information literacy, functional skills, tutorials and partner resources.

Request a session

Campus Help Desk

Get support with accounts, finding and borrowing resources, referencing, coursework submission, Wi-Fi, printing and scanning.

Contact the library

Library Policies and Procedures

User responsibilities and ethics

The library aims to provide a safe, secure and appropriate study environment. All users must treat facilities, library staff and fellow users with dignity and respect. Unacceptable behaviour may lead to withdrawal of access and referral under Student Disciplinary Procedures.

Visitors

Visitors may use books, periodicals, databases and other material on site where this does not conflict with the library’s primary responsibility to CSA students and staff. Official identification is required.

Electronic resources

Electronic databases are limited to authorised CSA students, faculty and staff. Users must sign in, follow fair-use requirements and comply with provider licence agreements. Material is for personal, non-commercial use.

Automated crawling, downloading whole e-journals, printing numerous copies or republishing database material is improper use and may result in access being withdrawn.

Library user privacy

Library records and information about an individual’s use of resources are confidential. Library staff may consult this information only while carrying out library business.

Collection development

Collections are developed to meet study, teaching, accreditation and learning needs. Priority is given to current material supporting courses. User needs are evaluated annually with the Learning Resources Advisory Committee.

Ask a Librarian service

Students, faculty and staff can submit library and reference enquiries during opening hours or by email at any time. Replies are normally provided within 48 hours, excluding holidays.

Enquiries can include item availability, library services, citations, publisher details, catalogue/database support, Harvard referencing and partner resources.

Visit Ask a Librarian
Referencing Guide

Referencing acknowledges the authors and creators whose work informed your assignments or portfolio.

View the Harvard Referencing System

Help shape the collection

Stock Recommendations Request

At CSA, we are keen to hear book recommendations from students and teaching staff. Your suggestions help us develop current and relevant stock.

Submit a course-related title and we will do our best to provide it in line with our stock acquisition policy.

Submitting opens a pre-filled message to the CSA Library in your email application.

Contact CSA Library

Visit, call or email the library team

Our team is available throughout the week to help you find resources and make the most of the Library & Learning Resource Centre.

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