Guide to using MetaLib
MetaLib has now been replaced by OneSearch.
Read this quick reference guide to MetaLib before you start searching.
- What is MetaLib?
- How do I access and log into MetaLib?
- Can I search everything from MetaLib?
- How do I find information on my subject area in MetaLib?
- Why don't I see all the results from my QuickSearch?
- Why can't I see the full text?
- Where can I get help?
What is MetaLib?
MetaLib is a gateway to a range of electronic resources relevant to Lancaster University staff and students. These resources include electronic journals (e-journals), e-books, indexing databases and other web resources.
You can also use MetaLib to identify useful resources for your subject area, and to "cross-search" several resources together within MetaLib. This can save you time, especially if you need a quick overview of a topic.
How do I access and log into MetaLib?
You can access MetaLib from this direct link: http://lib-metalib.lancs.ac.uk/V, or from the Library home page.
Log in with your network account, though a few databases require a unique username/password. Please read the off campus users guide for more information about these.
Can I search everything from MetaLib?
MetaLib searches the resources that the Library subscribes to, as well as providing access to many freely available web resources. It is not a general purpose search engine like Google — the results you find through MetaLib are more likely to be of a high quality, and you are more likely to have access to the full text, than you would be if you used only Google.
How do I find information on my subject area in MetaLib?
There are many ways you can search for information using MetaLib. The easiest way is to use the QuickSearch module. You can perform a simple search using pre-selected groups of subject related databases. To see which databases are included in a QuickSet click on the subject name e.g. Health Sciences. For more information about using QuickSearch, view this short introductory guide.
If you would prefer to choose your own resources to search within MetaLib use the SubjectSearch module. Here you can choose your subject area and the type of resources you would like to search e.g. Subject = Education, and Type = Indexing databases. From the list of resources displayed you can select the ones you'd like to search.
When using the QuickSearch and SubjectSearch screens it's important to remember that these are simple searches. More detailed searching can be achieved by going directly to a specific resource and searching within the resource itself. By clicking on the name of a resource within MetaLib you can access the native search interface for the specific database.
Not all databases can be configured to work within MetaLib. Sometimes all we can do is provide a link to the databases's native search interface. We anticipate that, as time moves on, more publishers and vendors will develop their products to work with cross-search engines such as MetaLib.
Why don't I see all the results from my QuickSearch?
Your search may have retrieved a large number of results, but MetaLib will only display the first 30 results from each resource in ranked display order. This is usually enough for most requirements, but if you wish to see further results just click on the retrieve more link at the top of the results list.
Why can't I see the full text?
MetaLib will display the full text where it can, but some resources are unable to display within the MetaLib interface, and so a link to the text within the native interface is provided. Results from Abstracting & Indexing databases e.g. the Web of Science are displayed within MetaLib — in these cases the full text may be available from a different service. In order to discover if this is so you will need to click on the SFX icons 
or 
. See more information about SFX.
Where can I get help?
MetaLib has built-in help screens that relate to whatever module or screen you are currently using. Select the Help link from the top right menu on any screen in MetaLib.
We also have a quick reference guide to using MetaLib.
If you find you need further assistance then we suggest that you contact your appropriate Subject Librarian, who can assist with most matters. If this is not possible you can contact us at the Ask a Librarian service, and we will endeavour to respond as soon as possible, within normal working hours.
Copyright: Access to and use of the Library's subscription-based electronic resources may be subject to contractual agreements and licences with vendors, which may impose certain conditions and restrictions on use. All users of these resources must comply with the particular terms of use associated with the resource. In particular, copyright restrictions and any other restrictions imposed on the amount you may download or store electronically. Any commercial uses of electronic resources are strictly forbidden. Please also see the Code of Conduct for Users of Computers at Lancaster University.