Language Resource Collection
The Language Resource Collection (LRC), previously the Language Resource Library (LRL), has moved from the Hetherington Building to the Level 8 Annexe of the Library.
The LRC supports language learning and teaching within the University. The collection focuses on languages taught by the School of Modern Languages and Cultures (SMLC) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Along with academic study many of the textbooks and multimedia guides are targeted at those wanting to improve their language skills or learn a new language for holidays or to converse with friends.
Over 30 languages are represented from Albanian to Yiddish.
If you have any questions, contact the UofG Helpdesk or library-college-support@glasgow.ac.uk.
Finding an item in the LRC
LRC items can be found by using Library Search.
The LRC uses a different classification scheme than the rest of the Library. It organises its holdings by language, content and academic level.
Language
LRC items start with 3 letters of the language contained in the item, for example:
- FRE - French
- GER - German
- POR - Portugese
Content
The next letter tells you the content:
- A - Dictionaries
- B - Courses
- C - Grammar
- D - Vocabulary
- G - Reading
- H - Writing
- J - Listening
- K - Speaking
- L - Pronunciation
- M - Multimedia
- P - Language for Professional Purposes
- Q - Exam Preparation
- R - Graded Readers*
- T - Talking Books*
- X - Films/Documentaries
Academic Level
The first number shows you the level of the book:
- 1 - Beginner
- 2 - Pre-intermediate
- 3 - Intermediate
- 4 - Upper intermediate
- 5 - Advanced
Examples
- ITS G3006 00 - Italian intermediate book on reading
- SPA K5005 01 - Spanish advanced CD on speaking
Graded Readers and Talking Books
While most language learning material is divided into 5 academic levels, from Beginner to Advanced, Graded Readers and Talking Books have 6 academic levels depending on their word count:
- 1 - about 300 basic words
- 2 - about 600 basic words
- 3 - about 1100 basic words
- 4 - about 1400 basic words
- 5 - about 1600 basic words
- 6 - about 2200 basic words
Renewals
Library items currently on loan can be renewed online, as long as not requested by another library user.
Returns
Return your items using the book return bins.
Membership
Use the UofG Helpdesk or email library-college-support@glasgow.ac.uk if you have any enquiries regarding external membership of the Language Resource Library.
Resources
The collection includes a wide range of material to support language learning, including:
- Courses – from beginner to advanced
- Dictionaries
- Grammar Books
- Films and Documentaries
- IELTS Preparation Material
- Graded Readers & Talking Books
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I borrow and return items from the Language Resource Collection?
Now that the LRC is part of the Library the procedures for borrowing, renewing or returning Library loans follows that of the University.
Find out more about borrowing.
I must watch a DVD for my course but I can’t find it in the Language Resource Collection?
DVDs on course viewing lists will be found in the High Demand Collection (HDC) on Level 3. In most cases multiple copies will be available. DVDs in this collection can be borrowed for 24 hours.
Many films are available to watch on the 2 streaming services the Library subscribes to:
I don’t have access to a DVD player. Where can I watch the film?
Room 820 on Level 8 of the Library has been set aside as a DVD Viewing Room. There are 2 DVD players available. No booking is necessary and headphones are provided.
Why do some DVDs have 00 at the end of their classification and some have 01 or 02?
This offers a quick guide to the language of the film. DVDs with a number ending in 00 are in the native language of the film.
- POL X0106 00 is a Polish film in the Polish language.
- POL X0106 01 would mean it was a Polish film but was available with English subtitles
- POL X0106 02 shows it is a Polish film with subtitles but not in English.
There is an anomaly to be aware of here. If a DVD is one of a series it is numbered concurrently so the Polish TV series DOM is listed as POL X0123 01 & POL X0123 02, though both DVDs are in Polish with English subtitles.
Are CDs the same? Some have 01, 02, etc at the end of their classification number.
No. The number at the end of the CD class mark is to tell you the number of the CD. For example, if an English textbook has an accompanying CD the label on the book would be ENG B1003 00 and the accompanying CD would be labelled ENG B1003 01. If the textbook has more than one CD they will be numbered ENG B1003 01, ENG B1003 02, etc.
Can members of the public access the Language Resource Collection?
Since the move of the Language Collection to the Library the External Membership Scheme is no longer available. However, the collection can still be accessed, along with the rest of the Library, by either becoming an Alumni Member (£40.00) or Special Reader (£60.00) of the Library.