Transliteration - the conversion of a text into a different alphabet - is necessary when researching topics on Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia.
Although newer CLIO records for Cyrillic materials are capable of displaying in the original Cyrillic script, a majority of records are transliterated into Roman script using the Library of Congress system. To locate older titles in Russian, you have to search using Roman characters. See screenshot below for an example of transliterated titles.
For non-Roman languages other than Russian, see the ALA-LC Romanization Tables Index, which has lists for each language.
Some publishers or authors may use other transliteration systems. This can especially come into play for names. You may see Tchaikovsky also spelled as Tchaikowsky, Čajkowskij, Chaĭkovskiĭ, or Чайковский. Dostoyevsky can become Dostoevskii, Dostoevskij, Достоевский. Uncle Vanya can be Diadia Vania, Dyadya Vanya, Дядя Ваня, etc.
The CLIO Catalog is the best way to search for books related to Slavic Studies at Barnard and Columbia (see section on Transliteration Tips for searching Cyrillic titles/names in CLIO). For information on dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other reference works, see the Background Information page of this guide.
1) Use standardized language (Library of Congress Subject Headings; follow links in CLIO for similar titles):
2) Limit to date, language, or format (e.g. "Videos and DVDs")
3) Search using truncation (e.g. wom*n and russia*)
4) Search for Russian words using Library of Congress Romanization Table
If a title isn't available via Columbia University Libraries, you may request it via Borrow Direct or Interlibrary Loan.
Most books relating to Slavic Studies will fall into these call number classes from the Library of Congress system, which most of the Barnard & Columbia libraries use.
To search for books not held by Barnard or Columbia, WorldCat searches libraries worldwide.
There are benefits to using both Borrow Direct and Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Which service you should use largely depends on your research needs and the item you are trying to obtain. Most people use a mix of both services.
The following table outlines some specifics of Borrow Direct vs. ILL.
| Borrow Direct | ILL | |
|---|---|---|
| Books | ● | ● |
| Articles/book chapter scans (.pdf) | ● | |
| Music scores | ● | ● |
| Music CDs | ● | ● |
| Non-book loans (DVDs, microfilm, dissertations, maps, etc.) | ● | ● |
| Delivery in 3-5 business days | ● | |
| 16-week loan period | ● | |
| Renewal option | ● | |
| Subject to recall by lender | ● | ● |
| International loans and articles | ● | |
| Loans from a library other than the Borrow Direct partners (including public, law, medical, special collections, etc.) | ● |
Here are some sample scenarios that might help you decide which service to use.
I need to borrow a book that is checked out at Columbia. It is for a class assignment due in two weeks.
When speed is the issue for a loan, try Borrow Direct first. If the book is unavailable through Borrow Direct, try ILL. Keep in mind that ILL loans generally arrive within two weeks, which may be too late for your assignment. Adjust the "Not Wanted After Date" on the ILL form to reflect your actual deadline.
I need to borrow a multi-volume set or one volume from a multi-volume set.
Although both services can accommodate multiple-volume-set requests, Borrow Direct is the better choice for ordering several volumes at once. Indicate in the "Notes" field which volumes you need. Typically, partner libraries will send no more than 5 volumes at a time of larger sets. Please contact Borrow Direct staff if you need assistance (borrowdirect@columbia.edu).
I tried to place a Borrow Direct request for a book that Columbia does not own. Even though I find the book through a Borrow Direct catalog search, the system will not let me place a request. What are my options?
Place an ILL request for the item if it is unavailable in Borrow Direct.
I need to borrow a book for the semester. I know that a Borrow Direct library owns it. Should I use Borrow Direct or ILL?
Use Borrow Direct because the standardized loan period is 16 weeks, no renewals. ILL does offer a renewal option but both the loan period and ability to renew are at the lender's discretion. All loans are subject to recall.
