Changes to printing and photocopying

The way you log in to the multifunction devices (MFDs) for printing, photocopying and scanning has changed.

You now see a menu on the screen, giving the choice between Print and Copy, Scan, Fax. Print is currently the default for Waitakere, Building 1, North Shore and the Student Computer Centre. Copy is the default for Main Library Mt Albert.

Select the option you want before swiping your card to log in. You can't change the selection after logging in. (You can still see the "Print" button when photocopying but it no longer works.)

If you want to do both photocopying and printing you'll have to finish one task, log out, and then select the other option and swipe your card again.

Download Library eBooks to your iPad, iPhone or eReader

Did you know you can download many Unitec Library eBooks to your iPad, iPhone or eReader? Our three main eBook suppliers (EBL, ebrary and Books24x7) have a range of approaches as follows:

EBL allows downloads using Adode Digital Editions but often the book must be read online for 5 minutes first or if it is expensive Library approval may be required - see more about EBL books.

You can now download permanently parts of ebrary books - the same number of pages you are allowed to print. And for most books you are able to download the entire book for up to two weeks, without charge (some publishers aren't allowing this feature). eBooks from ebrary can be downloaded to computers and devices including the iPhone, iPad, Kobo, Nook and Sony Reader, but not the Kindle. Downloading complete books requires installation of the free software Adobe Digital Editions, in the same way as for the EBL collection. For more information, see Ebrary's training presentation, or this blog post from Princeton University..

Our eBooks from Books24x7 are currently only able to be viewed online. The supplier has a new  'On Demand platform' with a 'Chapters to Go' feature as well as mobile device compatibility (Books24x7 On The Go), which we are reviewing and may introduce next year - please email us if you would find this useful.

You can tell if an eBook is from EBL, ebrary or Books24x7 by placing your mouse over the title of the Book in LibrarySearch - see the picture below for an example. More about Library eBooks.

Longer hours in Main Library from Saturday 12 November

The Main Library (Mt Albert hub) will be open for longer hours during study and exam weeks, beginning on Saturday 12 November 2011 and ending on Thursday 1 December 2011. The extended opening hours are as follows:

Mon- Thurs    8.00 - 10.00
Fri                8.00 -  7.00
Sat-Sun        9.00 -  7.00

The Student Computer Centre and other branches' hours are unchanged.

We are backing Unitec Students to succeed!

Webb Ellis Cup

With assignments due soon and exams pending we are backing you to succeed! So don't be afraid to ask for our support. See the links below for study help, tips and contacts.

Tips for success:

• Do not leave your laptop unattended
• Back up documents as you go & print out drafts (in case file gets corrupted)
• USU's academic tips
• Assignment referencing guides
• Endnote guide
• How to access previous exam papers
• Study skills (Te Puna Ako) 

Free exam prep workshops:
Exam techniques - Tuesday Nov 8th, 5pm-7pm - Book online. Venue is  B110, Rm 2055.

Who you can ask for study help:

• Te Puna Ako Learning Centre - drop-in service available Mon - Fri 11:30am - 1pm.
• Library:
• Information desk help available at all library locations during opening hours
• Text Library: 021 488 155
• Chat to Librarians online
• Ask the Main Library student rovers
• Student Central - make appointments with lecturers / submit assignments
• Maia
• Your lecturer / tutor
• Your fellow students
• More support on campus 

Study facilities and spaces

• Copy Centre - look out for notification of extended hours
• Library - longer opening hours for study/exam weeks at the Main Library (Mt Albert).
• Book classroom for 3+ people for group study purposes ( limited availability and must have written Dept approval)
• More places to study

Support getting a job after exams

Check out the Unitec Career Centre job club from 5 - 8 December if you would like to make new contacts and get support finding work.

Library login overnight outage 18 - 19 October

Due to a technical upgrade to Unitec's PeopleSoft system the Library login will not be available during the following period:

Outage starts: 18 October 4pm
Outage stops: 19 October 9am

This will mean you cannot do the following during this period:

• Log into LibrarySearch 
  - you will not be able to renew or request books online, or access your Library account including saved searches or saved records of favourite books or other items. However we are open until 9pm on the 18th and you can phone or email us and we can renew or request items for you during this time.
• Search Library Databases via LibrarySearch or Multi-Search (QuickSearch and CustomSearch)
  - you will not be able to search across more than one database at a time, however you will be able to search individual databases by clicking on the name of the Database listed in the Databases A-Z or in your Subject Guide. 

For more information about how other Unitec systems are affected by the upgrade see the "Important Notice for all Unitec Students' on the Unitec website news page.

We apologise for any inconvenience that this outage will cause you.

Library TXT Notices service outage 18 - 27 October

Please note that due to a technical upgrade to Unitec's PeopleSoft system the Library TXT (SMS) Notices service will not be running from 18 October to 27 October 2011. This means that if you subscribe to the service you will not get automated text messages to your phone for overdue or recalled books during the outage period. However overdue and recall reminders will still be emailed during the outage period. 

You can still text the Library on 021 488155 and use our Live Help chat service during the outage period.

Find out how other Unitec systems are affected during the PeopleSoft upgrade 18-27 October.

We apologise for any inconvenience that this outage will cause you. 

More about the Library TXT Notices service.

Rugby World Cup 2011

Here are some links to information about the RWC 2011. Feel free to suggest more links in the comments section below.

• Guide to Party Central - by in Unison
• Clever all in one RWC Calendar / Fixture Guide 
• Official Facebook site
• Official website
• Offical Results
• Offical Kidzone - classroom resources 
• More links for kids
• Auckland events
• Auckland Transport 

Unitec Library rugby related resources:

• Books on Rugby Union Football
• Kids picture books about Rugby 
• eJournals eg Inside Rugby 
• eBooks 
• Theses
  
• DVDs
  
• Sport subject guide

Maori student/staff Survey

In response to Unitec's Maori Success Strategy, the Library is currently conducting this survey. We are keen to receive suggestions on how we could improve our services to Maori students and staff and make them feel more at home in the library. Survey forms are available at all the Unitec Libraries, as well as in Student Computing Centre, Puukenga and Maia. Please return your completed form to one of the Unitec Libraries by 18 September.

EndNote Training Session 20 September

A training session for staff and postgraduate students on the citatation management software EndNote is being held at the Main Library on Tuesday 20 September from 1.00pm to 2.30pm.

Booking is essential. To reserve a place, go to the Main Library Information Desk or email infolit@unitec.ac.nz.

Welcome Rovers!

Today we're announcing a new service at the Mt Albert Main Library with the release of our 6 student rovers into the library: Chamandeep, Courtney, Linkin, Miracle, Nelson, and Sergey.

You'll see these students wandering around the library wearing lanyards and (eventually) t-shirts announcing "Ask Me"!  They are here to help you with any questions you might have.  Don't be afraid to ask them.

This service is a pilot until the end of the year.  It may evolve into something more depending on what happens.

If you have any comments or feedback about it, please let us know.  You can leave a comment on this blog, or send us an email, or just chat to us about it, either face to face or online.

Recreational Reading Kicks Off at Unitec Library

By inunison 

The Main Library at Unitec’s Mt. Albert Campus recently launched a brand new section for reading and circulation. The library staff celebrated the launch on 3 August in the HUB dressed as classic literary characters and serving sausages. The recreational reading section is located on the second floor, to the right of the top of the main staircase.

Mariette McClement, Manager of Information & Learning Services at the Library explains, “The recreational reading collection was developed in response to a Tertiary Education Commission initiative to enhance literacy skills.  By encouraging students to read for leisure we can hopefully contribute to improving their literacy skills and foster a love of reading”

The library has only begun its collection of recreational reading books. Staff members at the library are taking suggestions for new titles to add to the collection - to make recommendations use the via suggestion box in the Library, or email us or leave a comment below.

 “The wide range of suggestions we've received truly represent our diverse range of students , with authors ranging  from Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh to Stephenie Meyer and Ant Sang and titles ranging from classics like "Pride and Prejudice" to graphic novels like "X-Men" says McClement.

The check-out policy for recreational reading remains the same as for academic material. Books can be borrowed for up to thirty days and can be renewed once. Students already seem very excited about the reading initiative.

Three students who attended the launch BBQ; Sonia, Yolisha, and Sam, offered their opinion on the new reading options, “there will be a lot more interest in visiting the library now that they offer more popular fiction” These particular book lovers said that they would put the recreational reading section to use on a weekly basis.

Plus for more cheap reading options, Long Black Café in Building 1 has launched a public “book swap”. The policy is to bring some literature to take some literature. The book exchange will accept anything from magazines to fiction novels.

This news article was written and  published By inunison | Published Friday, 12 August, 2011

Database Trials

The Library is holding trials of the following databases. Please try them out and let us know if you have any comments.

Alexander Street
Collection of text, video and music including counselling and therapy, nursing education, sociology and social and cultural history.
Until 10 September. Click here for username and password.

Bridgeman Education
Database of high-quality images including photography, fine art, engravings, sculpture, architecture, archaeology & ethnography, history, science & medicine, the decorative arts, artefacts and applied arts.
Until 16 September.

Encyclopaedia Britannica Image Quest
Collection of over two million rights-cleared images.
Until 18 August - CLOSED

Anatomy TV Sports and Therapy Suite
In addition to the functional anatomy collection of 3D images that we already subscribe to, this suite offers

• Acupuncture
• Anatomy for Exercise
• Anatomy Trains
• Hand Therapy
• Pilates
• Sports Injuries
• Resistance Training

Until 1 September - CLOSED

Humanities & Social Sciences Collection
Australian database that covers agriculture, arts, Asian studies, business, cultural studies, education, history, indigenous studies, law, media, political science, reference, social sciences, science and technology. Content sources include peer reviewed journals, monographs and books, conference proceedings, research papers and reference materials sourced and indexed by RMIT Publishing. This database includes an Indigenous Collections component.
Until 3 September

Warc 
Marketing database that offers

• Thousands of case studies from the Effie Worldwide, Ogilvy ARF, Jay Chiat Awards and many more that reveal the campaign strategies of leading brands.
  
• Articles and Best Practice guides that explain the 'how' and 'why' of marketing challenges - each guide offering an introduction and overview of an issue plus a list of recommended further reading.
• The very latest in market research, including conference papers from around the world and reports from Esomar, The Market Research Society and the Journal of Advertising Research.
• Industry news and email alerts including daily news, account moves and new material on Warc, configurable to your interests via my warc.

Until 3 September. Click here for username and password.

EndNote Training Session 7 April

We are holding a training session for postgraduate students on the bibiliographic management software EndNote at the Main Library on Thursday 7 April, from 1.30 to 3.00.

Registration is required because places are limited. To register, go to the Main Library Information Desk, or email infolit@unitec.ac.nz.

New database - Anatomy.TV

The Library now offers access to the Anatomy.TV database. Anatomy.TV, derived from real human data, provides over 5,000 3D anatomical structures, clinical slides, dissections, animations and much much more.

Students can view anatomy by region, zoom and rotate images, peel away layers, view extensive text, MRI, slides, movies, and animations.


Access Anatomy.TV

See more about this product from the vendor... "Award winning 3D anatomy already used in over 700 colleges."

What do you like to read for FUN?

Send us your recommendations

The Library is setting up a recreational reading collection and we need your help. Tell us what books you would like to read - your favourite authors, graphic novels etc. and we'll probably buy them!

Email your recommendations to: infolit@unitec.ac.nz or post a comment below. The first 10 Unitec students to make a suggestion will receive chocolate :)

Free study skills and academic writing workshops

Get a head start with Te Puna Ako Learning Centre courses in March/April. See course details and timetable on Moodle - to access just select 'login as guest'.

To book workshops visit Te Puna Ako Learning Centre in The Hub: Building 110 Rm 1040, or phone 815 4321 extension 8611. Reception hours are: 8.30am - 4.30pm

Fuller descriptions of the workshops are available from our reception.

New databases from Informit

The Library has subscribed to three new journal databases from Informit:

Informit Health Collection - full-text articles from Australian and NZ journals relevant to health.

Informit Engineering Collection - full-text articles from Australian and NZ journals covering engineering.

Informit New Zealand Collection - a collection of articles from New Zealand journals covering more general topics.

More information about these products can be found at the RMIT Publishing website:

• About the Informit Health Collection
• About the Informit Engineering Collection
• About the Informit New Zealand Collection

Navigating the Library website & LibrarySearch - proposed workshops

Register your interest now!

Confused by recent changes to the Library website? Having trouble knowing the best place to start when searching for articles, e-books and other online information?

Let us know if you are interested in workshops on these topics and we will run some.
Register your interest via email as soon as possible with your preferred date/time via email to infolit@unitec.ac.nz with your name, ID and programme of study (for students) or name and Department (for staff).

New Library Website

The new look Library website was launched on 23 February. The changes to the design and navigation followed a range of testing, surveys and consultation with students and site users in general in order to make the site easier to use. It incorporates the new Unitec branding and makes use of the space available on modern computer monitors.

We would be glad to receive any comments you may have about the usability of the site.

In particular we would like to know if you find any links not working, pages not being where you expect them, or information you need not being available.