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Friday, December 20, 2013

Minor change to eBook access

As of the 17th December a small change has been made to eBook access. Now when you first access an EBL eBook you will be asked to complete a short profile form. You will only be asked to do this once. Please help us by completing the form as accurately as you can.

This change is part of a pilot project to gather more accurate information about how our eBook collection is being used, which will help ensure the eBook service we provide is well tailored to the needs of students and staff.

If you have any questions or concerns about this change please contact us at library@unitec.ac.nz or during Library opening hours use the Live help button on our website homepage to get instant one to one guidance from a Librarian.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Main Library rearranges its collection

Group study area before the changes
- a large open space with lots of tables
As part of a move to provide more usable spaces for students within the main library, the collection is being weeded and re-arranged.

The journal collection from upstairs will be moving downstairs, closer to the photocopiers/scanners.

The collection upstairs is being pulled through into the old group study area to create smaller  group spaces, with the books on the shelves providing a noise buffer.

Work commenced last week, and will continue over the next few weeks as all the collection is reorganized.

We are excited about how the library layout will look and feel to all our staff and students.  We apologize for the noise and disruption these changes may make.

If you have trouble finding a book on the shelf, please come up to the desk and ask.  Library staff are also happy to help.

The journals have been moved providing a study area with lots of natural light

A work in progress

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Due dates of books over summer break

Over summer, normal borrowing rules apply to items issued by the Unitec libraries.  
Please note that  
  • Books are issued for one month and are subject to recall. 
  • Please renew or return your books on time. 
  • We recommend you return your books before you go overseas or on a long holiday. 
  • If you have books out, please check your emails regularly. 
  • You can post books back to us. 
Check the library website for more information on borrowing and the library opening hours.
For contact details including postal address, see our Contact Us page

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Library and SCC hours over summer break 2013-2014


From 22 November some Unitec library services will be open for shorter hours. 
For a quick summary...

Mt Albert Campus
 Waitakere 
  • Waitakere Library: No change
  • Te Puna OraClosed until 24 February 2014
Northern Campus Library and Learning Centre: Closed until 24 February 2014

Remember to check the Library Hours page 
for full details and special dates

Monday, November 18, 2013

Student Computer drop-in lab options this summer (Mt Albert South)

The Student Computer Centre in the hub (B110 Rm1050) at the South end of Mt Albert Campus is closed from Saturday 23rd November 2013 and will reopen on Wednesday 30th January 2014*.  If you are a summer student looking for a computer - check out these options:

Students studying Computing and Information Technology, and Accounting and Finance summer school students - you can use the drop-in lab at B180 Rm1113 (near the Bookshop) and labs in B183-Rooms 2001, 2003 and 2005 (see hours below) - contact Russell Archer ( rarcher2@unitec.ac.nz )- ext 6154

Students from Accounting, Communication and Management  (DAF, DoCS and DoMM) and Natural Sciences - you can use the drop-in lab at B115 Rm3009 (see map below) if you  purchase a swipe card which will give you Monday-Friday access (except when there is a scheduled class in the lab). Each card will cost $15.00 and will be valid for the entire time you are a student at Unitec. To get a card go see Munawwar Naqvi in 115-3007 or email mnaqvi@unitec.ac.nz 

Languages students
- you can use the Language Learning Centre within the Main Library in B110

Postgraduate students - you can use facilities at Penman House, Building 55, Mt Albert Campus. More details.

All Unitec students can use the computers in the Main Library in B110

Other students should check with their Department for possible swipe card access to Department labs.


Hours of labs in 180-1113 and labs 183-2001/2003/2005 (only for Students of Computing and IT, and the Accounting and Finance summer school students):
  • 23 Nov 2013 to 1 Dec 2013:  all labs closed
  • 2 Dec 2013 to 20 Dec 2013:  all labs open and supervised during normal lab hours (8am to 10pm weekdays, 10am to 6pm weekends).  No access outside these hours.
  • 21 Dec to 5 Jan 2014:  all labs closed
  • 6 Jan 2014 to 7 Feb 2014:  all labs open and supervised during normal lab hours (8am to 10pm weekdays, 10am to 6pm weekends).    No access outside these hours.
  • 8 Feb 2014 to 24 Feb 2014:  all labs closed

Floor plan of Level 3 in Building 115
(Rm 3009 is lab for Accounting, Communication, Management (DAF, DoCS and DOMM) and Natural Sciences students who have swipe card access)

Contact Munawwar Naqvi for information about this lab in B115.

*Please contact the Associate Library Director: Rosanne van Leeuwen, for more information regarding the Student Computer Centre in B110.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Mobile apps for Maori Language and Culture

Our Maori Language & Culture Subject Guide now includes a selection of mobile apps:  See the Mobile Apps heading in Maori Language & Culture Subject Guide - Finding Information.

This list includes a Maori Dictionary app, along with others which focus on various aspects of Maori culture and protocol. These are good resources to promote your own understanding of Te Reo Maori & Tikanga, as well as to refer others to.

Monday, November 04, 2013

Borrow a book at Unitec Albany library and win


Simply borrow a book from the library on the Albany campus between now and Friday November 15th, put your printed date slip into the box and be in to win a $30 Westfield voucher.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Extended hours at Mt Albert Main Library

Mt Albert Main Library will be open extended hours over the study and exam week period, from Saturday 2 November to Thursday 21 November

  • Monday - Thursday:  8am - 10pm
  • Friday : 8am - 7pm
  • Saturday and Sunday : 9am - 7pm

The other libraries’ hours and the Student Computer Centre hours are not being extended. Their hours will remain the same as during semester time.

See the library hours page for full details.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Be in to WIN at Unitec's Waitakere Library

Simply borrow a Unitec Library book from Level 2 of the Waitakere Library and go in the draw to WIN one of two Westfield vouchers. To enter follow these steps:
  1. Borrow a Unitec Library book from Level 2 - you will find these on the tall shelves at the east end of Level 2 in the Waitakere Library. 
  2. Put your due date slip into the box at the Library desk on Level 3
The winners will be drawn on Friday November 1st.

The Study Toolbox: Your New Tool for Success!

The new Study Toolbox is your one stop shop for assignment support. It can be accessed from the Current Students site, the Library's home page and from Moodle.


The new Unitec Study Toolbox is a quick and easy way to get the help you need without leaving your seat. It combines the Library and Te Puna Ako's content in one place that is available anywhere, at any time. 

Click here to view. 

Friday, October 11, 2013

Learn how to use Endnote citation software

Who should attend? 
Postgraduate and third year undergraduate students, and Unitec staff.

When and where? - Pick one of these dates: 
Thursday 24 October at 2.00 - 3.30pm  at Mt Albert Main Library training room (B110)
Friday 25 October at 10:00 - 11:30am at Waitakere Library (room to be advised)
Wednesday 13 November at 10.30am-12.00pm at Mt Albert Main Library training room (B110)

To book your place - please email:  infolit@unitec.ac.nz

Tuesday, October 08, 2013

Borrowing between Unitec and MIT libraries

Unitec and MIT Libraries are pleased to announce that staff and students can now enjoy borrowing privileges at each others' libraries. This means that you can use your Unitec student (or staff) ID card at MIT library.

You will need to fill out a form first available here or at MIT when you go there. 
You will be allowed to borrow books and other items from their library and they do need to be returned to the MIT library.
This access is only to each library's physical collections, ie not their electronic collections.

For more detailed information on this pilot, please see http://library.unitec.ac.nz/services/unitec-and-mit.htm.
Feedback or questions may be sent to library@unitec.ac.nz or ask at any branch of the Library.

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

Use self-check at the Main Library & be in to win


Use the self-check machine at the Main Library between now and the 16th October, put your printed date slip into the box and be in to win one of two $30 Westfield vouchers.

Give your research global reach

Raise your skinny hands like antennas to heaven, 2006, by Sheldon Wood.
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20005495@N00/
If you are a Unitec staff member and you want your research to 'go global' send your articles to the Research Bank Administrator now .... cmckissack@unitec.ac.nz

If you are a student or a staff member and want to search Unitec's amazing research output head to the Research Bank now ..... hundreds of full--text articles await you!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Problems with "my Account" and TXT notices in Library System

Currently users are not able to access their correct library account online via their LibrarySearch login. This means you will not be able to see a list of your loans or renew or request online, or see your favourited library records. The same problem is also stopping our TXT notices service from working.

Please note it may appear that you are logged in but you will not be logged in correctly unless your full name displays in the top right hand corner of LibrarySearch.

The problem has been caused by changes made to Unitec's Peoplesoft system which is not under the control of the Library but is connected to the LibrarySearch login system. A solution has been identified and we are working to implement it as soon as possible.

We apologise for this.In the meantime please contact us by phone (815 4185 ) or email (library@unitec.ac.nz) to renew your books or place a request.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Library system outage 23 September from 6pm onwards

In order to upgrade our MetaLib Library system we have a planned outage on Monday 23rd September from 6pm to midnight. During this outage you will not be able to:

  • Access the full text of articles in eJournals we subscribe to from Articles Express or LibrarySearch or Library Databases Multi-Search
  • Access any part of Library Databases Multi-Search including our Databases A-Z
  • Access our eJournals A-Z
  • Search databases using LibrarySearch or Multi-Search.

However you will still be able to:
  • Search the catalogue using LibrarySearch.
  • Access your library account online, including logging in to renew & request items
  • Search databases individually via links on our Subject Guides.
 We apologise for any inconvenience this outage may cause.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

See our Maori collections with Google streetview

Introducing new 'Virtual Tours' of Mt Albert B110 & Waitakere Libraries

Access the library website 24/7 and become virtually familiar with the library buildings and library resources.

From your PC, laptop, netbook or tablet at home or practically anywhere, you can manoeuvre your way around and star gaze at the special Māori collections, with specific Māori items on display.

If you have time, become virtually aware of all other resources on all levels of these libraries, prior to visiting.

The virtual tour will give you maximum coverage, at your fingertips....

Waitakere Library



View Larger Map

Main Library - Mt Albert campus



View Larger Map

Thursday, August 08, 2013

Where do I find NZ Standards online?

All of the New Zealand Standards are available online through our Library website.

They are easily found on the Library homepage under the Search heading (see below).




  1. Go to NZ Standards Online 
  2. Click on "IHS Standards Expert."
  3. Type in the standard number under "Document number or Organisation" eg 3604.
  4. Click Search.
  5. Click the 'view" icon.
  6. Click "accept".
For more detailed help and examples using the NZ Standards database see:

Tuesday, August 06, 2013

Winter 2013 Advance magazine now available

Check out the latest research by staff and students at Unitec in the Winter 2013 issue of Advance out now. 

Meet our cover star Steve Liggett, a lecturer from Transport Technology who has created a push button motor starter to help rehabilitate amputees back into driving a vehicle. 

Click here for the Winter 2013 issue.

Past issues are also available from the Research department on the Unitec website.  

Friday, July 19, 2013

Endnote workshops

This workshop is 1½ hours long and looks at how to create a reference in Endnote, how to export from the Library databases and how to link it with MS Word. Staff will be able to create an Endnote library, export from the databases and link to MS Word

Title Endnote workshop
Dates and times see below
Duration 1 ½ hours
Venues Mt Albert Main Library training room or Waitakere library
Description/Overview A hands-on introduction to the latest version of Endnote, the software package which allows you to store and manage bibliographic references. It assists with creating bibliographies, making it a very useful tool for writing academic papers.
Target audience Staff and postgraduate students
Content Hands-on 1 to 1 ½ hour session looking at how to create a reference in Endnote, how to export from the Library databases and how to link it with MS Word.
Maximum attendees 14
Duration 1 ½ hours
Venue Mt Albert Main Library training room or Waitakere library
Facilitator/hosted by Contact Fran Skilton at Mt Albert and Adrian Jenkins at Waitakere
Contact phone 8154321 ext. 8094 (Fran) or 8154321 ext. 5111 (Adrian)
Contact email infolit@unitec.ac.nz
Dates/times available
Name Date Time Book here
Endnote workshop – Main library Friday 23 August 10.30am -12.00pm Click here to email the library
Endnote workshop – Main library Thursday 19 September 2.30pm - 4.00pm Click here to email the library
Endnote workshop – Waitakere library Monday 23 September 2.00 pm - 3.30pm Click here to email the library

Workshop: Successful literature searching

Title  Successful literature searching
Date and time Wednesday 28 August at 9.00am
Duration  1 hour
Venue  Main Library Mt Albert – Building 110 – Training Room
Description/Overview  An exploration of the different places to look for information and how to search more effectively. A reminder of how to manage and evaluate information.
Target audience  Students doing research or assignments that require literature reviews
Content  Managing information, keeping a log, search strategies, Library website navigation, types of databases, key words, reference lists, key authors, subject headings, truncation, terminology (synonyms).
Key learnings  Staff will be able to find appropriate information resources for their research
Facilitator/hosted by  Fran Skilton
Contact phone  8154321 ext. 8094
Contact email  infolit@unitec.ac.nz
please book via email Click here to email the library

Start strong this semester

Learn essential library, information, technical and study skills to help you succeed at Unitec:

Monday, July 15, 2013

Main Library audio-visual material moved to main collection

Looking for DVDs and videos at the Main Library in Mt Albert? 

These are now shelved in the general collection, ie with the books.  You will see them alongside books on the same topic.  Items will still be issued for 5 days.


You can see what DVDs we have, by searching LibrarySearch, then limiting to "DVD" on the left of your screen.

Our branch libraries will not be moving their collections at this stage.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Taming Information Workshop - 10 July 2013

Where there is writing there is research information.

Generally, information is organised in very ad hoc ways. This can pose difficulties with storing, retrieving and reusing the data we have gathered.   Information becomes personal to us so we must look after it and, at the same time, free ourselves up from information overload.

This workshop is designed for postgraduate students and staff who feel they are drowning in information data. It will explore the personal habits and practices of researchers.   The hands-on session presents a step-by-step approach to organising and retrieving information and provides useful tips for managing personal data more effectively.

The workshop will be facilitated by Donna Salmon from the Library and Nina Pelling from Maia Maori Support Centre.

Venue: Main Library Training Room
Date:  Wednesday 10 July 2013
Time: 9.30- 12.00

Please register by Friday 28 June by emailing  infolit@unitec.ac.nz

For more information please contact: Nina Pelling npelling@unitec.ac.nz or Donna Salmon dsalmon@unitec.ac.nz

Monday, June 10, 2013

Wishing you a Happy Matariki - Maori New Year!

Wishing you a Happy Matariki - Maori New Year! 
Nga mihi o Matariki, te tau hou Maori, ki a tatou katoa...

Matariki is the Maori name for the star cluster Pleiades (or The Seven Sisters). The rising of Matariki in June heralds the start of the traditional Maori New Year.

In celebration of Matariki, we have displays in our Main and Waitakere Libraries.

An electronic library guide to Matariki gives more information about the history of Matariki, as well as links to current Matariki events and resources.  See http://libguides.unitec.ac.nz/maorilanguageculture




Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Extended hours at Mt Albert

Mt Albert Main Library will be open extended hours over the study and exam week period, from Saturday 8 June to  Thursday 21 June
  • Monday - Thursday:  8am - 10pm
  • Friday : 8am - 7pm
  • Saturday and Sunday : 9am - 7pm

The other libraries’ hours and the Student Computer Centre hours are not being extended. Their hours will remain the same as during semester time.

See the library hours page for full details.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Assignment and exam help

Check out the following links for help doing your assignments and exams:

Contacts:
Please ask for help if you need it 

Friday, May 24, 2013

Samoan Language Week - Talofa Lava!

Talofa Lava! Samoan Language Week is 26 May - 1 June. The theme for 2013 is: 
Fafaga fanau i upu ma tala. Tautala i lau gagana.
Feed the children with words and stories. Speak your language.

During Samoan Language Week there will be library displays at the Mt Albert Campus Main Library and Waitakere Library. We will be highlighting our Samoan language and culture resources - come and have a look!

Display at Waitakere Library

Display at Main Library


Related links:
Pasifka Library Guide - Links to all the Pasifika related information in Unitec Library
Samoan Language Week Facebook page
Unitec Pacific Centre Facebook page
Unitec Pacific Centre web page

Monday, May 13, 2013

New Pacific Collection located in Waitakere Library

The Library recently launched a new  Pacific Collection.

This special reference collection is located on Level 3 of the Waitakere Library. The collection is specifically focused on Health and Social development as they are the main subjects taught at the Waitakere campus.  It contains books on Health, society, culture, identity, government reports and history of the Pacific Islands.   As this is a reference collection, lending copies are also available for most of the items in the General collection on Level 2 of the Waitakere library.

The launch of the Pacific collection on 3 April 2013 Librarians and staff from the Pacific Centre browsing the new Pacific Collection.
The launch of the Pacific collection on 3 April 2013. Librarians and staff from the Pacific Centre browsing the new Pacific Collection.

Thursday, May 09, 2013

Get Endnote X6 for your own computer or laptop

You can now install Endnote X6 on your own MAC or PC computer/laptop.  
 
Endnote X6 is the version currently held at Unitec.  To get your own copy of this, come into any Unitec library and ask at the desk.  Staff will  download the necessary files onto your flash stick, or you can take CD out on overnight loan to install it.

For information and help using Endnote X6, see our Endnote X6 Library Guide

 
Happy Referencing!

Monday, May 06, 2013

Increased mobile access to library resources

During the mid-semester break (on Friday 26th April ) we upgraded our LibrarySearch software (Primo) to provide better access to mobile users. LibrarySearch now automatically detects the size of your device's screen and if the size of the screen width is very narrow it will display a mobile view of LibrarySearch that is more suitable for a small screen size. The mobile view of LibrarySearch is a simpler view with only one search option which searches the catalogue only. This search covers books and ebooks as well as journal titles and other items on our shelves but does not include articles. 

To use the full version of LibrarySearch with all its options just turn your device on its side (horizontally) so the size of the screen width is increased. OR if you prefer the simpler mobile view even with a wider screen you can force this by clicking the "Mobile" link in the footer.

Please contact our electronic services team at libadmin@unitec.ac.nz if you have any questions or comments about this change.

Thursday, May 02, 2013

System outage


IMS system engineers will be carrying out PeopleSoft database maintenance on Saturday 4th May from 7.00am to 1.00pm. During this period a number of Unitec systems will be unavailable including the following library systems:

1. LibrarySearch login

You will not be able to login to LibrarySearch or Databases Multi-Search. This means that you will not be able to:
  • Check your library account online to see what you have on loan etc
  • Renew or request items online
  • Access your stored searches or lists of favourites
  • Search multiple databases at once
Alternative options

2. Library Text notices

Text notices will not be able to be sent to your mobile phone during this time, however email notices will still be able to be sent so please check your email if you are expecting a notice from the Library during this time.


We apologise for the inconvenience. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the IMS Help Desk on 8484 or email imssupport@unitec.ac.nz

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Promoting Unitec's research talent to the world

Latest developments

Unitec's Research Bank enables anyone in the world to access Unitec research. The Research Bank is an open access repository for Unitec research managed by the Library.  Below are some of our recent developments.

Names of authors and supervisors link to staff profiles

We recently added new functionality to link Research Bank authors to the author’s staff profile in the Unitec Staff Directory. For example see this record in Research Bank, if you click 'view profile' next to the authors name you will go to their profile in the Staff Directory. We also have have links to the research supervisor's profiles, for example see supervisor link in this record.

Google Scholar links to Unitec's Research Bank

Research Bank items are discoverable via Google Scholar. For example, see this google scholar search and note the 'researchbank.ac.nz' link to right of the 'Garden city' title in the list of results takes you to the full-text item within Research Bank, while the title links to the entry record. Research Bank items are also able to be accessed via NZResearch.org and other global Institutional Research Repository (IRR) aggregators such as OpenDOAR and Scirus.

Usage of Research Bank in 2012

Below is an update on the usage of Research Bank in 2012 with comparisons to past years. 

Top web browsers

There has been a notable increase in the use of Chrome which now outstrips Firefox! The top 5 web browsers used by Research Bank visitors* in 2012 were:
Internet Explorer - 34%
Chrome - 27%
Firefox - 25%
Safari - 12%
Opera Mini - 0.68%

 

Visits and downloads


We had 33,465 visits* to the Unitec Research Bank in 2012 (blue line) compared to 24,148 in 2011 (orange line), which is an increase of 30%. Only 19.74% were returning visitors*, which is substantially less than Unitec Library’s other web services. The institutional research repositories (IRR) of AUT, Otago and Waikato University also have a much higher percentage of visitors who are new compared to those who are returning.

As can be seen from the table below, from 2011 to 2012 the number of file downloads almost doubled and page views have also increased substantially. The 3 authors most downloaded were: Jenny Ritchie (20,691), Sven Damm (8,599) and Ken Blaiklock (7,673).


year
file downloads
item page views
2012
144,473
56,139
2011
73,339
40,178
2010
17,826
16,456
All dates
252,136
119,201
 
Top 3 items viewed
Top 3 items downloaded
2,143
8,629
1,567
6,753
1,015
4,604

Search behaviour


Infographic of top 50 words entered into Research Bank search box

Items contributed to Research Bank


We now have a total of 803 items in Research Bank. We added 243 items in 2012, which is a slight increase on the 237 items added in 2011.

The top 10 contributors to Research Bank since its inception are:

•  Papoutsaki, Evangelia (22)         •  Blaiklock, Ken (12)
•  Ritchie, Jenny (20)                     •  Potangaroa, Regan (12)
•  Cass, Philip (18)                        •  Roy, Dianne (9)
•  Fernando, Achela (15)               •  Woodruffe, Paul (9)
•  Fitzgerald, Tanya (14)                •  Cardno, Carol (8)

More information



Please note:

* the information in this report is mainly from statistical data provided by the Research Bank system. However, some was sourced from Google Analytics and this has been marked with an asterisk .

** Research Bank is open to the public and is not the same system as ROMS which is an internal system for managing Unitec research outputs. Research Bank staff in the Library and ROMS staff in the Research Office work together to avoid duplication of effort.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Library and Computer Centre Update

An update on developments in the Library and Student Computer Centre over the past 6 months.

Te Noho Kotahitanga and Matauranga Maori

  • Jade Peterson and Jeanne Reihana from the Library attended the 5am karakia (blessing) for the new Wharekai, Whare Manaaki on 30/11/12 and were kaimahi (workers) for the celebratory breakfast.
  • Waitakere Campus Library hosted Mereana Taungapeau (Alexander Turnbull Library) who explained how to access Maori music material through the Turnbull archives. 
  • Beautiful posters promote awareness of the five TNK principles in all our Libraries.
  • Maori subject headings continue to be added to bibliographic records. 
Te Noho Kotahitanga posters at the Main Library

Innovation in Teaching and Learning


New Information Literacy framework and rubric
Information literacy (knowing how to deal with information in all its forms) is a vital academic literacy, a central part of the Living Curriculum and key to success in the workplace. Our new framework and information literacy rubric enables lecturers to easily map the information skills their students already have and develop a plan with their liaison librarian.

Making spaces for informal learning
We removed the tall tables outside the Student Computer Centre in the hub and created a small "wireless lounge" from "found furniture". This has been well used by students for conversation and informal learning and we hope to create more of these spaces.

Promoting Unitec's research talent
New functionality in Unitec's Research Bank now links the names of research authors and supervisors to their staff profile in the Unitec Staff Directory. From 2011 to 2012 the number of file downloads from Unitec's Research Bank almost doubled and page views have also increased substantially. The most downloaded authors were: Jenny Ritchie (20,691), Sven Damm (8,599) and Ken Blaiklock (7,673). More details.

YouTube
Unitec Library joined YouTube on 15 July 2009. We have had 15,511 views since inception. In 2012 usage almost doubled with a total of 7,809 views recorded compared to 4,163 views in 2011. We have uploaded 47 videos. Here is an example of  one:
 
Our top 10 videos for the past year:

We have been converting our Flash based tutorials into YouTube versions so they are more portable and accessible via a larger range of devices. 

 

Enhancing the student experience


More roving support
In addition to our student rovers at the Main Library we now have a rover at the Northern Campus Library and Learning Commons.

Website improvements
We redesigned our website homepage in response to user surveys and testing. We have also made the site more accessible via mobile devices. 

Quiet study area
In the Library Client Survey and Student Satisfaction Survey students mentioned they could not find a quiet place to study. As a first response to this we have more clearly defined the quiet and silent study areas within the Main Library with bright branded signage. We have also moved some shelves to create more quiet study areas

Supporting student success
(by going outside the Library)
  • As part of the 'first six weeks' project, a team of librarians maintained a presence in the Hub to promote the Library's 'Live help' online chat service, the Facebook page and library services in general. As a result of that our Facebook and Live help are buzzing.
  • We regularly 'take the Library' to Maia and Pacific Centre, and make similar visits to international students and BBUS students. This is all about embedding ourselves into the student journey.
  • Librarians have been collaborating with lecturers to teach students about such things as: creating a search strategy, evaluating what they find on the internet and how to be academically honest.
Students enjoying our 'Facebook friends' promotion in the Hub

 

Meeting the needs of the community

We presented at the following external events:
  • LIANZA 'Ipukarea' Conference in Palmerston North (25/11/12) - Adrian Jenkins gave a 'lightning session' presentation on his Masters research into the value of verbal praise and recognition.
  • AASWWE 2012 Symposium Celebrating Diversity in Adelaide (27/11/12) - Lydia and Te Pora gave an oral presentation about navigating the challenges to inclusivity.


Improving access to resources

  • We enhanced access to the Pasifika material in the collection by retrospectively adding a local heading, 'Pasifika', to this material. 
  • In the past 6 months another 77  print journal subscriptions were moved from print to online. This continues the move to electronic resources, giving greater access and flexibility for study for students and staff.

 

Being an excellent business


Records Management
The Library has improved its records management in line with Unitec policy and NZ law. We are now aware of which records we must retain and how to document records disposal. Last year we reduced our top tier of folders on the staff file server (H drive) from 101 to 6. We are happy to share our record management learnings with others.
Defibrillator in Main Library

Health and Safety
Our newest wall ornaments in both the Main Library and B1 Library are heartsaver defibrillators which can 'bring people back to life' in the event of a heart attack. Many staff have attended training. Waitakere Joint Library also has a defibrillator on level 1.

Supporting Environmental Sustainability Teaching
A new Library Guide for Sustainable Technologies was produced in response to a need expressed by faculty who are 'greening' our
curriculum in line with Unitec's Environmental Sustainability Strategy.

Professional Development
We held a 'Summer Festival of Professional Development' in December to stay up-to-date and equip us to better support our  customers. Session topics ranged from 'MS Office' and 'APA Referencing' insights to the 'Creative Commons' and 'Google's filter bubble'.

Communication and knowledge sharing
Library staff presented a number of sessions at Unitec symposiums and kick-offs including: Opening the Door to Open Access, Free your conscience: Finding and using images legally, Meet me in the Cloud (about Google Hangouts & Skype) and Weaving the web and the weft: Starting the research journey (a collaboration with Dr Jo Howse).

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Library hours for Easter break

Over the Easter break the Unitec libraries will be open at times different from their regular hours. Check the details below or see the library hours page.

Good  
Friday
 29 March 
Easter 
Saturday
30 March
Easter
Sunday
 31 March 
Easter
Monday
1 April
Easter
Tuesday
2 April
Main Library
Mt Albert
Closed 9am - 4.30pm Closed  9am - 4.30pm   9am - 9pm 
Student
Computer
Centre
Closed 9am - 4.30pm Closed Closed  9am - 9pm
Building 1
Library
Closed 9am - 4.30pm Closed Closed Closed
Waitakere
Library
Closed  10am - 4.00pm  Closed Closed 8am - 8pm
Te Puna Ora
 o Waitakere
Closed
North Shore
Library and
Learning Centre
Closed

Turnitin for Students

Turnitin is an online tool that you use to check your assignments for originality. Your teacher may ask you to use Turnitin with a class enrolment ID. To do this you must first get the class enrolment ID and password from your teacher, and then create a Turnitin account. How to access turnitin to check your assignment for originality.

If you do not have a class enrolment ID and password from your teacher or you do have specific class access but wish to check a draft before final is submitted you can use the Library's draft dropbox on Turnitin to check your work prior to submission as follows:
1. Contact the Library (libinfo@unitec.ac.nz) and get the Library class ID and password,
2. Create an account at www.turnitin.com, or if you have an account with Turnitin already, enrol in the 'Draft Dropbox' class.

For more help with Turnitin, check out the student quick startguide or the Turnitin student tutorials online, or contact libinfo@unitec.ac.nz