Start strong this semester

Learn essential computer and study skills to help you succeed at Unitec:

Study skills, academic writing and referencing

• Academic study skills and maths workshops (click here to book - for APA referencing workshops click on "rev up your writing...')
  
• Workshops for postgraduates (click here to book - for workshops on Endnote, Zotero and Databases click on the 'locate appropriate info and keep records...)
  

Computer / IT skills

• IMS (Unitec computers) Quickstart Guide: You can do this online in your own time
  Note: For free Microsoft Office training see FREE4U computing. 
• For free computer orientation workshops, visit the IMS Help Desk team in 112-1001 (adjacent to the Library) 
• Moodle help
• Printing and copying help
• For learning about referencing software and searching library databases see under 'study skills'

Free books! Bring your own carry bag!

Unitec Library welcomes you to a new academic year by offering thousands of free books!

These library books are no longer required by the library so they are being given away free. They cover all subjects taught at Unitec.  You can take as many as you want.

When:  22 Feb to 11 March 2016
Time:  10am to 4pm
Place: In Hub, beside the gold lecture theatre, down the stairs opposite the coffee cart.

HINT: Bring your own bags to carry the books. 

Unitec Waitakere Library Evaluation Report

The Unitec Waitakere Library Evaluation aims to find out how students feel about Waitakere Library’s new layout and facilities. It was conducted between 21 Oct - 5 Nov 2015 and a total of 239 students who were studying at Waitakere campus completed the survey. Library staff are addressing the issues raised by students. For example, a water cooler has already been installed.

Summary of the survey result:

1. Highly positive student feedback on the Waitakere Library:
   • Group study rooms are the most frequently used space in the library and are well received by students.
   • The Waitakere Library received high ratings on the convenient location, good librarian support and collaborative space for students.
   • Students are happy with the facilities, layout and the book collections available in the library.


2. Family-friendly study rooms are useful but need to be well soundproofed:
   • 36% of the respondents felt it is important to be able to bring their children with them when study in the library.
   • Other users’ concerns about having family-friendly study rooms are centred on noise control.


3. There is room for improvement:
   • Library users would like more quiet and private space to study.
     • Noise level is the main concern of many respondents.
     • More individual and group study space/rooms are needed.
   • More desktop computers for students to use and more laptops with longer loan time.
   • Temperature in the library can be better controlled and a water cooler can be added.
   • Longer opening hours on the weekends, especially around exam period.
   • A few respondents mentioned their concerns about safety.
     • Some unfriendly characters around the library.
     • Having security guards would improve the level of safety.

The results of the survey are in the document 2015 Waitakere Library Evaluation.

We welcome your feedback. To make a comment or suggestion use our Feedback form or contact us by email.

New study room booking system goes live

The library launched its new study room booking system on 30 November.  Try it now!  You can also find the link on the library homepage (Book a Group Study Room under the heading of Popular Resources).

New features:

1. More user friendly and easier to use from your mobile phone.
2. Consistent with library opening hours.
3. Easy to cancel the booking through your confirmation email.

Follow these instructions to book a study room.

1. Click one of the links below to select the location of your booking.
• Mt Albert Hub Library
• Mt Albert Building 1
• Waitākere
• Language Learning Centre
2. Select the date of your booking using the calendar in the left column.
3. Select green slots in the time table: Green=Available; Yellow=Selected; Red=Occupied.
4. Click "Continue" at the bottom, and then click "Submit Time Slots".
5. Sign in with your full @myunitec.ac.nz email address and your usual Unitec password.
6. Fill in the form.
7. Click "Submit my Booking"

For more instructions, check our New Room Booking System Instructions for Students.

For any queries, please contact us:
Email: library@unitec.ac.nz
Phone: (09) 815 4185 or (09) 815 4321 ext. 8625

Library closures over next two weeks

Over the next few weeks libraries will be CLOSED at the following dates and times:

• Monday 30 November – Waitakere and Building 1 libraries closed in the morning and opening at 12.30pm.
• Wednesday 2 December – Waitakere and Building 1 libraries closed from 12.30 to 2.30pm.
• Thursday 3 December – All libraries closed all day
• Thursday 10 December – All libraries closed all day

Also Northern Campus Library CLOSES for the summer break from 28th November but the Northern Campus Learning Commons will remain open.

All other Unitec Libraries will be changing to shorter summer hours from Saturday 28 November.

See details on the Library hours web page. 

Library website survey results for 2015

A recent survey of the library website and LibrarySearch shows increased task completion (88% compared to 78% in 2014) and satisfaction rates (an average of 7.4 (out of 10) compared to 6.9 in 2014).  

Comments included that the site was easy to use and had the information and services needed including peer reviewed articles, referencing guides, study room bookings and live help. 

See summary of the survey results

New study room booking system launching soon

In December, the new booking system is being rolled out across all Unitec libraries.  Students and staff will be able to book a study room while sitting in the bus on the way to Unitec as the new system is mobile friendly.

Emails of booking confirmations are sent to the Office 365 mail portal.  This email includes an attachment which allows you to put the booking into your own Outlook calender, as well as a link to allow you to cancel your booking if necessary. 

Find the latest update of the new study room booking system.