Library Quick Tips

• Find a book
• Find a journal article
• Find a newspaper article
• Find a map
• Find a job posting!
• Get a library card
• Recall a book
• Renew a book
• Request from another library
• Write a research paper
• Book a study room
• Do email and internet research

Book a study room

There are 8 great study rooms available for your use in the library. Bookings are limited to 2 hour/day per person/group during the term, and 4 hours in summer.

1. Go to circulation desk and ask for a booking (either right away, or when a room is free). Staff will write your name and study topic in the log book.
2. At your scheduled time, go to the front desk and give staff your library card - you can also ask for a marker pen
3. When your booking is over, come back to the desk and retrieve your library card - also return marker pen

Find a book

1. Go to library home page and click on the button to find books, media
2. Enter word(s) in search box and hit Enter
3. Write down call numbers (e.g. QA 276.5 .C3) and locations (e.g. "Stacks" is the main collection, "Movies" is a separate collection)
4. Find books on shelf

 read more about searching the catalogue

 

Find a journal article

1. Go to library Journals page
2. Choose a journal index (if in doubt, start with "Academic")
3. Click to connect (this may take a few extra screens)
4. Enter word(s) in search box and click on Search
5. View results - you can print, save, or email them

read more about using journal indexes

Find a newspaper article

The Library has a terrific handout on this called "Finding Newspaper Articles."  It describes the best places to search for different kinds of newspaper stories (current, Canadian, historical, etc.).  Pick up a copy of the handout in print in the library, or click here to view it online.

Find a map

Go to MapQuest or Google Maps and search by country, city, etc.
- or -
If you need more detailed maps (aerial, topographic, etc.) go to Library Web Subject Sites-Geography section
- or -
Visit the library and consult an Atlas

Find a job posting

1. Go to the library's Web Subject Sites menu
2. Pull down the menu at the top, and click on Careers
3. Click on the Job Bank, or go to the section on Newspaper job ads ("Wanted Jobs" is especially good)...

Renew a book

If you need a book for a longer time, you can ask us to renew it for you - or do it yourself online!

1. Go to library home page and on the button for finding
2. Once you are in the catalogue, click on the MY ACCOUNT button at the top
3. Click on RENEW MY MATERIALS
4. Enter your User ID (14-digit library card number) and PIN number (4-digit number given to you when you got your library card - call us if you forgot it)
5. Select the items you wish to renew by clickong on the relevant box - or you may select all of them
6. Click on RENEW SELECTED ITEMS
7. Click on the SEARCH/HOME button at the top of the page to return to the Library catalogue search box
8. Remember to LOGOUT if you are on a public station

Limits : you can have up to 2 renewals on regular items (if nobody else has asked for them); there are no renewals on reserve items

Recall (put a "hold" on a book that's out to someone else)

In the Catalogue , if you notice that an item is checked out to someone else (a due date appears at the bottom of the screen when you "view" the entry), you can ask to put a hold on it.  When the item is returned, you will be phoned and it will be held for you at the circulation desk.
1. While you are "viewing" the entry, click on the light blue PLACE HOLD button and follow instructions to place a hold
2. You'll be asked to enter your User ID (14-digit library card number) and PIN number (4-digit number given to you when you got your library card - call us if you forgot it)

Request from another library

If we don't have a book or journal article or video that you want, we can get it for you on "interlibrary loan."
1. Ask for an Interlibrary Loan Form, and fill it out (include details about yourself and the item)
2. Give it to a staff member
3. When the item comes in, you will be phoned for pick-up.  Book loans are usually for two weeks. Journal articles are yours to keep (there is a charge of 10 cents/page, minimum $1 per article)

find out more about the Interlibrary Loan Service

 

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Write a research paper

The library has a great handout on this - it's called "The 10 Steps of Preparing a Research Paper." Pick up a print copy in the library, or click here  to view it online. If you need help, don't hesitate to ask a librarian - we're here to help you do research and give you advice on bibliographies and references.

To cite references in your paper

Get a library card

 

Library cards are free to people age 16 and over, living in the College  region. To get a card, just present photo ID and proof of address at the circulation desk. For student privileges, you need to also show your CNC ID card or registration slip

  Read more about library cards

  

Do E-mail and Internet research

 

Library staff can help you get started with E-mail and Internet research. We also have handouts available, in print, or online (click here to view them)