TAFE NSW Hunter Institute

Frequently asked questions..................
                 ....... and some really useful answers!

 Option 1 - Links to websites

• Select TAFE Studylinks button in the library website menu.
• Click on the Occupational Health and Safety link. This will lead you to a number of links to online sites relevant to OH&S.

 Option 2 - Use the TAFE Catalogue to locate books in your library

• Click on the TAFE Catalogue link in the menu (left hand side)
• Select your Campus Library from the drop down box, and click on Go to Catalogue.
• The Quick Search box allows you to perform a keyword search, or use the drop-down menu to select a Subject search. Subjects such as Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Health Services, Industrial Safety or Ergonomics could be used.
• Most OH&S resources are located in the 363 number section of the library.
• Need assistance searching the catalogue? Refer to the User Guide on the Handouts and Guides page.
  
  

The Australian Standards and Building Code websites are available via the Hunter Institute Library website. Go to the Databases and eBooks page.

 Australian Standards

• On the Databases page, select Standards Australia Online from the Quick Links list.
• Login to the database using the ID and password. These can be obtained from your Campus Library, or by using the Password Request Form.
• Standards are available in full. Staff and students can print off one full copy of any standard.
• The Hunter Institute is limited to 2 users at a time, so when finished, please ensure you click on the Logoff button, thus releasing Standards viewing for the next user.
• Need assistance in locating the Standard you require. Refer to the User Guide

 Building Code of Australia

• On the Databases page, select Building Code from the Quick Links list.
• Passwords are required, and can be obtained from your Campus Library, or by using the Password Request Form.
• The Building Code is searchable in full, however, only individual sections may be printed.
• Logoff when finished.
• For assistance with searching, contact your Campus Library.
  

 Newspapers are provided in several formats across Institute libraries.

• Campus libraries hold several months of newspapers, so recent copies can be searched for current articles.
• All campus libraries provide access to online databases which provide subject searching across a range of Australian and International newspapers and magazines. These are ANZRC (Australia and New Zealand Reference Centre), APAFT (Australian Public Affairs Full Text) and General OneFile.
• Go to the Databases and eBooks page, and select the database you require from the Quick Links list.
• Need assistance in searching the databases? Refer to the User Guides on the Handouts and Guides page.
• Most newspapers have internet sites, where full-text articles may be freely available (sometimes only for the current month). Accessing older articles (archives) may require a subscription or payment per article.
  For example - The Sydney Morning Herald at www.smh.com.au
• Some specialist websites are available, such as Google News Australia, which allows users to search for news stories from the last 30 days. You'll find this on the web at: http://news.google.com.au
• If you have any questions about access to newspaper articles, contact your Campus Library for advice and assistance.

 TAFE Studylinks

• Libraries from across TAFE NSW have combined to produce a website offering a directory of links useful to TAFE subjects and faculties, together with links to search engines.
• Access at http://www.tafensw.edu.au/library/studylinks, or click on the link in the library menu bar.
• Click on Internet Search. Here you'll find links to quality search engines and search directories (subject lists) available on the net, as well as a Google search box.
• Remember, search strategies are very important, so if you want to brush up on your search techniques, contact your Campus Librarian, or refer to the Research Skills section of this website.

 Successful searching depends on several factors:

• Determine what source is most likely to contain your information. Newspaper? Book? Website?
• Work our your KEY search words and their variants.
• Use these to search the library catalogue, Internet or database you believe is best for your topic.

 Of course, you need to know how to search:

• Make sure you understand how to search by phrase and keyword, and how to limit results to a more useable subset.
• It's wise to use the help facility on databases or search engines to see what options are available, and get the best out of searching.
• The Campus Library has handouts on it's databases and catalogue to assist you. Handouts are also available on the Handouts and Guides section of the website.

Information is the key to successful searching, together with confidence in using different products and search strategies.

 How can I improve in these areas?

• Use your Campus Librarian as a resource in understanding and deciding which databases will be useful to you.
• Access the Research Skills CD at your local TAFE Library - work your way through the modules to improve your search strategies and skills.

 Instructions for referencing using the Harvard Reference System are available from the Referencing section of our website.

Guidelines, activities and examples of Referencing can also be found in the Research Skills modules on CD - available from your local TAFE Library.

 Welcome to the library without walls

• Not only can you access the library catalogue and online databases off campus, you can also receive support from library staff without coming into the library.

• Library staff can:

  • Provide factual information
  • Provide information about library resources or services
  • Advise you about searching databases or the Internet
  • Help you get started with assignments and information when you don't know where to start
  • Help you with citing references and writing a bibliography for assignments.
• Phone (or fax) your Campus Library if you need assistance. You'll find library contact details in the Campus Libraries section.

 Ask a Librarian Service

Click on the Ask a Librarian section of the library website. Here you will find a range of request forms which you can email to us.

• Ask a Librarian - Reference Request - an email reference service to assist you in finding information for your TAFE work.
• Database Passwords Request - Use this form to request a copy of the passwords required to access the Hunter Institute Online Databases and eBooks.
• Hold Request - Use this form to place a hold on items at your home library.
• Inter-Library Loan Request - This form can be used to request course related items from other TAFE libraries. Items can only be requested if they are not held at your home library.
• Library PIN Request - Use your Library PIN (Personal Identification Number) to login to view your user account and renew loans on the TAFE Library Catalogue website.
• Library Purchase Request - Use this form to request items that you would like your home library to consider for purchase.

 Online Resources

• First check out the databases available to your class on the Databases and eBooks section of the library website.
• If you need assistance in determining the most suitable database for your teaching area and students, contact any Campus Library.
• The TAFE Studylinks page, accessed via the link in the menu to the left, can be a useful starting point for Internet research. The subject links on this site have been selected by TAFE NSW library staff for their authenticity, quality and relevance.

 Then..........

• arrange for your class to have a library training session to learn how to use the library catalogue, databases and/or use the Internet for research.
• This can be done prior to setting the assignment, or the session can be tailored to the specific topics of your assignment. If time permits, more than one session may be appropriate.

 But..........

• If your subject is being delivered in a mode that doesn't permit a library visit, library staff can provide assistance by phone or email using the Ask a Librarian service available from the library website.
• Your students can also access the Research Skills modules on the library website. These modules include activities to help them improve their search strategies and skills.

 eResources

eResources is a Hunter Institute website which allows you to publish material online, for your students to access, on campus, or externally, if you wish. 

Use the link in the Online Services section of our website, or go to http://eresources.tafensw.edu.au

• You can upload class notes, timetables, readings, URL lists, media such as videos & sound files, images, animations, Flash files etc. 

Staff simply need to fill in an upload form, attach the data they wish to make available, and submit this for approval by the click of a button. The whole process is quick and relatively uncomplicated.

A resource ID number will be forwarded to you for accessing the resource immediately.

The resource can be accessed by ID number, title, author or subject keywords after approval (24 hours on weekdays).

• Refer to the eResources Training Manual for instructions. 

 Online Resources

• A good place to start is the Education page of the TAFE Studylinks website. Access TAFE Studylinks using the link in the library menu, or direct at http://www.tafensw.edu.au/library/studylinks.
• The Education page provides links to a range of websites including:
• VOCED - a database of research in vocational education
• EdNA Online - Australia's gateway to resources and services for education and training
• ERIC - Educational Resources Information Centre, provided by the US Department of Education.

 Libraries

• Check out the TAFE NSW Library Catalogue (TAFEcat).
  Refer to the Handouts and Guides section of the website for Catalogue User Guides.
• Library staff can arrange inter-library loans for resources not located at your home library. Request from your home library in person, by telephone or by using the Online Inter-Library Loan request form.
• Under the Reciprocal Borrowing scheme, Hunter Institute staff and students can borrow from University of Newcastle libraries.
• For more information, refer to the Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement, or contact your TAFE Library.
• You can access the University of Newcastle library catalogue (Newcat) at http://library.newcastle.edu.au

NB - Hunter Institute staff and students are entitled to use their TAFEcard to borrow from Ourimbah Campus Library.