19 November 2024

Got questions about the library? We’ve got answers!

While at Deakin, the library is one of your most necessary resources for succeeding and getting the most out of your studies.

With all the services and support the library offers, it can be a lot to take in, so we’ve put together this handy guide to cover the most common questions asked about using the Deakin Library.

Using the Deakin Library

How do I become a library member and does it cost anything?

As a Deakin student, you are automatically a member of the library and you can use it and its resources for free.

Do I need a library card?

Your Deakin Card (student ID card) is also your library card. You can order one online or drop into campus to pick one up any time after you have enrolled but it’s a good idea to arrange it as early as possible.

If visiting the library on campus, you can download the Deakin Borrow app and log in by scanning the barcode of your Deakin Card. This will let you borrow items from your phone using the camera function. Alternatively, scan your Deakin Card at the self-checkout machines to borrow items.
If you’re an online student, you can log into the library website and request items online or by post with just your student details. However, you may still need or want to request a Deakin Card to attend any supervised exams or to use printers or the library if visiting a campus.

Accessing course readings

How do I find my booklist of prescribed texts and recommended readings?

You can view information about your prescribed texts and recommended readings for a course from one week before your study period starts. There are a few ways to find your reading lists via the library.

Go to the ‘Find textbooks’ webpage. If you want to quickly see if the prescribed and recommended textbooks are live for your course, search for your unit code on the ‘Find textbooks’ page. You can find this page on the library homepage and under the Skills for Study menu. Even if there are textbooks listed on the ‘Find textbooks’ page, we recommend checking your reading list for extra details as there may be required and/or recommended reading from a range of sources each week. If your prescribed textbook is only available in print or as a limited e-book license, your reading list might also contain at least one digitised chapter from this book.
Access your unit reading list. Your full reading list is available in Talis and will usually include a wide range of resources such as articles, videos, web pages and readings. You can find your full reading list by following the ‘Access unit readings’ link on the library homepage. View the instructions on accessing your reading list.

If you cannot find a reading list, check your CloudDeakin unit sites or ask your unit chair. We have created a comprehensive FAQ about accessing readings.

Borrowing from the library

How many books can I borrow at once?

You can find out how many library items you can borrow, and for how long, by checking out our ‘Borrowing from Deakin’ page.

How many times can you renew a book loan?

We have automatic renewals on books. However, your loan will only renew if nobody else has put a hold on it. You are guaranteed the loan for the first loan period and then it will depend on the demand of the book. The best way to keep track of when your books are due is by visiting the View my loans and holds page.

What happens if my books are overdue?

We know you might forget to return a borrowed item on time, but it’s important to be mindful that others may want that item, too. We no longer charge overdue fees, but if you do not return the item by the due date we may stop you from being able to borrow other books and accessing other resources.

E-books and digital resources

Can I access books online rather than borrowing a physical copy and how do I know if a book is a physical copy or an e-book?

The library gets access to e-books through a range of providers and some of them have different rules for downloading and access limitations. When you find an item in the library search, you can see what kind of resource it is underneath the title and thumbnail. It will indicate how to access the book (see image below). You can also search specifically for e-books by selecting ‘e-book’ in the library search filters.

Alternatively, you can go directly to one of our e-book databases. Here are some of our largest offerings:

A few important things to remember when borrowing e-books are:

Information on printing limits can be found within the record for an individual e-book. To protect copyright, most e-book publishers will limit how much you can print or download a title.
Some e-books can be downloaded and read offline. E-book downloads usually have a defined borrow period, which differs depending on the book. After that period expires, the book will not be accessible and you will need to download it again to read offline.
Creating a loan for an e-book does not count against your borrowing limits.

You can get more help and information by contacting a librarian via Library Chat or on our Help and Contact webpage.

Originally published on Article, the Deakin Library blog.