Library Services

Thursday, 05 November 2020

ECU is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and acting on the latest advice of the Australian Government and health authorities.

To ensure the health and wellbeing of our staff and students we’ve moved a number of our services online. Our face to face service continues, with some changes.

We’re expanding our digital services to make sure we are supporting our students at this time, and encourage you to contact us with any queries, including for assistance using our wide range of online resources.

You can also see ECU's COVID-19 Information for students page.

General enquiry services and customer support

• Contact Library staff by phone or email between 8:30am-5:00pm weekdays and 10:00am-5:00pm weekends during semester
• Phone: (61) 8 6304 5525
• Email: library@ecu.edu.au

Campus Library buildings

During April and May access to Campus Libraries and services were available with some restrictions.

From 1 June we reintroduced access to all usual Library areas:

• JO31 Levels 1-4
• ML8 Levels 1-4 and Curiosity Studio
• BU3 Campus Library space

Access is restricted to ECU staff and students only at this time.

See the Opening hours page for Library opening hours. This page is updated with semester, inter semester break and Orientation Library opening hours.

The eLabs on all campuses returned to 24 hour access from 15 June. Remember to bring your swipe card for after hours access. You can see IT counter service times and find more information at the Support and advice web page.

Loans of books and laptops are available. There's more information about loan laptops at ECU's FAQ page.

Please help us to keep our Library spaces open by maintaining 1.5 metres space between you and other people, and washing or sanitising your hands frequently.

How can I contact a Librarian?

• The Library offers a range of workshop options
• If you need help with research, referencing or EndNote, book a 15 minute online appointment with a Librarian
• Email library@ecu.edu.au if you have a specific query or need an appointment longer than 15 minutes

Changes to Research Services

• Research Services offer workshops online and on campus in semester two

Borrowing and access to collections

• Search for electronic resources via Worldsearch – use the tips sheet
• View the tips sheet on how to find journal articles
• Search the ECU A-Z list of databases for journal articles
• Use the Library Guides to find quality information for your studies
• We are still using the after hours chutes for returns (except laptops) and we expect students to return items when they are due as normal, if possible. If you’re unable to, contact the Library to discuss options. Laptops and dongles are being automatically renewed at this time so for return dates regarding those items please continue monitoring your student email.
• The Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery Service is still available for eligible students and staff, however please note that some loans may not be available as some libraries around Australia and internationally have closed access to their collections at this time.

Expanded resources

A number of vendors and publishers is providing expanded access to resources to further support online teaching, learning and research during this time. These have been compiled in a Library Guide which is being regularly updated:

• Expanded resource access during COVID-19 Library Guide

Resources for students learning to study remotely

If you haven’t studied off campus before, this is a good opportunity to build your skills in online learning.

• A useful place to start is Digital Essentials on the ECU Library website.

Moving components of your study to an online mode means you’ll be spending a lot of time in Blackboard and using Teams to collaborate with your peers and teaching staff. We’ve compiled some video resources to help you get comfortable with ECU’s learning technologies.

• A video on preparing for online learning at ECU – this covers how to access learning materials and using collaborative study tools such as Blackboard Collaborate and Microsoft Teams..
• The sections we’ve selected from this LinkedIn Learning course on Microsoft Teams will walk you through using Teams to learn online and collaborate for group assignments.
• View an introductory video on using Zoom software to study online.

Don’t go it alone!

• Virtual Peer Support for online learning (VEEPS) - phone, live chat and face to face service for when you need to know what to do, or where to click, to solve your online learning issues. VEEPS assist with your use of learning technologies.

Additional online Library resources

The Library website is packed full of resources, so we’ve pulled out some to help you get started.

• The Referencing Library Guide is your one-stop-shop for all referencing queries related to APA referencing, and other referencing styles used at ECU.
• Study Essentials features four separate guides which cover Library services, digital technologies used at ECU, managing your online identity, finding the best information for your assignments and more. These are great for new students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Access hundreds of professional video courses simply by going to ‘LinkedIn Learning’ under ‘easy logins’ in the student portal.