Podcasts @ Your Library - Entire Library Tour

The Library is a wonderful, inviting learning space, and we want you to feel especially welcome here, so our aim is to introduce you to the layout of the library, and the collections and many support services available to you.

Of course, it is people who make a place special and the Library is no exception – Murdoch University Library staff are extremely friendly and approachable, and ready to help you with any query or problem you may have.

This tour will take approximately 40mins and begins in front of the main doors of the Library.

You will hear music playing when the tour on a particular floor has finished or it is time to move to another location – you should pause your audio player at this point and move to the new location – when you are ready you can begin the tour again.

If you are not outside the front doors of the Library, pause the tour now and make your way there.

Let’s begin our tour now. In front of you are the entrance and exit doors to the Library. During teaching time the Library is open every day of the week. For our complete opening hours please visit the Library’s website at wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au.

Before you enter notice the after-hours Book Returns chute on the wall to the left of the front doors.

Now walk inside and stop just past the Library gates. The Library building has two wings, the North Wing and the South Wing. There are three floors in the North Wing and four floors in the South Wing – you are now on Learning Common North Wing Level 3.

Turn to your left and walk towards the wood panelled walls - notice the striking artworks on the wall space to your right. The Library is full of wonderful pieces of art so do take time to stop and appreciate them.

Walk into the small breakout area and you will see the Café outlet – this is a great place to indulge in a hot coffee and something to eat while overlooking bush court. Please note that in other areas of the Library you are welcome to bring bottled water.

Now walk back out of the café noting the plasma screen on the panelled wall near the windows. You will see another two of these screens in the Library – watch these screens for all sorts of announcements and news updates – find out about events in the Learning Common; the Library and the University. The screens will also display available free space on computers throughout the Learning Common. Except in the Café where the sound is on, you can listen to the audio on your MP3 player.

As you reach the main Library gates turn to your left, and walk towards the gates labeled Reserve. Walk into the Reserve area. Reserve is a quiet area which provides access to high demand material (both print and electronic) recommended by your lecturers. Materials on the shelves here may be used within the Reserve area, borrowed for 2 hours during the day, or borrowed overnight. Reserve materials that are electronically available make up the Electronic Course Materials Service, or ECMS as it is frequently called. This service provides access to electronic copies of journal articles, book chapters and other related material. All Reserve materials can be found listed in the Library’s catalogue. In the far left corner of Reserve you will find a DVD and Video viewing room and a photocopy room – there are also tables and chairs along the window side.

Walk out of Reserve and on your immediate left is the main Returns Desk, and Returns chutes for items you have borrowed and are returning to the Library. During opening hours Reserve books in particular should be returned to the staff at the Returns Desk. Items which are overdue attract penalty points, so it is important to return all your books on time – this is especially important with Reserve items which can quickly accrue penalty points if overdue.

On your right is the Enquiry and Lending Services staff work area.

Walk round past the Returns Desk to the yellow Loans and Enquiry Desk. The staff here will be happy to answer any general questions you may have, including those about your loans.

Information about borrowing materials from the library, including what you can borrow and how many items you can borrow, can be found on the library’s website. You can also renew your books (that is extend their due date) and recall books already on loan – you can do all of this online through “MyLibrary”, so ask the desk staff to show you how to do this, or if you need any help. Please be aware that we will communicate with you by email so it is important to check your email regularly for Library notices.

Opposite the Enquiry and Loans desk is comfortable seating where you can sit and relax, or browse through one of the many new books on display near the windows. Let’s stop here for a few minutes – if you can find a spot you might even like to try out the comfortable seats!

As we mentioned earlier, the floor you are on is Learning Common NW Level 3.

The Learning Common (LC) is a new and unique learning facility that will give you access to a "one-stop-shop" service of dedicated educational, technical and personal support, as well as to wonderful workspaces for you to interact with your fellow students. The Learning Common takes in two floors of the Library building, this floor, LC North Wing Level 2 and the adjoining Learning Common link areas. Part of the Learning Common will be accessible 24/7 but more about this later.

Now walk just past the seating area. The area in front of you and to your right is the Learning Support Area. Behind the green wall you will find the Student Learning Office. Note that there is also another plasma screen on this wall.

Student learning offers a range of free services for you to use to enhance your learning and improve your grades at university. You can take a brochure from the desk in this area or ask the person at the desk what Student Learning can offer you, and how to make an appointment for individual help. Free workshops on academic study skills are available all semester. For more information about these visit the Student Learning website. A collection of high-use Student Learning materials is also located in this area.

Collocated with Student Learning in this area is the First Year Experience Coordinator Tammy Geddes. Tammy is available for information and advice for first year students. You are most welcome to drop in and make an appointment to see her.

Now turn around so that the windows are behind you.

In front of you and on your right you will see a curved grey machine known as the “Autoloader” – use this machine to add monetary credit to your University ID card for printing, photocopying and purchasing internet quota. Next to the Autoloader are two Self-Check Machines where you can check out and renew your books yourself. You will require your University ID card to do this. Be sure to ask our Library staff to show you how to use the Autoloader and the self-check machines the first time you need to use them, or if you have any problems.

Alongside the self-check machines you will find the Fast Track Computers – these computers do not require you to login, and can be used for quick searches of the University websites, and the library catalogue. The catalogue is your gateway to discovering the Library’s collections, and will tell you on which floor and in which wing an item is located.

On your left is the Library Reference Desk – let’s pause here.

The reference desk is staffed by our approachable librarians who are all eager to help you with any of your queries, so please come and see us and say hello! All staff have subject university degrees and so can help you find and make use of the best resources for your essays and assignments. They can also show you all the tips and tricks of searching the Library’s catalogue and databases for the most relevant materials in your subject area. Our reference desk is also accessible virtually! Whether you are at home or studying overseas, you can still contact us through our Ask a Librarian chat and email services. We also offer free workshops on finding and using Library resources for your study and research. You can find out about all of these services on the Library’s website or by asking at the Reference desk.

Near the desk you will also find a selection of Library information sheets including, “Guides to Locations of Library Collections”, “Loan rules, penalty points and Fines ”, and information about borrowing from other University libraries.

Walk just past the Reference desk noting the lift on your left, which can be used to access other floors in the North Wing. Past this is a Learning Common computing area. These computers do not require login and can be used for word processing, and to access University websites, the library catalogue and databases.

Opposite these computers is comfortable booth seating. Now walk back towards the stairs leading to the floor below. Please pause here.

On the far side of the stairs you will see the Murdoch Print Centre. The Print Centre offers a scanning, laminating, binding and colour copying service, and is open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 5.00pm. The staff in the print centre can also help you with any of your photocopying needs.

Behind the blue wall adjacent to the Print Centre you will find toilets and a water fountain.

Now walk down the stairs. As you almost reach the bottom of the stairs you will see a hanging sign pointing to Computer Labs. You are now on Learning Common North Wing Level 2 – follow the sign and turn right around the stairwell.

On your left is a Learning Common Computing Lab – to use the computers in this lab you will need to login with your Murdoch Username and Password. You will then have access to the internet and email, to word processing, and to all University and Library resources.

Walk past the lab, the toilets and water fountain and through the door at the end of this corridor. To your immediate left is another Learning Common computing lab – this lab also requires login.

Directly in front of you are journals beginning with the J 500s and ending with the J 699s – on this floor you will find the journals for the sciences (including mathematics), business, management, accounting, and human resource management.

Unlike books which can be borrowed, journals can only be used within the Library. Although you will see many shelves of printed journals and books in the Library, we also provide you with easy access to a vast electronic collection of journals, books and other materials, most of which can also be accessed off campus using your Murdoch username and Password.

Now walk down the floor with the journals on your left, noting the artworks on your right as you go. On your right you will also pass two Learning Common Tutorial Rooms followed by two DVD and Video Viewing Rooms. These rooms are not book-able.

Continue walking past the journals until you reach the main area of computers on this floor – here too you will need to login. You will also see a PRINT Workstation in the middle of the floor.

Walk past the journals and the circular seating area on your right until you reach the end of the journals. Here you will find the DVD and Video Collection – 2 DVDs or videos can be borrowed on a 3 day loan or viewed in the Library.

Now turn and walk towards the windows. In front of you and on the left you will see an open DVD and Video viewing area – you will need to use headphones here – these can be borrowed from the Enquiry and Loans Desk on Learning Common North Wing Level 3.

Turn and walk along the window side. As you approach the glass door ahead, you will see an IT Service Counter – let’s pause here. This is one of two IT Counters in the Learning Common. Come and see the staff here if you need to organise your University ID card, or if you need any other IT assistance, including help with Myinfo, your University Password, internet quota and printing.

Look to the right of the IT Counter and you will see a lift, and a small photocopying area alongside the red wall. Remember that you will need credit on your University ID card to photocopy or print.

Now walk through the door ahead of you. On your immediate left is the entrance to the Sir Walters Coffee Shop and palm courtyard – another great spot for coffee and food.

On your right is the other IT Service Counter - this Counter is part of the 24hour Learning Common, and will remain open and staffed 24hours. After the Library has closed at night the door behind you will be locked restricting access to the area you have just walked through. The door to Sir Walters Café will also be locked.

Past the counter and to your right you will see more Fast Track Computers, another Autoloader, a coin change machine, and a small key pad for adding to your internet quota. You will also see comfortable booth seating in this area – you are welcome to bring bottled water here.

Walk along until you are back at the foot of the stairs leading up to the entrance level of the Library.

Adjacent to the stairs is a large sliding door decorated with graphics – this will be used to close off the stairwell and restrict access to the Library after closing time. With the stairs behind you look forward to the computing area in front of you. Let’s pause here.

This area of the Learning Common along with the IT Service Counter now closest to you, and the computing lab and toilets behind the stairs will be accessible 24hrs. Access to the rest of the Library will be restricted after the library closes at night and on the weekends.

Before you walk down the ramp notice the glass doors on your right – these are the entry and exit points to this part of the 24hr learning common area – by ‘wanding’ your University ID card outside these doors you will gain entry into this area after the Library closes.

If your University ID card was issued to you before February 2007, you will need to organise a new ID card if you want to access the 24hr learning common – to do this please see the staff at the IT Service Counters.

Now walk down the ramp in front of you – you are now on Learning Common Link Level 2. Turn to your immediate left and walk into the breakout area looking out to the lush greenery of Sir Walters Courtyard. Here you will find some snack vending machines and another plasma screen on the orange wall.

Walk back into Learning Common Link Level 2 – on you right is a photocopying machine. The computers in this area do require you to login – note that there is a PRINT Workstation here. In the far left-hand corner of this area there is a small discussion room and a very handy stationery vending machine.

Continue walking ahead until you are just past the open double glass doors – this is the beginning of the Sir Walter Murdoch Historical Walk - there is a brochure available here to your left which explains the walk. You will pass toilets on the left and the Walter Murdoch Collection in cabinets lining the walls on the right.

Straight ahead you will see the Collection Services Enquiries Counter. Enquire here for back issues of newspapers and thesis binding. This counter is open between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday. This area also includes the Library Administration offices and staff work area.

Go left around the corner passing toilets on your right and stop in the foyer area - note the lift and the stairs on your left.

Welcome to South Wing Level 2 where you will find the book collections for Science and Technology, Business, Management, Accounting, Arts, Literature, History and Geography. Please note that the Computer Science and environmental science collections are located on South Wing Level 4.

As a courtesy to other library users, please remember to switch your mobile phone to silent on all floors of the Library. Calls may be taken in the stairwells and in foyer areas. Note also that bottled water may be brought onto all floors of the Library.

Now walk through the glass doors into level 2, on your way noting floor plans on your left. Pause just inside the entrance.

To the right you will see a small group of computers where you can access the University’s web pages, and the Library’s catalogue and databases – these computers can not be used for word processing. Still just inside the entrance, look to the left and note the Sorting Shelves. Books used on this floor should be returned here so other library users can find them and attendants can sort prior to shelving.

Note that you will see a small group of computers and the sorting shelves in the same area on all floors of the South wing of the Library. There is also a photocopier located on this side of the floor.

Slightly further along on the left hand side is the Social Sciences, Humanities & Education Librarians’ Office where you can request assistance relating to these subject areas.

As you walk along this floor you will notice the Science and Business book collection on the right hand side followed by the Arts & Literature book collection towards the rear. Further along on the left-hand side is the beginning of the Science collection, and over by the windows are individual study desks.

At the end of the floor turn right and walk past the Postgraduate Study Carrels – you will see these on all floors of the South Wing. Eligible postgraduate students may apply for one of these lockable carrels. For further information please see staff at the Reference Desk.

Pause at the end of the carrels and note the pamphlets in the boxes in the left-hand corner and the large book collection on the right hand side.

Just in front of you there is a stairwell which will take you to the other floors in the South Wing. Note that these stairs also provide access to the Emergency Exit. There are also more individual study desks adjacent to the windows in this area.

Now turn around and retrace your steps with the postgraduate study carrels on your right.

On your left the Literature collection continues back towards the South Wing level 2 foyer, followed by the History and Geography collections. Continue retracing your steps back to the SW Level 2 foyer in order to end your tour of South Wing Level 2.

You should pause your tour here, and make your way to South Wing Level 3 to continue this tour.

Welcome to South Wing Level 3 - the Murdoch University Library Law Collection.

You should be standing just outside the entrance to this floor, where you will see a list of sponsors of the collection on the glass doors leading into the floor.

The Law collection consists of legal resources in the form of books, journals and other materials such as Statutes, Hansard, and Law reports. Please note that materials on this floor are organised differently from materials on the other floors of the library due to the nature of legal materials.

Enter the floor now, noting the floor plans on your left. Walk past the computers on your right and pause just beyond the burgundy coloured wall at the end of these computers.

On your left will be the sorting shelves. Look to the far right just behind the burgundy wall and you will see a shelving area known as a compactus – these are the cream coloured shelves with large turning wheels on the front. These shelves store a variety of Australian Government publications such as parliamentary papers, government gazettes and other legal materials.

Walk past the sorting shelves and on your left will be the Reserved Study Room for students requiring assistive technologies. Access to this room and its resources is arranged through the Equity Office.

On your right are the law books, and to your far right along the window side you will see tables and chairs, and individual study desks.

Walk ahead until you reach the Business and Law Librarian’s Office on your left – there is a display case outside the office showcasing recent publications of Law School Academics. Continue walking.

In the middle of the floor you will see a computer area – this is E-Library South Wing Level 3. The computers here require login and can be used to access University web sites, the Library Catalogue, email, the Internet and word processing. Note that there is a PRINT Workstation here, and more tables and chairs to the far right.

Further along you will see the Law Research Desk - during very busy parts of the semester you can find senior law students here, who will be happy to assist with legal research queries.

Opposite the desk and to your left is the University’s Copyright Coordinator’s Office – if you would like more information about copyright visit the Copyright website, or make an appt to see the Copyright Coordinator.

The shelves to the far right of the computers contain Law reference materials including Statutes and Law Reports. Walk past the Law Research desk and on your left is a large Group Study Room – this room is not book-able. Continue walking ahead.

On your right are the Law journals. On your left you will pass a photocopy room with another large display case outside, featuring rare science books. Just past the display case is the Science Librarians Office, and at the end of the floor are the Postgraduate Study Carrels.

Turn to your right and walk past these carrels. On your right you will pass the Law New Journals display. Near the corner of the floor you will see the stairwell and Emergency Exit.

Now turn back and retrace your steps to the entrance of South Wing Level 3. You will then need to pause your tour and make your way to South Wing Level 4. If you would like a more detailed tour of the Law Collection, please refer to the separate podcast and transcript for South Wing Level 3 available from the Library’s Podcast page.

Welcome to South Wing Level 4.

You should be standing just outside the entrance to this floor, where you will find the book collections for Computer Science, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, Sociology, Tourism, Political Science, Public Administration, Criminology, Environmental Science, Economics, Commerce, Education and Languages.

Stop in the foyer, noting the lift and the stairs on your left and toilets to your right. Opposite the lift you will notice the Minter Ellison Room, which houses the Holmes A Court Collection of Law material. This room is also used for Library Information Training classes.

Before you walk through the glass doors into level 4, note the floor plans on your left, and the Silent Zone sign – this floor has been especially designated as a silent study area.

Now walk through the doors, past the computers on your right and the sorting shelves on your left.

As you walk along this floor you will notice the Computer Science, Philosophy, Psychology, and Religion book collections on the left hand side. On the right hand side are religion, sociology, political science and public administration books and over by the windows are individual study desks.

Keep walking. The feeling of peacefulness on this floor is because it has been designated a “Silent Zone” in the Library. As you come to the end of this floor, there are two Group Study Rooms on your left followed by a Staff Meeting Room. At the end of the floor turn right and walk past the postgraduate study carrels.

Pause at the end of the carrels and note the large books collection in the left-hand corner of the floor, and just in front of you the stairwell and Emergency Exit. On your immediate right is the Pamphlet Collection for this floor, as well as the Government Pamphlets and Government Publications.

Now turn right and walk forward with the windows to your left.

Adjacent to the windows are more individual study desks, and further along are some tables between the shelves on your right. Please remember that other students will expect you to be studying silently, unless you are in the Group Study Rooms, in which case the doors should be closed. As you walk along you will pass the book collections for Languages, Commerce, Tourism, Education, Criminology, Public Administration and Economics. Now turn right and walk through to the foyer of South Wing Level 4.

You should pause your tour here and make your way to South Wing Level 1.

Welcome to South Wing Level 1.

On this floor you will find many of the Library’s printed journals as well as several other significant collections. These include the Microform Collection, the Chinese, Japanese, Korean Collection and the Australian Bureau of Statistics Collection in printed format.

In this foyer area you will also notice an external door, which leads to Sir Walter’s Café.

Still in the foyer, look at the room opposite the lift. This is E-Library South Wing Level 1. The computers here require login and can be used to access University web sites, the Library Catalogue, email, the Internet and word processing. This E-Library is sometimes also used for Library training classes, and has been designated a Silent Zone.

Now walk through the glass doors into level 1, noting the floor plans on your left. Walk just past the computers on your right and the sorting shelves on your left.

Now look up at the sign pointing to the Chinese Japanese Korean Collection (known as the CJK Collection). Walk forward and look at where this arrow is pointing but don’t go into the collection. Pause at this point and look around at the journals on this floor. These are the journals for Social Sciences, Humanities and Education, Politics, Psychology, Computing, Criminology, Environmental Science, Economics and Commerce.

Now look to your left. You should be outside the Group Study Room. Walk forward, noting the photocopiers as you pass.

The next room to your left holds the less heavily used books in the Student Learning Collection. These are all listed in the catalogue and are able to be borrowed. Still keeping to your left continue walking until you reach the Library’s Training Lab. Over the course of your degree you will probably come here for various Library information skills training classes.

Moving forward, and still on your left, is the Library’s Microform Collections & viewing room. Walk in. Significant research collections on microfiche and film are held here, as well as collections of law journals and back issues of newspapers in microform. Please note that many newspapers can now be accessed electronically from databases on the Library web pages. Where available, printed guides accompany the various collections. Microform Reader/Printers are located against the wall adjacent to the windows, together with booking sheets and instructions for use.

Walk out of the room. Turn left, then with your back to the Microform room, look towards the green cabinets at the end of this floor. These hold Maps, Charts and Kits.

Along the back wall you will see the Postgraduate Study Carrels.

Still facing the Map cabinets, walk past these carrels and towards the stairwell and Exit sign, but stop at the entrance to the central aisle between the journals.

Now go down this central aisle. Look to the left to see the start of the oversize journal collection with the location prefix JZ.

As you walk forward note study tables amongst the shelves and individual study desks around the walls. Move past the first group of tables and the Government Journal Collection.

Keep walking forward past more study tables until you get to a bank of individual study desks and green metal filing cabinets.

This is the start of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Collection, but be aware that most of the current material is now available electronically from the Library web pages.

Continue to walk forward until you are back at the Chinese Japanese Korean Collection.

From here turn right and walk back to the foyer of South Wing Level 1, where you should pause your tour and take the lift or stairs back to the foyer of South Wing Level 3.

You should now be standing in the bright and open foyer area of South Wing Level 3. This area is used as a small exhibition space to display University artworks. You will also find toilets on your left, and the lift and stairs to the other floors of the South Wing on your right.

With your back to the entrance of South Wing Level 3, walk ahead and through to the adjoining link area – this is Learning Common Link Level 3, and links the North Wing of the library with the South Wing. Pause here.

Through the windows on your right you can overlook Sir Walter’s café and courtyard. There is also comfortable seating on this window side. On your left is the beginning of the art walk, made up of a series of white wall panels with hanging artworks on display. If you would like to spend a few minutes now to look at the current display, pause your tour here and recommence when you are ready.

Walk in between the white panels and you will see the Library’s reference collection.

Reference books such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, yearbooks and handbooks cannot be borrowed, but they form an important part of the Library collection, so you are very welcome to take them off the shelves and use them throughout the Library. The library also provides you with access to a significant electronic reference collection – be sure to ask the staff at the Reference Desk to show you how to access this from the Library’s website.

Walk through one of the bays of reference books towards the windows on your left.

On this window side you will find the current newspapers bound in large coloured folders. Here you will find the most recent issues of most of the major Australian and South-east Asian newspapers. This is a popular spot and you will often see staff and students sitting here and reading their favourite paper. Many more newspapers including international titles are available electronically, and the staff at the reference desk can show you how to access these.

Now walk back out into the main link walk-way. Walk past the tables and chairs in this area, and on your right you will reach the New Journals display shelves. This is another popular spot - here you can browse the latest issues of some of the journals that the Library subscribes to.

Continue walking through the Link until you reach computers on your right and on your left. Look to your far left and you will see a couple of photocopiers on the window side. Walk just past the computers with the red stools on your left, you are now back on Learning Common North Wing Level 3.

On your left you will see stairs leading up to North Wing Level 4, where you will find the Student Learning Reception area, and a notice board with details of Student Learning Workshops.

You will also find the Teaching and Learning Centre, the Office of the University’s Art Curator, and another large art exhibition area and gallery space on this floor.

Continue walking ahead into Learning Common North Wing Level 3. Your tour has now finished, so you might like to try out the new café near the Library entrance. If you have any queries about anything you have heard on this tour, or would like to know more, please do not hesitate to ask staff at one of our Library service desks.

We hope that you have found this tour both enjoyable and useful. We are very keen to hear your comments, so please take some time to complete the feedback form available from the Library’s Podcasts page.

Finally, we wish you every success with your studies here at Murdoch University, and we certainly hope to meet you in person in our Library very soon!