Undergraduate Students

Welcome to the Library!

Welcome to Murdoch University Library. The Library is here to assist students with their research.

Borrowing

To borrow library resources you will need your University ID card. For fast loans use the Self Check machine. If you need assistance, take your books to the Loans Desk. As an undergraduate you may borrow 12 items from the general collections for a period of 4 weeks unless recalled. Special rules apply to video and DVD loans.

Renewals

You can renew your loans by logging on to My Library. Items can be renewed to a maximum of 4 times unless requested by another borrower. DVDs and videos can only be renewed twice.

Recalled Items

All items borrowed are subject to recall to allow everyone access to library collections. You will be notified by email if an item is recalled and you will have 7 days to return it.

Requesting Items

Recalling items on loan

You may recall up to 8 items at any one time. To recall an item:

1. Search the Library Catalogue and display the record for the item you want
2. Select the "Request" button at the top or bottom of the screen
3. Enter your Murdoch Username and Password. If you are already logged in to My Library, you will not have to login at this stage.
4. Select a Pickup location from the dropdown menu.
5. Enter a "Cancel if not filled by" date. If you don't enter a date, your request will expire after 7 months.
6. Click on "Submit"
7. Click on "Request selected item" (and you may need to select the copy to be recalled)
8. The message 'Your request for this item has been sent to the library' should appear on the screen
9. Click on "Start Over" or "Logout" to exit.

Requesting items from another campus library

Books

You are able to request items that are available (status 'check shelf') at another campus to be picked up at any branch library by requesting the item through the catalogue, in the same way you recall an item from another borrower. You may not request items to be picked up at another branch library on the same campus. For example, you cannot request an item from Vet to be picked up at Main or CRC. Books can also be returned at any of the Campus Libraries, with the exception of Reserve items.
Reserve items must be returned to the Library where you borrowed them.

Journal Articles

You are able to request copies of journal articles that are held in print at campus libraries that are not your normal library. Complete the online form to arrange for copies to be sent to you.

Penalty Points and Fines

Penalty points and fines apply if the item is lost, damaged or not returned. If an item becomes overdue, penalty points accrue and are added to your record when the item is returned. Points accrue at the following rates:

If you accrue 200 or more penalty points in an academic year, your borrowing rights will be suspended until you pay a fine of $20.00. After payment your points are reset to zero. After a second fine in an academic year your points will be reset to 100 and after a further fine to 190. Penalty points are reset to zero every year if they remain below 200. Recurrent penalty point fines may involve suspension of your borrowing rights. Reinstatement of borrowing rights from repeat offences is at the discretion of the University Librarian.

Borrowing from other Libraries

See information above about Requesting items from another Murdoch campus library.

You may join the libraries at Curtin, Edith Cowan, and Notre Dame Universities and the University of Western Australia as a reciprocal borrower. See Western Australian University Libraries Reciprocal Borrowing Scheme for information on how to apply for borrowing rights and details about special rules and conditions that apply to each library. You can also join any of the libraries at TAFEWA and the library at the Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA). Take your University ID card and proof of current enrolment to the Library you would like to join.

Finding Material for your Course and Assignments

See also Beginning your Research

Finding books

To find a book you need to use the Library Catalogue. This is available from the Library Homepage. Search by title or author if you have these details, or use the keyword or subject options to find books on a topic.

Other Library Catalogues can also be searched from the Library's webpage.

Finding Journal and Newspaper Articles

• Journal Articles
• Newspaper Articles

Reserve and Electronic Course Materials

Reserve provides access to high demand material recommended by lecturers. Reserve contains books and printed material, which may be borrowed for 2 hours during the day or overnight. Some Reserve items are available for a 3 Day Loan. ECMS provides access to electronic copies of journal articles, book chapters and other related material. ECMS materials are listed in the Library Catalogue under Electronic Course Materials & Reserve.
Further information...

Subject guides

Subject guides have been written by subject librarians to help you find a variety of resources that are either available from Murdoch University Library or free via the Internet.

Citing your References

How to Cite References

Exam Papers

Exam papers for the current and previous 5 years are available in pdf format.

LITE

The LITE programme aims to help you develop life long learning skills which will allow you to locate, evaluate and use information effectively. It will introduce you to the Murdoch Libraries, their resources and collections, to library research skills, and to skills in searching the Internet effectively for the information you require.

Off Campus Access to Resources

You may access the Library Catalogue, and most of the Library's databases and e-journals from off campus.

Any database marked (Murdoch IP / Proxy) may be searched from off campus using the Library's proxy. You will be prompted to enter your Murdoch Username (student number) and Password when you connect from the Databases pages.

Databases marked (Password) require a login and password for access. Contact the Reference Desks for details.

When you search the Library Catalogue from off campus, you may be prompted to authenticate using your Murdoch Username and Password if you connect to electronic resources.
Further information...

Studying Externally

External students have access to the same Library services and collections as on campus students. Additionally, some external students may be eligible to use the External Library Service.

Theses

Thesis Binding

Murdoch University students wishing to have their Murdoch theses bound may arrange this through the Library.
Further information...

Depositing your Thesis in the Library

Murdoch University Regulations require authors to submit copies of Honours (Bachelor Degree Regulations 58 (1) theses to the Library.

Submitting Honours Theses

• Division of Arts
• Division of Science & Engineering

Copying and Printing

The Library uses the Monitor Copy system for payment of all photocopying and printing charges. Payment is made using a plastic card with a magnetic strip on the reverse side. You can use your University Card to pay for photocopying and printing.

Credit may be added to your photocopy account using an Autoloader. Autoloaders are located in the main library Learning Common North Wing 3 and Learning Common North Wing 2, Veterinary Studies Library and Rockingham Campus Library. Students at Peel Campus should contact the Library Helpdesk for information on copying and printing.
Further information..

Computer Facilities

The library has a number of computer workstations which are available for students and staff to access electronic resources. These are in the electronic libraries (elibraries) or scattered around the library building. All machines are PCs, running Windows XP.

These computers can be used for accessing My Library (which includes searching the Library catalogue, checking your borrower record, and recalling materials), for accessing databases to find references and journal articles, or searching the internet for research materials for study purposes. You need to use your Murdoch Username (student number) and Password to log on to any of these computers.

Wireless access is available in the Murdoch Campus, Veterinary and Rockingham Campus Libraries. If you do not have a wireless card for your laptop, you can borrow them from the Loans Desk. If you need help with setup to access wireless, please see staff at the IT Service Desk.
Further Information..

Getting Assistance

If you need assistance, ask at one of the service desks, or use our email reference or chat services:

Enquiries and Loans Desk: For directional and loan information

IT Service Desk: For computing and network access

Reference Desk: For research information

Ask a Librarian : email reference service for Murdoch University students and staff. Send us your question and we will respond by the next working day.