Undergraduate Students

Welcome to the Library!

Welcome to Murdoch University Library. The Library is here to assist undergraduate students with your research requirements.

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, including items recalled via BONUS. To recall a Murdoch 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.

Reserve Items

• Only Murdoch students and staff may borrow items from the Reserve Collection.
• Two items may be borrowed at a time for two hours during the day.
• Items may be booked for overnight loan, please arrange in advance with Lending staff.
• A number of reserve items are 3 Day Loans, these are non-renewable but can be requested if on loan and these item can be checked out at anytime when library is open.
• Most reserve items may be borrowed for overnight from the following times.

Note that you are required to return reserve items to the library from where you borrowed them.
Also, items must be returned within ONE hour of the Library next opening. Check the opening hours at each Library. For example: at the Murdoch campus library, items must be returned before 9 am on weekdays and before 1 pm at weekends (2 pm in Vet Library).

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.

Bonus+

You can use to request books from the collections of Deakin University, Massey University, University of Ballarat, University of Melbourne, University of Technology Sydney, Victoria University and University of Newcastle.

Other WA Libraries

You may join the libraries at Curtin, Edith Cowan, Notre Dame Universities and the University of Western Australia as a reciprocal borrower. See Western Australian University Libraries Reciprocal Borrowing Scheme for more information.

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 Assignments

Catalogue - finding books and ebooks

To find a book in print or electronic format 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. Further information ....

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

Journal Articles and Databases

Library Portal

Reserve and Electronic Course Materials (ECMS)

Reserve provides access to high demand material recommended by lecturers.
Electronic Course Materials (ECMS) provides access to electronic copies of journal articles, book chapters and other related material. Find ECMS materials under Reserve & ECMS . Further information on course materials.

LibGuides : Subject Guides to Library Resources

Libguides have been written by specialist subject librarians. Use them when beginning your research as they provide a guide for effective use of the library and direction to the most appropriate resources in your subject area.

Newspapers

Citing your References

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. All students enrolled in foundation units are required to complete LITE.

Exam Papers

Exam papers for the current and previous 5 years are available. Not all exam papers are made available; if the paper you need is not here, it has not been released.

Off Campus Access to Electronic Resources

Murdoch staff and students can access the Library Catalogue, and most of the Library's databases, e-journals, e-references and e-books from off campus. You will be prompted to enter your Murdoch Username and Password to access them.
Further information on off campus access.

Troubleshooting access to electronic resources

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.

Copying and Printing

Credit for photocopying and printing can be added to your student card using an Autoloader. Autoloaders are located in the main library North Wing Level 3 and Link Level 2, Veterinary Library, Rockingham Campus Library and Peel Learning Common.
Further information...

Computer Facilities

Computers are available in the Library and Learning Common for students and staff. You need to use your Murdoch Username and Password to log on to all computers except those for community access.

You need to login to Gateway via the desktop to access most external resources.

Wireless access is available in the Murdoch Campus, Veterinary Library, Rockingham Campus Libraries and Peel Learning Common. If you need help with setup to access wireless, please see staff at the IT Service Desk. A wireless card can be borrowed from the Loans Desk if required. Further Information

Getting Assistance

You can use the library's email reference or chat services by using Ask a Librarian

At Murdoch Campus library, you can ask at one of the service desks

• Enquiries and Loans Desk: For directional and loan information
  
• Reference Desk: For research information
  
• IT Service Desk: For computing and network access
  

At Rockingham Campus: you can ask at the help desk in the library

At Peel Campus : ask at the Peel Education Campus Library or at the Learning Common