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New students' guide to the library

New to Federation University? This guide outlines the library's services and resources

Quick Links


 

 

Don't Panic!
Ask the Library

(Librarians love questions!)
 


QuickSearch

(Like Google for Library resources)
 


FedCite

(online referencing guide)

 

Federation Library contact page with phone number
Telephone

 

Federation Library email
Email

 

Federation Library frequently asked questions, ask the Library system, and live chat
Ask the Library

Oh, and did you see the Need help? tab on the side of the page?
Live online chat with the Library! Live chat is available during Library opening hours.
If online chat is not available, you can fill out our Ask the Library form and get a response by the end of the next working day.
 

 

QuickSearch: Search for any Library content (online or on the shelf)

A separate web page with lots of examples, instructions, and tips on citing and referencing.

When you use FedCite, to get started, click on your style.
Click to expand any section ending with a

Go to FedCite

Welcome to Federation University Library

Welcome to Federation University Library!

Whether you're an on-campus student, online student, or a blend of both, this guide has been developed to help you get started with using the library, and to locate the services and resources we provide to support your studies.

Use the tabs on the left of the screen to navigate this guide.

Help and information

Click on an image for more information

button for study spaces information button for printing information button for subject guides information button for library social media information
button for MyLibrary app information button for borrowing print books information button for eBooks information

The InfoPoint provides a one-stop query resolution service to all students, staff and visitors.

We’ll either answer your query or connect you to the right service.
Call, chat or email, drop in and say hi, and spread the word - we’re here to help.

Find out more about what the InfoPoint can help you with today by clicking here.

Studying at university is a new experience, with lots of new and different expectations, so it is perfectly normal to need help sometimes.

Click below to find out what help is available to you. 

Librarians are here to help you.

  • Help with strategies to find information
  • Help you evaluate information
  • Help you use databases to find journal articles
  • Show you some searching tricks to get the best information quickly
  • Refer you to support services for help with academic writing

Ask a Librarian today!

The Academic Skills and Knowledge (ASK) service supports students with their development of study skills. Comprised of experienced Student Academic Leaders, the ASK team is there to help answer any question a student has during their university studies - from referencing to finding a booklist.

The ASK service is available to any Federation student, no matter where you're studying.

Student Academic Leaders can provide assistance in the following areas:

  • Digital literacy (email, Moodle, Turnitin)
  • Interpreting assignment topics
  • Assignment structure
  • Academic writing
  • Referencing
  • Exam preparation
  • Study skills (time management, oral presentations)
  • Referral to other services

ASK service contact details

Online details

Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) offer a fun, informal study environment, so that you can get the most out of your course.

PASS sessions are facilitated by experienced students (PASS leaders) and offer a relaxed peer environment, where students can consolidate their understanding of the course content and develop their study skills. PASS is usually attached to courses that can be challenging for students. Many of these courses are core first year courses students encounter in the first and second semester of their transition to university life.

What can you expect from PASS?

In PASS you will...

  • Be a valued member of your PASS group
  • Learn from a student who has been through the course before
  • Work with a group of fellow students to improve understanding of course material
  • Have the chance to ask questions that may seem silly, in a relaxed environment
  • Have access to more study materials, such as past exams or mock exam questions
  • Make friends and have fun!

Your PASS leader...

  • Is an experienced student
  • Relays tips on their effective study skills for your discipline
  • Assists you in working out what to learn as well as how to learn it
  • Plans and facilitate activities which aim to encourage collaborative learning
  • Models relevant critical thinking and problem solving techniques
  • Will empower you to become an independent learner

Are you confused about expectations at university? Do you want to get better marks? A Learning Skills Advisor (LSA) can help you.

Learning Skills Advisors are professional educators who work with you to achieve your academic goals. Learning Skills Advisors are available through online appointments and via LSA Chat. Find out more and book appointments through this link.

This drop-in space is set up to provide ALL students with guidance through whatever stage of the writing process is relevant for your assignment. The general aim is to assist you so that you can develop the skills and confidence to:

  • analyse assignment questions and criteria
  • evaluate and organise sources
  • develop plans/outlines
  • write the first draft
  • revise and edit to produce a polished final draft
  • develop effective study skills

The Writing Space is available to students to work alone or in groups. In one-to-one sessions and small group work, LSA s and SALs will help you to develop drafts of written assignments, taking into account:

  • the assignment topic
  • assignment structure and paragraph organisation
  • argument development
  • strength of evidence
  • critical thinking
  • synthesising of source material
  • clarity of written expression
  • formatting references
  • grammar, punctuation or spelling

You will find comprehensive academic learning materials to guide you on your journey as a tertiary student. This includes advice on referencing, writing, reading, managing your time, essay planning and much more. Take control of your learning, improve your writing skills and succeed with integrity. Get to the Study Skills Website here.

Federation University support staff aren't always around when you need them like 9.30 pm on Sunday night, so Studiosity is there to provide 24/7 online tutoring. FInd out more about Studiosity from this page.

You can find downloadable help sheets from the Study Skills Website on a range of topics from assignment preparation to researching to referencing from this handy page. It's so good, you should probably book mark it.

Logging in to Federation University

Once you have enrolled, it is important to apply for a Federation University Student ID Card online using CaptureMe
Your IT account will be active within 24 hours. Information about logging in can be found on the IT help page. 

image of student ID card

To borrow Federation University library's on-campus resources in person, e.g. books and multi-media, your Student ID card is also your library card. You can borrow in person at the desk by presenting your Student ID card, or scan the Student ID card and books through the self-checkout machine.

To access Federation University library's online resources, e.g., email, Moodle, My Student Centre, journal articles, databases or eBooks, enter your username (student ID number) and current password. You can use Password Self-Service to change your password anytime. Contact us or the ITS Service Desk Portal with password issues.  

When requesting books and DVDs you will need to enter your username (student ID number) and current password. You may also elect to have items posted to you. More information can be found in the Borrowing tabs of this guide.

How do I ... ?

image for decoration purposes

Click on each drop down for an explanation

Each campus library has slightly different opening hours during teaching periods and break periods during the year, but you can find today's opening hours, and upcoming hours on the library homepage by clicking on the 'more hours' link.

screen capture of library opening hours widget

  • The phone number for the library is 1300 552 567, which can be found on the library homepage. The number does not go to a specific campus, and your call will answered by a library team member from any of our Victorian campuses.
  • You can chat online with a librarian during library opening hours. chat widgets can be found
    • On the library homepage

       
    • In every Subject Guide as a pop-out widget that opens with every page
       
    • In Moodle under Library drop down menu at the top of the page

       
  • 'Ask the Library' is a series of FAQs that can assist you with a wide range of frequently asked questions.
    You can also use 'Ask the Library' to send an email query to the library at any time. If sent out of library business hours, the email will be attended as soon as possible on the next working day.

The library provides a number of different avenues for tutorials and information on how to use the library's resources.

  • Subject Guides - find out more about what the Subject Guides can do to help you here.
  • Federation Library YouTube channel - short demonstration videos on using library resources and explanations about what are journals, peer review journals, books and databases.
  • Help with Searching - information about how to construct a search, search, evaluate information, and find peer-reviewed journals

To request books and other physical items from other campus libraries, refer to the 'Borrowing' section in this guide for step-by-step instructions.

Request electronic copies of journal articles or book chapters of books in eReadings or closed access collections.

Read more about how to make requests and any conditions of making a request at the following link.

Remember, you can always ask for help from a librarian using the chat pop-out at the side of this guide