This guide will assist you to learn more about the facilities of Deakin University Library and help with finding sources for your assignments.
For a basic introduction to the Library, view the following presentation:
It is important to understand your assignment topic and define the words that describe it. These are called keywords.
Tutorials on determining your key concepts and identifying search terms are available on our Digital Literacy Library Resource Guide.
Often we suggest starting with general information and an overview of the topic from encyclopedias and books before exploring more detailed and specific information in journals and reports.
The know the formats of information and know the types of information sources tutorials have been developed to help you understand your sources better.
Now you need to search effectively to find the best information for your assignment. The finding information resources using the library search and use databases effectively tutorials will guide you through this.
The two minute video on evaluating information sources provides helpful tips on evaluating and assessing the information you find.
* Please note To view these tutorials you must have flash enabled. To view on Apple devices, a web browser app with flash capabilities is required (eg. Photon).
For an introduction to finding resources using the Library catalogue, complete the interactive tutorial 'Finding information resources using Library search'.
When searching for books you can approach it in two ways:
To search for a book when you know the title, type the title into the search bar, and then click 'Search'.
If it is held by the Library, it will appear in the list of results (depending how common the title is, it might not appear as the first result). If your result doesn't appear, view further options under the borrowing material tab.
Once you have found the title and edition you require, click on the title to view the full record and see which campus(es) the title is available from, and if it available as an e-book.
To access the item read the sections on 'Finding books on the shelf' or 'Viewing e-books' below.
To search for books on a subject area or topic, type some keywords that describe your topic into the search bar, tick the box marked 'Discover More', and then click 'Search'.
Once you have your results, use the options on the left side of the screen to limit your search to a certain format.
In this case we want books, so scroll down to the 'Source types' section, and select 'Show More'.
Now tick the boxes for 'Books' and 'eBooks' and update your results.
If we were to select books alone, it would remove from your results titles where the Library holds both print and electronic copies, which tend to be the most recently published titles.
Books are arranged on the shelves by call numbers which consist of the Dewey Classification Number (which is subject based) and then by the author's last name and title.
The call number for this book is 303.385 And/Rca 2013
Before looking for the item on the shelf, first look at its status. If the item is listed as available, it will likely be on the shelf. You will need to note the complete call number, including letters and further numbers, to locate the exact item.
To open an e-book from the Library record, click on the hyperlinked name of the provider (e.g. Ebook Library or Ebscohost eBook Academic Collection).
OR
You may be prompted for your Deakin Username and Password.
You will then be taken to a more detailed description of the e-book and from here you can access the online version.
When using an e-book, you may be able to print, copy or download, but this varies between providers - see our e-book help page for more information.
For an introduction on finding resources using the Library catalogue, complete the interactive tutorial 'Finding information resources using Library search'.
When searching for journals or articles there are two approaches:
If you have a specific reference, or citation, to a journal article, you can search for it on the Library website by using Discover More.
Discover More includes articles from most of the databases the Library subscribes to, so there is a good chance you will be able to find the article using this tool. (For information on what a database is, complete the 'Use databases effectively' tutorial).






Find articles quickly by searching 'Discover More', a Google-like search engine that allows you to search across multiple databases simultaneously.
If you need to find Scholarly (peer reviewed) articles, select the Scholarly (peer reviewed) check box on the left hand side of the search results screen:
You can see the limits you have applied, listed at the top left of your results.
Click the 'x' next to the limit to rerun your search without that limit.
Whilst many of the articles you will find link directly to the full text, others will be an abstract only. In this instance, look out for the
icon, which will suggest possible locations to find a full text copy of the article.
Searching specific databases relevant to your subject area is another way to find useful articles and other resources for your assignments. To get a list of the most relevant databases for you, go to the Library Resource Guides. Resources contained in these guides have been carefully selected by Liaison Librarians in collaboration with academics to help you begin your research for your courses.
From the Library Resource Guide homepage, select your subject area, and then select a guide most relevant to your topic or subject area.
Google Scholar searches across academic literature such as books and journals. If you set your preferences in Google Scholar, you can get direct access to full text items from the Library's subscription journals and databases. This will appear in your Google Scholar results list as a link to WebBridge@Deakin.
If you are accessing Google Scholar on campus, this usually happens automatically.
If you are accessing Google Scholar off campus, you will need to adjust the library links settings so Google Scholar recognises that you are from Deakin University.
To set up library links in Google Scholar:
Note: Cookies must be enabled for your browser to remember your settings.
Deakin staff and students can borrow items from any of our four campus libraries.
If an item you would like to borrow is on loan or available at another campus, you can use the 'Request it' link. An email will be sent to the email address on your Library record when the item is available to collect at your campus library.
If you are an off-campus student you can have items delivered to your home or work address using the off-campus delivery service.
Note: Items in special-collections are not available for loan or request, and are marked in the catalogues as LIB USE ONLY.
If the book you are looking for is not available from the Library, look out for the Bonus+ icon, located on the right hand side of the screen:
Clicking 'Show Results' will search for the book in several other university library collections (NOTE: Not all university libraries participate in BONUS+. For more information on Bonus+ click on the following link: BONUS+). This service is not available to overseas off-campus students, non-award students or MIBT students.
2. Interlibrary Loan (ILL)If you've searched Deakin Library and Bonus+ and still can't find the item, request the item through Interlibrary Loan (not available to MIBT or DUELI students). Unlike Bonus+, you can not only request books, but also journal articles, conference papers and theses. To request an Interlibrary Loan, complete and submit the online request form.
OR
CAVALRequest a CAVAL borrowing card from the Library service desk and you can borrow in person from other Victorian academic libraries (not available to MIBT or DUELI students). For information on obtaining a CAVAL borrowing card, and a list of participating libraries, see our CAVAL help page.
Want to find out more? Take a look at our Access and Borrow page.
Language and Learning Advisers help students develop effective study skills for study success.
Find more information about this service at deakin.edu.au/current-students/study-support/study-skills/
Arts and Education faculty: ASK and SEE service - deakin.edu.au/arts-ed/current-students/ask-success.php
Business and Law drop in station (Melbourne only) - deakin.edu.au/buslaw/drop-in/index.php
MIBT - http://www.mibt.vic.edu.au/about-mibt/staff (more information on services is available via your MIBT student portal)
It is important to reference your sources for many reasons, including:
Help on referencing and avoiding plagiarism is available from the University's Study Skills website, as well as a handy FAQ page on common referencing questions.
For a directory of key databases, books, journals and other resources, relevant to your area of study, check out www.deakin.libguides.com
For quick tutorials and videos on finding, using and sharing information, head over to www.deakin.libguides.com/tutorials
Every school and faculty has designated Liaison Librarians located at each campus, who can help you with your research skills and techniques.
Study Skills advisors can assist you in developing skills through:
Other assistance is also available: deakin.edu.au/current-students/study-support/study-skills/index.php
Mentors are available on campus to provide personalised support in areas such as time management, achieving a study-life balance, and getting to know Deakin resources and services. For more information on this program, go to deakin.edu.au/current-students/study-support/students-helping-students/shs-dropin.php
Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
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