Library News

Spring Library Orientation Guide

Welcome to Western Library - your new study zone away from home. 

At Western, campus libraries are at the heart of university life – we support and enhance your study in many ways.   

How do you prefer to study?  

We have a wide range of study spaces to use, like open study areas and student group study rooms for collaborative work. If you like to focus with minimal distractions, the quiet study and silent study areas in libraries are for you. Find out more about library study spaces. 

You can get free study training at Library workshops and events, plus access to online tutorials and how-to-guides that help you to complete uni work with less stress.  

If the first few weeks at uni get a bit intense, come and power nap in a Library Sleep Pod to recharge and relax.  

Here’s what you need to know about the Library to get started... 

Ask a Librarian, we like to chat  

Library staff are friendly and happy to help you with your questions. Come and say hello on campus at the service desk or message Online Librarian from the Library website to chat with a Library staff member. You can call us on 02 9852 5353 or email us within Library opening hours.

Get connected

 Join the Library group on Western Life and follow our social media channels to find out what's happening at your campus library. Instagram, YouTube

Visiting your campus library 

Check locations and opening hours for each campus library and discover the different types of study spaces available and how to book a group study room.  

• Use Library PCs or bring your own device and connect it to a monitor   
• Recharge your phone and device at charging stations 
• Print at the Library with your student ID card  
• Return chutes are located within or near each library entrance for after-hours returns. 

 Borrowing 

Your student ID card is also your Library card and is automatically connected to your online My Library Account. Check the Membership & Borrowing page for full details.  

Use your Student ID card to: 

• Borrow & return books and items via the self-service machines at the library.
• Request book deliveries between campus libraries. 
• Library items may be borrowed from one campus and returned at another campus library. 

Use your My Library account to: 

• View your borrowed items and check their return dates. 
• Check your account weekly - other students can request the same item, which you are then required to return by a specific date. 
• Request a book to be delivered from one campus to another for pick up.  

Writing essays, research, referencing and doing uni assessments.

Get free study skills training at Library workshops and events, plus access online tips, tutorials and how-to-guides to help you complete uni work with less stress. 

Researching your assessment 

• Use the Library Advanced Search Box to find quality, reliable information. 
• Get started with e-Resources to find the best information for your area of study. 

• Do the Successful Searching online tutorial to plan, execute and organise your research well from the start. 

 Writing at university 

• Plan a step-by-step timeline for your assessment with the Study Smart Assignment Calculator 
• Analysing the assignment question correctly will help you focus your research and write accurately to complete the task.
• The Academic Skills Pocketbook is your go-to guide to academic writing, assignments and more. Get a quick understanding of the most important academic skills you'll need to get started at university or College. The Library has got you covered with this awesome, user-friendly study guide.  

Referencing and citation 

Referencing at university is done in a more detailed way than referencing at high school, these links will help clarify what you are expected to do:   

• Referencing tips from Librarians at Western  
• Check the referencing guides on the library website  
• The Library YouTube channel has videos on common Western referencing styles (the referencing style relevant to you may be dependent on your discipline, check your assessment guide) 
• Book a study appointment for referencing advice or to learn how to develop a keyword search strategy 
• Contact Online Librarian if you get stuck, they will be able to assist you in finding information about referencing requirements at university 

Study Smart

Whether you are starting your degree or close to graduating, you can always refine and refresh your academic skills to take the next step forward.  

Study Smart offers a range of free training, services and resources to help you build skills to achieve your goals, distinguish yourself at university and beyond in your future career. 

Register for free workshops and training run in the library, book an individual Study Smart appointment or download how-to study guides from the Study Smart website.  

Studying ethically at university 

Learn about studying with integrity at Western. Completing the Western Academic Integrity Module will set you on a great path to getting the most out of your degree. You need to complete the AIM in your first semester. Watch out for Academic Integrity week events in week 3 that will be listed on the Study Smart Western Life. 

Take a study break, you deserve it! 

When you need a study break, recharge in one of the Library sleep pods or relax in lounges and comfy chairs while you listen to an audiobook or stream an old movie from the study break collection.  Refresh your mental focus and combat procrastination with a Library Brain Break. Catch up on current news in your own language through our digital subscriptions to international  magazines and newspapers.  

Happy Studying

We hope this guide serves you well during your academic journey. Happy studying! We look forward to seeing you in the Library, and may your time here be filled with learning and success.