Using the MacRae Library

Select a question from the drop-down box for general information on using the MacRae Library.

Request a book or article (Interlibrary Loans)

If the article or book that you want is not available at the MacRae Library, you may request it through our interlibrary loan request form. You will need your barcode and password (usually the last four digits of your phone number). Fill out as many details as you can and you should receive the electronic link for the article, if it’s available, in 3 days or less. Please contact Jolene Reid, Interlibrary Loan Specialist, for more information.

For more information on how to do an interlibrary loan, see our Interlibrary Loans webpage.

You may also request a book in the Novanet Catalogue by using a Novanet Express.

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Request a book through Novanet

If the book you want is available in the Novanet catalogue but not at the MacRae Library, you may request it using the Novanet Express service. The steps for a Novanet Express are:

1. Search the Novanet Catalogue
2. Click on the location of the book (under tab "Owned By")
3. Click on the "Place a hold or request a loan" tab on the left hand corner.
4. Login using the barcode from the back of your borrowers card and the last 4 digits of your telephone number (or whatever the password you've selected). *Note: If this doesn't work, please make sure your library account hasn't expired and is updated. You can do this at the Circulation Desk at the MacRae Library.
5. Once you have passed the login step, a partially completed form will appear.
   The default library for pick-up is NSAC although you may request a different library to pick up your item.
6. Press Submit to proceed or Cancel at anytime during the request
7. Acknowledgements, Cancellations, and Notifications about the status of your request will be sent to you via email if you provided the Circulation Department with an email address when you registered.

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Renew books online

Go to the Novanet catalogue login to your library account.

You will be prompted to enter your library barcode and the last 4 digits of your phone number (make sure the library has your correct phone number). Click Go.

A TAB will appear for My Library Account.

By clicking on the tab, you can view your account including the items you have checked out and renew individual items. Renewals will not work if someone has put a hold on that book, if you have reached the maximum number of renewals, or if you have more than $10 in fines.

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Get research help

The Reference Desk is located on the main floor next to the Information Commons. A Library Staff person is available for help at the desk Monday-Friday from 2:00 to 4:00pm during the academic year. Please ask at the Circulation Desk if you need help and there is no one at the Reference Desk.

Students are also encouraged to use LiveHelp. Live Help is a live, online chat-based reference service that lets you ask questions and get answers in real time! The chat box is located on the library catalogue. This service is staffed by Novanet Librarians and is designed to answer brief factual questions that can be answered quickly. You can learn more about LiveHelp at http://www.novanet.ns.ca/distance_live_help.html

LiveHelp is open most weekdays 9:00am - 5:00pm afternoons and 6:00 - 9:00pm on Fridays and Sundays.

Instruction on how to use the library is offered every fall during the months of September to November, January and also in several courses. If you wish to have an individual instruction session, you may arrange one by consulting the University Librarian.

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Get a library barcode

All students should come to the library to set up a library account at the beginning of the semester. They will receive a barcode for their student ID.The student ID must be for the current year.

Cards expire September 30 of each year and must be updated annually with correct address information. Students may borrow at other Novanet Libraries with their bar coded ID card.

Your library barcode allows you to sign out books and other materials that circulate, request interlibrary loans and Novanet express items.

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Get writing help

The Writing Centre is located in the AV Room on the main floor of the MacRae Library. If you need help organizing and editing your written assignments, the Writing Centre can help with papers or labs in any of your courses.

If you are an International Student who would like practice in Grammar & English Pronunciation,we schedule lessons in the Writing Centre.

Visit the Writing Centre or contact Marg to schedule an appointment.

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