Information for Faculty

Using the MacRae Library

Your library account

All faculty should come to the library to set up a library account upon hiring. They will receive a barcode for their staff ID. If they don’t yet have a staff ID, they will receive a yellow borrower’s card.

In addition, cards expire September 30 of each year and must be updated annually. Faculty 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.

Faculty have extended borrowing priveldges. Books may be checked out for 60 days

Renewals

Book loans may be renewed if no other borrower is waiting. A 60 day loan can be renewed 2 times, and a 3 week loan can be renewed 3 times. After the maximum number of renewals, books must be returned to the shelves for at least 48 hours. The library system suspends borrowing privileges if ten items are overdue, or if fines or charges accumulate to $10.00 or more. Reserve Materials may be renewed if no other person has requested the material.

Recalls and Holds

Any book is subject to recall from any borrower, including Faculty. A book required for reserve may be recalled immediately. Hold Requests may be submitted by users on Novanet.

Fines

When materials become overdue, fines are charged for every day the Library is open as follows: Books: $0.25/day and Reserve Books: $1.00 per half hour

Lost or damaged book charges

When material is lost or damaged while on loan, the borrower is charged the current replacement cost plus processing charges. Out-of-print materials will be charged at the discretion of the Chief Librarian.

Recovery of Fines and Charges for Overdue books

A report on books overdue on a borrower's library account will be sent to Financial Services Office at the end of each term. Outstanding amounts on non-student patron accounts are sent to a collection agency by Novanet.

You can access all the library resources from on campus as you should be connected to the NSAC network. If you do not have a valid NSAC network username and password, contact the ACS Helpdesk at ext. 6154.

You can access most of the library's electronic resources from on campus through the library's website in order to be authenticated as an NSAC user. The NSAC proxy server will identify you by your IP address as an NSAC user and will automatically grant you access.

How do I access the MacRae Library electronic resources from off-campus?

Electronic resources can be accessed from off- campus for all registered NSAC students , staff and faculty with a valid network username and password. For faculty and staff, your username is usually your first initial and last name, ex: jsmith. Your password is your network password.

These resources must be accessed via the MacRae Library website. When prompted for authentication, simply enter your NSAC network username and password for full access to our e-resources.

If you do not have a valid NSAC network username and password, contact the IT Helpdesk at ext. 6154.

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Access to Dalhousie University Libraries Electronic Resources

NSAC Faculty who are members of Dalhousie University's Faculty of Graduate Studies may be eligible to access Dalhousie University Libraries electronic resources. To find out if you are eligible and to obtain your username and password, contact Marie Law , 893-6502, Administrative Program Officer at the Research & Graduate Studies Office.

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Services for Faculty

Can I get a journal title routed to me?

Yes, faculty who have an interest in a particular journal may request to be put on a journal routing list. This means that new issues of journals will be sent directly to you for a 3-day loan. Contact Verna Mingo, Head of Acquisitions/Serials at 893-4581to get a journal title routed to you.

What are your hours?

Click here for our hours of operation. Library staff work Monday -Friday from 8:30-5:00pm. The remaining hours are staffed by student library assistants.

How can I get a photocopy card for my grad student/research assistant?

Pick up a form at the front of the circulation desk. Send the completed form to the attention to Verna Mingo, Head, Acquisitions. The form needs to be authorized and a cost centre number on it. The student may then pick up the photocopy card at the circulation desk. Each card contains $20.10.

How do I know if a book or article I requested has arrived?

You will receive an email in your NSAC email account.

Where are the photocopiers and printers?

There is a photocopier in each of the lounges on the mainfloor and the lower floor. The photocopier on the main floor is also a printer for the public computers. A printer is also located in the information commons for the Information Commons computers.

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Reserve Items

How do I put items for my students on Reserve at the library?

Coming soon!

What types of items can I put on Reserve?

Requests can include required readings and supporting literature in the form of books, articles (print or electronic) or audio-visual materials.    

When do I need to submit my requests?

• Reserve requests for books that are in the library’s collection should be submitted two weeks prior to the beginning of the class.

• Reserve requests for books that the library currently does not own must be submitted 2 months prior to the beginning of the class.

• A minimum of two business days is required for processing any items added to an existing list during the course of the term.

Are the students permitted to take Reserve materials out of the Library?

No.  All material on reserve must be used within the library unless the instructor requests otherwise. The loan period for all materials is TWO HOURS, unless the instructor requests otherwise.

Can I put old exams on Reserve?

Yes.  The Library is undertaking a project to digitize exams and will provide them as electronic reserves for Fall 2011.

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Electronic Resources and Collections

How can I access the MacRae Library homepage?

http://nsac.ca/library is our library homepage.

What are our online electronic resources?

The MacRae Library has subscriptions to several types of electronic resources, including:

• electronic journals
• databases (with full-text and abstracts-only)Internet resources (ex. Subscribed access to Statistics Canada)

How do I know what journal titles are online? How can I see a title list?

Search Resolver, our Electronic and Print journal title tool. Do a search for your journal title. If it is available electronically, it will provide you with a link to the title or database.

You may also check the Novanet Catalogue. Please note, however, that the Electronic Journal list has the most comprehensive list of electronic journals.

Does the MacRae Library have access to other libraries?

Yes. We are a part of Novanet and ASIN (the Atlantic Scholarly Information Network). Our catalogue reflects the holdings of the 10 institutions that belong to Novanet. As a member of ASIN, we have reciprocal borrowing and return anywhere policies for Atlantic Universities Libraryes who are members of ASIN. It also allows for in-person borrowing by faculty, students and staff at any Canadian University Library. For information on how to get an ASIN card, please email Sherree Miller or call 893-6669.

Do I have access to Dalhousie University's Library?

If you are a member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies at Dalhousie University, you have access to certain features of Dalhousie Libraries.

Do you keep copies of NSAC graduate student thesis and dissertations?

Yes. The library maintains copies of all theses from NSAC (Dalhousie University) graduate students. These theses are incorporated into the general book collection and can be searched using Novanet or Worldcat Local. Check here for more ways to find theses.

What are the Agricola Collections?

A special area has been set aside for agricultural items of value or historical interest called the Agricola Collections. Secured in this area are rare books, photographs and a wide variety of farm implements. Selections from the College's special collections are on display throughout the year in the Lobby, and special exhibits are created annually for the Homecoming Weekend and for other special occasions. More information can be found on the Special Collections webpage. Please visit or call the library at 893-6669 for more information on viewing items from the Agricola Collection.

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Interlibrary Loans

What if the article or book I want is not available at NSAC? How do I get it?

If the article or book that you want is not available at the MacRae Library, you may request it through our interlibrary loan 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 "How-To Request an Interlibrary Loan" guide (PDF).

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

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Information Literacy & Instruction

What are Reference Services?

Reference services include assisting students, faculty and staff in using the library services and resources and finding information. This may involve finding a book or journal article, or instruction on how to use a database or the online catalogue.

When are Reference Services available?

Reference Services are available by appointment or during scheduled Reference Hours. cheduled Reference hours are Mon/Tues: 9-noon and Thurs/Fri: 1-4pm.

How do I get library instruction for my class? or for myself or department?

You may request library instruction for your class, yourself, or department members by emailing the Reference Assistant, Erin MacPherson or phoning 893-3269.

Who is responsible to teach library and research skills to students?

Generally, the University Librarian will work with faculty members to arrange for a library orientation with first year degree and diploma students. In addition, they will also arrange for additional library research skills orientations for 4th year Research Methods students, Graduate Students (AGRI5700) and other courses upon request.

Where can my students get writing help?

Students can get writing help at the Writing Centre, located at the MacRae Library. In addition, ESL skills are also taught there and many students volunteer their skills.

Where can my students get assistance in creating and managing bibliographies?

Frequently asked questions on creating and managing bibliographies can be found in the "How do I..." section of the library website.

MacRae Library keeps a copy of the NSAC Style manual on its homepage. The Style manual is created annually by Prof. Lauranne Sanderson, Dr. Deborah Styles and the University Librarian. Click here for the NSAC Style Manual.

MacRae Library also subscribes to RefWorks. RefWorks is a web-based bibliography and database manager that allows you to createyour own personal database by importing references from text files or online databases and other various sources.
You can use these references in writing papers and automatically format the paper
and the bibliography in seconds. Create your account or login to RefWorks. (a link to Refworks can also be found on the library homepage).

Subject Guides

The Reference Assistant and University Librarian may be able to assist you to developing a subject guide for your class or degree program upon request. Please note that this service is subject to sufficient notice.

Can I get a library tour?

Library tours are available for faculty, staff and students. We regularly give library tours to the incoming international and graduate students students. We also give tours to visiting scholars, new faculty and staff. Real, “virtual” and self-directed tours are also given to all first year students annually as part of their library orientation.

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Library Facilities

Is there anywhere for me to have a class held in the library?

Yes. In addition to the information commons, the group study workstations is an ideal location to do small class instruction. Also, the AV Corner may be available to use for occasional instruction.

What computer facilities are available in the library?

The main Information Commons contains 32 computers that are connected to the NSAC Network for students/faculty/staff. Printing is available at a cost of 10 cents per page.

The Group Study Workstations contains 3 computers with 2 monitors per workstation, allowing for group work of up to 7 students per station.

All computers part of the information commons have full access to the NSAC network and software applications.

Faculty may book the entire workstations for classroom instruction (either the main Information Commons or the Group Study Workstations) by contacting the Circulation Desk at 893-6669.

There are also 10 “public” computers that are available for use to anyone, including the general public.

Go to the Computer and IT Information page for more information and a list of software programs available.

Do you have videoconferencing equipment?

Yes. Videoconferencing is available in the Cobequid Room, upstairs in the MacRae Library. The room may be booked out at the Circulation Desk. Library staff and Dr. Norman Goodyear provide instruction on how to use the videoconferencing equipment.

Are there rooms available for booking for meetings or seminars?

Yes. The library has 4 rooms available for booking. Generally, the Cobequid Room upstairs is the most suitable for meetings and contains the videoconferencing equipment. There are 3 Seminar rooms available on the lower level that may be booked out for seminars and meetings. Students may book out any of the 3 Seminar Rooms. The Writing Center is located in Seminar Room #2.

Is there wireless?

Yes. The MacRae Library is completely wireless accessible. All you require is a laptop and a wireless network card to roam within the Library Wireless Network coverage area (main floor and lower level) and connect to various Library Information Resources such as the Novanet Catalogue and the internet. the Library website, and electronic databases with links to scientific and scholarly journal articles as well as general Internet services such as NSAC GroupWise, google and the World Wide Web.

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Library Policies

How is library policy created?

MacRae Library policy is the responsibility of a Library Committee made up of members elected from Faculty Council, the President or his designated representative, one student selected by the Students' Union, and one student selected by the NSAC Association of Graduate Students (NAGS). The Committee is always prepared to consider suggestions and comments concerning the Library's operation. A suggestion box has been placed at the Circulation Counter.

Many of our library policies can be found on the website or by asking at the Circulation Desk.

How do I donate books, journals, or items of historical interest?

Items of historical interest may be donated to the Agricola Collections. Please check with the University Librarian if you have something to donate.

Books and journals may also be donated to the MacRae library. Please note, however, that we are unable to add every item to our collection. Each item is checked to see if it already belongs in our collection and if it adds value before it is added. Please check with the University Librarian if you have items to donate.

Where do I find information on copyright?

Copyright Information

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