Information for Students

Off-campus access to electronic resources

The majority of the library's web-based resources including databases, electronic journal collections and e-books are searchable from off-campus.

If you're off campus, you'll be prompted for your NSAC network username and password. You should access these resources from the library website when at home, otherwise you will not be prompted for your login and not get full access.

Username: last name, first name initial (ex. smithj)
Password: Minimum of 6 alphanumeric (A-Z, 0-9).*

Note: You will be prompted to change your password the first time you login the network on campus. You should be aware every 60 days you will have to change your password (you will have to login to a computer on campus to do so).

This is for security purposes and is necessary as your password will expire and deny you access to your account if you don't change the password.

Contact the IT Helpdesk if you are having problems with your network password.

Your Library Account

In order to sign out books or other items that can circulate, all patrons need a barcode number. Your barcode number will be provided on your first visit to the Library. Staff may refuse borrowing privileges to any person who does not have his or her student ID for the current year.

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

For your own security it is forbidden to loan your barcoded student ID to any other person. Problems, including fines or any other chanrges arising from violation of this rule are the responsibility of the owner of the ID card.

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Borrowing and Loan periods for students

Loan Periods:

Renewals
Book loans may be renewed if no other borrower is waiting, to a maximum of three renewals. Books then 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 orcharges accumulate to $10.00 or more. Reserve materials may be renewed if no other person has requestedhte material.

Recalls
Any book is subject to recall from any borrower. This applies to all categories of borrowers, including Faculty. A book required for reserve may be recalled immediately. Library staff process recalls. A Hold can be placed by users as a Novanet Express Request.

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.

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Interlibrary Loans/Novanet Express

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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Reserves

The Reserve Collection contains items that are put on loan for a shorter period of time allowing maximum useage by students. You can search for reserves using the Novanet Catalogue.

If your professor has put items on reserve, they will be behind the circulation counter. You will need to know your course name or professor's name. All material on reserve must be used within the library unless otherwise specified.

The loan period for material in all the above categories is TWO HOURS. The loan may be renewed if no other person has requested the material.

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Reference/Research Help

The Reference Desk is located on the main floor next to the Information Commons. Check the digital sign for Reference Hours during the academic semester. 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 here and the hours of operation.

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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Computer Workstations/Information Commons

The Library has two information commons areas on the main floor which are all connected to the NSAC network. The large information commons has 34 individual PC workstations. The smaller groups tudy information commons has 3 workstations with 2 monitors per stations. The Library offers wireless connection to the internet.

IT Assistants work in the Commons from 5pm-10:30pm Monday to Thursday and weekend afternoons during the academic year.

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Writing Centre

The Writing Centre is located on the main floor in the 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.

Writing Centre Hours

The Writing Centre schedule is posted around the library and on the digital sign next to the Circulation Desk.

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Study/Seminar Rooms

Seminar Rooms #1, 2 and 3 are located downstairs in the library. They may be reserved at the Circulation Desk and are intended for group study and meetings (2 or more people).

The Library also has five (5) individual study rooms. A study room may be reserved for one day at a time, on a first come first serve basis. Sign up a study room at the Circulation Desk. If a reservation is not taken within 15 minutes of the starting time, it may be assigned to another user. If you must be absent from your reading room for more than 1/2 hour, please notify the circulation desk.

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Access to Dalhousie University Libraries (Graduate Students Only)

NSAC graduate students have access to the electronic resources at Dalhousie University Library. Your NetID will give you access to Dalhousie University Library electronic resources.

If you are a new graduate student, you need to activate your NetID. You will need to know your Dalhousie Banner# and birthdate.

New users will be prompted to select a password. You can then login to the Dalhousie library proxy server using your NetID and password. You can find more information about remote access to Dalhousie University Libraries here.

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Distance Ed Students

The Library provides services to Distance Education students. More information can be found on the Distance Education webpage.

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ASIN Card

As a Nova Scotia Agricultural College student, you may be eligible for a borrowing card from the Atlantic Scholarly Information Network (ASIN). This card entitles you to borrowing privileges at many institutions across Canada. For information on how to get an ASIN card, please email Sherree Miller or ask at the Circulation Desk.

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