Use these three options to search for articles:
1. Articles-Express.
2. Subject Guides.
3. Databases A-Z.
Find detailed instructions on how to find articles here.
Use this guide to find videos on how find an article online using a reference, and how to find articles with Articles-Express.
Your question not here? ASK US
Use our Ask Us Form or contact us via email or phone.
Also check out the Library's Help page, it may have the answer you need.The items you borrow from the Library General Loan Collection automatically renew for a maximum total loan time of 90 days if they have not been returned by the initial return date. You do not have to do anything, you will receive verification of the extended renew date by email.
An exception to this rule is if an item has been recalled. Recall notices are sent to borrowers by email.
Renewing a loan means to extend a loan time for an item you already have on loan.
Use these instructions below to renew a loan.
Unitec students can loan items from any of the Unitec Libraries.
You'll need to have your Unitec ID card to borrow from the library. There are self-check machines at each of the branches.
Use the Library website to find information about borrowing, loan periods and item loan limits.
As a Unitec student, you have free access to Microsoft 365. Unitec recommends you use the Microsoft Training Centre
A Course Reserve item is library material (books/ journals/ articles/ DVDs) recommended by your course lecturer.
Lecturers arrange readings recommended for your course to be on Course Reserve Loan. Course Reserve items are held at the Lending Desk.
Please note Course reserve items are also high demand items and are issued for Course Reserve periods (2 hours, 24 hours, 72 hours) that are subject to fines if returned late.
Use this guide to know how to find Course Reserve items in the Library catalogue.
Assignment cover sheets are usually found on your Moodle course pages.
From the Library's home page, you have several options to access the databases:
Distance students are entitled to use the Library's distance Delivery service. Distance Service is available to students who are currently enrolled in Unitec courses AND who live outside the Greater Auckland Region (north of North Shore City and South of Manukau City).
Students living overseas can use this service too, however there are some restrictions - please contact the library for details.
More about Distance services.
You will find instructions here for downloading eBooks either onto a smartphone, tablet, Kindle Reader, Kobo.
To use an eBook on your computer, tablet or smartphone you'll need to set-up these requirements . You only have to set-up these requirements the first time you use an eBook.
Use these instructions to know how to forward your myunitec.ac.nz email to your preferred email account.
How to change student email to your preferred email address
If one has not been provided there you can use the standard Unitec cover sheet.
The Unitec Library fines policy for overdue items is in place to encourage borrowers to return items on time, allowing library material to be kept in circulation and available to all borrowers.
Tips for avoiding fines
View online tutorials that provide an introduction to searching or using the Unitec Library.
Use this information guide to know how search for a book or subject in the library.
Laptops are no longer available for loan from the Waitākere library. In emergency situations, you can apply to borrow a laptop from the Te Puna Ask Me desk. This request must show an immediate need and may be refused.
The Student Support team may be able to provide a long-term loan laptop. See website for further information.
Upon enrolment you would’ve received a letter from I.M.S. with your login details.
Your default network password is your date of birth in the format DDMMYYYY. Your username and password will be in lowercase.
Alternatively, you can request your computer log-in details by…
Contacting the Ask IT. HelpDesk on 0800 ASKIMS (275467) or +64 9 815 4321 ext 8484. Be prepared to answer security questions to validate your identity.
Visiting Student Central on the Mt Albert campus at Building 180. Be prepared to present a identification document like your Driver’s License.
Use these instructions to find out how to login to Moodle.
Go here to access your Moodle login page.
You can find the library opening hours on the library website. Hours vary across the branches.
You will normally be required to login to access the Unitec Library e-resources while on campus. The exception to this is e-books and ETV which requires registration.
For e-books login with your Unitec network username (eg smithj05) and password.
To register for ETV see https://guides.unitec.ac.nz/ETV.
To access the Library e-resources (including databases) you will be prompted to login - again using your Unitec network username (eg smithj05) and password.
A few library databases also require an additional password as well as your Unitec one. Click here to see our list of special database logins (you will be prompted to login with your Moodle login to see this list).
Please note the library e-resources all currently require the short form username but to login to your LibrarySearch (MyLibrary)account to view loan history, outstanding fines, request items or save searches you now need to use your full myunitec email address to login.
For more information about logging into Unitec Library's online services see this guide: https://guides.unitec.ac.nz/librarylogin
Your Moodle account is now connected to your Unitec email address. Check out the video on How to Log into your Moodle account on https://www.unitec.ac.nz/current-students/study-support/how-to
Contact ASK IT on (09) 815 4321 extn 8484 if you still have problems logging in.
Instructions for using the MFD machines (printers) have been posted on the walls near the machines. For more detailed instructions on copying and printing at the Unitec, see the Unitec printing guide.
For specific instructions on
You can print from your own device to a Unitec Library MFD. Use this Wireless Printing Guide for instructions on how to access and use this service. See the Wireless Printing FAQs for troubleshooting information.
Having an item recalled means that an item you have on loan has been requested by another Library member and that you need to return it to the Library before the original due date.
Receiving a Recall Request means you need to return the named items by the new return date mentioned in the email.
Failing to do so will incur overdue fines to your library account. Any Recall Request fines accrued due to incorrect contact details are the responsibility of the borrower.
Students are responsible making sure their contact details are up-to-date. You can update your personal contact details through the My Records section of the Unitec MyPortal.
Any Recall Request fines accrued due to incorrect contact details are the responsibility of the borrower.
Students are required to both cite and reference their assessments.
Referencing style guides
Referencing tools
Use these referencing tools to manage bibliographies and references when writing assessments. Mendeley and Zotero and online programmes. Endnote is no longer supported at Unitec nor available from the library. Help using these resources can be found on the following guides.
Why cite and reference?
Students are required to acknowledge the sources used in their writing/assessments/projects. You must acknowledge what you have used in your writing in order to avoid plagiarism. We cite and reference our writing so that:
There are two parts to acknowledging another author's work within your own:
The referencing style you use determines how these elements are organized in your work. Your programme will require you use a specific referencing style. Your department may provide you with a referencing handbook you can use as a guide. Guides to the most common citation styles used at Unitec are listed above. The Library also has a number of style guides available on the shelves.
Find information and examples about how to reference different information sources here on the library’s Referencing Guide.
For more specific referencing help please get in touch with the Student Learning and Achievement Team to book a personal consultation with a Learning advisor or register for a referencing workshop.
Mendeley and Zotero are online referencing management tools you can use to manage bibliographies and references when writing assessments.
The Library’s recommended programmes are Mendeley and Zotero because they are convenient due to being cloud-based systems you can access online.
You can make a Mendeley account here.
You can make a Zotero account here.
EndNote is no longer supported by Unitec.
Use this EndNote Training video or EndNote guide to learn how to set-up and use EndNote.
Find reading material found on your reading list by following these steps.
Tip. *Use this video to learn how you can find an article online using a reference.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Contact a Librarian for assistance.
There are many steps in the process used to research a topic for an assignment.
The Study Toolbox has helpful guidelines
Locate key New Zealand law and legislation databases on Unitec Library's Law Subject Guide.
Key resources found here include:
The Library Law Subject Guide to locate key New Zealand law and legislation databases.
Use this video to learn how to search for cases.
Not all cases are reported, so it is possible one may not be able to be found. The Unitec Library can only provide access to New Zealand cases, we don't have access to international cases.
To source an international case, use Google to locate overseas government websites, or universities or law firm websites who may give you the information you need.
There are 3 places you can look to source journal articles.
Peer reviewed articles are articles that have been written by experts and are reviewed by a panel of other experts in that field before the article is published in order to ensure the article's quality, accuracy and contribution to that field's body of knowledge.
Watch this video to find out about what peer-reviewed articles.
Use the Library Subject Guide to select your course, here you'll find a database feature that you can use to select database's relevant to your subject.
Some databases, for example EBSCOhost have the option for you to refine your search results to Peer-Reviewed Articles only.
Other databases like Science Direct only contain peer-reviewed articles.
You can check whether your article is peer-reviewed by either visiting the journal's website homepage or using the Ulrich's Database Directory.
You can book a study-room here.
Study-rooms are available for groups of 3 or more students.
You can book a study-room at Te Puna (B180), Mt Albert campus or Wāitakere Library, Wāitakere campus.
Use this link to read more about the study-room service.
A Mothers' Room is located B112-3019 if mothers want to express milk or breast feed their baby.
This room is locked, so you need to come to the Ask Me Desk in Te Puna (B180). We will ask for your contact details, and give you a key.
Remember to bring the key back when you have finished with the room.
Use this library help guide to understand how to find your Course Readings.
Course Readings are lists of recommended reading resources from your course lecturer.
Use the notice boards around campus to buy or sell second-hand text books, calculators, tools or other study related material. Also check out Facebook, students from programme specific groups to buy, sell or trade study related materials. Another great option is Trade Me Books.
Access Turnitin via your Moodle course. If your teacher has set it up, you will most likely see the Turnitin logo and the instructions for submission in your Moodle course.
To check the Similarity Report of your assignment before you submit your final version, submit your draft document through the Turnitin assignment submission link. This will produce a Similarity Report.
You can still edit your draft and resubmit it (in the same place – no need to delete the old one) until the due date. Any new draft you submit will overwrite the old one, so only your final version will be saved in the system.
For more help with Turnitin, your teacher is the first person to ask, or the Turnitin website. Or you can book an appointment with a Learning Advisor.
IT support staff offer technical assistance
You can connect your personal device/computer to Unitec's WiFi network.
Use these instructions to know how to connect your device to the Unitec E-Learn network.