Bundoora Library Audio Tour, February 2007 Podcast Transcript
Welcome to our self-guided tour of the Borchardt Library.
During this tour we will visit the Library's main areas and introduce you to our services.
Let's begin the tour inside the entrance. This is Level 2.
The Library is known as a place to meet classmates and work on group projects, so it can sometimes get a bit noisy. This is okay because we have designated silent study areas on Levels 1 and 3. We do ask that your mobile be turned to 'silent' whilst in the Library. As you take this tour you will notice signs on Levels 1 and 2 indicating areas where mobile phone use is allowed.
Straight ahead and on the right hand side you will see a staircase. Position yourself so you are standing at the base of the staircase facing away from the entrance.
Straight ahead on the right you will see the Inquiry Desk. This is the place to go for assistance with borrowing and locating books and using the catalogue. Remember, in order to borrow books you will need to have your student card with you.
Behind you and to the left is the Loans Desk. This is where you borrow books. Books can be checked out using the self check-out machines. The machines are easy to use-just follow the instructions on the screen. If you need help ask at the Inquiry Desk.
If you need to borrow items from any of La Trobe's regional campus libraries, or another Victorian university library, staff at the Inquiry Desk will be happy to assist you.
Return your books using the chutes located at the front of the building outside.
Behind the staircase you will find the Library's Reserve Section. This is where lecturers place books that a lot of students need access to. Reserve items can be borrowed for 3 hours from the Reserve Desk. It is important to remember that unborrowed books from the General collection will set off the alarm in the Reserve area, so please borrow your other books prior to entering the Reserve Section. Photocopiers are located within the Reserve area. Return your Reserve items to the Reserve Returns Chute, located to the right of the entrance to the Reserve area.
Let's walk back to the Inquiry Desk. Across from the Desk you will see banks of computer workstations and printers. These are only some of the computers available. There are computer workstations on every level of the library, as you will see. You can access the internet, library catalogue, check your email and use Microsoft Office software on all computers. The banks of computers nearest to the Library's entrance are 15 minute express workstations-these are easy to identify as there are no chairs at these computers. Printing is available from all seated computers in the Library. Printers are indicated by large orange signs hanging directly above them. They are easy to use-just follow the instructions on the printer monitor. If you need help with printing or copying the staff at the Inquiry Desk are happy to assist.
You will need to register for a printing account, so remember to bring your student card. You can re-charge your card at the card loading machines located in the photocopier and Reserve areas. Behind and to the left of the Inquiry Desk on the back wall is the entrance to the main photocopier room.
Now, standing in front of the Inquiry Desk, walk straight ahead toward the back of the Library. On your left you will notice another staircase and two display cabinets containing some very valuable Greek pottery, dating from about 530 to the end of the 4th Century. This collection is on loan to the Library by Mr Graham Geddes. The Inquiry Desk has more information about this collection.
To your right is the Research Help Desk. This Desk is staffed by Librarians who have expertise in specific subject areas. They are research experts. This is the best place to come to find resources for assignments and how to effectively search databases. Sessions on how to use databases and other library skills are offered throughout the year. You can visit the Library's training website for more details or simply ask at the Research Help Desk. You can also enquire here about services and equipment to assist students with disabilities or special needs.
The books located to the left of the Research Help Desk are part of the law Reports Collection. These books cannot be borrowed. Books in this Collection include legal cases and legislation.
Let's continue walking towards the back of the Library. On the left side you will see more of the Reference Collection. These books cannot be borrowed. Books in this Collection include encyclopaedias and dictionaries.
At the end of the hall and ahead of you is the Audiovisual Services Desk. The AV collection includes dvds, cds, kits, slides, musical scores and computer software. AV Reserve items are kept behind the desk. Remember, when you borrow items from AV you must return them to the AV chute, which is located on the left-hand side of the desk. AV items usually have a one week loan period. There is a designated area to view audio lectures and videos can be viewed in private viewing carrels or group rooms. You can also ask here if you need to use a scanner or Macintosh computer.
We have now visited the main locations on level 2, so let's take a moment and go upstairs to Level 3.
If you turn left when you get to the Audiovisual Services Desk and continue walking straight ahead you will find yourself in another work station area. There is access to a lift on the wall directly ahead, however, for the purposes of this tour we will access Level 3 by the staircase closest to the Greek Vase display.
When you reach the top of the staircase you will find more computer terminals. As you walk through the door, turn right. You are now roughly in the middle of the Library's huge collection of over 1.8 million items. This is where you will find most of the books that you can borrow. Keep in mind, as you walk, that this is a designated quiet area. Please be respectful of others who prefer quiet while studying. Call numbers are displayed at the end of the shelves to help you locate items.
Continue ahead and you will see a glassed-in area with more computers. Instead of entering this area, turn right. If you look above you will see signs indicating sorting areas. Sorting areas are located on levels 3 and 1 and you should look here if you can't find a book that supposed to be on the shelf. It could be here, waiting to be shelved. If you still have problems locating a book just ask at the Inquiry Desk - they'll be able to help.
We are almost finished our tour let's go back down to Level 2 where we started the tour, at the bottom of the staircase nearest the entrance.
The last stop on our tour is Level 1. Walk downstairs and when you reach the bottom you will find more photocopiers. The entrance to the right is where you will find the Serials collection. That is, journals, magazines, newspapers and other periodicals. Serials are any item that is published monthly, weekly or at regular intervals. Many of these titles are also available online via the library catalogue.
The entrance to the left will lead you to the Government Publications collection. This includes publications by federal, state and local Australian governments and international bodies.
We have now completed our tour. Thanks for listening. We hope we have given you a good idea of our services and the locations of important areas in the Library.
If you haven't already picked up the small Student Library Services guide, you can get one at the Inquiries Desk or the Research Help Desk. This will give you more information on hours of opening, borrowing limits and other details not covered in this tour.
Thank you for visiting and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask our staff. We are here to help you.