Nutrition & Dietetics Research Guide  

Library Checklist for  Undergraduate & Graduate Students

Meet your librarian

At Acadia each academic department has a liaison librarian to assist students and faculty.  Librarians are assigned departments based on their educational background, experience and interest.  We encourage you to find your librarian via email, chat or in person to find out about the library services and resources available to you.  Find yours at: http://library.acadiau.ca/about/librarians.html.  As well, Acadia has partnered with Novanet to provide extended chat reference services through LiveHelp:  http://library.acadiau.ca/help/.

Set up your Network Account

In order to access the library resources available electronically, you must have your network access setup and you need to be on the secure wireless signal (acadia, not Acadia Open).  The most common problems are surrounding usernames and passwords.  You can check to make sure your account has been set-up properly by going to: https://central.acadiau.ca/accounts/.  Follow the steps until you have all green check marks.  If you still cannot log on your next step would be to contact Technical Support for further assistance: http://ts.acadiau.ca/index.php Network Access and Wireless 

Access resources off campus

If you live or work off campus you must set up the VPN to access all the library's electronic resources. The quickest and easiest method to do this is through the Clientless VPN install using a secure web site.  To access this resource, connect to https://acadia-vpn.acadiau.ca. Log in with your Acadia network credentials (ie 093842d and password).Once logged in, click the "AnyConnect" in the left navigation panel and follow the installation instructions.  Please do not book mark this URL - the login will fail when bookmarked.

If you have any problems please contact Technology Services or visit the online instructions at:

http://ts.acadiau.ca/how-do-i-set-up-a-vpn-for-accessing-library-documents.html. Please note that some resources such as PubMed and some Ebooks require the “Any Connect” client to be installed.  Those who have dial-up or satellite internet may have difficulty using the VPN services because of signal or timeout issues.  You must logon for each session.

Register for Interlibrary Loan/Doc Delivery

If we don't have the book or article you need, we can get it for you! InterLibrary Loan is an essential service provided for Acadia students, faculty and staff.  If there are books or journal articles you would like to use Acadia will request the items from libraries that are willing to lend the material.  Articles will be delivered directly to you via email with a onetime download link. Go to http://library.acadiau.ca/services/ILL/ to register now.

Setup your printer

There are printers available on campus, one in the library and two in Technology Services (colour and black and white).   Installing the printer can take a few minutes, so be sure to install the library printer on your laptop early in the term. Please note that students using home editions of Windows may have issues with retaining saved passwords and may have to reinstall.  Instructions vary depending on the type of computer you are using: http://ts.acadiau.ca/how-do-i-set-up-network-printers.html/

Start using a bibliographic manager

RefWorks and Zotero are tools available to you to help you organize your references and cite them in the proper format.  Spending a little time setting this software up can save you hours later in the year. RefWorks is freely available for all Acadia students, faculty and staff.  Please visit our guides to get your started or make an appointment with your librarian.  Refworks: http://libguides.acadiau.ca/refworks and Zotero: http://libguides.acadiau.ca/zotero.

Libguides and the best resources for you

Each librarian has created specialized guides called Libguides for each academic department that group the most relevant resources for each subject area to make it easier for students to find the best resources for assignments and papers.  Our libguides are located on the main library page and are also available at: http://libguides.acadiau.ca.

WorldCat Local:  allows you to search Acadia’s library materials, along with journal articles, books, DVDs, etc. from libraries all over the world.  It is very powerful, and it is not meant to replace our subject databases but to act a complementary tool.  We have several online videos to help explain how to search within our new catalogue: http://library.acadiau.ca/help/tutorials.html

Don’t be afraid to use Google Scholar. You can find excellent scholarly material using this resource.  If you are on campus or logged into the VPN, you can modify your “scholar preferences” to include the Get @ Acadia and Import to Refworks buttons! 

Borrow anywhere in Canada, return anywhere in NS

Nova Scotia has a borrow and return anywhere program, residents of Nova Scotia can borrow material at most academic and public libraries in Nova Scotia and return to a different library.  http://tiny.cc/kjed7.  As well, an ASIN (Atlantic Scholarly Information Network) card will give you on-site privileges at almost all University libraries in Canada.  You must pick up your ASIN from the Acadia library.

Office Hours:

Wednesday: 10am-1pm or 6pm-9pm on the Ref Desk.

Additional office hours this week: Thursday 10am-1pm.

Or by appointment. Please email me.