University of Tasmania, Australia

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Flexible Library Service

UTAS Home ›  › Library › Services › Loans and Borrowing  › Flexible Library Service

Registration and Requesting About the Flexible Library Service
  • Register with the Flexible Library Service
  • Request a journal article or book chapter


  • Contact Flexible Library Service Staff



 


 

What is the Flexible Library Service?

The Flexible Library Service is a service offered by the Library to UTAS staff and students who are :

  • Living or undertaking practical placement more than 40km from the Launceston and Sandy Bay campuses during semester or
  • Undertaking studies or working at the Cradle Coast Campus or
  • Registered with the University as a student with special needs due to a disability.

Services offered :

If the library does not hold the material needed, eligible users (Staff and Post-graduate students) can request items through Document Delivery. Guidelines for this service are set out in the Library's Document Delivery Service leaflet (available on request) and on the web.

Registered Flexible library users can have requested Document Delivery items posted out.

Online Guide (SWF 1MB) (Requires Flash Player)     Text version of Online Guide (PDF 191.39KB) 

 

Who may use the Flexible Library Service?

University of Tasmania staff and students who are :

  • studying and working at the Cradle Coast Campus
    or
  • living more than 40 km from the Launceston and Hobart campuses during semester;
    or
  • undertaking practical placement at a location more than 40 km from the Launceston and Hobart campuses;
    or
  • registered with the University as a client with special needs due to a disability

You MUST register to use the Flexible Library Service.

 

How do I register?

Register here

Note: Registration must be renewed each year. The expiry date on your ID card indicates when your registration expires.

When you register for the Flexible Library Service a Library PIN (Personal Identification Number) will be sent to your UTAS email address. You will need this PIN to request items online from the Library catalogue.

The Library communicates via your University email address.

 

How do I request an item?

*Books, CDs, Videos (PDF 301.50KB) etc.

* A photocopy (or email attachment) of a journal article or book chapter (PDF 203KB)

If you are having difficulty placing your requests phone: (03) 6430 4985 or email Flexible@lib.utas.edu.au

Undergraduate students registered with the Flexible Library Service may borrow up to 25 items for 28 days, and an extra seven days to allow for postage.

Items listed in the catalogue as "three day loan" can be borrowed for five days, to allow for posting.

 

What information must I supply for photocopying material from books or journals?

Check the Library's catalogue to ensure that we hold the item you require.

  • Check the catalogue for item details:
    • Library location and call number
    • holdings for serial titles
    • full details of the book or serial title, author of book and year of publication.
  • Each request must include:
    • your name and student ID number, and
    • a date after which the item is no longer needed
  • Indicate whether an alternative title is acceptable, if we are unable to provide the item requested. Make sure you include the relevant course code.

 

Availability of items

Theses are not available to loan, you can request to view them at a UTAS library if you are on campus.

Items held in the Reserve or Reference collections are not normally available for loan but:

  • a copy may be available for use in the library at the Cradle Coast Campus,
    or
  • we can photocopy the contents pages and index if relevant. You can then request the relevant chapter or 10% of the item to be copied,
    or
  • contents pages may already be listed on the catalogue which assists in choosing what is to be copied.

If the Library does not have the material you need, eligible users can request it from the Document Delivery Service. The guidelines are set out in the Library's Document Delivery Service leaflet and on the Web.

 

Collection and delivery of items

You can select whether your requested items are:

  • posted to your address (registered clients only),
    or
  • sent by internal mail to the Cradle Coast Campus or other accepted University addresses.

Allow 3-4 working days for your items to arrive. You will be sent an email when the material is posted.

Check My Library on the Library catalogue to monitor your loans and your requests. You can also cancel requests, if you no longer need the items.

The Library undertakes to contact you where material can't be found or there are other difficulties encountered with supply.

Loan items are held at the Cradle Coast Campus for 7 days. Uncollected loan items are returned to the Library after that time.


Renewals

Loans can be renewed if the item is not overdue and if the item has not been requested by another borrower.

You can renew items:

From the Library Catalogue, click on My Library.

By phone: 6324 3276

Email: Flexible@lib.utas.edu.au

 


Returns

Ensure that your loan items are returned to a UTAS library by the due date.

You can return items:

  • By mail (at your expense)
  • Via the return chute in any UTAS library
  • Via the self-check at the  Cradle Coast Campus
  • Devonport Polytechnic Library (remember to return items BEFORE the due date to allow for return to the UTAS library)
 Fines apply. Please see the relevant borrowing guide e.g. Undergraduate borrowing guide  for details about fines for late return of material. Calculation of fines takes place once the item is returned. Fines can be paid at the University cashier (also by credit card), by cheque or money order or at the Cradle Coast Campus administration counter. Material will not be sent to you until overdue material is returned and all fines are paid. The Library requires the receipt number from payment to reinstate borrowing.

If you have problems renewing or returning items, please contact the Flexible Library Service.

 

How to find out what resources are in the Library

The catalogue lists all materials held by the University Library. It also shows you whether an item is on loan or if it is available, as well as the number of people who have requested the title and where it is located. Some material has been designated as high use with short term loans and is located in a special area called Reserve. The catalogue also shows whether an item is on loan or available for requesting, as well as the number of people who have requested a copy.

When you are looking for serial articles for an assignment, using one of the Library's many databases will save you a great deal of time. Library guides provide assistance as to which databases to choose. Many databases provide full-text of serial articles.

The databases can be searched at any University of Tasmania site and many can be searched off-campus via the Web. Please see our Remote access page for details on how access these resources.

For help in searching the Library catalogue or databases:

  • participate in a training session at your closest branch library or at the Cradle Coast Campus. The dates and times are advertised at each location, and through the Cradle-Coast-Student@utas.edu.au discussion list or contact the Flexible Library Service to arrange a training session to suit your individual needs;
    or
  • use the Teach yourself online interactive library and information skills tutorials.
  • refer to relevant Library publications, available on the Web.
  • phone Flexible Library Services on 6324 3534 for immediate help with finding things in the Library;
    or
  • ask for help via the 'Ask Us & Your Feedback' web page.
    or
  • leave a message on the Library's out of hours answering machine on 6324 3276

 

Subject search service

Please contact the Flexible Library Service on 6430 4985 at Cradle Coast Campus for assistance if you are unable to search the library's databases.

 

Useful sources of information

View our online tutorials - Teach yourself online

A Guide to the presentation of assignments has been produced to help you format written work. The Guide includes sections on the physical appearance of assignments, spelling, methods of documentation, scientific writing and referencing electronic information sources.

Check with your School before using this guide - many schools have their own specifications for presenting assignments.

Other libraries in your area or state may also provide access to useful resources. For example:

  • the State Library of Tasmania has a broad collection of books, audiovisual materials, serials and databases, which may be relevant to your area of study.
  • A Tasmanian Polytechnic library in your area.
  • Special libraries, depending on your area of study. You may need to phone in advance, as access may be restricted.
  • Other university libraries if you live interstate.
  • Many libraries may extend borrowing privileges to you, but you will need proof of enrolment.

The catalogues of other university libraries can also be searched from the Library's Web page.

 

Further information about the Library

Further information about the Library is available on the Library's Web page. The Library also produces a number of publications. Key publications are:

You can also contact the liaison librarian for your subject for further information on how the Library can help you with your studies.

Check the Service Desk site for IT support and computer helpsheets.