Resigning Blog

Greetings all,

Just a brief message to inform you all that this blog will temporarily cease to be used while the library considers the best approach to blogging for the future. The blog was orginally launched for university purposes and formed the research phase of the real blog which is yet to come, fully endorsed by TNQITAFE. Thank you for your contributions, feedback and support over the past eight weeks. It has been an odyssey of sorts into new social software and emerging technologies and a downright pleasure moderating this blog. I look forward to chatting with you all online again very soon.

Cheers,
Tracey

Get a whole lot more out of life...

I'm not talking about Lifesavers.... Well, actually I am. But not the type you're thinking of... I'm talking about a different kind of lifesaver - LIBRARIANS! Most people don't know that Librarians tend to get a whole lot more out of life and if you're best friends with one, you're lucky! We're information and knowledge lifesavers who know how to get a whole lot more out of search engines, subject directories, google, the Internet, books, journals, magazines, specialist publications, reports, newspapers , Wikipedia and even the humble telephone directory. We don't know everything but we can find anything. It's what we do best. Just Ask Us. Make your library your lifesaver and start getting a whole lot more out of your life!

Note: Image courtesy of www.spatter.typepad.com

TNQIT Library Help...

If you're not sure how to get the most out of your electronic library experience, then there is plenty of help available to you online at the TNQIT Library Website. Perhaps you need some help using the catalogue, or you need to know how to reserve items? Whatever your problem is, we're bound to have an anwer available 24/7 just by visiting our How To website. Jump online and check it out for all the information you need on how to:

Place a reservation
Place a booking
Place an interlibrary loan request
Request a photocopy of an article
Suggest an item for purchase
Set up an alert profile
Renew your loans
Change your PIN
Cancel a reservation, booking or request
Add a review

There's also a really helpful Finding Information page where you can learn how to Search the library catalogue. Check out the FAQ page for lots of useful stuff and don't forget you can always Ask a Librarian if you get stuck!

Note: Image courtesy of Flickr

Inter Library Loans

So you've found the resource you need, but the library doesn't have a copy in their collection. DOH! What do you do now? Contact Us to arrange an Inter Library Loan (ILL). Inter Library Loans are simply borrowing partnerships between libraries that allow them to loan materials from one another's collections on behalf of patrons. Put simply, it just means if we haven't got what you need, it doesn't mean we cannot get it for you from another library. You can search the Cairns Public Library Catalogue, the JCU library catalogue, the National Library of Australia's catalogue, the QLD TAFE Library Network Catalogue or even try Libraries Australia. We can access materials from any library in Australia. And if you're not really keen on researching who has it, just leave the detective work to us! Next time you need something and your library doesn't have it, remember ILLs and give us a call on 07 4042 2539 or drop us an email at Cairns.Library@deta.qld.gov.au. If you know your library number (student number) and PIN number, you can even fill out the online ILL Request Form. We'll get you what you need. No worries.

First Australians...

In the Transformations Conference of 2005 in Canberra, SBS Managing Director – Nigel Milan said that SBS's biggest documentary series to date would soon go into production. Called First Australians, it would explore – over eight one-hour episodes – the history of indigenous Australia. Milan stated that we need to rectify the neglect of the past. We need to learn our history to be proud of our history. He said that it seems there is a desire to forget rather than a hunger to remember and that Australian multiculturalism didn’t begin after the Second World War. It began with the first fleet in 1788. Milan went on to say how vital it is that we, as a people, understand our origins and the circumstances of our history. And so, First Australians was created. An epic documentary spanning the full history of the western settling of this nation and the story of Indigenous Australia told from their perspective... the First Australians.

This landmark production is a great resource for those of indigenous background or those studying indigenous studies at TAFE. It is essential viewing for all Australians. On the official website, you can discover the story, search for people, places and events, upload your own story, create and share a video playlist and discuss the series. You can even watch previous episodes and search your family history.

New episodes are featured on SBS every Sunday and Tuesday evening at 8:30pm. If you've already seen an episode or have been following the story, post your thoughts here on the comments link.

Image courtesy of SBS

The Far North Queensland Collection

Did you know the TNQIT Library is home to the QLD State Library's FNQ Collection? The FNQ Collection is part of the John Oxley Library , and has been housed and managed onsite in the TAFE for many years by our very own Dr. Brian Stevenson (pictured). Brian is also the Liaison Librarian for the Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (FATSIS). His knowledge of the Far North and Indigenous history is extensive and he provides a valuable link to the ATSI community with their past. Brian can be contacted on (07) 4042 2539 or by email Brian.Stevenson@deta.qld.gov.au.

If you're on campus or in the Cairns area, drop in and have a look or ask Brian for a tour of the collection. It is worth the trip for the rich history and story of Far North Queensland and the tales of those who represent the past of this area. If you can't get in to see it, contact Brian and he will happily field your questions and point you in the right direction for accessing information on the exciting and interesting history of FNQ.

Tis the Season...

Well, the year is wrapping up quickly and here in the library we are beginning to feel rather festive. In the spirit of the season, we need your help in giving our community a wonderful Christmas. In partnership with the local Salvation Army, our library will be the collection point for Tropical North students and staff to contribute to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. Over the next six weeks, we need your support in giving food and wrapped gifts. Be sure to clearly label your gifts so it is obvious what age and gender they are appropriate for and keep food stuffs to canned items and boxed cereals and biscuits etc.

We have a rather novel Christmas Tree gracing the centre of the library (you really need to pop in for a peek… it’s rather special and very… library oriented…) Bring your items in or simply keep them in your faculty administration offices and we will be around on Fridays from now till Christmas to collect items and bring them back to the library for under the Christmas Tree. As the hub on campus, the library is a great centralised point to bring us together as an institute. If you're off campus, we'll keep you updated with pics on this blog. If you're on campus however, keep your eye out for roving librarians with trolleys and Christmas bells spreading goodwill around campus and drop in and be part of the giving. Join with us, and as an organisation, let’s make a difference in our community this Christmas.

Your Library Team

Note: Image courtesy of Flickr