FAQ: Home

Library Account

How do I Iog into Novanet?
Go to Novanet through the main page of the Library's website. Click "sign in" in the upper right corner. Mount A students, faculty and staff: Use your e-mail address and your Campus ID password. Community borrowers: Use the barcode on the back of your Novanet card and your library PIN.

 

What is my Novanet barcode / password?
User name: Your Mount A e-mail. Password: Your campus ID/e-mail password. Community borrowers: Use your Novanet barcode and four-digit library PIN.

I don't have a library card. Where do I get one?
Your student, staff or faculty ID card is your library card. Get your card at the Bookstore. If you are a distance student, contact us and we can register your account virtually.

Can community members get a library card?
Yes! Contact us at circ@mta.ca or 364-2568 and we can set you up with a Novanet library card. It allows you to borrow books or other materials from any Novanet library. In town temporarily? We have a temporary borrower's card that allows you to borrow just Mount A items.

How can alumni get a library card?
Contact us at circ@mta.ca or 364-2568.

 

Borrowing & Returning

How do I search for books and other materials?
Use Novanet to search for books, e-books and more. Novanet search results may contain books, e-books, articles, films, music, theses and more. You can filter results to see only certain types of resources. Novanet searches the content of libraries at 12 universities and colleges, including Mount Allison. You can borrow print or physical material from any of these libraries. Electronic content (journals, e-books, streaming video) are licenced library by library. NOTE: Some Mount Allison e-books may not show up in Novanet. You can search e-books directly through our E-book Collections. Many journals are also not searchable in Novanet. You can use databases to search journals. See How do I search for journal articles?

For more information and an overview of Novanet search functionality, see Which Search Tool Should I Use? and Novanet Search Tips. Please ask a librarian for assistance if you have any questions.

How do I request a book?
You can place a hold through Novanet to request books from Mount Allison or any other Novanet library.  For items not available through Novanet, you can place an interlibrary loan request.

To place a hold / request a book, search for your book or other item using the Novanet search boxes. Click the hyperlinked title of the item you want. This will open a window with more details about the item. Scroll down to the "Resource Sharing" link. Staff will get your book and notify you when it is ready for pick-up.

Can community members borrow books?
Yes! Contact us at circ@mta.ca or 364-2568 to get a library card.  You can also request items from Mount A or other Novanet libraries through the Novanet catalogue. See How do I place a request for books in other Novanet Libraries?

How many books can I borrow?
As many as you need. While the limit used to be 50, there is no longer a limit to the number of books a person can borrow.

What are the loan periods?
Most items circulate for three weeks. Faculty borrowing periods are one term.  Course reserves have shorter lending periods, depending on the item.

How do I renew books and other items?       
Log into your Novanet account and in the drop-down menu under your name click "my loans." You can renew all items in your account at once or select individual items to renew. Problems? Contact circ@mta.ca.

Where do I return library items?
The R.P. Bell Library has an exterior book-return slot to the left of the main doors. It is accessible 24/7. The Access Services desk also has a book-return slot. You can return interlilbrary loan, Novanet, or Mount Allison books (including music books) to either of these locations. Not in Sackville? You can also return library books to any Novanet library.

Can I return Mount A items to other libraries?
You can return library books to any Novanet library. Novanet consists of all academic libraries in Nova Scotia plus Mount Allison.

What does "on reserve" mean?
Professors often place books, articles or other materials "on course reserve" so students can borrow the item for a shortened borrowing period, usually three hours, one day, or a few days. This ensures as many students as possible can get access to the necessary material. Look up course reserves here: Novanet Course Reserves.

What happens if I lose a library book?
We may ask you to buy a replacement copy or the library may seek out a replacement and bill you for the costs. In some cases, we may not need a replacement. Lost books belonging to other libraries are handled by those libraries. If you have lost a book, please contact the Head of Access Services, who will talk to your subject librarian about how to proceed.

How can I get books or other materials not available in the Mount A libraries?
You can place a "hold" through Novanet if you see the book (or other item) at another Novanet Library. (See How do I request books from other Novanet libraries? below.) We'll notify you when the book arrives. It usually takes three to five days. If you do not see the item in the Novanet catalogue, you can place an Interlibrary Loan request. You can also recommend books for purchase: Contact your subject librarian!

What is Novanet Express?
Novanet Express is an inter-branch lending service within the Novanet consortium, which consists of Mount Allison and all academic libraries in Nova Scotia. If you see a book or other physical item in the Novanet catalogue that you would like to borrow, you can log into Novanet and place a hold on it. It will be mailed to Mount Allison for you. Delivery time usually takes three to five days. You can monitor your Novanet Express requests in your Novanet Account (See How do I log into Novanet? at top of page). See below for instructions on how to place a Novanet Express hold request.

How do I request books from other Novanet libraries?
To place a Novanet Express hold request, sign into Novanet, (See How Do I Log into Novanet). Search for your book or other item using the Novanet search boxes. Click the hyperlinked title of the item you want. This will open a window with more details about the item. Scroll down to the How to Get it: Resource Sharing link.

Fill in the form and click "Send Request." Your request will go to another Novanet library that has the book. They will mail it to Mount Allison, and we will notify you when it arrives (usually three to five business days). You can also place holds on Mount Allison items, and staff will get the items and notify you when they are ready for pick-up. 

How do I place an interlibrary loan request?
Log into the Interlibrary Loan form using your student or staff/faculty number and your four-digit Library PIN. Fill in required fields including title and author. Click "submit." You will receive e-mail notification that your request is being processed.

See the interlibrary loan page for more information or watch a short video tutorial:

 

Research

How do I search for books or e-books?
Use Novanet to search for books, e-books and more. Novanet search results may contain books, e-books, articles, films, music, theses and more. You can filter results to see only certain types of content. Novanet searches the content of libraries at 12 universities and colleges, including Mount Allison. You can borrow print material from any of these libraries. Electronic content (journals, e-books, streaming video) is licenced library by library.
 

How do I search for journal articles? 
Search for journal articles through the library's databases or Novanet. To search for articles through the databases, go to the A-Z List of Databases. Sort by subject to see a list of databases recommended by subject:

For help searching for journal articles, contact your subject librarian, visit us on Live Chat, or e-mail infodesk@mta.ca.

How do I search for films?
The Library carries streaming and physical copies of some films, plays, and TV series. For streaming video, go to the A-Z List of Databases and sort by Database Type > Streaming Audio & Video:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choose the database you want and search films within its search interface. If you are off campus, you will need to log in with your Mount A ID (the same ID you use for Connect).

Contact a librarian if you are not finding what you need.

How do I search for music?     
The Music Library carries scores, chamber music parts, and scores as well as music books and journals. It also provides access to streaming music sources. Visit the Music Library website and the Music Subject Guide for more information, or contact the Music Library at musiclibrary@mta.ca.

What is a database?
A database is a large electronic library containing materials such as e-books, academic journals, magazines, newspapers, streaming video, and more. Mount Allison subscribes to about 200 databases containing millions of journals. We also have video and audio databases. Many databases are subject specific (e.g., BioOne for biosciences). See the A-Z List of Databases, which you can sort by subject. Also see Subject Guides for recommended databases for each discipline.
 

What is a call number?
A call number is an address of sorts that tells where an item is located within the library:

Each item has a unique call number corresponding to a location within the library. Call numbers are usually found on the spines of books or other items. Mount Allison uses the Library of Congress classification system in which call numbers begin with letters followed by numbers (e.g., PS 3566 .O94 2018). The letters signify a subject area (e.g., American literature; Canadian history; Sociology, etc.). Signs on stairwell doors outline which floors contain which call number ranges. Need help finding your call number? See Access Services staff or contact circ@mta.ca.

I have a citation for a specific journal article. How do I find the article?
Use Journal Finder to determine whether the library has your journal and where to find it. Journal Finder will link you through to the electronic journal, or provide a call number for print copies. Still can't find it? Contact a librarian!

Why can't I find any books/articles on my topic?
It's possible you have stumbled upon a topic that has received little scholarly attention (very new topics, e.g.) or that is too narrowly focused. Other factors to consider include where and how you are searching. Librarians are happy to help you search for resources! Contact us at infodesk@mta.ca or on Live Chat, or contact your subject librarian.

Why isn't the article I want available online?
Not all databases provide full-text content or all volumes and years of journals. In some cases, the library may have a print subscription to the journal/magazine/newspaper you need. Check with a librarian if you are not finding the content you need. You can also place an interlibrary loan request for articles and books not available at Mount Allison.

How do I know which databases to search?
The A-Z List of Databases can be sorted by subject to provide a list of databases that carry content relevant to those subjects. Library Subject Guides provide lists of recommended databases by subject. Librarians are also happy to recommend databases and help with searching.

What is the difference between searching Novanet and searching the databases?
Novanet searches books and other physical materials as well as most electronic content such as journal articles and e-books. The Library also subscribes to hundreds of databases that contain electronic content such as e-books, journal articles, streaming video, music, newspapers, and more. Novanet searches many but not all of these databases. In addition, certain database search features and functionality are not available in Novanet. See Which tool should I use?

Where can I get research or citation help?
Librarians are happy to help with research and citation questions. The Library's Research Help pages provide a list of subject librarians with contact information. They also link to Citation Guides with examples from the most commonly used citation styles: APA, Chicago, and MLA. Citation guides also contain information on citing government & legal material and on using the citation tool Zotero. The Library carries up-to-date copies of style manuals and citation guides in its reference collection (main floor).
 

Library Facilities

 

How do I book a room in the library?
Use our Book a Seat software to reserve a room. Group study room bookings are for three hours.
 

Do you have group study rooms?
Yes. We have three group study spaces on the Ground Floor (rooms G7, G11, and Abbey Road Side A & Abbey Road Side B). See Book a Seat to reserve rooms.

Do you have a lost and found?
Yes! Contact Access Services at circ@mta.ca or 506-364-2568. See our Lost & Found page for a gallery of photos of some items.

Connecting from Home

How do I access journal articles & databases from home?
Search electronic content as you would from campus in the databases and/or through the Novanet catalogue. When you get a login prompt, use your campus ID (same ID you use for Connect) to log in. Problems? Contact one of the following: infodesk@mta.ca, circ@mta.ca, Live Chat or 364-2568.

How do I read e-books from home?
Search for e-books as you would on campus through either the Novanet catalogue or one of our databases of e-books. When you get a login prompt, use your campus ID (same ID you use for Connect) to log in. Problems? Contact one of the following: infodesk@mta.ca, circ@mta.ca, Live Chat or 364-2568.

I am a community member. Can I access e-books and databases from home?
Due to licencing restrictions, only Mount Allison students, staff and faculty can use databases and e-books from home. Anyone is welcome to get access to these resources within the Library. Note: the Public Library provides access to some databases, which are accessible from home. See: New Brunswick Public Libraries Online Databases.

Computers & Equipment

How do I log into a library computer?
Use your campus ID -- the same user name and password you use to log into Connect. Problems? Visit the Access Services desk.

Can I borrow a laptop?
Yes. The Library has several new laptops students can borrow. Contact Access Services at circ@mta.ca or 364-2568.

How do I print from a laptop?
On your laptop from on or off campus, upload documents to studentprint.mta.ca. You can release print jobs in the Main or Music Library, Jennings, or the Student Centre. Main Library printers are in the Flying Bean Cafe area. See Printers, Photocopiers & Scanners for more information.

How do I print from a library computer?
On any desktop computer in the library, you can print directly from MS Word or other programs (e.g., File > Print). The computers are mapped to printers in the Flying Bean Cafe. You will be given a choice between black-and-white or colour. See Printers, Photocopiers & Scanners for more information.

Where can I find a scanner or photocopier?
The Flying Bean Cafe area in the R.P. Bell Library has three black-and-white and one colour printer that also act as scanners or photocopiers. Scanning is free. You can drop in to use the scanners/copiers any time the library is open -- no booking is required. Log into the scanners with your student ID card. See Printers, Photocopiers & Scanners for more information.

Do you have a fax machine?
Yes. We can fax items for students or the public. Some costs may apply. Contact Access Services at circ@mta.ca or 364-2568.

I am a guest. Can I print?
Yes. You can e-mail your material to circ@mta.ca and we will print it for you. Printing costs $0.12 per page for black-and-white and $0.65 for colour. We accept cash only. You can also contact the Mount A Bookstore's Print Shop.

Do you have a portable whiteboard to lend?
Yes! We also have whiteboard markers and a host of other non-traditional library items that we lend, including calculators, headphones, a chemistry kit and various chargers and adapters. Contact circ@mta.ca or phone 364-2568 to ask about borrowing.

I need to watch a DVD or VHS tape for class. How can I do this?
Computers in the library are equipped with DVD drives. We also have a small television with a VHS player.  For VHS films, contact circ@mta.ca. We'll set you up with a place to view the film.

Do you lend laptop and phone chargers?
Yes. We have Mac laptop chargers and iPhone and Android phone chargers. Inquire at Access Services: circ@mta.ca.