joining the library / search for books / renew online / reserve online / subject links
encyclopedias & newspaper articles / search engines / search tips / vce / ask a librarian

 

joining the library

Who can join?
Everyone is eligible to become a library member provided they supply proof of identity and proof of address. People under 18 will need the signature of a parent or guardian on their membership form. The parent or guardian will need to provide proof of identity and address.

Join Online
Fill out our online membership application form and join the library. The membership card will be posted. It will only become active once proof of identity and address are provided.

parent or guardian's Proof of I.D
Proof of I.D may be: Driver's licence with your current address
OR Driver's licence with an out-of-date address PLUS a proof of address document

OR If you do not have a driver's licence: a proof of identity document PLUS a proof of address document

Proof of identity documents
Credit card with signatures
Passport
Birth Certificates
Any item from the next list

Proof of address documents
Recent utilities bill e.g. power, water, phone
Rates notice
Rental Agreement
Purchase agreement for a property
Student card with address
Health Benefits Card

 

 

search for books

You can search the library catalogue for books, cds, dvds, magazines etc. For help using the catalogue try the Catalogue Tutorial.

• Search the library catalogue

 

 

renew online

You can renew items on your card through the library catalogue if :

• you have a membership card with no charges outstanding
• the items are not overdue
• you know your PIN (get your PIN via email)

For help renewing your items through the catalogue try the Catalogue Tutorial.

 

 

reserve online

You can reserve items through the library catalogue to pick up if:

• you have a membership card with no charges outstanding
• the title has items attached to it
• you know your PIN (get your PIN via email)

For help reserving through the catalogue try the Catalogue Tutorial.

 

subject links

Library staff have searched the Internet and collected the best websites on a variety of subjects. Thes have been added to our Web Links Wiki. You can also register to add links as well.

• Web Links Wiki

 

encyclopedias & newspaper articles

Eastern Regional Libraries offers access to the following online resources to search for newspaper and magazine articles, as well as statistics and encyclopedias. Some are accessible from home using your library barcode, others may only be used from computers within the library.

Browse by subject Arts Biographies Encyclopedias & Dictionaries Family History Health History & Geography Newspapers & Magazines Reading & Libraries Science and Technology Other Register with State Library of Victoria for more resources (including PressDisplay) Fill out the registration form Wait for card to be mailed Activate the card via email Browse the SLV online resources

PowerSearch Gale resources in one search including: General ONEFILE Opposing Viewpoints Virtual Reference Library Some online resources are accessible from home using your library barcode, others may only be used from computers within the library.

 

Arts

Oxford Art Online
Visual arts encyclopedia. Comprises Grove Art Online, The Encyclopedia of Aesthetics, The Oxford Companion to Western Art and The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms.
Type your library barcode starting 20023 into the Library barcode login (left)
Search from home | Search from library | Guided tour

Oxford Music Online
Music encyclopedia. Comprises the Encyclopedia of Popular Music, The Oxford Dictionary of Music, Grove Music Online and The Oxford Companion to Music.
Type your library barcode starting 20023 into the Library barcode login (left)
Search from home | Search from library | Guided tour

Biographies

Biography Resource Center
Biographical encyclopedia
Search from home | Search from library | Search guide

Encyclopedias & Dictionaries

Ancient and Medieval History Online
Encyclopedia information on Ancient and Medieval History including biographies, timelines and primary sources
Search from home | Search from library

Britannica Online
General encyclopedia and student, junior levels
Search from home | Search from library | Search guide

Modern World History
Encyclopedia information on Modern World History including biographies, timelines, primary sources and images
Search from home | Search from library

Oxford Reference
Oxford dictionaries & encyclopedias
Search from home | Search from library | Search guide

Virtual Reference Library
Reference books and Encylopedias on Arts, Business, Environment, History, Law, Literature, Medicine, Multicultural Studies, Nation and World, Religion, Science, and Social Science.
Search from home | Search from library | Search guide

Family History

Ancestry
Largest collection of genealogy records on the Internet. U.K. and U.S. census records, military records, passenger lists and more!
Free search for Eastern Regional Library members on library computers
Search from the library | Search guide

Find My Past
Largest collection of UK family history records online.
Free search for Eastern Regional Library members on library computers.
See library staff for sign in details.
Search from the library

Health

Consumer Health Complete
General health information including factsheets, encyclopedias and videos
Search from home | Search from library | Search guide

Health & Wellness
Health & Medical encyclopedia
Search from home | Search from library | Search guide

History & Geography

Ancient and Medieval History Online
Encyclopedia information on Ancient and Medieval History including biographies, timelines and primary sources
Search from home | Search from library

Modern World History
Encyclopedia information on Modern World History including biographies, timelines, primary sources and images
Search from home | Search from library

World Atlas
Geographic maps of countries, as well as thematic maps
Search from home | Search from library

Newspapers & magazines

ANZ Reference Centre
Australian & New Zealand newspaper & magazine articles
Search from home | Search from library | Search guide

Echo
Index to newspaper articles and issues for students (no full text)
Search from library

General ONEFILE
Includes more than 6,300 full-text titles including Choice magazine
Search from home | Search from library

MasterFILE Premier
Magazine and journal articles including general reference, business, education, health, general science and multi-cultural issues. Includes biographies and full-text primary source documents.
Search from home | Search from library | Search guide

Opposing Viewpoints
Articles for and against topical issues
Search from home | Search from library | Search guide

Print newspapers in our branches
List of print newspapers in our branches and length of time they are kept.
View list of newspapers

Reading & Libraries 

Bloom's Literary Reference Online
Critical analysis of great works of literature as well as biographies of authors
Search from home | Search from library | Search guide

Fiction Connection
Discover titles similar to books you enjoy.
Search from home | Search from library

Global Books in Print
Books in print, publisher information
Search from home | Search from library | Search guide

Libraries Australia (Kinetica)
Catalogue of Australian libraries
Search from home | Search from library | Search guide

LibraryLink Victoria
Search a comprehensive list of Victorian public library catalogues
Search from home | Search from library

LISTA (Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts)
LISTA indexes more than 600 periodicals plus books, research reports, and proceedings in libraries and information management
Search from home | Search from library

Magpies
Children's books & authors
Search from library

NoveList K-8
Children and teenagers guide to fiction. Includes recommended reads and book talks.
Search from home | Search from library

NoveListPlus
Reader advisory tool, choose fiction and non-fiction books based on a similar theme.
Search from home | Search from library | Tour

Sequel Search
Search sequels database
Search from home | Search from library

TumbleBook Library
Online animated & narrated picture books, chapter books, puzzles, games & quizzes for kids
Search from home | Search from library

Tumblereadables
Online collection of read-along titles for primary and high school students featuring adjustable online text and complete audio narration. Includes picture books, chapter books, Teen novels, children's classics, classics and Shakespeare.
Search from home | Search from library

Who Writes Like
Suggestions for alternative authors to read
Search from home | Search from library

Science & Technology

Science Resource Center
Encyclopedia and magazine articles related to Science. Also includes biographies, dictionary and timeline
Search from home | Search from library

Other

Anstat
Victorian acts & regulations.
Password - see Library staff
Search from library

PriceIt! Antiques and Collectibles
Check the price of your antiques and collectibles from recent sales.
Search from home | Search from library

Statistics
Australian statistics
Search from home | Search from library | Search guides

 

search engines

The following search engines and subject directories are great to search for websites:

• Google
• Yahoo - Aus
• AlltheWeb
• Ask Jeeves
• Anzwers - Aus
• Dogpile
• Mamma
  

 

 

search tips

Be specific
Use two or more key words to narrow your search.

Including or excluding words
If you want a specific word to be included in your search results, type a plus (+) symbol in front of the word in the search box. If you want a specific word to be excluded from your search results, type a minus (-) sign in front of the word. (For example, to search for ice skating, try typing skating +ice or to search for rugby, but not rugby union, type rugby -union)

Searching for an exact phrase
If you are searching for an exact phrase, enclose the term in quotation marks. This will return results which contain the words next to each other, exactly as you have typed them. (For example: 'australian rules football')

Use lower case text for most searches
If you use upper case, the search engine will search for only upper case. If you use lower case, it will search for both upper and lower case words.

Read the screen
Some search engines provide you with options for narrowing your search, which you can select on the search screen. These vary between sites, so read the screen.

Selecting the right results
When selecting the best websites to use use the following criteria:

• Check the web address. Is it a government or commercial website?
• Is the website authoritative? Are the sources for the information cited? Is the author of the information an expert in the field?
• Check the date. Has the information been updated recently?

 

 

vce

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority is responsible for the maintenance of the Curriculum, the delivery of the VCE and it's assessments and the conduct of statewide testing. It was formerly the Victorian Board of Studies.

Education Channel
This site provides a range of educational resources for students of all ages, teachers, parents and the wider community. Sections include "Starting School", "Leaving School" and "Returning to Study".

Sofweb
The VCE section on SOFWeb provides VCE Students with resources for studying, career placement and further education.

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority-VCE Bulletin
The bulletin has news, articles and important dates regarding the VCE.

Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre
Information for applications for Tertiary study.

 

 

ask-a-librarian

Eastern Regional Libraries answers general reference questions, assist with school projects and answer queries about our library service.

Ask a Librarian!

~~ Last Updated 15th September 2008