Ask the Library

Get help with finding information, accessing library resources, referencing and using the Library. Not sure what you need? Ask the Library!

Connect via chat

Weekdays, 9am–5pm (Melbourne time). Look for the Ask the Library chat button on the Library web pages.

Connect via Student Connect

For RMIT students only. Login required. We will respond within one business day.

Connect via email

For RMIT staff. We will respond within one business day.

Call us

Weekdays, 9am–5pm (Melbourne time). Weekends and public holidays: closed

Frequently asked questions

When looking for information and resources, start with LibrarySearch. LibrarySearch helps you find resources including books, e-books, course reserve, full-text journal articles, videos, databases, and RMIT research publications.

  • Log in to LibrarySearch for full access to resources. Your name will appear in the top right-hand corner of the webpage once you are logged in.
  • Enter keywords that best describe your topic.
  • Under the 'Refine your results' heading, there are the filters you can use to refine your search results, including by date, subject, and resource type.
  • Click on the title of the resource to view full details.
  • Place a hold if the item is on loan, or if you need to collect it from another campus Library.
  • For search tips and to find out what resources are not covered by LibrarySearch, go to Using LibrarySearch.
  • Not sure where to start? Check your library subject guide. Curated by our librarians, subject guides contain selected key books, journals and databases to help you find articles and specialised resources in your subject area.
  • Watch our Tips for improving your search strategy (YouTube 3:21 mins)

All the essential information about borrowing, reserving, renewing, and returning library loans, including disputed returns, is available from this page:

Course reading lists are available in Canvas. Your academic or teacher will provide information on which prescribed textbooks you will need.

We have limited copies of textbooks in the Library.

If you are looking for a book or journal article, information on how to source titles using our Document Delivery service, borrowing from other university libraries, requesting material from offsite storage and purchasing new material to have in our collection, go to Getting resources from other libraries.

If you are looking for industry/company information, market research, law resources and standards you will not find them in LibrarySearch. Try these guides instead

If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, contact the Ask the Library team.

Suggested solutions for the most common access issues to our online collections, check the Online access troubleshooting page.

If you still can’t access a database, contact the Ask the Library team.

LibrarySearch and some databases give you the option to refine your search results to ‘peer-reviewed’ or ‘scholarly’ publications.

If you are looking for a specific journal, use the Ulrichweb: global serials directory to check if it is peer-reviewed.

Our video explains What's a scholarly source (YouTube, 2:25).

If you are still not sure, contact the Ask The Library team. 

Yes, help is available! But there are several referencing styles used at RMIT. If you are unsure which style you need to use, ask your academic or teacher.

Tip: For quick access to all Library resources on referencing, go to the 'Library essentials' section on our home page to go straight to this page:

If you need more help or prefer to get personal advice on referencing, contact our Study Support team.

Daily opening hours for all Library campuses are available on the Library home page. To check our opening hours in advance, and for locations, maps and contacts, go to:

The Study Support team can help with with assignments, finding information, referencing, academic writing, study techniques, and English, maths and science skills. Find out more about Study support consultations.

Peer mentors are your fellow students that can share study skills that work for them, help you understand coursework, and build your academic confidence. Find out how to connect with your peer mentor.

Tip: You will find these and other study support services and resources in the Study support section of the Students website.

 

Chat with us or call us on weekdays, 9am–5pm (Melbourne time).

Email us on lib.ask@rmit.edu.au. We respond to emails within one business day. 

You can also register to get a Guest Login and use our online enquiry form.

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Need help with finding information for your assignment?

When you contact us, we will:

  • Ask you questions about what you are studying, your assignment question, and what search strategies you’ve already tried if you are looking for information.
  • Advise you on effective search strategy to help you find relevant and quality information for your assignment.
  • Refer you to other teams in the Library, or elsewhere in RMIT, if we cannot help you directly.

Other helpful links


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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.