FindIt is a search tool that allows you to search across the library catalogue, online databases, and collections to locate journal articles, books, ebooks, DVDs, CDs, and other items in the Melbourne Polytechnic library collection. See the below box for a simple step by step guide, or head to the FindIt guide for more information on how to get the most out of your search.
1. Enter your search terms
2. Login when prompted
3. Review your search results
4. Refine your search results
5. Manage your search results
Before the search results will appear you will need to enter your Melbourne Polytechnic username and password.
Review your results list by looking for relevance in the items you've found.
Also check the formats of the items in your list: are there books, academic articles, or other types of publications? Are they suitable for your purpose?
If you decide that the contents of your search results list meets your needs, start selecting individual items from the list.
However, if you are not satisfied with& the quality or usefulness of items in your search results list, try the strategies on the Refine Results page.
There are numerous techniques that you might employ to refine your list of search results. These include:
These, and other techniques for refining your FindIt search can be found on the Refine Results page of the FindIt library guide.
Creating a MyEBSCO account will allow you to take full advantage of the features under "My dashboard" on the left-hand side of the results screen (see number 4 in the image below).
Logging into your MyEBSCO account allows you to quickly save an item.
Click on the 3 horizontal dots to access the tool menu (see number 5). From here you can:
In addition to books, the library has multimedia, music, English second language, and educational/teacher resources. A limited number of laptops are available to borrow from some campus libraries for on-campus, short-term loans.
To reserve & renew items, see Your Library Account for more information.
If Melbourne Polytechnic doesn't have the item you are after, there are four options:
Students and staff from some Victorian tertiary libraries are able to participate in the CAVAL reciprocal scheme. This permits borrowing of some items from other libraries. A CAVAL card can be initiated at the home library, or at any Melbourne Polytechnic Library. To register, visitors must present a current student or staff ID card from their home institution, or be able to demonstrate that they can access their home institute online system.
To be eligible for a CAVAL Card, Melbourne Polytechnic students must be studying a course of 12 months duration and Cert IV or above.
External CAVAL borrowers are not able to access Melbourne Polytechnic PCs, laptops or online subscription databases.
For more information visit the CAVAL website.
If you find a print book, journal article or book chapter that we don't have you can request the item through interlibrary loan.
A pdf copy of journal articles and book chapters will be emailed to you.
Print books will be delivered to your chosen MP library branch.
We welcome purchase recommendations for the Library collection by Melbourne Polytechnic staff and students. The Library will consider the recommendations based on content, cost and availability.
To make a book purchase suggestion, simply email library@melbournepolytechnic.edu.au and use ‘Book purchase suggestion’ as your heading.
Don’t forget to include the details of the suggested book.
Sign up for free as a member of the State Library of Victoria to access their collection of online resource.
Free journals, databases and ebooks
You can't borrow books from the state library, the main benefit for students are online resources and a quiet place to study.
A membership for the National Library of Australia is available free for anyone living in Australia with an Australian residential address. Sign up here
The main benefit of membership is gaining access to the large range of databases on offer.
Trove is powered by the National Library of Australia. If you are looking for a specific book, a simple search using the trove search engine will tell you which libraries in Australia hold a copy.
Types: Subject-specific (e.g., PlantFile, VeterinarySource) or format-specific (e.g., IBISWorld industry reports, streaming platform Kanopy, Australian Standards).
Access: Most databases are accessible through FindIt, but some (like Australian Standards) require direct access.
Searching: Databases offer more precise searches than general internet searches, often with specialized search functions.
Location: The A-Z Database page lists all databases, and can be filtered by subject or type. See the below screenshot to discover how to access databases from the main library website.
The MP Library has a large range of eBooks, including many of the required or set textbooks for your course.
There are three ways to find eBooks:
There are advantages to each approach:
The main eBook platforms at Melbourne Polytechnic are EBSCO eBooks and ProQuest eBook Central. Different publishers make their books available on different platforms. Regardless of the platform, it will be accessible via the FindIt and eBook search boxes.
Publishers also put restrictions on what you can and can't do with an eBook. The main restrictions include:
These restrictions are stated in the page that lists all eBook details before you click through to the resource (also known as a bibliographic record).
Instructions on how to download and read the books online or on smart devices can also be found on the EBSCO eBooks guide and ProQuest eBooks Central guide.