To support your learning, teaching or research, browse VU Library’s virtual bookshelf for the latest books and A-Z Databases for new and trial databases.
Virtual bookshelf
For easy access to VU Library’s latest books, check new books on our books webpage. Browse the virtual bookshelf displaying e-books recently purchased by VU Library and click on an e-book to check its availability.
The virtual bookshelf will be updated regularly to display our latest acquisitions.
Using e-books
When using VU Library e-books purchased from a number of different companies, you will encounter some difference between how e-books are borrowed, downloaded, printed, read off-line and transferred between devices. Loan periods vary between one and seven days.
Refer to the E-books guide for information and ‘how-to’ videos.
A-Z Databases
If what you are looking for is not on our virtual bookshelf, you can search through our A-Z Databases which provide access to over 360 databases covering a huge range of disciplines and subjects.
Search A-Z Databases individually or browse by subject.
Newly acquired databases and databases on trial include:
- AccessPhysiotherapy - physical therapy textbooks, procedure and exercise videos, image galleries, self-assessment tools, and a unique cadaver dissection tool – optimised for viewing on any device.
- Australian Standards on i2i - complete collection of current Australian Standards. See Finding Resources: Australian Standards for step-by-step instructions on how to access the Australian Standards on i2i platform.
- Clear Pronunciation 2 (Speech) – program for students to learn to put the sounds of English together in natural speech.
- Music Online: Listening on trial till 3 August 2021 – comprehensive audio collection across all the key musical genres: classical, jazz, world, American, popular.
- O’Reilly on trial – IT books, videos, interactive tutorials, case studies, learning paths and audio books from web development and mobile apps to entrepreneurship and UX/IA.
To support teaching and learning, there are also streaming video databases and images databases such as:
- Academic Video Online – over 68,000 video titles on a wide range of subject areas including anthropology, business, counselling, film, health, history, music, and more.
- Anatomy TV – online interactive 3D models of human anatomy, with interactive features such as zoom, layers, MRI, clinical slides and x-rays, animations and images.
- ClickView – educational videos on Technology, Business and Services, Health and Public Sector, Arts and Recreation, and Natural Resources.
- Kanopy – Australian documentaries and cinema, and films addressing race and identity, gender studies, psychotherapy, and more.
- LinkedIn Learning – video library of engaging, top-quality courses covering technology, business management, leadership, marketing, multimedia, design and web development and business skills.
Teaching staff can refer to library guide Streaming videos and image sources for information about locating videos, using digital videos and images, and integrating videos within VU Collaborate.
Finding resources in your discipline
To learn how to find resources, students can access:
- Academic Inquiry workshops, as part of Student Essentials, are offered online in various disciplines for first year students. Bookings are available via Learning Hub online.
- Research and referencing online drop-ins for all students are available Monday–Friday, 11am–12noon, via Zoom within the VU Collaborate Learning Hub, Zoom Classroom section.
- Zoom meetings with health & biomedical librarians, Monday–Thursday, by appointment. Indicating preferred time/day of appointment by email to one of these contacts:
iwona.janius@vu.edu.au
kirstin.scholz@vu.edu.au
suzanne.poliness@vu.edu.au. - Library Guide Finding Resources
- Library online training – see Introducing research skills, and select the interactive module for your discipline.
