New Faculty Checklist

FIRST WEEK

• Set Up and Test Accounts
  • To access online library resources, use your Network ID login. Try connecting to one of these databases.
  • Borrow physical items with your digital or physical Ucard (Staff ID card).
  • Borrow items from other libraries in electronic or physical format using the Interlibrary Loan system, RACER.

FIRST SEMESTER

• Meet your Librarian
  • Contact your Subject Specialist Librarian, your guide to the Library resources and services most relevant to you.
• Course Resources
  • Talk to your Subject Specialist Librarian about the resources you need to support your courses, from books and databases to streaming videos and standards.
  • Review the Research Guide for your subject or program. Research Guides recommend the most relevant resources, making it easier for students to find high quality information sources. You can request a customized guide.
  • Identify any Library resources you would like to link from your Canvas courses, such as: articles, ebooks, streamed videos, citation style guides and research guides.
  • Submit a purchase request if needed.
  • If you are using a print book or reading with your class, you may wish to place it on course reserve (short term loan).   
  • We answer copyright questions! Email copyright@ontariotechu.ca with questions related to course materials (readings, Internet content, images, videos, etc.) and more.  
  • Are you interested in using Open Education Resources (OERs) in your teaching? See our Open Education support services.
• Library Instruction for Your Students: Research & Information Literacy Skills
  • Identify any assignments on your course outline that have research components. Talk to your Subject Librarian about the type of information literacy instruction that would most benefit your students. See Teaching Support for more information.
  • Use the book a library workshop form or contact your Subject Librarian directly.
  • Encourage students to drop by the Service Desk if they need help with research, or to book an appointment with their Subject Librarian.

FIRST YEAR

• Research and Scholarly Publishing Support
  • Learn about our Research Support services in areas such as data, research metrics and citation management.
  • Get an overview of the Library’s Publishing Support services, including open access publishing options.
  • Explore e-scholar, Ontario Tech’s institutional repository of theses/dissertations and faculty publications. You can use this platform to deposit an open access copy of a research paper with a permanent link, metadata, and discoverability through Google Scholar.
  • Explore the Library’s journal hosting services.