New resources: Access virtual bookshelf & databases

To support your learning, teaching or research, browse VU Library’s virtual bookshelf for the latest books and A-Z Databases for new 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 updated in June is displaying our latest acquisitions on a range of topics including:

• art
• education
• health
• law
• research
• sciences
• sport
• technology.

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 350 databases covering a huge range of disciplines and subjects.

Search A-Z Databases individually or browse by subject.

View newly acquired databases (appearing under New/Trial Databases ):

• EMIS University: The World – analysis, data and news on companies, industries and countries in the world’s 125+ emerging markets.
• Gale databases – academic, archives, Australia and New Zealand, environmental studies and policy, general, health and medicine, health and wellness, science, chemistry, human anatomy, literacy, nursing and allied health, physical therapy and sports medicine, psychology.
• IWA Journals – information on water, to improve global health and well-being.
• SAGE Catalyst – social science textbooks with virtual collaboration, classroom discussion, and peer-to-peer learning enabled within the textbooks.

To support teaching and learning, there are also streaming video databases and images databases such as:

• Academic Video Online – over 70,000 video titles on a wide range of subject areas including anthropology, business, counselling, film, health, history, music, and more.
• Bates' Visual Guide – video content on head-to-toe and systems-based physical examination techniques.
• 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 – online video courses in software, technology, business and creative skills training, including 3D animation, audio and music, CAD, design, developer, education and elearning, IT, marketing, photography, video and web 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:

• Research and referencing online drop-ins and Zoom meetings with librarians
• Library Guide Finding Resources
• Library online training – see Introducing research skills, and select the interactive module for your discipline.