Psst! I can see you with your head down, working hard on your assignments. Need a hand? Has your lecturer told you you need to include peer-reviewed or refereed articles in your essay? Wondering what on earth that's all about? Well, take 2 minutes to watch our short video and wonder no more. We will show you how to track down these slippery suckers - it's easy once you know how!

It's easy to tune out when you're studying in the library and you hear another announcement about not leaving your bag unattended...

(Image used under Creative Commons License from Andwar on flickr.com.)

But libraries can be like all-you-can-eat restaurants for thieves: all that lovely technology lying around, tired distracted students falling asleep or leaving to make calls, hundreds of people going in and out every day.

And if your laptop goes missing, you won't just lose the assignment you've been working on - your online banking, your paypal, your personal details, everything will become a potential risk to you and cause you trouble for years to come!

So PLEASE do take care of your personal belongings when you're in the library. Bring your keys, wallet and phone with you if you get up to go to the bathroom. Consider a lightweight laptop bag to make it easier to carry around with you, that way you won't be so tempted to leave it when you get up. Don't ask the person sitting next to you to mind your things unless you know them personally. Berkley University has some more great tips for keeping your stuff, especially your laptop, safe when you're studying in the library, including a guide on how to encrypt your laptop data and files in case the worst does happen.

If you're returning to UQ again this semester, you'll find we've made some changes in the library with regards to printing, scanning and copying. We'd hate for you to get a big shock as you rush in to print your lecture notes at the last minute, so here's a heads-up about what's new!

New Machines

We've got new Konica multifunction devices which print, scan and copy (check the machines to see which is set up for which functions). They're easier to use and understand, and best of all, you can print directly from the machine - no more looking for you computer number in the list, just touch your UQ Student ID card to the marked panel on the printer and access your own documents!

New PaperCut account management software

PaperCut software keeps track of how much credit you've got and what you've printed, and displays for you as soon as you log into a library computer. When you want to print, just enter your UQ Student username and password into the PaperCut popup, and the document will be sent to the printer on your account. You can also use PaperCut to transfer credit to your friends (or pay them back if they print out lecture notes for you!) and make a refund request online if something goes wrong with your print job.

Improved Print from USB

ALL the new multifunction devices are now Express Printers and will allow you to print direct from your USB, so you don't even need to wait for a free computer. Previously, Express Printers only printed PDFs and certain image files, but now you can print PDF, Powerpoint, XPS and image files directly from your USB!

For more help with printing, scanning and copying at the Library, check out the AskIT Printing Page, or chat to any Library staff member. Happy printing!

It can happen to the best of us - assignments pile up, life gets in the way, we go into holiday mode - and it's easy to forget to renew or return your library books on time. But you can find yourself in a bit of hot water if you get back from your semester break only to realise you can't re-enroll because you've got a block on your student record for library fines!

Don't panic, it's easy to get the block removed - pay online via credit card by logging into the green My Library box on the Library Homepage. Your fine amount is listed under "My Activities" - click on it to pay it.

No credit card? No worries! Just drop past the Membership and Payments Desk of the Social Sciences & Humanities Library to pay by EFTPOS or cash.

Blocks normally take up to one working day to be lifted, so make sure you check early - don't leave it until 10 minutes before tutorial sign-on opens!

If you've got questions about a fine, or any concerns about your access to the UQ Library, contact our friendly staff for help any time: phone (07)3346 4313, use the Ask The Library service to chat online or email us, or drop into any UQ Library branch.