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Library FAQ

Choose the category below to view the related most frequently asked questions. 

Since many generative artificial intelligence (genAI) tools are neither an author nor a source, we advise that you include a disclosure statement of their use, rather than cite them. This disclosure will include:

  • a listing of which tools were used
  • an appendix with your specific prompt and the tool's answer.

Please see an example of how to do so on our Student Sample Paper.

For more guidance on what constitutes misuse of Artificial Intelligence Tools, please see our Academic Integrity for Students Guide.

Students are responsible for their use of artificial intelligence tools. Misuse of AI would most likely be considered Cheating according to Assiniboine’s Policy on Academic Integrity (A25). Using content generated by AI tools which is non-existent or false could be considered Fabrication. For more information on those sanctions, please see the Policy on Academic Integrity (A25).

Ask your instructor about the use of artificial intelligence tools in your coursework.

Artificial intelligence tools that the Library suggests using when allowed are:

  • Perplexity.ai - Similar to ChatGPT but better for post-secondary research. Uses the surface web to provide a summary of your searched topic. Provides links to the sources from which it gathers information so you can verify the quality level of that information. Sign up for free to access.
  • ResearchRabbit - A “citation-based literature mapping tool”. ResearchRabbit optimizes your research time by making a map of papers similar to ones you’ve determined are relevant to your topic. Create a free account to access.

If you’d like guidance on how to use these or other artificial intelligence tools with integrity, reach out to the Library staff.

Tools known as citation managers can help you create your reference lists. They allow you to:

  • format reference lists for written assignments
  • format citations for written assignments

The Library offers support for the following citation managers:

  • NoodleTools
  • Microsoft Word References (limited support)

To familiarize yourself with APA style, we recommend reading our Citing Help guide. We also suggest completing our APA referencing tutorials:

The Library also offers in-person or online help. If you need additional support, fill out our Library Help request form and we’ll contact you to provide guidance.

The Learning Curve provides help with writing, including incorporating quotations into your assignment. Book an appointment to schedule a help session.

Some DVDs may require you to force them to play manually.

For a Computer

Use VLC Media Player software and follow the directions below.

  • Insert disc into DVD drive and Open VLC Media Player
  • Click the Media menu
  • Click Open Disc...
  • Check off the No disc menu option
  • Click Play
Note: If you don't have VLC Media Player, the DVD can be played in a DVD player.

For a DVD Player

  • Press “Play” on the player/remote. The video should start playing, or
  • Press “Menu” on the remote. The video’s menu should start playing.
Computers for student use are available throughout college campuses, including a computer lab at the Victoria Ave E. Campus Library which is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Remote Desktop allows staff and students to access college resources while off campus. Files, email, and other college resources can be accessed as if you're on campus. An internet connection is required - high speed internet works best.

Depending on the device and browser you use, there are different instructions:

IT Services maintains all college accounts, printers, and computers on campus. Please visit the IT Services Help Desk for online support or call 204-725-8700 extension 6765.
If you're college username and password aren't working to log you in, try the following:
  1. Go to Assiniboine’s Office 365 login page
  2. Login with your college username and password
  3. Go to the NoodleTools login page – you should automatically be logged in. If not, you may be prompted to choose an account; select your Assiniboine account.
To login to EBSCOhost and other library databases (e.g. ScienceDirect, IBISWorld, etc.), use your college username (e.g. shakespearew) and password. If you continue to have issues, fill out our Help Request form and we'll work to help you access the library databases.
Students, faculty, and staff are able to print to various public printers from college workstations or personal devices. There are two ways to submit a job to the public printers:

Once you send the job, you can pick it up from the printer to which you printed.

Printers available to students, faculty, and staff are located throughout college campuses, mainly in the hallways. To determine what printer to install, look for the printer name label on the printer (see example below) and install it using that name.

Note: Student printers are identified by the inclusion of the word "Student" in the printer name (e.g. 400P6Student).

To install printers:

  1. Type the word printer into the search box to the right of the Windows Icon, then click Printers & scanners from the list
  2. Click Add a Printer at the top of the box.
    • Note: You may be prompted to authenticate with Duo before moving onto the next step.
  3. Click The printer that I want isn’t listed.
  4. Select Find a printer in the directory based on location or features.
  5. In the Name box, type the name of the printer you want to install.
  6. Click on the name of the printer you want to install and click OK.
  7. Once the printer has installed, click the Next and the Finish buttons.
  8. Close the Devices and Printers box.
Students can purchase printing credits online from Assiniboine's printing portal or in person at Admissions and Registration. The minimum purchase amount is $10.00. For more information, review the Purchasing Printer Credits for Student Printing information from IT Services. For help, contact IT Services.
  Black & White Colour
Letter (8.5"x11") $0.10 $0.50
Legal (8.5"x14") $0.15 $0.75
Ledger (11"x17") $0.20 $1.00

For double-sided printing, the cost is applied per side.

There are a variety of reasons why your document may not be printing. Try the following suggestions to get your document printed.
  • Install a printer. Follow our printer installation instructions.
  • Close and re-open your document, then try printing again.
  • Check your printing balance through Assiniboine's Printing Portal. The amount of money in your account must be enough to print all pages of your document.
    • You can purchase additional printing credits online or in-person. Refer to the How do I pay for Printing? answer above for details.
If your document still won’t print after trying these suggestions, contact the IT Services Help Desk for online support or call 204-725-8700 extension 6765.

Some printers are defaulted to print double-sided – these are mainly black & white printers. To verify that double-sided printing is enabled or to turn it on:

  1. From within your document, go to File > Print
  2. Click Printer Properties
  3. Click the Finishing tab
  4. Click the Print on both sides box (if a checkmark already displays in this box, double-sided printing is enabled)

Paper must be designated for use with laser printers.

  1. With document open, go to File > Print.
  2. Select the printer you want to use.
  3. With the printer selected, click Printer Properties.
  4. Click the Paper/Quality tab. Under Paper Source choose Tray 1.
    • If printing to labels, under Paper Type, choose More > Other > Labels.
    • If printing double-sided, click the Finishing tab and check off “Print on both sides.”
  5. Click OK, then click Print.
  6. Go to the printer. When you see the message “Attention: Load Tray 1…” load the tray with your paper. The printer will begin printing.

Printers available to students, faculty, and staff are located throughout college campuses, mainly in hallways. Look for the printer name label on the printers to find the one that matches the printer to which you sent your document.

Students, faculty, and staff are responsible for their own printing. To print documents, follow our printer installation instructions.
Documents can be faxed from the Students' Association. Their office is in room 413.

There are three options for photocopying on campus.

  1. Use your mobile device to scan documents. Click the linked text for instructions.
  2. Use college printers to scan and send your document to email for free, then print copies. To do this, follow our scan and send to email instructions.
  3. Request copies at the Students’ Association in room 413
    • Costs $0.10/page
    • Requires cash
There are two ways you can scan documents.

In Canada, there are specific laws that govern how much of a published work (e.g. book) can be photocopied. Under these laws, called copyright, you’re allowed to copy:

  • either 1 chapter
  • or 10% of the work

You can only copy one of these two amounts, whichever is greater. For example, if a book is 100 pages, you’re allowed to copy 10%, which works out to 10 pages. However, if you need to copy one of the chapters and it’s 15 pages long, you’re allowed to copy the full chapter.

A good place to start your research is your program’s Library Guide. Library Guides provide several recommended resources to help you complete your assignments, including:

  • Databases: these provide access to a variety of information sources, including articles, from hundreds of publications
  • Research Help: teaches you the basics of how to do research
  • Citing Help: introduces you to the practice of citing and provides examples of APA citing

Library staff are also available for additional help. Fill out our Library Help form to request assistance.

If you need help understanding and planning your assignment, book an appointment with the Learning Curve.

The Library’s collection has books and other items on a wide variety of subjects related to programs taught at Assiniboine. You can find items on your topic by searching the Library.

Books aren’t the only place to find information for your assignment. You may find useful information through online resources, too. The Library provides a list of recommended online resources for your program through its Library Guides. Find your program and check out the suggested resources. 

Databases are a great place to find information for your assignments. They provide access to a variety of information sources, including articles, from hundreds of publications. These are often provided through a subscription service. The Library has access to many great databases that can help you with your research.

View a list of the recommended databases for your program by visiting your program’s Library Guide.

You can request the article by filling out our Library Materials Request form. If available, an electronic copy of the article will be emailed to you.

To help you develop research skills required for your assignments, we recommend reading our Research Help guide. We also suggest completing the Research tutorials on our Tutorials guide. The Identifying Keywords and the Evaluating Information tutorials are especially helpful.

The Library also offers online or in-person support. If you need additional help, fill out our Library Help request form and we’ll contact you to provide guidance.

During the school year (from September to May) the Library hours are:

Victoria Ave E. Campus

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

North Hill Library

Monday*
8:30 to 11 a.m.

*In the case of a holiday Monday, the the North Hill Library will be open on the following Tuesday.

You can search for books in the Library in a few ways:

  1. Go to the Library webpage and enter your search terms in the Find items available at the Library search box
  2. Go directly to the Library Search and enter your terms in the search box
  3. Download the free Library search app and request a username and password to login

Once you've found the item(s) you want to look at:

  1. Write down the call number and title of the item(s)
    • Call numbers look like this: HD 30.28 T576 2008
  2. Give Library staff the title and call number and they’ll show you to the book
  3. If working from home, fill out our Library Materials Request form to request the item(s) you wish to borrow.

Can't finding what you're looking for? Ask your friendly Library staff for help!

To borrow books from the Assiniboine Library, all you need is your Assiniboine ID card. Present your student, faculty, or staff card at the Main Desk and items will be signed out to your Library account.

If working from home, fill out our Materials Request form and choose your preferred delivery method.

Visitors to Assiniboine Library will be issued Library cards.

Assiniboine Library doesn't charge overdue fines! Simply return or renew your overdue items. To renew your items online, request a Library account username and password.

Your borrowing privileges will be suspended if you:

  • have library materials that are one month or more overdue
  • returned an item in damaged condition
  • lost an item

Your account will remain suspended until the materials are returned or you've paid the bill issued for the replacement cost of the items plus $15 handling and applicable taxes. Learn more about paying bills.

Books required for your courses are purchased from the Bookstore.

Any course textbooks the Library has are for use in the library only.

  • Give Library staff the textbook title and list of author(s) and we can see if we have a copy.
Note: The Library may only have an older edition of your textbook.

Students in the following program areas have certain required books set aside for them by their instructors:

  • Automotive
  • Agriculture Equipment
  • Civil Technology
  • Heavy Duty
  • Practical Nursing
  • Social Service Worker

These are located in the Library’s Course Reserve section. Items are available at the Main Desk in the Library.

The Library offers individual, group, and quiet study spaces.

  • The quiet study area is located at the back of the Library, in the South-East corner. This area is for individual study only and talking is not allowed.
  • The group study area includes casual seating, modular tables, and large tables. Individuals and small groups are welcome to use this area. Quiet discussion is allowed.
  • Group study rooms are also available for students to book a 50 minute or a 1 hour and 50 minute session.

Remember, libraries are shared spaces - respect and be considerate of others to create an environment that works for everyone.

The Library space is reserved for studying and schoolwork. Other areas of the college are available for socializing, including the cafeteria and Cross Roads.

Cell phones are allowed in the Library, however:

  • they must be set to silent - turn all ringers and sound notifications off
  • phone calls must be taken outside of the Library. If you're talking on the phone in the Library, you may be asked to leave for the duration of the call.
Food, such as snacks, is allowed in the Library. Users may also bring drinks with a secure lid.

The Library doesn’t provide office supplies. A table with a selection of the following supplies available for your use is located across from the Bookstore. If supplies need to be refilled, please contact the Students’ Association in Room 413.

  • Stapler
  • Hole punch
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Paper cutter

All other office supplies can be purchased at the Bookstore.

The Learning Curve provides support with proofreading and editing your assignment. Book an appointment to schedule a help session.

If you're having trouble understanding what your assignment is asking you to do, first contact your instructor to get clarification.

For help with planning, starting, writing, proofreading, and editing your assignment book an appointment with the Learning Curve.

At this time, the college doesn't offer résumé writing support.

However, a number of community agencies offer support to Brandon citizens seeking employment opportunities. For more information, view or Résumé Writing Help guide.