Library Orientation

Almost all of the resources the library offers online only require you to login with your college email address and password for access. 

Please see this how-to video that explains how to login for online access: 

There are three databases that require a Barcode/Library ID and Pin for access. The databases are ALBERTA RESEARCH PORTAL, iPortal, and CYPRESS RESUME. If you would like to access either of these databases, please click the tab "Your Library Barcode/ID and PIN" to see instructions on how-to find your information. 

All resource types can be found by using the search bar at the top of this page. Apply resource type filters to results if you are looking for a specific format. Digital resources are available on NLC networked computers or from home using your Student ID and Login.

Books/eBooks: Print books can be picked up at the Grouard or Slave Lake libraries, or sent to any NLC campus. eBooks are available to view on your computer, tablet, or most eReaders.

Videos: Videos are available from a variety of subscription services, and from locally streamed and DVD format holdings. DVDs can be picked up at the library or sent to your home campus. Subscribed streaming resources can be viewed online. The few locally streamed videos in the catalogue are available for on-campus viewing only.

Audio: Audio books in CD format can be picked up at the Grouard or Slave Lake libraries, or sent to any NLC campus. Some streamed audio resources may be accessed online.

Articles: Articles from academic journals and other publications are available through digital database subscriptions.

Magazines: All of the magazines the Library subscribes to are digital. Click "Magazines" on the home library page, or click HERE to access our magazines. 

Article databases contain articles on particular subjects, from journals, magazines or newspapers. Databases may include full text of articles or they may include abstracts (summaries and citations.) Searches from the home page or this articles page will include results from nearly all NLC subscribed databases.

• A general article database might include1500 journals or magazines addressing many subject areas.
• A specialized article database might cover a few hundred journals, but will focus on one particular subject area.

Your NLC Library subscribes to many databases through providers such as Ebscohost, Gale/Cengage, JSTOR, and Proquest. Off campus, you will be required to enter your Student ID and password to access database results.

You can access databases from the tab above, or through this link:

Database Listings

• Evaluate websites using the CRAAP Test
• Peer-reviewed - What is it?
• Research Process Guide

When you use the search at the top of your NLC Library's web page, a pull-down menu provides you with display options.

Results can be displayed these ways:

• Keyword (By Format)
• Discovery Search
• NEOS Catalogue

Discovery Search searches most of the Library's collection in one search.

Discovery Searches return a LOT of results. Effective use of filters, or limiters, will help you find what you require.

Included in Discovery Searches:

• Physical books, and video/audio discs from the NLC Libraries and the Neos Consortium libraries
• eBooks from some of the NLC and Neos libraries (NLC patrons have access to only the NLC collections.)
• Some streamed video content from subscribed collections
• Most journal articles from NLC libraries

Not included:

• Some licensed eBook collections
• Some databases
• Most streamed video collections
• The "Additional Resources" link in the Resource Type search includes a list and access to collections not included in the Discovery searches.

• Search Your NLC Library - Using the "Discovery" search system (all resource types)

   

• Research Starters - What are they and how do they work?

  2:23 min video describing the research starters that show in some Discovery searches and how to use them.

Keyword (Results by Format) searches provide results arranged by the resource types - books, journals, or other resource types.

The results in this search include many, but not all, available resources.

Included:

• Physical books from the NLC Libraries and the Neos Consortium libraries
• Some eBooks from NLC and Neos libraries
• Some streamed video content from subscribed collections
• Most journal articles from NLC libraries

Not included:

• Video and audio discs records
• Some licensed eBook collections
• Some database journal article collections
• Most streamed video collections

Use the "Refine search results" button to revert to a list with all resource types in one search. This search will include physical video and audio disc results as well as the "included" list above.

To further filter results, refer to the "Discovery EDS" methods in this guide.

NEOS Catalogue searches the combined collections of a library consortium that includes most of Northern Alberta's post-secondary and government libraries. Your NLC Library joined NEOS in 2017.

Choosing the NEOS Catalogue search option or the straight to NEOS button on the home page allows you to search the NEOS collections for items that may not be available at Your NLC Library.

Physical resources from NEOS libraries, like books, videos, and audio discs are available for loan to NLC students and staff.

If you wish to borrow, you may place a hold using your Library barcode ID and PIN, and select the NEOS location where you wish to pick up the item. If you are from any NLC campus, choose Northern Lakes College as your delivery library and your items will be sent to Slave Lake, then forwarded by courier to you at your home campus. If you are at Keyano or Lakeland Lloydminster, choose those libraries. If you are a home study student with closer access to any of the other NEOS libraries, like University of Alberta, Grande Prairie Regional College, etc., you may choose those locations for pickup. You will need your Library barcode ID and government issued photo ID to pickup your holds at NEOS libraries other than NLC.

When do I use Boolean Searching? 

Boolean Searching can be used in some of our databases. 

What is Boolean? 

A Boolean Search is a type of search configuration that uses modifiers to get the most relevant results. 

What are Modifiers?

AND, OR, NOT (always capitalized)

Parenthesis or quotations around a specific portion of the search, ex: "Laser" beams

How it Works

Say you want resources on adult dogs. You can type dogs into the search bar and get thousands of results on dogs. However, if you used the NOT modifier, and searched dogs NOT puppies, it will decrease the number of irrelevant resources you have to get through and only give you resources that mention dogs (and not puppies).

Conversely, if you want resources on two subjects, together, you could use the AND modifier. By searching for dogs AND cats, you will get all the resources that mention those two subjects together. 

Next, the OR modifier is useful when you want to search for two subjects at the same time, like dogs OR puppies. The results will be all resources that feature either dogs or puppies, separately. 

Quotations are useful when you want to search for a specific phrase, ex: "nursing students", if you wanted resources on nursing students rather than just nurses. 

Parenthesis are used to create a more complex search, ex: Metis AND (indigenous OR First Nation)

Your Library ID/Barcode and PIN and mainly used for physical items. There are only 3 databases that require an ID and PIN which are Alberta Research Portal, iPortal, and Cypress Resume. 

Find your barcode ID and PIN:

1. Library barcode ID:
   • Students receive an automated email at their College email address when they are fully registered in a program.
   • Staff/Faculty receive the same when they commence employment
   • The email contains a 13-digit Library barcode ID. All 13 digits are required.
2. PIN:
   • A link to What is my PIN is provided in the email. Click on it and follow the prompts.
   • Use your College email or it will not work. (Students: Your College email is your student ID @northernlakescollege.ca)
3. PIN changes:
   • To change your PIN to something personal, use the PIN change web page link at the bottom of the What is my PIN page.
   • Please note: If you change your PIN, you must wait overnight for the change to take effect.