The University of Otago has a world-class library to support staff and students engaged in teaching, learning and research.

Library collections and support are increasingly being made available online and this can be particularly useful for Distance students.

For assistance searching the Library collections and selecting appropriate online resources, check out the Library Subject guides and/or the Subject Librarian for your study area. More information and contact details are available from our LibGuide for Distance students:

https://otago.libguides.com/distance

This Guide was last reviewed in May -June 2025.

Contents

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Distance students and the Library

by Distance Learning Office and University of Otago Library

The Library has been supporting Distance Students for almost 35 years, as long as the University has been offering distance courses.

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library books

Visiting other New Zealand University libraries

by Distance Learning

Through the ULANZ (University Libraries of Australian and New Zealand) reciprocal borrowing agreement, you can borrow in person from other participating New Zealand and Australian university libraries (except the University of Auckland).

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University of Otago Library homepage

Library Services, Resources and Guides

by Distance Learning

The Library provides access to a range of services and resources for your time at university.

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Visiting Campus Libraries

by Distance Learning Office and University of Otago Library

All students who are currently enrolled can use any of the University of Otago libraries on the Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington or Invercargill campuses

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Requesting Library Material

by Distance Learning Office and University of Otago Library

Library material can be requested via Library Search | Ketu

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papers

Past Exam Papers

by Distance Learning Office and University of Otago Library

You can access past exam papers from the Library.

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Library Return Bin

Borrowing Information

by Distance Learning Office and University of Otago Library

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searching for answers research

Contact Subject Librarians for Help with Searching

by Distance Learning Office and University of Otago Library

When you need assistance finding relevant research for your assignments or research, a Subject Librarian is a great person to contact.

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Google Scholar can be found on the University of Otago Library homepage and under Databases on CM and WM Library websites.

Google Scholar as a Research Tool

by Distance Learning Office and University of Otago Library

Google Scholar limits web search results to its definition of academic, peer reviewed literature.

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Cob web

Finding Related Research using Google Scholar

by Distance Learning Office and University of Otago Library

Use the Cited by and Related articles links in Google Scholar to find related research.

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email

Research Alerts

by Distance Learning Office and University of Otago Library

While undertaking a Masters or PhD thesis, you may find it difficult to keep abreast of new research relevant to your topic.

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reading learning books laptop

Library eBooks in a nutshell

by Distance Learning Office and University of Otago Library

The Library subscribes to a large number of eBooks which are available at any time.

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books

Finding a Thesis

by Distance Learning Office and University of Otago Library

Theses can be very useful sources of unpublished research, but they can also be hard to locate.

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References, Citations Styles, and Reference Management Software

by Distance Learning Office and University of Otago Library

Referencing is part of a policy of Academic Integrity that the University of Otago adheres to.

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copyright

Copyright

by University of Otago Copyright Officer and the Distance Learning Office

The Library, and you, are required by law to ensure fair use of material that has been copied for study and research purposes.

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Useful Library Links

by Distance Learning Office and University of Otago Library

The University of Otago Library has a vast number of useful web links for you to explore.

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