Preparing to Learn Online
Learning online might seem daunting at first, but it’s also an opportunity to develop new skills. Here is some information to help you get what you need while we have transitioned to online learning.
- College Network Account:Log in using your Algonquin College email and password (the same credentials you use for Brightspace) to access digital resources such as eBooks, online videos and online journals.
- Digital Resource Collections:Online collections of resources such as articles, eBooks, videos, journals, reports, case law, and more.
- One Search:Our central search tool. It searches across most of our digital resource collections.
- Subject Guides:Online collections of resources we’ve compiled for each program.
- Ask the Library:You can get help from the Library online. Explore our list of already answered questions, or talk to us directly through the online chat.
- Student Survival Guide:A collection of online tools, resources, and tutorials to help you get started with remote learning, navigating technology, studying smart and staying a responsible student.
- Well-being and the Online Environment: A collection of tips and strategies to help support your mental health and well-being.
- Online Coaching and Peer Tutoring:You can get free online help with subjects such as math, ESL, writing, and computers, or get online support for a specific course from a trained student tutor for $8/hr. Both services are offered through the Student Learning Centre (SLC).
- Online Research Appointments:Book a one-on-one research appointment with a Library liaison for advice and assistance in finding useful resources.
Top Tips
- Search most of our resources at once using One Search.
You can find academic articles, books, videos, reports, trade publications, and more. - Look for resources we might not have in One Search in our digital resource collections.
If you’re not sure, check our answer on when to use One Search vs a digital resource collection. - Check out our Subject Guides.
See recommended resources and start your search in the Subject Guide for your program. - Explore the online Research Guide.
This guide has tips and guidance on each step of the process of preparing your papers. - Request items we’re missing.
InterLibrary Loan services are available for online resources only. Please fill out the online form to request an InterLibrary Loan. Interlibrary loan.
Need help studying? Here are some tools you can use for your online learning.
Study Skills:
- Time Management: Your schedule might have changed. Learn strategies to take control of your time.
- Studying and Test-Taking: Remember the information you’re learning in your classes.
- Reading and Note-Taking: Good note-taking skills are helpful even for online classes! Discover techniques to improve your reading and take more useful notes.
- Group Work: Discover how to work with classmates on group projects.
- Studying in Groups: Discover strategies and tools to help you study with a group.
- Presentation Skills: Find out how to create an engaging presentation.
- Well-being and the Online Environment: a collection of tips and strategies to help support your mental health and well-being.
Online Collaboration Tools:
These resources in the Student Survival Guide Tech Tools can help you learn, meet with your classmates, and collaborate online. It includes tools to do the following:
- Stay organized and keep on top of your to-do list
- Collaborate on documents
- Meet with your classmates or professors online
- Share files
Multimedia & Website Creation:
These resources can help you find multimedia resources and the software, tools and content required to build websites and begin coding.
- Student Survival Guide Tech Tools: Explore online tools and apps to assist you with website creation/coding. Many of these tech tools are provided free of charge!
- Open Educational Resources Guide: Find openly licensed multimedia resources such as downloadable high quality images, website templates, icons and video stock footage.
- The Learning Portal - Building Websites: Beautiful websites are possible with no coding experience required! There are lots of templates to choose from! In this module, you can learn how to create a great simple website.
Mental Health & Wellness:
These resources can help you gain healthy tips and strategies for staying calm during stressful times.
- Stress Management: These modules can help you learn to manage and cope with your stress, as well as providing problems solving strategies.
- Resilience: These modules will teach you strategies to improve your resilience and your ability to recover after setbacks.
- AC Counseling Services - Apps and Online Tools: The following online tools provide information, resources, and support that you can access anytime to help improve your mental health and general well-being.
Borrowing Books:
- Ottawa Campus: The Collection Rooms are closed. You can borrow books in the following ways:
- Visit the Front Desk (Room C350) for help borrowing a book. Reference items can be requested at the Front Desk and loaned out for 3 hours.
- Place books (other than reference or reserve items) on hold using the Library Catalogue and pick them up on campus. (contact-free pickup).
- Pembroke Campus: The Library stacks are open. You can borrow books in the following ways:
- Visit the Library during business hours.
- Place books (other than reference or reserve items) on hold using the Library Catalogue and pick them up on campus during business hours.
- For more information please read our FAQs.
Picking Up Books:
Contact free pick up is available. Please bring your student/staff card.
- Ottawa campus: Pick up your items within 7 days from the black Book Locker located in the Library (C350).
- Pembroke campus: Items may be picked up from the Library Main Desk between the hours of 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.
- Perth campus: Items can be picked up from the Library on Mondays and Thursdays or you can make an appointment by emailing Kendra Swallow.
Returning books:
Books may be returned to the Library drop boxes. Drop boxes are located at the following campus locations:
- Ottawa campus: Place your items in the drop box found on the side of the front desk or located on the 1st floor of C building close to the main entrance. Do not leave items on top of the desk or anywhere else in the library.
- Pembroke campus: Library items can be returned to the drop box, now located outside of the Library (Room 145).
- Perth campus: Return your items to the drop slot located at the doors of the Library.
For more information about borrowing, renewing and returning books, please see the FAQs.
During the period of time classes are moved online, the Library is providing online workshops to help you improve your skills. All our workshops are offered online through the Zoom Platform. Please select the sessions you would like to attend and register through the Workshop Schedule.
Explore the online workshops being offered online and learn how to prepare for presentations, manage your time, use Zoom, conduct research, correctly craft citations, write an engaging paper, make studying less stressful, and more!
Whether you’re struggling in a subject or you just want to improve your knowledge, these online services can help you:
- Peer Tutoring: Work on problems you’re having in a specific class with a student who did well in that class. To get set-up for online Peer Tutoring you will need to connect to the college VPN or contact the SLC Online Kiosk. Instructions and additional help can be found on the Peer Tutoring page.
- Online Coaching: you can work on ESL or the fundamentals of a subject, including writing, and math.
Library staff are available via our online chat service Ask The Library. Please click the Ask The Library button (located in the bottom right corner of this page) to be instantly connected.
Ask the Library hours:
- Monday - Thursday: 8:00a.m - 8:00p.m
- Friday: 8:00a.m - 5:00p.m
Send your questions by email or use our online form.
Browse the Library FAQ page to find answers to commonly asked questions.