If you need secondary sources about engineering or construction topics, check out these databases:
IEEE Xplore (IEL) subscription includes full text access to: IEEE journals, magazines, and transactions (including Spectrum Magazine and the Proceedings of the IEEE); IET journals and magazines; Proceedings from IEEE and IET annual conferences; more than 3,700 approved and published IEEE standards in key technology fields; access to Bell Labs Technical Journal and VDE Verlag conferences.
A dynamic online resource that provides over 300 titles covering all aspects of engineering. Please be sure to follow site instructions to get full-contact access.
Contains articles covering hundreds of topics relating to all major fields of study within the sciences, including computing, engineering, transportation, technology, chemistry, and more.
Covers diverse environmental topics, such as: agriculture, environmental law and technology, ecology, pollution and waste management and renewable energy.
Covers all disciplines of business, including: marketing, management, accounting, finance, and economics. Additional content includes: market research reports, industry reports, country reports, company profiles and SWOT analyses.
For a complete list of resources on these topics, go to:
Some design projects will involve renovation of existing buildings or design of new buildings. Information for best practices can be found in:
Green Building Costs by 
Green Building Design and Life Cycle Management by The library also has titles on building renovation practices:
Structural Rehabilitation of Old Buildings by 
Building Evaluation for Adaptive Reuse and Preservation by 
Cost-Effective Energy Efficient Building Retrofitting by 
Sustainable Retrofitting of Commercial Buildings by Some design projects will involve renovation of existing buildings or design of new buildings. Information for architectural design best practices of building interiors can be found in:
The library also has titles on building renovation practices:
Structural Rehabilitation of Old Buildings by Building Evaluation for Adaptive Reuse and Preservation by Cost-Effective Energy Efficient Building Retrofitting by Sustainable Retrofitting of Commercial Buildings by If you need a reminder about using the library's search tools, watch this short video
Access construction & engineering standards via the Library:
The National Building Code and derivatives (National Electrical, Energy, and Fire codes as well as Alberta versions of the codes) are available as a free download for personal use. The NRC has made it very easy, with a direct download option from their archive:
As well, the NRC is now offering free electronic access to the related user’s guides, including:
