Library FAQ
Library Locations
Hours
What are the library's hours?
University of Alberta Campus Maps
Useful Library Terminology
What You Need to Access U of A Library Resources
Students, Faculty & Staff
- A U of A ONECard, a personal identification number (PIN), a Campus Computing ID (CCID) and a U of A e-mail account.
- Click here for more information.
Alumni, Visitors, TAL
- A temporary Campus Computing ID (CCID) and a U of A Alumni ONECard or an Alberta Library card (TAL).
- Alumni: click here for more information.
- Visitors: click here for more information.
What is My Barcode/PIN Number?
- Your library barcode number is the number directly under the barcode on your ONECard.
- Forgot your PIN? Click here to request that we send your PIN to your U of A Email Account. Or contact a Service Desk to obtain or verify your PIN number.
Computing
Computer Labs
- Public computers are located throughout the libraries. Click here for a complete list of computing services.
- Any user can search and navigate the Library's website and catalogue without logging on (authenticating). However, authentication with your Campus Computing ID (CCID) or temporary Campus Computing ID (CCID) will be required when leaving the library's website, attempting to access database resources, or accessing the Internet.
Campus Computing ID (CCID)
Printing
- Printers are located in each library.
- Double-sided printing is available in all libraries.
- Colour printing is available in the Knowledge Common (KC).
- A University of Alberta ONECard or a Basic ONECard must be used to pay for printing. Deposit machines allowing the addition of cash amounts (bills only) of $5.00, $10.00 and $20.00 to your ONECard are available in most libraries. Credit card deposits may be made online or in-person at the Onecard Office. Cheque, indent and debit card deposits can only be made at the Onecard Office.
- Basic ONECards can be purchased at any Library Service Desk or at the ONECard Office at a cost of $5.00. $1.00 pays for the cost of the card, the remaining $4.00 is credited to the card and can be used for photocopying or printing on any campus photocopier or printer.
- Printing costs: black on white printing - $0.12 per printed page; colour printing - $0.35 per printed page; double-sided printing costs the equivalent of printing two pages.
Laptops
Wireless Access
Access Library Resources from Home
Photocopying
- Photocopiers are located in each library.
- Double-sided copying is available in all library locations.
- Copying may be paid for with a University of Alberta ONECard, a Basic ONECard or coins (coinboxes are attached to selected copiers only).
- Deposit machines allowing the addition of cash amounts (bills only) of $5.00, $10.00 and $20.00 to your ONECard are available in most libraries. Credit card deposits may be made online or in-person at the Onecard Office. Cheque, indent and debit card deposits can only be made at the Onecard Office.
- Basic ONECards can be purchased at any Library Service Desk or at the ONECard Office at a cost of $5.00. $1.00 pays for the cost of the card, the remaining $4.00 is credited to the card and can be used for photocopying or printing on any campus photocopier or printer.
- Photocopying costs: ONECARD copying - $0.12 per page; coin-op copying - $0.15 per page; double-sided copying costs the equivalent of copying two pages.
Group Study Rooms
- Group study rooms are available for student use.
- For a list of the rooms in each library and to book online see the Booking a Group Study Room page.
Borrowing Policies and Services
Library Cards
- A valid library card is required to borrow material. All University of Alberta students and most full-time and part-time continuing University of Alberta faculty and staff are eligible to obtain a ONEcard. Other clients may be also eligible to obtain a library card, a fee may be charged.
Loan Periods
- Loan periods vary according to the category of client and the type of material borrowed. The basic general loan period for all client categories is two weeks. Some client categories may be entitled to longer loans but these materials may be recalled and loan periods shortened if requested by another client.
Reserve Material
- Information about materials on reserve in the University of Alberta Libraries may be found by searching the Reserve Room module of the NEOS Libraries' Catalogue. Use a course name and number or an instructor's last name to locate lists of reserve materials. A call number for each item is required to obtain materials from the Service Desk.
- Loan periods and fines for reserve material differ from regular loan periods and fines.
- Instructors and teaching assistants can place course materials on reserve by using the Reserve Request Form. See the Instructor Guidelines for Reserve Services for details.
Holds/Requests
- Holds may be placed on available and checked-out books from most NEOS libraries, including the University of Alberta Library. Holds cannot be placed on periodicals except for BARD periodicals.
- Holds are placed through the NEOS Libraries Catalogue. See Online Book Requests/Holds for detailed instructions.
- Available University of Alberta material will be ready for pick-up within one-to-two working days (weekends and holidays excluded). Available material from other NEOS libraries will be ready for pick-up within four-to-five working days. Please note that placing a request does not guarantee that the book will be held for you if another patron checks it out in the meantime.
Renewing Books and Other Material
Recalls
- The basic general loan period for all client categories is two weeks. Material that has been checked out on longer loans, and material that has been renewed may be recalled and loan periods shortened if requested by another client. Recalled U of A material must be returned to a U of A service desk.
Fines
My Account
- Use My Account to view a list of checked out material, renew books, monitor and cancel holds, change your PIN number and review fines.
Research Assistance
Citing Works - APA, MLA, etc
How to Find Articles
- Individual articles are not listed in the NEOS Libraries' Catalogue. However, the catalogue will indicate what journals/periodicals we subscribe to (e.g. Journal of Biology) and in which library they can be found.
- Already know the journal title, volume number, year and page numbers of an article? Here's how to find the article.
- Looking for articles on a particular topic or subject? Search a database/periodical index.
- To request an article that the library does not have see Request an Interlibrary Loan.
How to Find Books
Get It Service
Alumni, Visitors, TAL
How to Borrow Material
Accessing the Library's Electronic Resources
- The library's website and catalogue may be accessed without authenticating (logging on). However, authentication with a temporary Campus Computing ID (CCID) will be required when leaving the library's website, attempting to access database resources or accessing the Internet. Click here for more information on database licensing.
- Temporary CCIDs can be obtained from any Circulation Desk. A valid photo identification card and validation of a current Canadian address must be presented to be granted a temporary CCID. The temporary CCID will expire at midnight of the same day that it is issued. For more information see the Temporary Campus Computing ID page.
Temporary Campus Computing IDs (CCIDs) and TAL library cards for groups
- Click here for more information.
Odds n' Ends
Add Money to a ONECard
- Deposit machines allowing the addition of cash amounts (bills only) of $5.00, $10.00 and $20.00 to your ONECard are available in most libraries. Credit card deposits may be made online or in-person at the Onecard Office. Cheque, indent and debit card deposits can only be made at the Onecard Office.
Request an Interlibrary Loan
Find a Public Fax Machine
- Public fax machines are located in the SU Post Office - main floor SUB.
Find more information about the U-Pass
- Click here for more information.
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