FAQs Browse

How do I cite World Wide Web pages in my essay / thesis?

This varies depending on the publication style you're employing.  Please see the Library's Writing & Style guides for directions.

How do I configure reference or citation management software to use the library OpenURL and proxy to find full text?

Off-campus access to Library resources using the library's OpenURL link resolver and proxy 

To permit off-campus access to licensed resources (including journals), the SFU Library uses proxy software called EZproxy to authenticate you as an SFU Authorized User (current student, faculty or staff).   

You can also set up the library's OpenURL link resolver to find full text from citation management software. 

Configuring Zotero, Mendeley, and other citation tools for SFU's proxy and OpenURL link resolver

Setting up the proxy

Researchers using reference or citation management tools such as  Zotero, or Mendeley may be asked to configure their software to allow access from off campus.

SFU library's proxy address/prepend is: https://proxy.lib.sfu.ca/login?url=

Please note that the library proxies those ejournals and other eresources that the library pays for. The library does not proxy resources that are freely available.

Setting up the OpenURL link resolver

Researchers using reference or citation management tools such as  Zotero, or Mendeley may be asked to configure their software for their library's OpenURL link resolver.

SFU library's OpenURL link resolver address is: https://sfu-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/openurl/01SFUL/SFUL?

For some software, you may need to remove the ? at the end.  The library does not make use of an "authentication URL". 

Please note that the library's OpenURL link resolver is not compatible with EndNote X9's Find Full Text feature.  EndNote X9 users may find the EndNote Click (formerly Kopernio) browser extension useful for adding PDFs to their EndNote Library in lieu of using the library's OpenURL link resolver. 

 

How do I create a stable link to an article in Factiva?

 Tool to create Factiva links

Factiva does not support direct linking to SFU Library licensed content in the way that many databases do. This means that the "Direct Link" provided by Factiva will not redirect to an SFU login that would allow users from the SFU community to access the linked content.

To create a permanent link to an article in Factiva:

  1. Find the Document number at the end of the article in Factiva (example number: CWNS000020120914e75p02g0x)
  2. Enter the Document number into this link creator
  3. (Optional) Click on the copy icon to select the link and copy it to your clipboard 

 


 Need help?

For more information on article citations, see our guide From Citation To Article

If you need further help, please ask a librarian for assistance.

 
How do I create a stable link to an online journal article or ebook?

Follow these instructions to create a persistent link to articles, books, and other online resources in Canvas, from course websites, or elsewhere.

Journal articles: Persistent link

Use the "persistent link", "bookmark", "copy link",  "permalink", "stable link","link" or similar icon or option that appears next to the article.

If the resulting URL provided by the website or publisher does not include proxy.lib.sfu.ca anywhere in the URL, then add the SFU Library's proxy prefix to the entire URL to ensure that Authorized Users (SFU students, faculty and staff) can access the article when off-campus.

http://proxy.lib.sfu.ca/login?url= (+ the entire URL that the website or publisher provides)

For example: http://proxy.lib.sfu.ca/login?url=http://www.cjc-online.ca/index.php/journal/article/view/2252

Journal articles: DOI

Use the article's DOI (Digital Object Identifer). A DOI is a unique number assigned to journal articles.  You can add the full DOI to the end of the DOI resolver address to create a stable link to the article.

Remember to include the library's proxy prepend to ensure authorized users will be able to access the article when off-campus.

For example:  http://proxy.lib.sfu.ca/login?url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.277.5332.1642

Journal articles: No persistent link and no DOI

If no such persistent button or icon is available, or if there is no DOI number associated with the article, copy the URL that appears in your browser's address bar and paste the entire URL into a new and completely different browser window  (e.g. switch from Chrome to the Firefox browser) to ensure that the link goes where you want it to go.

You will also need to include the Library's proxy prefix as above if proxy.lib.sfu.ca does not appear in the URL address bar.

Note: The SFU Library's proxy prefix is not required for open access or free journal articles.

E-books, streaming video, or streaming audio

Use the permanent link or permalink provided in the library's Catalogue record for the item in question to create a stable link to an e-book or video. The library's off-campus authentication procedure is already embedded in the link.

image of the catalogue's permalink button

 

 

 

How do I find books written in French, Chinese, and other languages?

To find books, videos, and other Library materials in languages other than English, search the Library catalogue for the item(s) you want (by keyword, author, title, etc.), and limit your search by language.

The SFU Library also has some specific collections of materials in languages other than English. For example, you can find a collection of materials donated by the State Education Commission of the People's Republic of China by searching by keyword or title (in Browse search) for "Chinese collection."

For more help finding materials in a specific language Ask a Librarian.

How do I find books?

The Library Catalogue is the tool you use to find books, journals, newspapers, government documents, videos, slides and sheet maps in the Library's collection.

For tips and tricks on how to use the Catalogue, see the SFU Library Catalogue Search Guide.

How do I find journals on a specific topic?

To find journals about specific topics, you can search the Library Catalogue for your keywords or subject, then limit to Journals under the heading Resource Type. 

For example:  teaching business, special needs education, criminologyCanadian literature

 

Looking for articles? See How to find journal articles.

 

How do I find out about employment opportunities at the SFU Library?

The Library hires library assistants (including student assistants), librarians, and other professional staff.

For further information see Librarian and other library position openings.

How do I get a library card?

Current SFU students, faculty, and staff

Your SFU ID is your library card.

See Getting your Card for how and where to get your SFU ID.

SFU student card

FIC student card

 

Where do I pick up my SFU ID?

See Getting your Card for details, or contact SFU's Registrar and Information Services for help.

Distance education students: Follow the instructions for getting a library barcode or contact Telebook services to get a barcode number so that you can use the library's direct request services.

Alumni, external borrowers, and some research assistants

Alumni: You do not need to get a different library/university card when you graduate, so hold onto your present card. Your library privileges will expire two weeks into the next semester. Your alumni library privileges will come into effect when Senate awards your degree/diploma. If you need library privileges before you are awarded your alumnus status, come to the Circulation/Loans desk at the Library for interim privileges. Alumni who no longer have their card can contact SFU's Registrar and Information Services to purchase a new University/Library card.

External Borrower Cards can be purchased at the Circulation/Loans desk at Bennett, Belzberg or Surrey Libraries. For rates and other useful information, please see Services for External Borrowers.

Research assistants who are paid directly by the professor (and not on the university payroll) may apply for a free External Borrower Card at any campus. An application form can be obtained from the Circulation/Loans desk. This form must be countersigned by the Professor, and should then be presented to the Circulation/Loans desk. Cards will be issued in the name of the assistant c/o the Professor and will carry the same borrowing privileges as the Professor.

New faculty not yet on payroll

New faculty are eligible for a library card up to 3 months in advance of their appointment. If you cannot yet get a regular card, please visit the loans counter at any SFU Library branch. Library staff will issue you a temporary card upon written proof confirming your status (e.g. letter of appointment from Faculty/Dept., Departmental memo).

Your temporary library card will provide you with the full range of faculty borrowing privileges,

How do I get access to materials listed in the catalogue as being in "Closed Storage" at the Bennett Library?

Closed Storage is an area of the W.A.C. Bennett Library (SFU Burnaby) that is only accessible by library staff.

To request that a specific item located in closed storage be retrieved for you, look up the item in the Library catalogue, and use the Request function as you would for a book on loan or at another campus (see Request instructions). Items requested online, Monday to Thursday, will be available from the Circulation/Loans desk on the next day, after 4 pm. Items requested Friday, Saturday or Sunday will be available on Monday of the following week after 4 pm.

Requests can also be made in person at the Circulation/Loans desk and are usually available the same day. Closed storage runs for in-person requests are made at the following times:

  • Monday - Thursday 9am, 1pm, 4pm, 8pm
  • Friday - 9am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm (the library closes at 10pm)
  • Saturday - Sunday 11am, 3pm, 7pm

You can also Request these items for delivery to our other campus libraries. Allow two working days after your request for the item to arrive at Belzberg Library (SFU Vancouver) or Fraser Library (SFU Surrey). 

For further assistance, contact Bennett Loans staff at 778.782.4345, by email libcirc@sfu.ca, or in person.