This is a general guide to borrowing library materials from the Simon Fraser University Library collections. For more details, talk to a Library staff member at the circulation desk or phone:

• Bennett Library (SFU Burnaby) 778.782.4345 email:circadm@troy.lib.sfu.ca
• Belzberg Library (SFU Vancouver) 778.782.5050
• Fraser Library (SFU Surrey) 778.782.7411

 

 

Library Cards

All borrowers must present a valid library card (University I.D. or external borrower card) to borrow materials. Library cards are not transferable and will be honoured only when presented by the legitimate card holder, with the exception of the Designated borrower authorization

University Produced ID Card

SFU students (undergraduates and graduates), alumni, faculty and staff may get a University ID card through the Registrar's Office, Burnaby Campus; the Information and Registration Desk, Harbour Centre; or the Student and Registrar Services Office, SFU Surrey.

Spousal / partner cards

Spouses or partners of faculty/staff, as well as related positions*, and graduate students are eligible for a non-paying external borrower card; obtainable from the Circulation/Loans desk at any SFU Library branch. They will be awarded Individual External Borrower library privileges

• The SFU member must provide, either in writing or in person, verification of the applicant’s status. Once confirmed, the spouse or partner will need to complete an External Borrower Application. The application can be obtained at the circulation counters of any of the SFU Library sites.
• Where the SFU member is long term, in excess of one year, or is considered continuing, the applicant's library card will be issued with an expiry date of 1 year, renewable on request of the spouse/partner.
• Where the SFU member is on a limited term of less than one year, the aplicant's library card will be issued with an expiry date concurrent with the expirty date of the SFU member.
• The SFU member may discontinue authorization of the card by request to circulation staff; cards will not be cancelled midterm, however, records will be marked ‘do not renew’.
• The spouse or partner is responsible for any circulation activity occurring on the card including payment for all library material that may be lost while charged to the card.

*Faculty/staff related positions include: Research Associates, Research Fellowships, Post Doctoral Fellowships, Faculty Associates, Associate Members, Adjunct Professors, Clinical Associates, Visiting Faculty/Scholars, Sessional Instructors/Lecturers, Teaching assistants, Tutor Markers, Librarians, Non-credit Instructors, and Archivists.

Designated borrower

SFU students, faculty,staff and alumni may designate one other person who is authorized to use their library card on their behalf by completing the authorization. This service is available under the following conditions:

• The designated borrower may use the card to pick up holds or borrow library material with the exception of laptops or media equipment.
• The designated borrower must present the library card plus a piece of their own picture ID when picking up holds or borrowing library material.
• The SFU cardholder is responsible for any use the designated borrower makes of the card and any overdue items, late charges, damage or loss of library material.
• The authorization is valid until the expiry date of the card or until the cardholder informs the library of a change or termination of the authorization by contacting circadm@troy.lib.sfu.ca

 

Library Privileges

General Guide to Borrowing Privileges at SFU

The loan periods and access privileges, whether for circulating materials or for access to Electronic Resources(databases, electronic journals,etc.) varies according to the status of the borrower.

Patron Type	General Loans	General Collection	Special Loans**	Reserves	Electronic Resources	Electronic Resources
	Videos Loan periods vary			Loan periods vary	In Library access	Off campus access
Undergraduate	3 week*	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Graduate	semester	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Faculty/Staff	semester	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Alumni	3 week*	no	no	no	yes	no~
External Borrower	3 week*	no	no	no	yes	no

* Note: Semester loan period for low use materials if the item is not recalled.

**Special Loans include:  maps, AV material, rare books, Surrey media equipment, Surrey games, etc., which are subject to special loan periods and requirements, as authorized by the area responsible for the material.

~ Some exceptions apply. See Alumni Guide for details .

 

Deferrals and Semester off

SFU students are entitled to library privileges during semesters in which they are registered. SFU students with department authorized deferrals may obtain an extension to their library privileges by showing proof of deferral to Library staff at the circulation desk(s). SFU undergraduate students who are taking one semester off or SFU graduate students who are on leave, may purchase library privileges from staff at the circulation desk(s) at a cost of $20.00. Upon purchase, and with the use of their University/Library ID card, privileges are restored to the applicable undergraduate or graduate level, with one exception: no access to I.L.L. services.

Unable to come to campus? Please make arrangements with staff by emailing <circadm@troy.lib.sfu.ca> or phoning 778.782.4345.

 

Honour Students

Honour students have their loan privileges expanded to equal that of graduate students. This upgraded status is awarded to all undergraduate students in the honours program.

Attention graduating students:  All SFU alumni are eligible for SFU Library borrowing privileges. You do not get a different library/university card when you graduate, so hold onto your card.  Your student 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 in the interim, please talk to staff at the circulation desk or email loans-mgmt@sfu.ca .

 

Alumni Borrowing Privileges

All SFU alumni are entitled to SFU Library borrowing privileges on presentation of their SFU University ID card.  If you no longer have your University ID card you may purchase a replacement from the Registrar's Office at any campus.  To use the library, simply present your University ID at the circulation desk(s). You need to advise the Alumni Relations Office of any address changes.

Alumni borrowers may:

• Use research assistance and materials at all three libraries;
• Borrow books under the same loan periods as undergraduates;
• Request books that are out on loan to other users;
• Request books be transferred from Belzberg to Bennett or SFU Surrey and vice versa;
• Request up to three journal article photocopies per day to be transferred from Bennett to Belzberg or SFU Surrey and vice versa (articles will be provided at a cost of $3.00 each);
• Access selected databases from within the Library buildings.

Alumni borrowers may not:

• Use multimedia equipment and games held by the SFU Surrey Library, which are only accessible to SFU Surrey students;
• Use Interlibrary Loan or Document Delivery services;
• Access Reserve materials;
• Access Databases from remote stations.

 

SFU Affiliates/Associates

Some associated categories may obtain a University produced I.D. card which may qualify them for other campus services. Optionally, these categories may apply direct to the library (see circulation desk staff) for an External Borrower Card; cards issued by the library are acceptable only for library services.

 

Non-Credit Students

• Non-credit students are entitled to a library card at no charge for the duration of the non-credit course in which they are registered.
• To apply for a library card, come to the library in-person with proof of non-credit course registration.
• May use research assistance and materials at all libraries.
• May borrow circulating material at all libraries, under the same loan periods as undergraduates, with the exception of specialized collections such as Media Collection material.
• May request books that are out on loan to other users.
• May Request items, with the exception of specialized collections such as Media Collection material, be transferred from Belzberg to Bennett or Surrey and vice versa.
• May request up to three journal article photocopies per day to be transferred from the Bennett Library to the Belzberg Library or Surrey Library or vice versa. Articles will be provided at a cost of $3.00 each.
• May access library databases either in the library or by remote access for the duration of the course, and access to any items on reserve for the course

 

External Borrower Card and External Organization Card

External borrower cards can be obtained or purchased at the circulation desk of the Bennett Library, the Belzberg Library or the Surrey Campus Library. External borrowers must be 18 years old or older. All borrowing is subject to the Loans Policy and fines.

External Organization cards can be obtained by printing the Application form, filling it in and submitting it to Loans Management.

Fee structures are outlined in the table below:

Category	Annual Borrowing Fees (12 months from date of purchase	Semesterly Borrowing Fees (4 months from date of purchase	Cards issued by
Non-paying Groups
Visiting Faculty, Post Doctoral Students,Renowned Scholars *	N / A	N / A	Registrar's or Library
Special Audit *	N / A	N / A	Registrar's or Library
Non-credit students and non-credit instructors*	N / A	N / A	Library
Reciprocal Agreements	N / A	N / A	Library
School Associate to Faculty of Education *	N / A	N / A	Library
SFU Contractual Services	N / A	N / A	Registrar's or Library
Mentorships	N / A	N / A	Library
V.I.P. (President's Club, Board of Governors, Senate)	N / A	N / A	Library
Spouses/partners of Fac., Staff.	N / A	N / A	Library
Seniors (60+)	N / A	N / A	Library
Paying Groups
Semester Off Students	N / A	$20	Registrar's
UniverCity Residents	$50	$20	Library
BCOU Students	$50	NA	Library
Discovery Park	$100	$35	Library
Fraser Valley Real Estate Board Members	$50	$20	Library
Time Business Centre	$100	$35	Library
UniverCity Employees, Retailers etc.	$100	$35	Library
Organizations, e.g.(Corporations/Companies)**	$200	N / A	Library
All other categories (including general public, students & others not listed above	$100	$35	Library

Note: Replacement cost of a lost External Borrower Card is $5.00

* Note to External Borrowers with an affiliation to SFU (*) and who are not required to pay a fee:

• The expiry date of your card is dependant on the expiry date of your program, appointment, and/or association with SFU. Where no expiry date is specified cards will not exceed 1 year, but may be renewed upon reapplication;
• Visiting Faculty, Post Doctoral Students, Renowned Scholars, President's Club, Senate and Board of Governors - borrowing privileges may be expanded to include: semester loan periods, remote database access, reserves access, interlibrary loan / document delivery access;
• Non Credit instructors - borrowing privileges may be expanded to include semester loan periods, remote database access, reserves access;
• Special Audit - borrowing privileges may be expanded to include remote database and reserve access.

**Does not include students from Educational Institutions (private or public).

 

External borrowers privileges/services
 

PRIVILEGE / SERVICE	EXTERNAL INDIVIDUAL BORROWERS	EXTERNAL ORGANIZATIONAL BORROWERS
Use research assistance and materials at all three libraries.	yes	yes
Borrow general circulating material at all libraries, under the same loan periods as undergraduates.	yes	yes
Request books that are out on loan to other users.	yes	yes
Request items, with the exception of specialized collections such as Media Resource Centre (formerly Media Collection) material, be transferred from one campus to another.	yes	yes
Request up to three journal article photocopies per day to be transferred from Bennett to Belzberg or SFU Surrey and vice versa (articles will be provided at a cost of $3.00 each).	yes	Not Available
Access selected licensed electronic resources (databases, electronic journals,etc.) from within the Library buildings.	yes	yes
Use multimedia equipment and games held by the SFU Surrey Library, which are only accessible to SFU Surrey students.	Not Available	Not Available
Borrow 16 mm films, videos or DVD's from the SFU Library.	yes	yes
Use Interlibrary Loan or Document Delivery services.	Not Available	Not Available
Access Reserve materials.	Not Available	Not Available
Access licensed electronic resources from outside the Library.	Not Available	Not Available
Access SFU's wireless network (a valid SFU computing account is required - click here for more information	Not Available	Not Available

 

 

Reciprocal Agreements -Borrowing privileges for SFU users at other institutions

SFU undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and staff, in good standing, are entitled to reciprocal borrowing privileges at participating Canadian Universities and/or Colleges. In some cases you will need to get a COPPUL (Council Of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries) card issued from SFU Library to present at the library you wish to use.

For additional information on these programs, or to obtain a COPPUL card, ask at the SFU Library Circulation desk(s), or contact Telebook if you are a Distance Education student.

Note: Borrowing privileges at other universities and colleges are subject to the policies and regulations of the other university or college and may be more restrictive than what you experience as a member of the SFU community.

Canadian institutions participating in reciprocal arrangements, and to which you may apply for free borrowing privileges (must have your SFU I.D. and COPPUL card), include:

CURBA (Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement).

British Columbia institutions participating in reciprocal arrangements, and to which you may apply for free borrowing privileges (must have your SFU I.D.), include:

CPSLD (Council of Post-Secondary Library Directors). 

 

Loan Periods

The loan period for any circulating item in the General Collection at Bennett, Belzberg or Surrey Library depends on the material type and borrower category:
 

Borrower Categories	Low Demand Material	High Demand Material	Reduced Loan Period (when a request/hold exists)		Online Renewals*
Undergraduates	Semester loan	3 weeks		1 week		first 3
External borrowers	Semester loan	3 weeks		1 week		first 3
Alumni	Semester loan	3 weeks		1 week		first 3
Graduate students	Semester loan	Semester loan		1 week		first 3
Faculty / Staff	Semester loan	Semester loan		1 week		first 3

* Unlimited number of renewals when: in person, no outstanding request exists and materials are present.

If there are no existing patron requests for an item, the guaranteed loan period is three weeks.  When there is one or more requests, the loan period on an item is reduced to 1 week.

See the Reserves guide for loan periods for the Reserves collection.

All circulating general collection books may be requested ie. recalled or hold placed, by other patrons. You are encouraged to place a request as this will reduce the loan period in the cases of semester loans or multiple holds. The book will be flagged so that you are next in line. We may also purchase extra copies of the book if the demand justifies it.

Borrowers receive a date due slip at the time of checkout. You may also check the due date of materials, recalls, status of Requests via the My Library record link on the SFU Library homepage. Students and Alumni will receive notices by email. If you are a staff or faculty member or an external borrower, you may also register to receive email notification of all notices - email registration service is within 24 hours and operates 7 days a week except for statutory holidays.

**NOTE:  Patrons are responsible for returning materials within the specified loan period. In the event of labor disputes or similar disruptions to normal library services, patrons are responsible for returning materials within the specified loan periods.**

 

Journals

Journals do no circulate except under special circumstances.  To inquire about a special loan of a journal issue, contact Library staff at the Circulation desk where the journal is situated, at either Bennett, Surrey or Belzberg Library.

If a journal is held at another SFU Library, you may request a copy of the desired article be delivered to your campus through the Request function in the Library catalogue. For example, if you are at Belzberg and you want an article from a journal at the Bennett library, search for the journal title you need, click on Request and follow the directions.  There is no charge to SFU students, faculty, and staff for this service.

 

Reserves

The Reserves collection contains research materials identified by instructors for specific courses. These materials have short loan periods (2 hours to 7 days) to allow greater access to these materials for all students in the course. Reserve materials can be found by course number or by instructor's name. For details, see the guide to the SFU Library Reserves collection.

 

Multimedia

You may see multimedia resources listed in the Library catalogue that are available only to SFU Surrey campus users; This is due to the limited number of these resources and the necessity for SFU Surrey students and faculty to have priority access to these materials for their specific courses.  These may not be borrowed or requested by other SFU Library users.

 

Renewals

If you want to extend the borrowing period for an item, and there are no Requests for the item, you may renew it. To maximize access to the collection, please only renew the material you still require and return the rest to allow other users and borrowers to borrow them. General and most media collection materials may be renewed via the Library catalogue, but not special loans, games or equipment. Items must be renewed before the due date.

• Three week loan material may be renewed for an additional three weeks from the date of renewal.The first 3 renewals can be done on-line or by phone. An unlimited number of renewals can be made in person (materials must be present);
• Semester loan material may be renewed beginning one week prior to the commencement date of the examination period. The first 3 renewals can be done on-line or by phone. An unlimited number of renewals can be made in person (materials must be present). All semester loan material borrowed on or after the renewal date will become due on the next semester's due date;
• Reserve items may be renewed if there is no hold on the item.  The first three renewals may be done on-line, in person, or by phoning Reserves at the library where the item was originally checked out, 778.782.4345 (Bennett)/778.782.5050 (Belzberg)/778.782.7411(Surrey).  All subsequent renewals must be done in-person at the Reserves service desk where the item was originally checked out.

How to Renew

On-line

Renew items via your SFU Connect email account.  See Can I renew items, request items, and perform other activities without having to type in my SFU Library barcode?

or:

Select My Library Record/ renew books under "My Library" on the Library home page. Next select View Your Library record, renew books, etc. Enter your last name and Library barcode number and click on the Submit button. Select "items currently checked out" to view the items you have out on loan, then select items to Renew and click on "Renew Selected Items" or choose the "Renew all" option. The new dates will display.

By Phone

Contact Circulation/Loans desk: 778.782.4345 (Bennett), 778.782.5050 (Belzberg) or 778.782.7411 (Surrey).

**NOTE: Renewals are not allowed if another patron has requested the book or when a patron's privileges are suspended.  If suspended privileges are under appeal, please ask the staff at the circulation desk(s) to assist you.**

 

Missing Material

If the item you want is not on the shelf, and is not checked out, inform the staff at the circulation desk(s). Staff will begin a systematic search for the item and will place a Request in your name. If the item is not found within the SFU Library, you may request a copy through Interlibrary Loans/Document Delivery Services.

 

 

Requests for Books

If a book is on loan to another borrower, you can place a hold on or recall the item by placing a request.  All books can be requested by other patrons. A request will cause books to be held for you for 7 days and media for 3 days after the item is returned to the Library. Patrons can place up to 40 requests for books which are out on loan.

If a request is made for an item on a semester loan, the due date will be reduced according to the loan period schedule. To find the new due date, view Your Library Record / Renew Items for Requests (holds) outstanding. If you haven't done so already, remember to provide the Library with your current email address so that we can contact you when the book comes in.

To place a request, search for the item in the Library catalogue, click on the Request button, and fill in the form.  If the system will not allow you to place the request, please ask for assistance from the staff at the circulation desk(s).

**NOTE: Reserve items can be placed on hold only by asking for staff assistance at the library where the item is located.**

 

Intercampus Delivery

Library materials, with the exception of Reserves, Reference and other special materials, may be transferred from the Bennett to Belzberg or SFU Surrey libraries and vice-versa.  To initiate the transfer, search for the item in the Library catalogue, click on  the Request button, and fill in the form.

Generally, the item will arrive in two working days. Transferred items may be picked up at the circulation desk of the library chosen as the pick-up location. There is no charge to SFU students, faculty, and staff for this service.

**NOTE:  Requests for items with a status of  "IN LIBRARY", to be picked up at the Library where the item is housed, will be cancelled.  The exception to this is books in "closed storage" which may be requested through the Library catalogue.**

 

Returns

Material from the S.F.U. Library's General Collection may be returned to any of the S.F.U. Library locations:

Bennett Library (Burnaby): to the book chute located on the third/main floor (during open hours); to the overnight return depository, located to the left of the Library entrance during closed hours; or, to the library book return bin located in the Library Receiving Parking Lot (L) (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

Belzberg Library (downtown): to the book slot located in the circulation desk (during open hours); or, to the book drop located to the left of the Library front door (only during hours building is open: normally Mondays - Thursdays, 7:45 am - 10:30 pm; Fridays 7:45 am - 7:00 pm; Saturdays, 7:45 am - 6:00 pm; Sundays, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm.)

The SFU Surrey Library book returns are accessible Monday to Friday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm; Saturday, Sunday and Holidays - Shopping Mall hours (Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sunday and Holidays 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.).  Card reader access after hours.  The book return is located to the left of the Library entrance, on Podium 3, 250 -13450 102nd Avenue, Surrey.   For parking and transit directions see Getting to SFU Surrey.

Materials from the SFU Library's Special Areas must be returned to the desk from which they were borrowed. This includes:

• Reserve materials must be returned to the Reserve Desk from which they were borrowed, in order to avoid accruing fines while the item is in transit;
• Interlibrary loan materials should be taken to the Interlibrary Loans office at Bennett Library, or the circulation desk(s) at Surrey or Belzberg Libraries;
• Materials from Special areas must be returned to the desk from which they were borrowed;
• Media equipment borrowed from the Surrey Library must be returned to the Surrey Library Circulation desk.

 

Fines and Penalties

Fines and suspension of borrowing privileges start as soon as the item is overdue, whether or not a hold has been placed. Once the item(s) have been returned, a suspension will remain for as long as the outstanding fines exceed $5.00.
 

Description of overdue item	Fine	Maximum fine
One week, three week and semester loan items, overdue or recalled	$1.00 per day	$25.00 per item
Reserve items	$1.00 per hour	$50.00 per item
Special loans items	$2.00 per day	$50.00 per item
Bennett/Belzberg Laptops/Projectors	$10.00 per hour	$140.00 per item
Surrey media equipment	$3.00 per hour	$200.00 per set
Headphones (Bennett)	$1.00 per hour	$50.00 per item

Equipment and keys from the Bennett Circulation desk which do not have overnight loans are due one hour before closing time

After the maximum fine has been reached, a $20.00 processing charge ($100.00 for laptops/projectors) will be assessed (refundable only if the item is returned before the due date), plus the estimated replacement cost of the item.

Penalties may be appealed. Disagreement with the terms of the SFU Library Loans Policy will not be considered as the basis for an appeal.

Damaged material

An automatic non-refundable $20.00 processing fee as well as repair or replacement costs will be assessed on items that are returned wet, mutilated or broken.

Lost material

Items that have been declared lost and items that the borrower claims to have returned, that are still missing after the due date, will be assessed fines incurred up to the date the item is reported missing. In addition, a $20.00 processing charge (refundable only if the item is found before the due date) and the replacement cost of the item will be assessed.

Appeals Procedures

Appeals regarding penalties and fines should be directed to the Loans Division. You may submit your appeal in person at the circulation desk at Belzberg, Bennett, or SFU Surrey Libraries; in writing to: Loans Division, W.A.C. Bennett Library, SFU, Burnaby BC, V5A 1S6; or on line by clicking here: appeal form . While an appeal is being considered, renewals and hold requests may not be processed on-line; borrowers must bring their materials to staff at the circulation desk(s) or call 778.782.4345 during library hours to renew or place holds. Please note that appeals will not cancel or prevent processing charges on lost or long overdue materials.

Decisions made by the Loans Division may be appealed to the Senate Library Penalties Appeal Committee, whose decision shall be final.

Library Penalties Appeal Committee (Standing)
Members	Conditions
Chair	Elected by and from voting members of the Committee
Vice-Chair	Elected by and from voting members of the Committee
Two Senators	Elected by Senate
Two Undergraduate Students (One regular and one alternate)	Elected by Senate
Two Graduate Students(One regular and one alternate)	Elected by Senate
Head of Loans Division	Non-Voting

Type: Standing Committee reporting to Senate Library Committee.

Purpose: To consider cases wherein an individual feels unjustly penalized for an infraction of the Library Loan Policy and to make the final decisions.

Procedure: Any individual who is aggrieved by the decision of the Loans Division of the Library concerning penalties may petition, in writing, to the Head of the Division that the case be considered by the Library Penalties Appeal Committee. The individual or his/her designated representative will be notified by letter/telephone of the date of the meeting and may speak to the Committee on the grievance. The Loans Division will provide documentation for the Library and the individual or his/her designated representative may contest the evidence or enter any circumstance that may be germane. The decision of the Committee is final.

Penalties imposed will be suspended while an appeal is waiting to be heard by the Committee. The fines which have been paid and which are subsequently deemed unfair by the Committee will be refunded.

Types of fines reviewed:

Lost books and attendant charges (replacement costs, processing fees, overdue fines).
Late return fees (includes Special Loan, Recall and Reserve overdues).

The highest numbers of appeals heard by the Committee dealt with lost books and the attendant charges.

In cases of lost book charges, the borrower has been held responsible for all use made of the card, including the replacement charges for lost books and any outstanding fines. In cases of overdue book charges, the borrower has been responsible for returning materials by the due date. Details are provided in the  SFU Library Loan Policy (copies also available at the Circulation desk).

 

Email Addresses

Borrowers receive a date due slip at the time of checkout. You may also check the due date of materials, recalls, status of Requests via the My Library record link on the SFU Library homepage. All library notices are sent by email. For students and faculty/staff, the library uses your official @sfu.ca email address; for alumni, the library uses the email address on file with the SFU Alumni Relations Office. For all other borrowers, library notices will be sent to the email address you have registered with the SFU Library.

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Org_Card.pdf	513.4 KB
Designated_Form.pdf	22.42 KB