About the SFU Library

SFU has three campus libraries:

• Bennett Library is the main library and is at the Burnaby Mountain campus;
• Belzberg Library is at SFU Vancouver downtown; and the
• Fraser Library is at the Surrey campus.

As an SFU student, faculty or staff, you may use any of these three libraries.

Library hours

See Hours for Belzberg Library.

Research help

Reference help

For research assistance by appointment, online, by phone, or in person, see Ask A librarian. When you have questions... ask a librarian!

Research and writing guides

Guides to help you use the library and find information in a particular subject are available under Browse Research Guides. The Publication Type guides let you find specific types of information, such as films, maps or theses. The Writing and Style Guides will show you the right way to cite your sources, write your paper and avoid plagiarism.

SFU Library web site

The SFU Library home page provides the starting point for access to the library Catalogue, specialized databases, ejournals and selected Internet resources. Try our search engine Library Search to quickly find books and articles in one search.

Catalogue

The library's catalogue lists all books, government documents, media resources and periodicals (in print, electronic or microform format) acquired or on order by the library - at all three SFU Library branches.

Items at SFU Vancouver are designated with the location Belzberg Library.  It is possible to limit your searches of the catalogue to items at the Belzberg Library only. Other circulating items housed at the Bennett Library or at the SFU Surrey Library can be sent to Belzberg for students, faculty and staff by placing a request.

The catalogue also allows you to check for reserve readings, request items on loan, renew books online, and check if you have overdue items or holds. For further information about using the catalogue, please consult the SFU Library Catalogue Search Guide. 

Journal articles & databases

A complete A-Z list of databases and descriptions is available at Journal articles and databases. You can also browse databases by subject area using the drop-down menu.

The library is continually expanding its electronic resources. Please ask a librarian about new databases available and advice on database selection and search strategies. 

Document delivery

For information about requesting items not held at Belzberg library, please visit the Document Delivery page.

Borrowing

Please visit the Borrowing Materials & Loans page for information about loan periods, borrowing books from other libraries, and more.

Course reserves

Books, photocopies of required readings, or media material for SFU Vancouver courses may be available at Belzberg Library in the reserve section to be borrowed for short loan periods. Items on reserve are listed by course or instructor in the online catalogue. Lecture recordings are available online at the SFU Digital Lecture web site. For further information, please check the guide How to find Reserve Material at Belzberg Library.

Collections and equipment

Collection

The library collection at Belzberg supports the courses and programs at SFU Vancouver. In addition to the library's extensive online collections available from the library web site, the physical collection consists of almost 30,000 books, several hundred journal titles and music and sound CDs. New titles are added regularly and we welcome your suggestions for additions to the collection.

The book and media collections are arranged by the Library of Congress classification system with a unique "call number" for each book. Books are shelved alphabetically by the letter or letters on the top line of the call number, then are sub-arranged in numerical order by the second line of the call number. Journals are arranged alphabetically by title, and can be found on the mezzanine floor of the library.

This map of the Belzberg Library shows how the collection is arranged.

Equipment and computers

Belzberg Library has a variety of equipment and computers for use.

Print cards are no longer offered at SFU as the printing service has changed to the online Papercut system. See the Student printing services webpage for more information on how to add money to your online Papercut account. Coin photocopiers are also available at 15 cents a page. You can also scan and send documents directly to your email using the photocopiers.

Library cards

Faculty, staff and student identification cards serve as library cards; these cards are issued by the Registrar and Information Services at SFU Vancouver. After graduation, alumni may retain their library card for continued borrowing privileges. Participants in non-credit courses have full library privileges for the duration of their course and should request an external borrower card from Belzberg Library. Other community residents may purchase a library card for an annual fee of $100.00. 

Group study rooms

Six group study rooms are available for SFU Vancouver students on floors 3 and 7 of the Harbour Centre building (3045, 3047, 3255, 3257 and 7023 - take the elevator from the main floor). You can book a group study room online for up to two hours per day per group.

Student Learning Commons

The Student Learning Commons (SLC) provides writing and learning support primarily to undergraduate SFU students at all three campuses. SLC services for SFU Vancouver students include workshops, personal consultations and print and online resources. Appointments or workshops may be booked online, or for further information, check the SLC web site.

Research Commons

The Research Commons supports the research endeavours of the University community, with a particular focus on graduate students. Research Commons services at SFU Vancouver include workshops, consultations on writing and ESL/EAL, and support for NVivo software.

Bookstore

The Downtown bookstore is permanently closed. Visit the SFU Bookstore for course materials and more. 

Library background

The Samuel and Frances Belzberg Library was officially opened on June 7, 1989. It was developed through the generous donation of Vancouver businessman, Samuel Belzberg, and family. Architects for the library were Aitken Wreglesworth Associates. 

Questions?

Please visit the Belzberg Library Frequently Asked Questions page.

If you have further inquiries, please see Belzberg Library: Contact us.