The 5th floor is currently closed
Renovation work begins on June 1 2023. Noisy work will be done outside of Library hours.
The 5th floor of the WAC Bennett Library will remain closed until hazardous material remediation and repairs have been completed.
Study rooms
While the 5th floor is closed, students registered with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) may book three study rooms, on the 2nd and 3rd floor. (For more information, see Library study room bookings for students registered with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL).)
Graduate Student study rooms on the 5th floor are not available.
Equipment
5th floor computers and printers are not available. Computers and printers are available on the 3rd, 4th and 6th floors.
Adaptive technology is available on the 3rd floor.
Background
In November 2022, the Bennett Library on SFU’s Burnaby campus was closed due to the potential discovery of asbestos-containing debris in the Library. While the majority of the Library has since been safely re-opened, the fifth floor of the building, where the largest concentration of debris was found, remains closed.
SFU has been exploring options for addressing this issue, and experts have informed the University that the best option is to undergo a remediation process that involves abatement, or total removal of the asbestos-containing texture coat.
See the Campus Notice for more background information on the closure.
Questions and answers
When will the 5th floor reopen?
The work will begin June 1 2023, and it will take approximately one year to complete. We do not have a specific timeline for when the floor will reopen, but expect mid-2024.
We understand that this will be very inconvenient for members of the SFU community. Our priority has been, and always will be, the safety of everyone on campus.
Please check back for updates.
How can I get a copy of a 5th-floor book via interlibrary loan?
Ask at the Main floor service desk and staff will help you to request an interlibrary loan of the item from another Library.
Returning books, renewing books, and overdue fines
The Library has fined me for not returning books from the 5th floor. What do I do about the fine?
Can I renew the items I checked out before the closure?
Requesting and borrowing books that would usually be on the 5th floor (including new books)
May I recall or put on hold books from the 5th floor that were out when the floor was closed?
What is happening to new books that would usually go to the 5th floor? Can I borrow them?
Contact and further questions
You can reach us at library@sfu.ca (monitored weekdays 9 - 5).