Q: How do I request a recall of a book that is on loan?
A: Due to the pandemic, it is not currently possible to recall items. We are trying to keep the number of people on campus to a minimum.
Chuk Goodin
Supervisor, Access Services
Q: I have some books due tomorrow which I checked out in March. Are returns now being accepted? If so, which locations will accept them?
Q: I am an incoming PhD student. I am wondering how I might be able to take out books during the pandemic. I need them for research. Is it possible? Do I need to get a student card? Can I pick up books at the downtown Vancouver location to avoid transit?
Q: I am a current student and need to request materials or place holds, but I do not see the request tab on my account.
Q: What does "HOLD - In Process" mean? How long does it take from request to "ready for pickup?"
A: Once you place a hold request, we need time to pull the item from the stacks and process it for you.
Q: What is the protocol for renewing items beyond September 2020?
A: In September, if we are still not back to regular operations, we will extend the due dates on all items that are currently checked out to January 2021. We are not asking anyone to return items at this time and there are no fines being assessed for any materials since March 13, 2020 as part of our response to COVID-19.
Q: I am writing to suggest the removal of “recalling” books. This policy is ridiculous! I would suggest that books not be able to be taken out for a full term, if they can be taken back a week later. In the case of myself, I borrowed three textbooks from the library with the notion that I had them for the full term. Not even a week later I was sent an email that one of the texts was to be returned by the end of the month. The fact that books can be recalled is totally unsupportive of students who rely on the library for their texts.
Q. I need assistance to update my mailing address on file.
A. You will have to change your address with Student Services. Our library database gets its information from them, so if we were to change it in our computers but not theirs, it would be overwritten soon.
Chuk Goodin
Supervisor, Access Services
Q. Laptop loans should be extended slightly to 4 hours and 15 minutes. Although four hours is very generous, many seminar classes (for example in Sociology/Anthropology) are also four hours long. For
students without laptops or who are transiting to school and find it easier to borrow a laptop, extending the loan slightly would allow us to use the laptop for class and then return it on time without a fee.
Q. I am an alumni and would like to obtain an SFU Library Card. I no longer have my library card as it has been several decades since I was enrolled at the Burnaby campus. What form of identification do I need to present in order to obtain a card? What is the cost of obtaining the card?