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 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?

Q. I am a working in R&D. I have done some research in SFU library alumni access as many of the people in my department are SFU alumni. To my understanding, alumni eventually lose a lot of the access they had as students. I understand that we do have access to some resources, the search capabilities, and open access documents - but not the full suite that students/staff have.

Q. I requested to borrow two books from the library, and was notified that the books were on hold for me. I realized that I had lost my SFU ID card. Is there any way to still pick up the books?

A. Yes, once a semester you can use another kind of photo ID (like a driver's license or passport). You can get a replacement ID card at Student Services.

Chuk Goodin
Supervisor, Access Services

Q: How do I look up the history of loans I have checked out? I used to be able to do that but with the update I cannot find that part anymore? Thank you!

A: Unfortunately with the new library software you can only see the books you have currently checked out. You cannot keep a record of your borrowing history as was the case with the older library system.

Scott Mackenzie
Head, Access Services

Q. How do I change my mailing address on my record?

A. You can't change it yourself. If you send it to me I can make the change. However, please be aware that if your record in SIMS (Student Information System) is different it will overwrite any change I make if they reload your record into the library database.

Scott Mackenzie
Head, Access Services (Loans)