How do I get a library card? Your student ID card is also your library card. In order to borrow materials, you must be a currently registered student at Douglas College and you need to get a semester validation sticker for your card in the library. If you do not have a student ID card you can get one at Client & Learning Services (CEIT) in room 3100 at New Westminster or in room B1250 at the Coquitlam campus. See more information on becoming a
community borrower .
I am not a student or an employee at Douglas College. Is it possible to get a library card?
Yes. You may apply for a community borrower's card that would allow you to borrow materials from Douglas College. There is an annual cost of $25.00 for the card.
If you are a student or an employee at an institution that has a reciprocal borrowing agreement with Douglas College, you may borrow materials from our Library. Please see more information on community and reciprocal borrowers .
When is the Library open?
Library hours may vary depending on holidays, exam periods etc. Check our
hours for details.
How many books and videos may I borrow at one time? Students and employees may borrow as many books as they need, up to three videos at a time and up to 20 CDs at a time.
How long may I keep a book or video that I borrowed?
The regular loan period for books is two weeks and most videos may be borrowed for two days. For exceptions, see Loan Periods under Services for Students .
Do you charge fines when materials are returned after the due date?
Fines are not charged for two week loan material unless another student has placed a hold on the book. For materials with holds, the fines are $1.00 per day to a maximum of $20.00. For reserve material, the fine is $1.00 per hour to a maximum of $20.00. For videos, the fine is $5.00 per day to a maximum of $20.00. More on fines .
Where do I check out an item that I want to borrow?
Most materials are checked out at the Circulation Desk with the of exception of Audio Visual equipment which is checked out at the AV Equipment Desk. There is also a self-serve check out station at the front desk of both campus libraries.
Where are the books located?
At the New Westminster campus, regular two week circulating books are located on the second floor and at the Coquitlam campus, they are on the lower level. Reference material, wich does not circulate, is kept on the main floor of both campus libraries.
I would like to keep a book or DVD I borrowed past its due date, what can I do?
You can renew your library materials by phoning the Circulation Desk, going in person to the library or renewing online via My Library Account. In all cases you will need to have your student card handy.
Do I have to return a book to the campus where I borrowed it?
Most materials may be returned to either campus. However, videos, DVDs, audiovisual equipment and reserve items must be returned to the campus from which they were borrowed.
The book I want has been taken out by someone else. How can I get it?
Place a hold on the book through My Library Account in the catalogue. This way you ensure that you will get the book as soon as it becomes available. You will be notified by myDouglas email when it is ready for pickup.
The book I want is at another campus. Do I have to go to that campus in order to get it?
Fortunately, no. Log in to My Library Account and place a hold on the item through the Library catalogue . If it is available, it will be sent by courier to your campus on the next working day.
I need a book that is NOT in the Douglas College collection. What can I do?
You can request the item through interlibrary loan where we would borrow it on your behalf from another library. You would be notified by myDouglas email when it is available for pickup. This process usually takes 10 to 14 days. The service is also available for articles .
Is it possible to go directly to another college or university to borrow books?
Yes. Douglas College students and employees may borrow books and other materials directly from Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia and a number of other universities and colleges in British Columbia. For details, see our reciprocal borrowing information .
Where do I get materials that my instructor placed on reserve in the library?
Reserve materials are kept at the Circulation Desk. Check the library catalogue for reserve items listed by course or by instructor.
How can I request a video?
How can I find feature films on DVD in the collection?
To locate feature film DVDs in the collection, under the Advanced Search option in the Library Catalogue, do a subject search using the term,
FEATURE FILMS and limit the Material Type to DVD. Also, browse our
list of videos and DVDs recently added to the collection.
What does 'Closed Captioned' mean?
A production that is closed captioned is capable of displaying a written description, in the form of subtitles, of the audio content in the program.
Closed captioning requires either a compatible television monitor or a special decoding unit. Videos in the collection that are closed captioned are noted as such in the Library Catalogue and also display a blue dot on the spine of the cassette case. When searching for productions with captioning in the Library Catalogue , add the phrase "and closed captioned" to a keyword search.
What is MEC (Media Exchange Cooperative)?
The Media Exchange Cooperative is a consortium of post-secondary libraries in British Columbia whose mandate is to foster the growth of quality media collections and promote resource sharing among member libraries. Douglas College is a member of the Media Exchange Cooperative.
The Electronic Library Network Media Catalogue contains a consolidated list of media resources held at the MEC member libraries.
Where can I access the library's databases?
Use of databases is available to all patrons while in the Library. However, in order to log onto the databases from home, you will require a current student or employee number. For more information, see off campus access instructions .
What kind of identification do I need in order to use the computers in the library? You need to set up a Novell account in order to use computers on campus. See Novell help to create or reset your password. If unable to do so, please go to the Information Desk for assistance.
Can I do my word processing in the library?
Yes. All of the sit-down computers in the library are equipped with MS Office 2007. You will need a Novell account in order to login.
Is there wireless access in the library so that I could access the Internet on my laptop?
Yes. Wireless computing is available throughout the College at both the New Westminster and David Lam campuses. The login process is the same as accessing a desktop computer: your username is the letter s plus your student number and your password is the same as your Novell password. You must set up your computer account on a desktop computer in the College first.
Can I print from my laptop?
Wireless printing from your laptop is not yet available at this time. You can send your document to your MyDouglas email and print from one of the computers in the library.
Can I borrow a laptop from the library?
Yes. Douglas College students and employees can check out laptop computers from the Library.
Are there power outlets where I can plug in my laptop in the library? Yes. At the New Westminster campus, on the main floor, there are power outlets on the wall by the Learning Centre and in the preview rooms. On the upper level, there are outlets by the study carrels and in the study rooms.
If the computers in the library are all in use, are there other computers available for student use in the College? Yes. Student computer labs are available for use on the 5th and 6th floors at the New Westminster campus and on the 2nd floor at the David Lam campus. At New Westminster, room 6212 is an open lab that is always available for students to use during lab operating hours. At David Lam campus, the open lab is room A2030.
Do I have to pay for printing? Students are able to print at no charge up to a maximum of 300 pages per student per semester. Additional pages may be sent to the pay-print station available at both campus libraries at a cost of 10 cents per page. There is also a pay-print station (also called
GoPrint ) in room 6212 at New Westminster and A2030 at David Lam. See
more detailed information .
A colour laser printer is attached to the pay print station at both the New Westminster and David Lam campus libraries at a cost of 50 cent per page.
Are there photocopiers in the library and what does it cost to use them?
At the New Westminster campus, there are 5 photocopiers for student use: two on the top floor and three on the main floor. At the Coquitlam campus, there are two photocopiers on the main floor.
It is 10 cents per copy. You can purchase a photocopy card for $1.00 at the self-serve photocopy card dispenser and then add as much money to it as you would like. You can then get a refund for the deposit of the photocopy card at the bookstore.
May I use my cell phone in the Library? In consideration of other library users, patrons are strongly encouraged to leave the area before using their phones. While in the Library, patrons are asked to either set their cell phones to low volume or to non-audible signals.
May I have my lunch in the library? Food and drink are not allowed in the library. See posted signage for exceptions.
Where can I find today's Vancouver Sun? The current issue for the Vancouver Sun, the Province, the Globe & Mail and the National Post is kept at the Circulation Desk.
Can I book a study room? Study rooms are available for small groups (minimum of two people) and may be booked at the Circulation Desk at New Westminster, phone 604--527-5568 and at the David Lam campus, 604-777-6130.
More details .
Looking for a quiet place to study? Sometimes it can get a little noisy on the main floor of the library during the height of the semester. If you're looking for a quiet place to study, we've reserved the second floor of the New Westminster campus and the lower floor of the David Lam campus as a quiet space with study carrels.
Alternatively, there's also a new Research Room at the back corner of the first floor of the New Westminster campus library, past the periodical shelving. You're welcome to spread out your books and study away!
If I think I've lost something in the library, where should I go to make inquiries? All lost and found items are immediately taken to the security booth at both College campuses.
