Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The library is open to current students, faculty, and staff only. Please note that the we are limited to 50% capacity. Library hours.

Search the library collection in Omni.

• Once you have found the item you'd like to request, sign in and then click "Request."
• Under "Pickup Location" select  the location you would like to pick up the book.  The main campus library in Guelph is "McLaugnlin Library."
• You will receive an email when the item is ready for you to pick up.
• Your item(s) will be available under your last name on the shelves behind the Ask Us Desk in the library.
• Use the self-check machine to sign out your item(s).

Requests for items from one of the other libraries in the Omni consortium take approximately 3-5 business days to arrive. You wiill be notified by email when it's available for pickup. Requests for items outside the Omni consortium may take longer, depending on the lending library.

The book return bins can be found in two locations, immediately outside the the front doors as well as just inside the main entrance. The outdoor bin is accessible at any time of day.

Students: Learn how to access course reserve materials via ARES

Instructors: Learn how to use ARES to place materials on reserve for your course

Yes. Current U of G students, staff and faculty can request physical items from Omni partner libraries. 

• Request items through Omni.
• Select your pickup location.
• You will receive an email notification when the item is ready. (Note: the email comes from the library you requested the item from).

The 3rd and 4th floors are designated instructional spaces for group study.
Physical distancing of two metres is in effect for all other floors.

You can stay as long as you need to during the library's opening hours. If demand for library space increases, we may need to adjust this policy. 
Please note that the library is limited to 50% capacity at this time.

Most users can borrow up to 500 items, including 2 DVDs at a time.

Borrowing is currently suspended for Alumni and Community Borrowers.

See our Borrowing Policy for more information.

Most users can borrow:

• Books for 120 days
• DVDs for 14 days

Borrowing is currently suspended for Alumni and Community Borrowers.

See Borrowing Policy for more information.

Yes. Registered U of G students, faculty and staff can access library resources via Omni (and other databases) from anywhere at any time. Sign in to get full access.

• Community borrowers cannot login to Omni due to licensing restrictions imposed by online publishers
• Alumni have online access to a subset of our electronic resources
• Registered distance education students, see Distance Education
• For users affiliated with the university, please see Sponsored Users and the Service Summary Table; please note the sponsoring department or unit on campus is responsible for requesting sponsored accounts - this is not done by the Library

• Contact us via the phone, email or chat about any issue related to the library.
• Approach our staff in person at the Ask Us Desk.

Library fines can only be paid over the phone using VISA or Mastercard. Call the Ask Us Desk at (519) 824 - 4120 x53618.

Students, faculty, and staff may print, scan, or photocopy. Load money onto your printing account online via Papercut.  We are not accepting cash, credit, or debit onsite.

• Printers/Photocopiers can be found on the first floor, near the public computers
• Find instructions on using the printers including how to load money onto your account

Food is not permitted. Covered drinks are allowed.

Please contact us at library@uoguelph.ca

If you are a new student and have not been issued your UG ID card, you may not yet have been entered into our library system. Library staff will need to create a temporary library account for you before you can get your books. Please contact us at library@uoguelph.ca

Alumni and Community borrower cards cannot be issued at this time. During COVID-19, access to the library and the print collection is restricted to current UG students, faculty and staff.

Alumni may request electronic access to some U of G e-resources. 

Community borrowers and Alumni can explore our Open Access resources.

Your question might be answered in one of our topic-specific FAQs:

• E-book FAQ
• Copyright FAQ
• Data Collection & Surveys FAQ
• Open Scholarship Support FAQ
• Researcher Identifiers (ORCID) FAQ

Still can't find what you're looking for? Contact us.

• Students, faculty and staff can connect to the Wi-Fi through a laptop or tablet with an 802.11 a/g/n compatible wireless network card (most newer laptops come with this capability built-in) and a University of Guelph central login account.
• Still stuck? Learn more about how you can access the wireless network or visit the IT Help Desk in the library

• Most seating is available on a first come, first served basis.
• Study rooms can be booked for individual study.
• Lockers are available for semester-long loans to registered graduate students. Apply at the Ask Us Desk
• Graduate students can book one of 15 closed study offices for up to four hours each day. 

• Service dogs are welcome in the library
• Pets are not permitted

Yes, you can. You may bring your laptop to attend your online courses. You can also find library computers in the basement and on the second floor.