Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Beginning June 18, 2020 you may return library books to the return bin located at the library's loading dock. Access to the loading dock is off Gordon Street at the rear of the library.

• You do not need to return your books in order to graduate and receive your diploma.

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

•     Beginning June 18, 2020, curbside pick-up and mail delivery of items in U of G Library's physical collection will be available.
•     Learn more about how to request items. 

We want to hear about it. Use the “Report an Issue” button in Omni or email us the details.

• 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.

• Contact us via phone, email or chat
• Visit us in person at the Ask Us Desk

• You may access our resources from public computers in the library. Visit the Ask Us Desk for login information.
• See Borrowing Policies for more information about borrowing privileges.

Alumni cards provide free access to physical library resources, and access to a selection of online electronic resources.
You can either visit the Ask Us Desk in-person or register online for a free alumni card.

Community members can also register for a free community borrower card at the Ask Us Desk

• Fines can be paid in-person at the Ask Us Desk or by telephone (VISA or Mastercard only).

• Most users can borrow up to 500 items, including 2 DVDs at a time.
• Alumni and Community Borrowers may borrow up to 20 books.
• See our Borrowing Policy for more information.

• Most users can borrow:
  • Books for 120 days
  • DVDs for 14 days
• Alumni and Community Borrowers can:
  • Borrow books for 21 days
  • Use DVDs in the library only
• See Borrowing Policy for more information.

• Articles in scholarly journals typically go through a peer-review process.
  When a researcher submits an article for publication in a scholarly journal, it is reviewed by peers in the same subject area (an editorial board) to determine whether it is a high-quality piece of work. Scholarly journals always cite their sources in the form of footnotes, endnotes or reference lists.
• Search Omni
  • Click the “Peer-reviewed Journals” facet in the left-hand menu to narrow your search
• Search journal article databases
  • Look for a "peer reviewed" check box or facet on the various interfaces to narrow your search

• Search Omni
  • Sign in to get full access
  • Search for your topic
  • Click “Available online” in the left-hand menu under “Availability”
  • Next look for the links under “View Online” to get full text access
• Journal Article Databases
  • Each database will look a little different but look for a “Get it! Guelph” button or links to full text
• If you cannot find the article you are looking for in Omni or in a journal article database, request an Interlibrary Loan through RACER.

• Students: Learn how to access course reserve materials via ARES

• Primary sources are accounts of an event created at the same time or around the same time as the event, for example: diaries, newspaper articles, speeches, data, photographs, interviews.
• In the sciences, primary research refers to the publication of original research based on experiments, data collection, surveys or other research methods.
• Use Omni and limit by “Resource Type” or see Primary Sources or How to Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources in the Sciences.

• See Theses & Dissertations

• For citation or style help see Citations and Bibliography Resources

• Copyright protection exists automatically for every work that is created, whether or not it is explicitly stated on the work or marked with the copyright symbol.
• In Canada, copyright protection generally remains in effect until fifty years after the death of the author or creator. Once copyright has expired, the material is considered to be in the public domain.
• Copyright applies to all of the following genres: books and periodicals (both print and electronic), charts, computer software, diagrams, films, graphs, letters, maps, models, music, photographs, recordings, TV shows, videotapes, web sites, and works of art.
• Learn more about copyright.

• Washrooms are located on every floor of McLaughlin Library. See the Library Map for specifics.
• Accessible, single person washrooms are on the first floor.

• Yes, except in areas designated for the Archival & Special Collections.
• We kindly ask if you eat or drink in the library, that you dispose of all trash.
• Learn more about our Food & Drink Policy

• 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.
• Guests can visit the Ask Us Desk to get a free temporary WiFi access pass
• Still stuck? Learn more about how you can access the wireless network or visit the IT Help Desk in the library

• Students can book Group Study Rooms in 30 min increments for up to three hours per day. 
• Rooms are available to book 48 hours in advance. 
• You can choose from:
  • 2-Person Study Rooms
  • 4-Person Study Rooms
  • 5+ Person Study Rooms

• Graduate students can reques a study office in the library for one semester per their degree
• Graduate students can also register for a locker, which are assigned on a semesterly basis
• For either option, apply in person at the Ask Us Desk during the first week of the semester
• Faculty, visiting scholars, and students can also reserve a desk in the Writing Room which provides a quiet, focused space for you to work independently on your writing projects. See WCOnline for more information.

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

• Not at this time. See our Building Use policy

• Yes, the lost and found is located near the front entrance on the first floor, beside the book return bin.

• Printers can be found on the first floor, near the public computers
• Find out how to load money on your account for printing, and instructions for using the printers

• Staplers can be found on the first floor, next to the printers