Community Users, The Alberta Library (TAL), CURBA & COPPUL Borrowing
Community members can access UCalgary library spaces, borrow materials, and use select services with proper ID and guest credentials, while following borrowing limits, fines, and account policies.
Physical Access click to copy link to share the Physical Access section
- To work in the TFDL space:
- Book a computer workstation before your visit opens a new window.
- Register for a guest pass upon your arrival at the library.
- Glenbow Western Research Centre
- Book an appointment opens a new window.
- Register for a guest pass upon your arrival at the library.
- The Military Museum and branch libraries - regular access.
Computer Access click to copy link to share the Computer Access section
- To work in the TFDL register for a guest pass upon your arrival at the library.
- Community members may bring in their own personal device and connect to the Guest Wifi opens a new window. To access the databases and electronic resources, a guest login is required to connect to the airuc-secure network.
- To use the library computers, Alumni must book a computer station in advance.
- workrooms.ucalgary.ca/reserve/alumni-and-community opens a new window
- Each person can book 4 hours per day in one of 4 stations on the TFDL 1st Floor and must bring valid government picture ID to collect a Guest Login credential.
- Guest logins can be obtained at the TFDL service desk:
- (Fall / Winter) Monday to Friday 10:00am to 3:45pm; Saturday/Sunday/Stat Holidays 10:00am to 3:45pm.
- (Spring / Summer) Monday to Friday 10:00am to 2:00pm; Saturday/Sunday/Stat Holidays 10:00am to 2:00pm.
Borrowing Privileges click to copy link to share the Borrowing Privileges section
- Calgary residents can obtain a Community card by visiting UCalgary Libraries with a piece of government issued photo ID and proof of residency.
- Alberta residents who reside outside of Calgary can obtain The Alberta Library (TAL) card from their home public library.
- Undergraduate, Graduate, and Faculty associated with institutions who are part of the Council of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries (COPPUL) can obtain a COPPUL card from their institution's library.
- Members of the Council of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries (COPPUL) or the Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement (CURBA) are eligible for a Community card.
- Number of loans: 10 items
- Loan Period: Three (3) weeks, and materials may be renewed twice (2 times), after which they must be returned. If there are no requests for the materials, they may be checked out again. If materials are not returned, fines will accrue at the rate of $5.00/item/day.
- Items that are lost or long overdue will result in a $150 replacement fee.
- No Interlibrary Loan Request access.
- If fines are not paid, Community, TAL, CURBA, and COPPUL users may be barred from using the library.
Recalls click to copy link to share the Recalls section
- Recalls occur when a borrowed item is requested by another user.
- The recall period for library items is 10 days.
- Check your email for a "Shortened Due Date Notice" for the new due date.
- Recalled items cannot be renewed or have their due date changed.
- All regular loan items are subject to a recall.
Renewals click to copy link to share the Renewals section
- All Community, TAL, CURBA, and COPPUL users can renew their items by logging on to their Library Account. Library items can be renewed twice.
- All renewed items are still subject to a 10-day recall during the term loan period.
- Recalled items cannot be renewed.
- Users with blocked accounts, due to overdue material or fines on the account, will not be able to renew their items.
Requesting Items click to copy link to share the Requesting Items section
- Sign into your Library Account.
- Click on "New Search" and search for the item you wish to borrow.
- Click on the item.
- "Request" the item.
- For books, the Request link will be under "Get It."
- For journal issues, you can request individual issues under the "Options" column on the right-hand side of the page.
- Select the pick-up location for your item(s).
- Click "Request."
- You will receive an email notification once your item is available for pick-up. You will have 7 days to pick-up your item(s).
- Your item will be located on the Hold shelves/kiosks, filed alphabetically by last name.
- If not picked up within 7 days, the request will expire and be removed from the hold shelf/kiosk
Returning Library Items click to copy link to share the Returning Library Items section
- Any UCalgary library item with a regular loan policy can be returned to any library location.
- All locations have exterior return slots located near the entrance/exit.
- The TFDL has an external return slot located on the east side of the building (the side closest to the MacKimmie Tower).
- There is a return bin located at the loop by the Rozsa Centre (see image below).
- All reserve, technology, and fragile material must be returned to the location or reserve kiosk it was borrowed from.
- A user is responsible for the item until it is received by the library undamaged, and removed from their account.

Returning TAL Items click to copy link to share the Returning TAL Items section
- If public library items have been borrowed using an Alberta Library Card (TAL) and have a TAL flag, they can be returned to any UCalgary library location. Note, it make take two weeks or more for these items to be received at a public library branch and removed from the user's account. A user is responsible for the item until it is removed from their account.
Fines & Charges click to copy link to share the Fines & Charges section
- Overdue Fines: $5/item/day for Community, Alumni, and TAL users
- Overdue Recall Fines: $5/item/day
- Lost Replacement Fee: $150/item; replacement copies will not be accepted
- Lost item replacement fees will be waived if the item has been returned in good condition.
- Items returned damaged: $150/item
- Examples of damaged books include, but are not limited to, water damage, mold, writing on the inside of the book, torn and or missing pages, excessive sticky notes remaining in the item, and/or damage to the outside of the book.
- Before checking out books we encourage users to check their books for damage. If there is any damage please notify someone at the service desk or by contacting libinfo@ucalgary.libanswers.com so staff can make a note that the damage took place before you borrowed the item.
Fines can be paid:
- Credit card by logging into your Library Account
- In-person at the TFDL by debit or credit card
- Fines cannot be paid over the phone or email. Cash transactions are not accepted.
Please note that the following are NOT acceptable reasons for waiving a fine:
- Lack of awareness of library policies
- Forgetting the due date, not renewing on time or the inability to renew online
- Failure to receive an overdue notice email
- Missing a due date because you are out of town
Account and Borrowing Blocks click to copy link to share the Account and Borrowing Blocks section
UCalgary Library accounts and borrowing privileges will be blocked when there is:
- Fines of $50.00 or more.
- There are outstanding overdue or lost items on the user's account.
- Recalled material not returned by recall due date.
- There is no email address attached to the library account.
Logging in to My Account click to copy link to share the Logging in to My Account section
Your Library Account provides an overview of your library activity, status, and contact information. You can view due dates, loans, requests, fines, and account expiry opens a new window.
You can sign into your Library Account from the library homepage.
- Select My Account located at the top right of the menu bar.
- Select ContEd, Community Users and Alumni. (this includes COPPUL users)
- Enter the first 9 digits of the barcode of your card and your password.
For ContEd, Community Users and Alumni all library notifications are sent to your personal email address. Your contact information and login password can be updated under the Personal Details section.
Account Expiration & Renewal click to copy link to share the Account Expiration & Renewal section
- Community, TAL, COPPUL, CURBA accounts are subject to yearly account expiry based on the closest term due date plus one year.
- Accounts can be renewed via in-person visit, email, phone call, or chat.
Digital Resources/Databases click to copy link to share the Digital Resources/Databases section
- Community users do not have access to digital library resources off-campus.
- All users have access to Open Access resources off-campus.
- Material provided through off-campus and on-campus access are only for individual study and research purposes only. Individuals are responsible for ensuring they are using copyright-protected works in accordance with applicable laws.