Distance Education Borrowing

Physical Access click to copy link to share the Physical Access section

• To access the TFDL spaces, scan your Unicard barcode at the turnstiles.
• Access to Regular Stacks, Reserve Items, Technology at any UCalgary Library - TFDL and branch locations, including Archives and Special Collections, and LabNext Makerspace

Computer Access click to copy link to share the Computer Access section

• All students are able to sign in to library computers using their IT username and password.

Borrowing Privileges click to copy link to share the Borrowing Privileges section

• UCalgary Students must obtain a Unicard from the Campus Service Centre before visiting the library and activating their account.
• Number of loans: Unlimited.
• Loan Period: Auto-renew for term loans that have not been recalled.
• Interlibrary Loan Request access.
• Items that are lost or long overdue will result in a $150 replacement fee.

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 UCalgary Students, Faculty, and Staff's library items will be auto-renewed. 10 days before the term due date, all items that have not been recalled will be renewed automatically to the next term due date.
• All other 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

• Students enrolled in distance education may use the Interlibrary Loan / Document Delivery opens a new window request form to request books or journal articles.
• Eligible Students are limited to those enrolled in distance education programs (e.g. Social Work Online and Graduate Division of Education Research.)
• Return postage is only provided for items that are mailed; it is not provided for items that were physically signed out at the library.
• See our Services for Distance Students frequently asked question for service details.
• To request items to pick up at UCalgary:

1. Sign into your Library Account.
2. Click on "New Search" and search for the item you wish to borrow.
3. Click on the item.
4. "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.
5. Select the pick-up location for your item(s).
6. Click "Request."
7. 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.
• All Interlibrary Loans must be returned directly to the TFDL or HSL service desk with their ILL paperwork.

Fines & Charges click to copy link to share the Fines & Charges section

• Overdue Technology: $3/item/hour
• Overdue Reserve Items: $3/item/hour
• 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.

1. Select My Account located at the top right of the menu bar.
2. Select ContEd, Community Users and Alumni.
3. Enter the first 9 digits of the barcode of your card and your password.

For Students, Faculty, Staff, and General Associates all library notifications are sent to your UCalgary email address.

Account Expiration click to copy link to share the Account Expiration section

• Student account expiry is based on the term and course enrollment.

Digital Resources/Databases click to copy link to share the Digital Resources/Databases section

• Distance Students can access digital library resources off campus by using their IT username and password and by signing into their Library Account. All UCalgary Students have access to digital library resources such as e-books, databases, and journals.
• All users have access to Open Access resources off-campus.