Community Users Guide

Students, faculty and staff from other post-secondary institutions are welcome to access and use the following library resources:

• Online library catalogue (also available off-campus)
• E-books and e-journals (on-campus use only)*
• Most research databases (on-campus use only)*
• Print collections
• Microform and microform readers
• Photocopiers and printers
• Reference and research services

*Access is permitted to electronic books, journals, and most Saint Mary's research databases in-person on designated "guest" computers within the Library, and in some cases, on-campus via the wireless access service eduroam. Off-campus access to Saint Mary's electronic materials and research databases is restricted to currently registered Saint Mary's University students, faculty, and staff.

Faculty, students and staff from any Novanet institution may borrow from the Patrick Power Library using a valid ID card from their university or community college.

Reciprocal borrowing agreements exist with other Canadian universities outside of Novanet. If you are coming to Saint Mary's University from another Canadian university to do research, check with your university library before travelling to Saint Mary's. Your library may be able to provide you with an appropriate identification card that will enable you to access library materials and services while at Saint Mary's.

Students, faculty and staff from Atlantic Canada universities may borrow materials using the Council of Atlantic University Libraries Inter-University Borrowing Card (CAUL).

CAUL Card

A CAUL card is a free library card that provides borrowing privileges at most university libraries across Canada for all students, faculty and staff from Atlantic Canadian universities. The card must be issued from the borrower's home institution. 

The privileges for borrowers with a CAUL card are:

• Books: three week loans for undergraduate students, graduate students, and staff; 90 day loans for faculty.
• Periodicals and videos: seven-day loans for all students, faculty and staff.
• Reserve and reference materials are not available for loan.
• Material may be renewed three times, unless an item is on hold or has been recalled for use by another borrower.
• No document delivery or recall privileges.

Borrowers with a CAUL card may return items at any Atlantic Canadian university library.

Other Reciprocal Borrowing Cards

Students, faculty and staff from provinces outside of the Atlantic region may borrow materials using identification cards as specified by the Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement (CURBA). These cards, which include COPPUL, CREPUQ or IUBP cards, must be obtained from the borrower's home institution.

Borrowing privileges include:

• Books: three week loans for all students, faculty, and staff.
• Periodicals and videos: seven-day loans for all students, faculty, and staff.
• Reserve and reference materials are not available for loan.
• Material may be renewed three times, unless an item is on hold or has been recalled for use by another borrower.
• No document delivery or recall privileges.

Borrowers may return items at any Canadian university library.

Learn more about reciprocal borrowing cards or contact the Circulation Desk.

eduroam (education roaming) is a wireless service that allows students, staff, and faculty to use their own home institution’s wireless credentials to access wireless network services when visiting any other eduroam affiliated institution without having to set up a guest account.