Library Frequently Asked Questions

Through your library account you can:

• See what materials you have checked out
• Renew materials
• Place a hold on an item that is on loan
• Check the status of holds, bookings and interlibrary loan requests
• Save preferred searches and activate email alerts

• Students, faculty and staff login with their BCIT email address and password.
• Community borrowers login with their BCIT ID number (A…) and a six-digit PIN (Personal Identification Number) – you can choose your own PIN, it must be six characters long. You will be prompted to enter it twice the first time you use it.

Your BCIT ID card is your Library card. You do not need a separate card. You can get one in person at any BCIT campus Library. You can also order one online but you still have to come to the Library to pick it up.

Students can get one in person at any BCIT campus or order one online. You will have to pick it up in person and present government issued photo ID. Employees must report to the Security Office in SW1, Room 1000 to get their cards.

As a BCIT graduate you are eligible for the BCIT Alumni Perks app. App users are entitled to one year of free library borrowing privileges but no remote access to electronic databases. There are many additional benefits to having a card and multiple ways to apply.

Yes. BCIT does have agreements with UBC and some other post-secondary libraries. Contact the Service Desk at 604-432-8370 during regular library hours or by email for a complete list of participating institutions.

A card is not needed to use online resources. To borrow materials in person from the library a card is required.

Community borrowers can purchase a Library Card. BCIT graduates are eligible to purchase an alumni card.

Yes. Part-time students are eligible and can get one in the same manner as full-time students.

The Librarians conduct research skills training classes upon request. Students can also get research assistance in person, by phone and through our Ask a Librarian service.

Search the catalogue by keyword or title to find out what video and DVD titles the Library owns. An advanced search, allows you to click on the Material Type drop down menu and select Videorecordings or DVDs. Video and DVD booking requests may be made in person, by telephone at 604-432-8370 or by email. Written requests can be forwarded to the Service Desk.

Contact Interlibrary Services in person at SE14–208, by telephone at 604-432-8619, or by email. Viewing facilities are available in all three campus libraries.

• Read the copying and copyright information on our Web site
• Contact copyright@bcit.ca

Yes, it is part of the Library’s mandate to assist faculty and employees with their information needs. Contact the appropriate Librarian to find out more about research assistance.

Contact the Librarian responsible for your program or complete the online Title Suggestion form.

If the BCIT Library does not have access to a book or journal article that you need, you can use our Interlibrary Loan service. It takes anywhere from 3 days to 4 weeks to obtain materials depending upon availability.

Faculty at BCIT are eligible for a UBC Library card and/or SFU Library card free of charge. UBC cards are obtainable at the UBC Koerner Library Circulation Desk. You will need your BCIT ID card and one other piece of photo ID.

SFU cards can be obtained at any SFU branch library circulation/loans desk. You will need your BCIT ID card or pay slip as proof of employment at BCIT. The card is issued for one year and can be renewed.

Items can be placed on Course Reserve for your class either in print or electronic format. For print materials, use the Reserve Material Request Form [PDF]. For eReserves, use the Electronic Request Form [PDF]. You can also contact the Service Desk at 604-432-8370.

Use First Search to find the wide range of materials owned by the Library.

Bring the materials to the Service Desk of the Library at your Campus. Use your BCIT ID card to sign them out. More information on borrowing materials for students and for faculty/staff is available on the Web site. Students at DTC and AIC should place holds on the items they want in the Library Catalogue indicating that DTC or AIC is the pick-up location.

Items can be renewed to a maximum of five times provided there are no holds on them.

• Access Your Library Account
• Click on the Items Currently Checked Out button
• Click the box beside the titles you wish to renew and click the Renew Selected Items button or click on Renew All if you wish to renew all of the titles you have checked out
• Contact the Service desk at 604-432-8370 or by email if you are having problems

Place a hold on the item using the following steps:

• Search for the book in the First Search
• Click on the Request button
• Enter Your BCIT ID number and network password
• Choose a Pick up location from the drop down menu
• Click the Submit button
• Click the Request Selected Item button
• When the item(s) is available for pick up, we will send an email to your myBCIT email. Items can be picked up the Service Desk at your campus Library

If you have checked our First Search and have not found the book or article you need, you can request an Interlibrary Loan. Complete one of the online forms or use the paper forms available at the Information Desk at your campus Library.  When the material arrives, we will send a message to your myBCIT email. Journal articles will be made available to you online and books or other physial items can be picked up at the Service Desk at your campus Library.

Once you find the materials you want, follow the instructions for getting materials.

Yes. Just follow the same procedure as for placing holds.

• Search for the book in the First Search
• Click on the Request button
• Enter Your BCIT ID number and network password
• Choose a Pick up location from the drop down menu – Select your campus as the pick up Location.
• Click the Submit button
• Click the Request Selected Item button
• When the item(s) is available for pick up, we will send an email to your myBCIT email. Items can be picked up the Service Desk at your campus Library

Library fines may be paid in person at any campus library, at any Customer Service Representative location once a banner hold has been placed, or by major credit card over the phone.

Books can be returned to the Service Desk at any campus Library during opening hours. After hours, they can be left in the outdoor book return bins. Students at DTC and GNW can be return materials to the drop boxes at their campus locations.

Search the catalogue by Course Code or Instructor’s Name to identify Course Reserves. Bring the Call number to the Service Desk at your campus Library to retrieve print materials. To access electronic reserves, you will have to sign in to Your Library Account.

As stated in the Library’s Collection Development Policy [PDF], the Library does not purchase copies of textbooks unless a faculty member requests that a copy be placed in the Reserve collection or it is considered the best source of information on a particular topic. Exceptions are made under certain circumstances. Search the Library Catalogue by Title or Author to determine if your textbook is in our collection. The BCIT Bookstore sells textbooks and other course materials.

Search our Course Outlines collection to see if it is available online.

For historical course outlines not included in the online collection contact the Service Desk at Burnaby campus at 604-432-8370 or by email.

Due to privacy concerns, the Library no longer carries old exams.

Look at the Online Databases that are part of the Library’s collection. Select from the alphabetical or subject listings. Each database may look slightly different but they can all be searched by topic or keyword. Research assistance is available.

Follow the instructions for Off-campus access.

Check to see if there is a button that says Link to Full Text or 360 link in the article record. If not you can request an Interlibrary Loan.
You can search the catalogues of other local libraries if you are willing to go to another location to get the article.
We’re happy to help if you’d like some assistance.

Photocopiers are located in all Campus libraries. The cost is $0.10 per page. Most machines require you to use your BCIT ID card. You can add money to your card using the Cash Manager machines located at each campus. If you don’t have a card, you can purchase a Cash Card from the Cash Manager machine for $1.00. There is a coin operated machine at the Burnaby Campus Library.

All printing is done with your BCIT ID card. The cost is $0.10 per page single-sided or $0.08 per page double-sided. You can add money to your card using the Cash Manager machines located at each campus. If you don’t have a card, you can purchase a Cash Card from the Cash Manager machine for $1.00. Printers are located in the ehPod, adjacent to the Research Network on Main Level and in the Learning Commons on Level 3.

There is a colour printer by the Research Network and in the ehPod on Level 1 of the Burnaby Campus Library. The cost is $0.75 per page.

Use the Cash Manager machine. At the Burnaby Campus, there is one located by the photocopiers on the Main Floor of the Library. At the ATC Library, you will find it on the 2nd floor of the Campus building. At BMC Library, it is near the reception desk.

Students can use their regular network Login as described in the Knowledge Base.

Contact the IT Services Help Desk.

There are two scanners on the main floor of the Burnaby Campus Library.

• Burnaby Campus – Research Network by the Information Desk on the Main Level, the ehPod on Level 1 and Learning Lab in room 301 on Level 3.
• BMC – Library computers
• ATC – Library computers
• Visit the computer labs on campus page to find other BCIT computers with Internet access

• Burnaby Campus – Computer Commons and Learning Lab
• ATC – scramble lab computers
• Visit the computer labs on campus page to find other BCIT computers with access to ShareIn/Out.
• Visit the Knowledge Base for instructions on how to use it

The Burnaby, BMC & ATC Campus Libraries have laptops and iPads to lend to students as well as some other technology.

Wireless access is available throughout the entire Library. The Knowledge Base has instructions for wireless access. Visit the Service Desk on the Main Level of the Library if you have problems.

At Burnaby Campus Libraries, non-BCIT library users can request a guest login by visiting the Service Desk. This allows access to the Research Network on the Main floor only.

The Burnaby Campus Library has considerable space for group study, quiet individual study and silent study.

The ehPod, containing the computer lab and study rooms on the first floor of the Burnaby Campus Library, is open 24 hours a day, year round.

Note that your BCIT ID card is required for entry after the rest of the Library has closed.

Visit the Learning Commons web site to learn more about the services provided.

Study rooms can be booked online.

If you prefer to book in person visit the Service Desk on the Main Floor of SE14 on the Burnaby Campus – there is a $1.00 charge for in-person advance booking.

Permission is required to film in the Library.

• BCIT students & staff please see and complete the Filming in the library request form [PDF] and send it to the Operations Manager, Library Services : Mei_Young@bcit.ca.
• Others please refer to BCIT Policy 7130 Filming on Campus [PDF]