Members of the Public

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Loan Periods | Borrowing Privileges | Suspension of Borrowing Privileges | How to Pay Fines | Library Cards for Members of the Public | Access to U of A Online Resources | Library Privileges & Responsibilities

Loan Periods

Type of Material Loan Period Details
University of Alberta or NEOS Library Materials 2 weeks
  • Maximum 4 renewals
  • Overdue fines $1/day
  • At 31 days overdue, you will receive a lost item notice ($150/item). This blocks your account
University of Alberta Course Materials and Multimedia Technology No Loan
  • Lost Item Charge: $150/item. Higher charges may be assessed based on cost
  • Discretionary fine (for breach of regulations, abuse of privileges, etc): $50
  • Please contact us via the Account Inquiry form for information about your account or if you feel your fine is not valid
  • Renew material online at My Account or by contacting us: Ask us!
  • Number of items you can borrow: 30
  • Members of the public may place holds on materials held at any NEOS Library, including the University of Alberta (some exceptions apply)

Borrowing Privileges

Borrowing privileges may be obtained at a Library Service Desk with photo identification and proof of current Canadian address.

Acceptable photo identification:

  • Current University of Alberta staff, student, or Alumni ONEcards
  • Current NEOS partner library (eg. MacEwan University) staff or student cards with photo
  • Valid driver's license from any country (requires proof of Canadian address if it's international)
  • Current government issued photo identification from any province or country (requires proof of Canadian address if it's international)
  • Current high school, college or university student identification (requires proof of Canadian address)
  • Current passport from any country (requires proof of Canadian address)

Examples that are not acceptable:

  • Fitness or sports club memberships
  • Workplace identification
  • Association or trade union identification

Acceptable proof of current Canadian address:

  • Current University of Alberta staff, student, or Alumni ONEcards
  • Current NEOS partner library (eg. MacEwan University) staff or student cards with photo (NEOS staff with cards that do not include a photo must provide photo identification as outlined above in addition to their NEOS Library Card)
  • Valid Canadian driver's license
  • Letter of confirmation, including your name, from a local hotel or University residence
  • Letter of introduction, including your name, from a University of Alberta department
  • Credit card or utility bill, including your name, issued in the last three months
  • Bank statement, including your name, issued in the last three months
  • Current automobile or home insurance policy, including your name.
  • Current Government ID from any Canadian province/territory
  • Provincial Education student record, including your name.

Examples that are not acceptable:

  • Addresses not written in Roman letters
  • Bills or bank statements issued more than three months ago
  • Passports (without proof of Canadian address)

Suspension of Borrowing Privileges

Borrowing privileges will be suspended when bills/accruing fines total over $50.

How to Pay Fines

  • Online via My Account
  • InfoLink: Cash or ONEcard payment can be made in-person at all six (6) InfoLink locations. Credit or debit card payment is also available at the InfoLink ONEcard Service Centre (HUB mall) and the InfoLink Desk at Student Life Central (Lower Level SUB). Please refer to InfoLink website for hours of operation.
  • By Mail: Make cheques payable to University of Alberta Library; include your ONEcard barcode number or Student ID number on the back of the cheque. If your cheque does not already include your current address and telephone number, include this information on the cheque as well. Mail cheque to:
  • University of Alberta
    5-07 Cameron Library
    11231 Saskatchewan Drive NW
    Edmonton, AB T6G 2J8
    Attn: Rehana Bennett

Library Cards for Members of the Public

Members of the public are eligible for one of three of the following card options:

1. External Borrower Card - free

Visit any Library Service Desk to be registered.

  • Membership term: 1 year
  • Borrow from: U of A and NEOS Libraries
  • Requirements: valid photo ID and proof of current Canadian address (a driver's license is ideal)

2. Your Home Public Library Card

Bring your current card from your home public library to any Library Service Desk and we will register your U of A account on that same card.

  • Membership term: 1 year
  • Borrow from: U of A and NEOS Libraries
  • Requirements: valid photo ID and proof of current Canadian address (a driver's license is ideal)

3. The Alberta Library (TAL) Card - free

To keep track of your library materials, holds, and fines, please use My Account.

Access to University of Alberta Library Online Resources

Visitors to the University of Alberta Library may access library licensed online resources such as databases or eBooks on-site only, from a library computer terminal or using the wireless network on your laptop (UWS). To access these resources, visit a library service desk to obtain a temporary (daily) Library Network Access ID. You will be asked to present your photo ID (eg. driver's license).

Library Privileges & Responsibilities

Use of the University of Alberta Library is a privilege with associated responsibilities for all clients. Within the parameters of the policies, no user should be unduly disadvantaged through the use or abuse of the library by another client, whatever client group.

Community Expectations

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