Information for New Students
- How do I get a library card?
- How many books can I take out of the library?
- How do I find books?
- What happens when my books are overdue?
- What if I lose a book?
- How do I find articles?
- Can I make photocopies in the library?
- How do I book a group study room?
- When is the library open?
- How do I renew my books?
- Where do I return my books?
- Can I borrow movies from the library?
- The book I need for my paper is out - what can I do?
- I don't even know where to begin....
You already have one! Your Mount Allison student ID card is your library card.
How many books can I take out of the library?
You can borrow up to 50 books at one time for 2 weeks each.
How do I find books?
Books and other library materials (journals, magazines, DVDs, compact discs, online subscriptions) are listed in our library catalogue which is found on the library's web site. You can search the catalogue by title, author, subject, or keywords. If the book you are looking for was published before 1980, it may not be listed in the online catalogue, so you will have to check the card catalogue located close to the Research Help Desk on the main floor.
When the book you want comes up, you'll see a call number composed of letters and numbers (something like PS 8569 O488 S76 1985). Write down the call number since you'll need it to find the book on the shelf. Call numbers are in alphabetical order, with single letters coming first (e.g. P, PA, PS). After the letters, the numbers are in regular order (e.g. 5, 10, 51, 106). The next letters are in alphabetical order again, but the next numbers are in decimal order (e.g. 10, 106, 5, 51). It sounds confusing, but it should get easier as you use the library more.
Because we have so many books in our library, we've divided the floors by call number. Books with call numbers beginning with A-G are on the top floor, H-P are on the second floor, and Q-Z are two floors down from the main floor.
The R.P. Bell Library Floor plans provide a pictorial description of the arrangement of materials in the building.
The Library Directory provides a list what is located on each floor of the Library.
What happens when my books are overdue?
When your books - or any other library materials - are overdue, you will be charged a fine. Fines for most materials are 25ยข per item per day - e.g. if you have 8 books out and they are 3 days overdue, your fines would be $6.00. Some materials have higher fines. Overdue course reserves can be as much as $2.00 per hour, and fines for recalled books are $1.00 per day. Fines can add up quickly so make sure you check your library record regularly and renew materials before they are late. If you have more than $20 in fines, you will not be able to borrow any more materials or renew those you already have out.
What if I lose a book?
If you lose a book, tell the people at the Circulation Desk. There is a $100 fee for lost books, so it's important to keep track of the books you have borrowed. If you find a book after you have paid the lost book fee, bring it to the Circulation Desk and you will be reimbursed, but any overdue fines will still apply (to a maximum of $20 per book).
How do I find articles?
Articles in magazines and journals are not listed in the library catalogue. You will have to use an index to find articles. Most of our current indexes are available online (they're normally called databases), and some are in print. The index you use will depend on the subject of the articles you are searching for.
A good place to start is the subject guides on the library web site, which list appropriate indexes. You can also browse a list of all of the library's indexes and databases on the Find Articles page. And, you can always ask a librarian for assistance in choosing and using indexes.
Most of our online indexes are accessible online from outside the library -- you simply need to use the "off-campus" links and log-in using the same user name and password you would use to check your Mt.A email. Many of the indexes and databases even have the full text of the articles so you can read the whole article from home.
Can I make photocopies in the library?
Yes, there are photocopiers on the main floor of the library, and one in the Music Library as well.
Library staff will photocopy materials for you, but there will be an extra fee and a time delay, so it's best to do it yourself.
For more information about photocopying, please see the Mount Allison University Guidelines for Copying (updated April 2011) for guidelines on Canada's Copyright Law.
How do I book a group study room?
Group study rooms are available on a first come, first served basis, and cannot be booked.
Two group study rooms are located on the ground floor and one on the second floor. There is also a room on the main floor (next to the Reference Office) available for group study after 4:30 pm on weekdays and on weekends during the fall and winter terms.
When is the library open?
Library hours change throughout the year, so it's best to check the library hours page at www.mta.ca/library/hours.html, or the signs outside the library.
How do I renew my books?
You may renew your books in person at the Circulation Desk or by phone by calling 364-2568 (R.P. Bell Library) or 364-2561 (Music Library).
You may also renew your books online using the Library's Online Catalogue. To renew books online, access the Library Catalogue and click on "My Account." You will then be prompted to enter your Library Card Number (the 13 digit barcode number on your MTA ID card) and your PIN (you need to get a PIN at the Circulation Desk first). Once this information is entered, you should be able to renew the items listed in your account. You cannot renew items that are overdue, have been requested by someone else, or items that you have already renewed more than 3 times. You also cannot renew items if you have more than $20 in fines. You should always verify that the records for all the items you want renewed have been updated.
For more information, contact Circulation Staff at 364-2568 or circ@mta.ca, or the Music Library at 364-2561 or musiclibrary@mta.ca.
Where do I return my books?
Return your books either in the book drop outside the entrance of the library or at the Circulation Desk. Don't just leave them on the counter at the Circulation Desk or they might not get checked in and you will get overdue fines.
Can I borrow movies from the library?
Yes, films on DVD and VHS can be borrowed from the library for two weeks. You can search for videos and DVDs in the library catalogue the same way you would search for a book.
All films on VHS and DVD are located in a browsing section on the ground floor.
There is a TV/VHS combo player in the microfilm room on the ground floor. The Library Theatre on the third floor is equipped with a multizone DVD player.
The book I need for my paper is out - what can I do?
If you need a book that someone else has borrowed, you can go to the Circulation Desk and place a request on the book. You will be notified as soon as it is available. This usually works best if you begin your assignments early; it is unlikely that a book due next week will be back by this afternoon!
I don't even know where to begin...
Don't worry, we are here to help you figure it all out.
The library offers a number of workshops in September on how to find books in the library catalogue, how to find articles using our databases, how to get started with your assignments, and many other things. Some of your classes may bring in a librarian to help you with your research. And you can always ask anyone in the library for help. The librarians at the Research Help Desk should be particularly helpful. No question is too big or too small!
If you aren't in the library, you can ask a question by phone by calling 364-2564; or ask your question by e-mail by sending a message to infodesk@mta.ca or musiclibrary@mta.ca. You will receive an answer to your e-mail the next time the Research Help Desk is staffed (usually the same day or following day). During the fall and winter terms, you can also ask question using the library's live chat service.