Services and Facilities
Services:
Overview of Services for Students
Overview of Services for Faculty
Overview of Services for
Community Borrowers
- Borrower Information:
- Government Information
- Journals Office
- Library Instruction
- Music Library
- Ordering of Course-related Materials
- Research Help
- University Archives
Facilities:
- Computer Labs (3)
- Laptops
- Library Computer Workstations
- Printers & Print Credits
- Photocopiers, Microform Readers & A-V Equipment
- Text Enhancement Software and Equipment
- Special Collections
- Student Book Lockers
- Study Rooms for Group Work
- Theatre (3rd floor)
Services
Borrower Information
Circulation
Students and faculty members may borrow up to 50 books at any one time. The loan period for students is two weeks; faculty members may borrow books for 30 days.
Your Mount Allison University ID card is also your Library Card.
The Circulation Desk is located on the main floor (entrance level) of the library.
For more details, please see:
Students attending Tantramar Regional High School, Mount Allison Alumni, students of other universities and colleges, and community adults are also eligible for a Library borrower's card.
For more details, please ask at the Circulation Desk.
Course Reserves
Items placed on course reserve by an instructor can be obtained at the Circulation Desk and borrowed for short periods of time.
To find items on course reserve, use the Course Reserves search page in the Library Catalogue. You may search by course name, course number or instructor name.
For instructors only: Please use the Course Reserve Request Form to request that an item be placed on reserve.
For Help, please Ask a Librarian.
Interlibrary Loans
Items not owned by or accessible via the MTA Libraries may be requested by completing the Interlibrary Loans Web form.
For more information, please see the Interlibrary Loans page and the ILL Policy.
The Inter-Library Loans Department is located behind the Circulation Desk in the Main Library.
ASIN (Atlantic Scholarly Information Network) Borrowing Card for Atlantic University Libraries
Information for Mount Allison Faculty and Students:
What is ASIN?
The Atlantic Scholarly
Information Network (ASIN) is a collaborative initiative
of the seventeen members of the Council of Atlantic University Librarians/Conseil des directeurs(trices) de bibliothque des universities de l'Atlantique (CAUL/CDBUA).
This network makes it possible for faculty and students (including distant education students) who are in good standing at the libraries to go to any participating university library (see list below) and borrow books and other library materials IN PERSON, thereby gaining access to over 8.2 million items held in Atlantic university libraries.
In addition, the Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement extends borrowing privileges to library users from universities across Canada. Library materials may then be returned at any participating university library.
ASIN Borrower's Card
To use this service, faculty and students of Mount Allison University must first obtain an ASIN borrower's card at the Circulation Desk of the R.P. Bell Library. The card will give you borrowing privileges at all participating university libraries in the Atlantic Region.
All ASIN cards are issued with an April 30th expiry date. Students working on summer research projects may be eligible for a card during the summer.
Please note that the card holder is subject to the rules and regulations of the library from which they borrow the library materials -- types of material which can be borrowed, fines, overdues, etc. It is the responsibility of the borrower to find out about the rules and regulations at the lending library.
ASIN cards must be obtained at the individual's home institution.
PARTICIPATING LIBRARIES:
- Acadia University
- Atlantic School of Theology
- Cape Breton University
- Dalhousie University
- Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Mount Allison University
- Mount Saint Vincent University
- Nova Scotia Agricultural College
- Nova Scotia College of Art and Design
- Saint Mary's University
- St. Francis Xavier University
- Université de Moncton (except Law Library)
- Université Sainte-Anne
- University of King's College
- University of New Brunswick (except Law Library)
- University of Prince Edward Island
Your ASIN card also grants you borrowing privileges at selected University Libraries across Canada. See the Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement for more details.
FAQ ASIN Borrowing Privileges:
http://www.caul-cdbua.ca/faq.html
For more information about ASIN, contact:
Anne MacLeod
Head, Access Services Department
(506)364-3569/2568
amacleod@mta.ca
Government Information
The R. P. Bell Library is a full depository library for publications
of the Canadian Federal Government.
Publications are obtained selectively from local & regional government, the provinces, other countries, IGOs, NGOs and other organizations.
For a more detailed description of the collection
see the Government Documents Collections Policy.
The library is also a member of the DLI (Data Liberation Initiative)
providing access to electronic data files from Statistics Canada and
other federal sources. For details see the DLI
web page. Access to other government information on the Internet is available through this guide.
For assistance with government information ask at the Research Help Desk or contact the Government Documents Librarian at 364-2572.
Journals Office
The Journals Office is located on the ground floor (level below the Entrance Level) of the R.P. Bell Library.
Current issues of journals and newspapers received in print format are displayed alphabetically in stands on the ground floor.
Back issues of all print journals are shelved according to call number on the ground floor and basement levels.
Some titles may only be available on microfilm. The University's microfilm collection is housed in the Microform Room on the ground floor.
Library Instruction
In addition to the one-on-one instruction provided to library users at the Research Help Desk, librarians also provide group and in-class library instruction.
A brief introduction to the University Libraries is provided to new students during Orientation. At this time, students are strongly recommended to sign up for one of the Library Skills workshops offered during the first few weeks of classes. These classes go into much more detail than is possible during Orientation and teach students how to find items in the library as well as how to do research using the library's electronic databases.
Reference librarians also provide in-class library instruction tailored to the needs of a specific course and/or assignment. These sessions are available for all classes offered at the university and may be given in the Library Instruction Lab or in the classroom (providing the necessary equipment is available).
For more information or to schedule a session for your class, please see the Information Literacy page or contact the Librarian responsible for your subject area.
Music Library
The Alfred Whitehead Music Library is located on the lower floor of the Marjorie Young Bell Conservatory of Music. Please see the Music Library home page for more information.Ordering of Course-related Materials
Suggestions for books and other materials to be purchased by the library may be made by contacting the appropriate subject librarian.
You may also make suggestions for purchase through our online order form.
Faculty members and departments wishing to recommend items for purchase are encouraged to contact the librarian responsible for the subject area in question.
topResearch Help
Reference Librarians are available to assist you at the Research Help Desk of the R.P. Bell Library and at the Music Library. Librarians can help you find the information you need and can teach you how to use information resources available in the library and online.
In person:
Research Help hours are posted on the Hours page. You may also make an appointment with the Subject Librarian responsible for your subect area for more in-depth research assistance.
By phone and email:
If you are unable to come to the library, you may contact a librarian
by phone at the Main Library at 506-364-2564 and at the Music Library at 506-364-2214.
You may also ask your question by e-mail by sending a message to infodesk@mta.ca. You will receive a reply on the same day or the next day that the Research Help Desk is staffed. Response time may be slightly longer during the summer.
Honours students are encouraged to meet with a librarian individually to discuss their research. Please make an appointment with a librarian at least one week prior to the desired meeting time.
University Archives
The University Archives, located on the top floor of the R.P. Bell Library, acquires the inactive published and unpublished records of the University. Over 2,000 feet of textual records, photographs, films, videotapes, audio tapes, artifacts, etc., are held.
Hours of access and reference are limited and vary with the academic term. It is strongly recommended to call ahead and make an appointment: 506-364-2563.
For more information see the Archives web page.
Facilities
Computer Labs
There are three student computer labs in the R.P. Bell Library. One lab is located on the main floor (entrance level), another is located on the ground floor. No bookings.
The third lab is located on the 3rd floor and is used by Librarians for Library Instruction classes. Students may use the lab when it is not being used for classes. A schedule listing times when the lab is available for student use is posted outside the lab on the third floor as well as on the bulletin board next to the Circulation Desk.
All three labs are maintained by the Computing Services Department and problems and enquiries should be addressed to the CSD Help Desk. You may also reach the Help Desk by calling 364-2473.
Other Computer Labs on Campus:
- See the Computing Services Computer Labs page for details.
Laptops
Wireless network access is available in the Library to Mount Allison students, faculty and staff. Please see the Computing Services Scholars' Wireless Access Network (SWAN) page for more details.
To obtain a list of the activated ports allowing you to connect to the library's catalogue and electronic databases, please ask a Reference Librarian.
Library Computer Workstations
Over 40 computer workstations are available for library research. Visitors may obtain a guest account (valid for one day only) at the Circulation desk.
Most of the electronic resources made available by the library can be accessed through the library's home page: www.mta.ca/library. These include the Mt. Allison Library Catalogue as well as a wide range of Journal Indexes and Electronic Databases.
Use the library catalogue to search for books, journals, government information and A-V materials owned by the library. Note that some older items can only be found by searching the library's card catalogue. As a general rule, you should search both the online catalogue and the card catalogue for items published prior to 1980.
Use a Journal Index to search for journal or newspaper articles.
See the How Do I... Guide for more details or Ask a Librarian.
topPrinters and Print Credits
Main Library: There are two printers available for student use on the main floor in the MacKay Alcove. The Print Release Station (where you select and release a print job) is located on a table between them.
The Library printers (LIB2045) are the default printers on lab computers located in the library.
Students may add "Mountie Money" to their student cards at the reverse-ATM machine located on the main floor. If you need help using the machine, please ask at the Circulation Desk.
Music Library: There is a printer in the Music Lab.
Note that all print jobs sent to the lab printers (including those in the library) will print double sided. To print single sided:
1) Select File and Print.
2) Select Properties or Preferences.
3) Select the Setup tab.
4) On the right-hand side you will see an option for Duplex.
5) To print single sided, use the drop down menu and select Off.
6) Select Okay at the bottom.
7) This will bring you back to the main print menu.
8) Select Print here and your document should print single sided.
For visitors wishing to print, please go to the Circulation Desk for assistance.
For more details about printing costs, print credits, etc., see the Computing Services Computer Lab Printing page.
Photocopiers, Microform Readers and A-V Equipment
PHOTOCOPYING
Locations:
Photocopiers are located on the main floor and journals floor of the R. P. Bell Library. At the Music Library, a photocopier is located near the entrance.
- For more information about photocopying, please see the Mount Allison University Guidelines for Copying (updated April 2011) for guidelines on Canada's Copyright Law.
Microforms:
Microform reader-printer-scanners are available in the Microform room on the ground
floor.
Payment:
Photocopies are $0.12 each (tax included) and are payable by the "Mountie
Money" on your university ID card. Visitors who wish to photocopy
should go to the Circulation Desk to get a guest card and can pay
for their copies there.
Copying Service:
Access Services staff will photocopy materials for you as time permits. Additional fees will apply.
Fragile Materials:
To prevent damage, please ask staff to photocopy all material from the Bell Collection of Acadiana or Rare Book (Davidson) Room. Regular rates applies.
A-V EQUIPMENT
Audio and video equipment is available for use in the library in
the A-V Room on the second floor.
Equipment includes: VHS and DVD players, audio cassette players (tape decks) and turntables.
A multizone DVD player (plays DVDs from anywhere in the world) is available for use in the Library Theatre. To use this player, please ask at the Circulation Desk.
A personal slide viewer is also available at the Circulation Desk.
Computers in the Coffee Shop area of the library (main floor) and computers in the small lab on the ground floor can read DVD disks and play DVD movies.
Headphones are available for four-hour loans at the Circulation Desk.
Text Enhancement Software and Equipment
Located in Room M-13, main floor R.P. Bell Library.
Software
The software listed below is available on a PC workstation equipped with a large flat-screen monitor, a Keys-U-See large print keyboard, and a scanner.
To use this workstation and software, simply ask for the user name and password at the Access Services Desk.
Dragon Naturally Speaking 9.5
Speech recognition software – turns your voice into text. A headset with microphone is available at Access Services. The user’s manual is available in the M13 desk drawer.
Kurzweil 1000
Kurzweil software speaks text aloud in a variety of voices, and helps you to write and edit documents. Includes features for note taking, summarizing content, and outlining text. The user’s manual is available in the M13 desk drawer.
ZoomText 9.1
ZoomText offers screen magnification and an audio screen reader. ZoomText can be used to enlarge and listen to the contents of Web pages. The user’s manual is available in the M13 desk drawer.
Presto Page Manager 7
Software designed to facilitate scanning, sharing, and organizing photos and documents.
Readiris Pro 11
OCR/text recognition software that converts paper documents into editable digital files (including .pdf files).
Other Equipment
Digital Flatbed Scanner (attached to the PC workstation described above)
HP scanjet 5590. The user’s manual is available in the M13 desk drawer.
ClearView +
ClearView+ is an auto-focus desktop video magnification system which can magnify text and objects with adjustable brightness and contrast controls. A copy of the ClearView+ User Manual is available in the M13 desk drawer and at the Access Services and Research Help Desks.
Special Collections
- The Edgar and Dorothy Davidson Collection of Canadiana
- The Mary Mellish Archibald Memorial Library (folklore)
- The Winthrop Pickard Bell Collection of Acadiana
- The Chignecto Isthmus: Its History and Culture
This database provides access to historical material on the people and places of the Isthmus of Chignecto held by the Ralph Pickard Bell Bell Library, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB.
Student Book Lockers
Student book lockers are available in the library on the top two floors and in the basement. Keys can be obtained from the Library Secretary. A $3.00 deposit is required; $2.00 will be returned to you when you return the key at the end of the academic year. Library materials are not to be put in lockers unless they have been signed out at the Circulation Desk.
Study Rooms for Group Work
All rooms are First Come - First Serve; No Advance Bookings Necessary.
RED FLOOR - Room G7:
Available whenever the Library is open.RED FLOOR - Room G11:
Available whenever the Library is open.MAIN FLOOR - Room M12:
Available: Monday - Friday, 4:30 pm - Closing
Saturday & Sunday, when the Library is open
Theatre (3rd floor)
A 60-seat theatre is available for showing in-class films, slides and videos.