Community Borrowers and Alumni

Members of the community, including VIU alumni, are entitled to a community borrower card which allows borrowing of print material. Privileges do not include off-campus access to licensed resources, but most are accessible on-campus. Community borrowers can search via the Open Access tab on the library homepage to access non-licensed resources. Library privileges do not include interlibrary loans or equipment loans.

Present identification at the library service desk with your current address to receive a free card. To renew, present your current card and update your contact information yearly.

For information about accessing the library, see our hours page. Note that access is limited to students and employees on evenings and weekends. 

Retirees

VIU retirees may continue to use their VIU ID cards and have the same library access and privileges as employees (including off-campus access to licensed resources), with the exception of interlibrary and equipment loans. No renewal is necessary.

Affiliates

An affiliate of VIU is a person who is not an employee but who has a regular relationship to the institution and may require access to some VIU services. VIU, at its discretion, can extend this person rights to various services, such as a network computer account, and staff paid parking. Status as an affiliate lasts a maximum of two years, after which it can be renewed

Affiliates wishing to use library resources may register for a community borrower card which allows for print loans. Due to licensing agreements in place, access to scholarly e-resources is not available to affiliates. Affiliates wishing to access scholarly e-resources can instead search for resources using the Open Access tab on the library homepage. Alternatively, affiliates can access licensed scholarly e-resources in-person at the library.

Logging In for the First Time

The first time you log in to your library account, you need to reset your password. Enter your library card number in the barcode field and enter the email address associated with your account in the email address field. You will then receive an email with instructions on how to reset your password.

Lost or Stolen Cards

Report loss of your card and address changes to Service Desk staff.  A $2.00 fee is charged to replace a lost or stolen community borrower card.