Community borrowers and alumni

Members of the community, including VIU alumni, are entitled to a community borrower card which allows borrowing of print material. Present identification at the library service desk with your current address to receive a free card. Service desk hours are here. To renew, present your current card and update your contact information yearly. Community borrower and alumni privileges include access to the Nanaimo library building Monday-Friday between 9am and 4pm. Please call ahead to arrange a visit: 250.740.6330. 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 or equipment loans.

VIU 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.

In-person borrowing privileges for students, staff, and faculty from other universities

The Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement (CURBA) extends in-person borrowing privileges to students, staff and faculty from participating university libraries. At the library service desk, present your COPPUL, CREPUQ, ASIN, or IUBP card from a qualifying post-secondary institution and receive a free Community Borrower card. The first time you log in to your library account, you will need to change your password. CURBA privileges do not include off-campus access to most licensed resources, but most are accessible on-campus. Privileges do not include interlibrary or equipment loans.

VIU 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. 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 limited to students, current and retired employees, and Honorary Research Associates. 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 to your account 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.