We're here to help!

• Laptops are available for 3-day loans
• Electronic collections (ejournals, ebooks, databases and more) are available 24/7/365 through our catalogue
• Appointments for research help are available by emailing research.help@viu.ca
• Askaway, an online research help chat service, is available during posted service hours
• Our Liaison Librarians are available to support instructional faculty with alternate format delivery

Please contact us if you need assistance. Phone and email are monitored Monday-Friday 9am-4pm.

Safety protocols

In  alignment with provincial guidelines, we have implemented the following changes within our Nanaimo and Cowichan campus libraries to ensure a safe and clean environment for users:

• Occupancy limits and reduced seating capacity
• Physical distancing 
• Hand sanitizer stations and disinfecting wipes provided 
• Twice daily cleaning of high touch points and washrooms
• Print materials quarantined after use for 72 hours
• Loaned equipment sanitized after use
• Dedicated entrance and exit to building 305
• Group study rooms available with occupancy limits in place 
• Disinfection of video editing suites after use
• Directional arrows on the floor

Overview of changes 

• Virtual research help is available
• Changes to library access and face-to-face services
• Free student printing 
• Interlibrary loans limited to electronic articles or book chapters
• Equipment loans available through contactless pickup - loan period extended from 24 hours to 3 days
• Library Commons open 24/7 with card access
• Online VIU ID card production
• Print loans available by mail or through contactless pickup
• Exterior book drop across from Starbucks is open - interior book drop is closed due to renovations
• Course reserves not available fall semester 2020 due to the three-day quarantine period required for returned materials
• Access to library resources is not currently available to community borrowers 
• 5th floor computer lab not available

Services resuming Tuesday, September 8

• Nanaimo and Cowichan library service desks re-open with limited hours
• Equipment loans can be picked up and returned at the library service desk at either Cowichan or Nanaimo campus Monday through Friday between 9am and 2pm
• Access to Nanaimo library's 3rd and 4th floor collections and study spaces resume
• Special Collections access is available by appointment using Zoom or in person with physical distancing measures in effect

Things to note

• When the Nanaimo library service desk re-opens, it will be located at the IT help desk in the Commons due to 3rd floor renovations currently underway
• IT help desk service and other library partners such as the Writing Centre will provide service remotely during the fall semester