Library Accounts

Logging in

Use your VIU student number and computer account password to access library resources. This is the same password you use for your VIU email, VIULearn, and Secure WiFi.

You can test whether your library account login is working using the library catalogue login page.

Loan periods

As a student, you can borrow items from the VIU Library for 4 weeks at a time. Items can be renewed up to 3 times, and renew automatically if no one else has requested the item. There is no limit on the number of items you can borrow.

Overdue materials

If an item becomes overdue by more than 3 weeks, a bill for the replacement cost of the item will be added to your library account. This bill prevents you from accessing library resources, including online materials. If long overdue items are returned, replacement costs are removed, and your library access is restored. 

Overdue fees are only applied to items in the reserve collection. Fee amounts vary based on loan period and can be found on the tag attached to the reserve item.

Logging in

Use your VIU employee number and computer account password to access library resources.

If your employee number and computer account password are not allowing you to log in, you may need to perform a manual reset of your account. This can be done using our library catalogue reset page.

 You can test whether your library account login is working using the library catalogue login page.

Loan periods

As an employee, you can borrow items from the VIU Library for 6 weeks at a time. Items can be renewed up to 4 times, and renew automatically if no one else has requested the item. There is no limit on the number of items you can borrow.

Community Borrower accounts

Members of the community, including VIU alumni, are eligible to a community borrower card which allows borrowing of print materials. 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, course reserves, room bookings, or equipment loans.

Present identification at the Library Service Desk with your current address to receive a free card. Community borrower accounts are valid for 3 years and can be renewed at the service desk.

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

Loan periods

As a community borrower, you can borrow items from the VIU Library for 4 weeks at a time. Items can be renewed 1 time, and renew automatically if no one else has requested the item. There is no limit on the number of items you can borrow.

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. If your VIU ID has been misplaced, a Retiree card can be printed for you at the Library Service Desk.

Academic affiliates

Academic Affiliates include Visiting Scholars, Adjunct Faculty, Academic Emeritus, and Honorary Research Associates. These roles are entitled to library accounts and VIU ID. Access to these services is coordinated through the Human Resources department. For assistance, please contact your decanal area.

Use your employee number and VIU computer account password to log in to your library account or to access the library's online resources.

Need help accessing your computer account? You can reset your password on the Information Technology webpage.

Other affiliates

Non-academic 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 non-academic affiliates.

In-person borrowing by VIU students, faculty and staff at Other BC institutions

The VIU Library participates in the Council of Post-Secondary Library Directors reciprocal borrowing agreement. Under this agreement, VIU students are granted in-person borrowing privileges at other BC universities, colleges and institutes when presenting valid VIU ID card. The VIU Library reciprocates by granting library privileges for current students of other BC post-secondary institutions.

In-person borrowing by VIU students, faculty and staff at other Canadian institutions

As a member of the Council of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries (COPPUL), the VIU Library is a participant in the Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement (CURBA).

CURBA is a national agreement allowing VIU Students, faculty and staff access to in-person borrowing privileges at most Canadian university libraries.  Participants in this agreement include member libraries of the following four regional consortia:

• CAAL-CBPA: Council of Atlantic Academic Libraries / Conseil des bibliothèques postsecondaires de l’Atlantique
• PBUQ: Partenariat des bibliothèques universitaires du Québec
• OCUL: Ontario Council of University Libraries
• COPPUL: Council of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries.

See a complete list of participating university libraries. 

Students, employees and emeritus faculty must present proof that they are current students, employees or emeritus faculty of their home institution when borrowing materials from another institution library. Reciprocal borrowers are registered at the lending library according to the lending library’s practice (e.g. expiry date established by lending library).

Loan policies, e.g. types of items loaned, number of items, length of borrowing period, of the lending library are followed. Materials must be returned to the lending library and will not be cleared from the borrower’s record until they reach the lending library. Any costs (for overdue fines, damaged or lost materials) are paid by the borrower to the lending library.

In-person borrowing at VIU by students, faculty and staff from other institutions 

CURBA extends in-person borrowing privileges to students, staff and faculty from participating university libraries. Present proof of current status as a student, employee, or emeritus faculty of your home institution to receive a free community borrower card.

CURBA privileges do not include off-campus access to most licensed resources, but most are accessible on-campus. Privileges do not include interlibrary loans or equipment loans.