Community Borrowers

Welcome to Novanet, a consortium of academic libraries in Nova Scotia.

Our combined collections are the cornerstone knowledge and information resource in Atlantic Canada. In addition to the approximately 1.7 million books and periodicals that you may use we offer an array of electronic resources: full-text journals, government databases, and abstracts -- and connections with other libraries world-wide. (Some restrictions may apply.)

The staff at our member libraries are skilled in applying these services to the varied needs of those we serve. We look forward to extending them to Off-Campus Borrowers.

Lending Policies

Novanet Libraries share the following policies:

• Book loans of three weeks
• Material may be renewed 3 times (2 times for WKK & LAW) if not needed by other borrowers Holds may be placed on items out on loan. Recalls, however, are not permitted. Most libraries do not have limits on the number of items you may take out.
• In order to meet the needs of students and faculty, other policies vary from library to library. Some libraries do not circulate periodicals. Some cannot allow off-campus borrowers to sign out material from course-specific Reserve collections. Please check at the library's Circulation desk for complete information on these limitations.

Novanet Libraries share overdues and fines policies, as well. Those keeping books past their due dates are assessed 25¢ per item per day. When a book falls seriously overdue, its borrower will be charged the full replacement price -- including re-ordering and processing costs. Those failing to respond to overdue notices, or accumulating fines may have their borrowing privileges suspended. Off-campus borrowers who accumulate significant fines, or who fail to return library material, will be referred to our collection agency.

Reference Services

Library reference and information staff are expert at showing you how to select resources to satisfy your information needs and teaching you how to use them. Please take your questions to the libraries' reference desks. Reference services and hours vary.

In some libraries, academic users have principal access to some of the Reference tools, such as online databases. Reference staff can provide details.

The Public Catalogue

The Novanet catalogue is the best window into our collections. Easy-to-use menus guide the new user through this catalogue, allowing you to search for books by author, title and subject (or "keywords" describing any of these). Periodicals collections are listed in the catalogue, as well. Assistance in using the public catalogue is available from Library Reference staff.

Novanet Express and Interlibrary Loans

If an item you need is on the shelves of a Novanet library you can't get to, you can request that it be retrieved for you. We will have any circulating book shipped to any Novanet library within three working days. You can also have an article from any of our journals faxed. For additional information on Novanet Express, please contact library staff.

If you can't find a book or periodical in any of the libraries' collections and are willing to pay to have it borrowed from another library, you can request an Interlibrary Loan (some libraries are unable to provide this service to off-campus borrowers).

Cost

The annual fee for a Novanet Off Campus Borrowers’ card has been eliminated until further notice.

Required ID

To obtain an off-campus borrowers card you must be a resident of Nova Scotia, be 18 years of age or older, and provide proof of Nova Scotia residence with a current address. The Consortium reserves the right to revoke Off-Campus Borrower privileges.

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