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Distance, Regional and Open Learning

Distance, Regional, and Open Learning Library Services

These services support TRU students, faculty, and staff enrolled in or teaching distance or open learning courses, as well as those studying or teaching at TRU regional centres (such as Lillooet and Clearwater). For details on accessing the library, getting research help, requesting materials, and exploring our services, use the tabs above.

To find books, articles, and other resources, use the Discovery Search on the library homepage.

Please note: To access library resources off campus, please use your TRU network username and password.

 Library Accounts

Students

New open learning and regional students are loaded into the library system weekly. If you register for another TRU-OL course, you may need to contact the Library to have your account reactivated. If you have not received an email activating your account or if your account has expired, please contact the Library.

Open Learning Faculty, Course Developer and Consultant Contracts

Request an account or an account renewal by contacting the Library.

Please include your TRU employee number if you have one.

 Accessing Library Resources

Use your TRU network username and password to access library resources while off campus and to request items through our Interlibrary Loans service.

  • Students: the username and password that you use to access the Wi-Fi, Moodle and computers on campus.
  • Faculty: the network username and password that you use to log into Moodle or TRU email.

 Using other Libraries

TRU is part of the Canadian Academic Libraries Resource Sharing Agreement (CAL-RSA) and CPSLD Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement for BC Institutions, which allows students, staff, and faculty to have in-person borrowing privileges at most public university libraries across Canada and public colleges in BC.

Contact us for research help by online form or our toll-free phone number (1-800-663-1699). We are here to help you!

You can also check out our Library Research 101: Research at a Distance Guide for help.

You can request articles, book chapters, books, or videos from the TRU Library by phone, email, or, preferably, using Discovery's "Request this Item" feature (for books). 

If the TRU Library does not own the item that you require, we will try to get it for you from another library via our interlibrary loan (ILL service). The Library will not request required textbooks via interlibrary loan.

The TRU Library tries to send library materials as soon as possible after a request is received, usually within one business day. However, please allow a minimum of 7 days to receive books/videos. Some items in high demand may be in use or unavailable when requested. Please indicate in your request whether you will accept a substitution the same topic.

Please note: This service is to support research and study at TRU. Please place requests for personal reading materials with your public library.

 Articles and Book Chapters

  • Copies are sent to you via email. They do not need to be returned to the Library.
  • Check Discover to see if you can access the article or book online via one of our electronic journals or ebooks.
  • Use Discovery's "Request this Item" feature or our online forms to request an article or a book chapter. If you can't find the article or book in Discovery, use our online interlibrary loan form.
  • TIP: If you're looking for a book chapter, search Discovery for the book title, not the chapter title.

 Books and Videos

  • Sent to you via Canada XpressPost, unless you prefer to pick them up in person at a TRU Library (Brown Family House of Learning or Williams Lake Campus Library).
  • Includes a bookmark stating the due date.
  • Includes a pre-paid return mailing label so that any items can be returned to the TRU Library at no cost to you.
    • Please note:You are responsible for returning materials to the TRU Library on or before the due date. We recommend that the item is in the mail at least 3 business days before the due date to ensure that materials are received by the TRU Library in time. Overdue fines are charged on late materials.
  • The TRU Library does not provide required textbooks.
  • Unfortunately, the TRU Library cannot send any books/videos to anyone outside of Canada or the US.
    • Check Discover to see if the book is available online via one of our ebooks.
  • Use Discovery's "Request this item" feature to request a book, CD, or video. If you can't find the book in Discovery, use our online interlibrary loan form.

 Loan Periods, Fines and Recalls

Item Loans and Loan Periods
Category Items Loan Period Notes
Faculty, staff, and students Books, audiovisual, software, and government documents 6 months No renewals
Course readings 2 hours, 1 day or 3 day No renewals
Interlibrary loans Interlibrary Loans: 8 weeks 1 renewal for specific libraries only, and loan lengths may be shorter depending on lending library
A/V equipment 7 days No renewals. Current, local students only on a first-come, first-served basis.
Laptops 1 semester No renewals. Current, local students only on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fines and Recalls

Please note: Users with Library accounts owing $10 or more will be unable to checkout items. Fines may also affect the ability to register for courses, order transcripts, or graduate.

Library Fines and Fees
Item Fine
Lost or damaged items Fine to be determined per item
Course readings $2.00 per hour
A/V equipment $2.00 per day
Laptops $20.00 per day
Items borrowed from other libraries (Interlibrary Loans) $2.00 per day
Items that have been recalled for other patrons $2.00 per day

Due date reminders:

The library emails reminders to patrons three days and one day before items are due.

Overdue reminders:

The Library emails notices when items are overdue. If an item has not been returned or renewed within 21 days, it is assumed lost, and patrons will be billed.

Fines Payment Options

  • In person: Interac (debit card) or VISA or Mastercard (credit card)
  • By phone: VISA or Mastercard (credit card)

To discuss a fine or other charges please contact the library.

Recalls

When someone borrows an item you would like, you can still request it. This will trigger an email to the person who has the item, instructing them to return it to the Library by a certain date. When the recalled item becomes available, you will receive an email.

Please note: items that have been recalled are due 1 week after the recall request is placed. Fines will be assessed at $2 per day for recalled items that are returned late.

 Services for Students

  • Access to all TRU Library's online resources (e.g., eBooks and article databases)
  • Research/Reference assistance from a librarian to find information on a particular topic or for assistance on how to use library tools (such as article databases) more effectively.
  • Email you copies of book chapters and articles from journals, magazines, or newspapers
  • Loan of any circulating item in the TRU Library collection and delivery of library materials (e.g., books and videos) to your home or workplace with prepaid return shipping labels included
    • Please note: Not available to students living outside of Canada and the US.
  • Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service for journal/magazine articles, books, and videos that are not in the TRU library's collection. (Excludes required textbooks)

 Services for Faculty

  • Access to all TRU Library's online resources (e.g., eBooks and article databases)
  • Research/Reference assistance from a librarian to find information on a particular topic or for assistance on how to use library tools (such as article databases) more effectively.
  • Email you copies of book chapters and articles from journals, magazines, or newspapers
  • Loan of any circulating item in the TRU Library collection and delivery of library materials (e.g., books, and videos) to your home or workplace via Priority Post
    • Please note: Not available to faculty living outside of Canada and the US.
  • Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service for journal/magazine articles and books that are not in the TRU library's collection.
  • Provide advice and assistance on integrating information literacy skills into course/program curriculum.
  • Conduct in-depth literature searches to identify journal articles and books on selected topics
  • Offer advice on the effective use of library resources to support teaching, learning, and research.
  • Check recommended/required reading lists against library holdings for specific course assignments
  • Provide ideas for avoiding or minimizing frustration of students when they need library services to complete their assignments
  • Offer information literacy instruction to your students to teach them the skills and abilities they need to become "information literate," life-long learners. These skills and abilities, which are more than simply "how to search the catalogue and article databases," will enable students to complete their research assignments more effectively and efficiently.
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