This article was written by freelance contributor Alexis Kelly

Online learning has inevitably changed the way we study. So while we can’t enter those automatic doors and hear the strange screeching in our headphones as we pass through the security gates (Pro tip: take those out when you pass through those doors) or study in our favourite library spots, the library still has free and accessible sources for research support.

This article provides a concise rundown of library services available to students during this time of online study. Get ready for tons of info and links to help you with your online studies.

Photo Credit: FWBA Architects

1. Anderson Hall Pickup

If you’re still residing in Lethbridge, the library is providing lending services for select collections for pick-up at Anderson Hall (AH176).

Locate what material you want in the catalogue or summon and hit the “request” button in the item record. You will receive an email from the library when the item is available for pickup.

Photo Credit: @ulethlibrary (Instagram)

Hours for remote pickup: https://www.uleth.ca/lib/hours/

2. Mailing Library Materials

If you do not live in Lethbridge the library can mail to you if you reside outside a 90km radius from Lethbridge and reside in Canada.

Books: locate a circulation item in Summon or the Catalogue and select the “Request” button.

Media: If you are requesting media such as a DVD, select “Book” or “Book This Material.”

Make sure to enter “Distance” in the special instructions.

Packages will typically mail within 2 business days. However, how long it takes to arrive will depend on the postal system and the length of travel. Return postage is provided, so do not throw out the package or the return label included within the package.

Normal loan rules will apply based on your patron category: https://library.ulethbridge.ca/Borrowing_Packages

For more details, or if you have any more questions, contact the Library Services Desk (gsd.library@uleth.ca).

3. Interlibrary Loans

An interlibrary loan (ILL) typically obtains materials unavailable from the University of Lethbridge Library and are required for research or study. This service is available to faculty, students, and staff at the university.

The ILL team is filling both copy (journal articles or book chapters) and print requests. They are able to mail some printed resources to patrons as they are able, per the mailing material information above. 

4. Online Assistance Services

The online assistance encompasses messaging (https://www.ulethbridge.ca/lib/Ask_Us/), texting (780.666.4622), and email submissions (irad.library@uleth.ca ). You can also leave a voicemail at the desk’s phone (403-329-2263)

Sometimes an email or instant message isn’t quite enough, so if you have Microsoft Teams installed, you can be connected with Research Help and have a face-to-face conversation or share screens.

If you have a more complex question specific to your field of study, you can contact your subject librarian, who specializes in particular disciplines: https://library.ulethbridge.ca/about_Us/subject-librarians

You can find Online Assistance Services hours at https://www.ulethbridge.ca/lib/hours/index.asp but generally, they are:

Monday-Thursday: 10 am – 7 pm

Friday: 10 am – 4 pm

Saturday: 10 am – 2 pm

Sunday and Holidays: Closed

5. Other Resources

A consolidated list of online learning resources can be found at https://library.ulethbridge.ca/Online_Resources.

Research Guides: www.uleth.ca/lib (click on “guides”)

The library YouTube channel (youtube.com/user/ulethbridgelibrary) has many online training videos to help you from how to use the library website to Adobe basics and more!

The library keeps their social media up to date with the latest information: follow them on your preferred platform!

Instagram: @ulethlibrary

Facebook: facebook.com/ulethlibrary

Twitter: @ulethlibrary

If you have any more questions, you can contact the library or check out their FAQ page (https://library.ulethbridge.ca/covid-19).

So, while we can’t study in the bean bag chairs in the Curriculum Lab, in the quiet spots on floor 9, or use study rooms for our group projects; I hope that through this list of resources you can still get the materials and assistance you need for your classes this semester.

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