Library Materials
AU Library’s collection is comprised of both electronic and physical materials such as books and audiovisual resources. The physical collection contains more than 140,000 items and there are in excess of 100,000 e-books and 50,000 unique journal titles in electronic form available to you. In addition, more than 240 databases, many which include the full text of articles, can also be accessed from the Library's Web site.
Requests for library materials or services can be made by e-mail, phone, fax, or mail, 24 hours a day. Responses to most requests are handled within 24 hours or by the next business day. Borrowed materials are normally mailed to your home address along with a return-mail card.
AU Library’s collection primarily supports AU courses and programs. In-house and electronic resources are used by AU students, faculty, and staff for reference and research purposes.
An active AU student who is registered in a course is entitled to:
Students outside of Canada and the USA can expect to access AU Library resources electronically. Some courses have required and/or supplemental components (e.g. videos, books, etc.) that are housed in the Library. Library Services will try to accommodate students registered in these courses. Please contact the Library if you have questions.
Supplementary Materials
University courses often require you to investigate material beyond the contents of your course materials package.
Some AU course Study Guides list "Supplementary Materials", which are intended to launch further investigation of various topics. Supplementary materials may include books, journal articles, or audiovisual materials, which may be useful to consult when completing your assignments and course projects. The supplementary materials referenced in your course materials package are usually available from the AU Library and you may request these materials by contacting the AU Library.
AU Library Website
The Library website is your gateway to online information. From the website you can access the Library catalogue (AUCAT), search commercial databases to which the Library subscribes, search AU student theses and projects, find help with researching topics, access RefWorks, a bibliographic management tool, and connect to selected freely available Internet resources.
Anyone may search AUCAT, however, subscription resources, such as journal databases and e-book collections, are normally licensed for use by AU students, faculty and staff. To log into a subscription resource, you should be prepared to enter your name and student ID number.
The Library website also provides access to selected library catalogues from Canadian public and academic libraries.
InterLibrary Loans
An interlibrary loan (ILL) involves one library borrowing materials from another on behalf of a library user. AU Library will provide ILL services for journal articles if you provide the Library staff with a complete bibliographic citation (author, title of article, name of journal, volume and issue number, year of publication, and page numbers) of the material requested. Allow sufficient time for the material to be ordered and received. Additional information about Interlibrary Loans can be found on the Library website: http://aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/screens/ill.html.
FAQs
How do I request materials from the Library?
You can contact the Library Information Desk in Athabasca in person or by e-mail, phone, fax, or mail. When making a request, please provide your full name, student ID number, the course name and number, and a daytime telephone number. You can also request library materials directly from the Library's online catalogue.
What is the loan period for materials borrowed from AU Library?
The standard loan period is four weeks. In some cases, materials reserved for specific courses will have an extended loan period. Reference materials and journals cannot be borrowed.
Does AU Library provide photocopy services?
Photocopies of requested journal articles and sections from non-circulating works will be made for students. Requests for copies of journal articles must include a complete bibliographic citation for each item requested.
Can I renew borrowed materials?
Borrowed materials may be renewed twice online, unless another user has requested the item. To do so, please go to the View Your Account page on the Library website. If you need additional renewals, please contact AU Library.
How are library materials sent to me?
Library materials are normally sent to your mailing address. The package will include a pre-addressed, return-mail card to accommodate the return of the materials to AU Library. You can also arrange to pick up or return library materials at the AU locations in Calgary or Edmonton. Arrangements for special delivery or courier of library materials will be made for you at your expense.
As an AU student, can I use other libraries?
Yes. Most libraries are open to the public on a walk-in basis, and most of their materials will be available for in-house use. AU Library participates in two reciprocal borrowing programs which allow in-person borrowing privileges for AU students, faculty, and staff. To learn more about these programs refer to the Library's Web site or contact the Library Information Desk.
What are the Library's hours of operation?
The AU Library Information Desk is open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MT).
How do I contact the Library when it is closed?
When the Library is closed, or if the phone lines are busy, you can leave a voice-mail message on the Library's phone system. The system accepts voice-mail messages at all times. You may also contact the Library Information Desk by e-mail or fax at any time. A staff member will usually respond to your call within 24 hours or by the next business day.
What online resources does the AU Library have?
AU Library subscribes to a substantial number of databases and e-book collections that can be accessed by AU students, faculty, and staff. A list of our online resources is provided on the Library's Web site.
What if I have difficulty connecting to a database?
If you encounter difficulties connecting to a database or other electronic resource, please contact the Library for assistance.
How do I learn to use a database?
AU Library has created a number of tutorials geared towards helping students learn how to search Library resources. These can be found in the Help Centre. Library catalogues and online databases have similar structures: both can be searched by author, title, subject, or keyword. In addition, most databases have Help files that give tips on the most effective ways to search the particular database. If you encounter problems or have questions, please contact the Library.
How do I learn research skills?
The Help Centre on AU Library’s website can provide you with a number of resources that will help you develop research skills. Some of the basic steps include:
- Decide on a research topic, and broaden or narrow your topic as necessary.
- Develop a search strategy.
- Do a literature search.
- Critically evaluate your search results based on currency, relevancy, and authority (of the author).
- Gather the needed material.
- Write the paper, and rewrite as necessary.
- Cite all sources of information using an appropriate bibliographic style.
What is a bibliographic style?
A bibliographic style is a standardized method of citing and inserting quotations and preparing footnotes or endnotes. It also includes presenting a reference list or bibliography of works consulted in the process of preparing your research paper. The three bibliographic styles commonly used by academic writers are the American Psychological Association (APA) Publication Manual, the Modern Language Association (MLA) Style Guide, and The Chicago Manual of Style. Examples of each of these styles can be found in the Help Centre under "Citing & Referencing".
You must always cite the source of any information you use or refer to in your research papers. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism. AU Library has copies of the style guides listed above. If you are unsure of which style to use, check with your tutor or learning facilitator.
Does AU Library impose fines for overdue material?
No, the Library does not impose fines for overdue materials. However, you are encouraged to return your materials in good time or request to renew them. If you do not return your borrowed materials to the Library, you will eventually be invoiced for any outstanding items. Non-return of library materials may prevent you from registering in other courses or from receiving other AU services such as your grades or transcripts.
Contacts and Online Resources
Athabasca University Library
1 University Drive
Athabasca, AB Canada
T9S 3A3
800.788.9041 (ext. 3-1-6254) Canada/US
780.675.6254 Other
403.263.6465 (ext. 3-1-6254) in Calgary
780.421.8700 (ext. 3-1-6254) in Edmonton
Fax: 780.675.6477
library@athabascau.ca
Study skills resources - annotated bibliography of selected books.
Interlibrary Loan Office
800.788.9041 (ext. 3-1-6251)
American Psychological Association (APA) Publication Manual
Modern Language Association (MLA)
MLA Bookstore
The Chicago Manual of Style
