Frequently Asked Questions

Collections

The holdings of the library are listed in the University of Toronto Libraries Catalogue. If you need assistance with looking up a title, please consult our staff at the circulation desk on the main floor.

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The general collection is arranged by Library of Congress Classification. Books in the A to G range are shelved on the second floor and books in the H to Z range are located on the ground floor. Reference collection is available in the reading room on the main floor. Please consult General Collections for more information regarding the scope of our holdings.

Current and back issues of magazines, or periodicals and scholarly journals are located on the second floor of the library. To search journals available in electronic format, please consult e-resources search on the main University of Toronto Libraries web site.

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The items in special collections are organized into finding aids which can also be searched.

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Specific items can be requested at the reference desk on the main floor. Upon retrieval, they can be consulted in the special collections reading room on the first floor and they do not circulate. The collections are available for use from 9:00 am until 4:45 pm Monday to Friday. Advance notice of at least 24 hours (1 business day) is required for all manuscript use. Retrievals take place at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm Monday to Friday.

About the Library

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The library is located on the Victoria University campus at 71 Queen’s Park Crescent East. The closest subway station is Museum.

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Please consult  General Information: Library Hours, as the hours of operation vary throughout the year. Extended hours begin before each exam period.

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While members of the public are welcome to use the librarys collections within the building, borrowing privileges are extended only to U of T students, staff and faculty who have a valid TCard, and to alumni of Victoria University. Access to workstations within the Information Commons, including printing and software, is restricted to U of T students, staff and faculty, and Victoria University alumni.

Photocopiers are available on the ground level adjacent to the student lounge, on the first level in the south end of the reading room behind the staircase, and on the second floor behind the elevator.

A printer is located next to the IT Support Desk on the main floor of the library, past the elevator.

Four scanners are located on the main floor, in the last row of South Information Commons. A standalone scanner is on the 2nd floor, in an alcove near the elevator and main stairway. It is a KIC Bookeye scanner, a powerful yet very easy to use machine. Instructions are available on the wall in the scanning area.

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Robert Farquharson Information Commons, located on the first floor of the library, has workstations equipped with software to assist with completion of assignments and essays. In addition, laptops are available at the circulation desk for use in the library.

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There are four group study areas in the library: two are located on the Queens Park Avenue level (located on the floor below the main level) and additional two study rooms are located on the second floor. One room is bookable for goups of five or more students. For more information, please conuslt our staff  at the circulation desk on the main floor for assistance.

The library has individual study carrels located on the first floor (in the reading room) and on the second floor. Additional study space is also available on the ground floor (located one floor below the first floor). Larger tables are available for use in the reading room.

A repository of past exams can be found on the main University of Toronto Libraries web site. A UTORid log in is required to view exams from previous years.

Research and Computing Assistance

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During the hours the library is open, come to the reference desk for help. Full-time staff are available to help you until 7:00 pm from Monday to Thursday and until 4:45 pm on Fridays during regular term hours. On the weekends, staff is on hand from opening hours until 6:00 pm. If you require extensive help in using the catalogue, or locating journal articles in your subject area, consider booking a session with a librarian.

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To make an appointment, please use the online reference form or drop by the reference desk on the main floor.

Our computing facility is divided into North and South Information Commons. They are all equipped with Internet Office computers. They offer Internet access, library catalogue, and electronic library resources as well as Microsoft Office and open source Office like suites (see complete listing on Information Commons).

Four workstations in the last row of South Information Commons include scanners, scanning software, Internet access and Microsoft Office (see complete listing on Information Commons).

North Information Commons is located in the front of the Circulation Desk on the main floor.

South Information Commons is located on the main floor past the elevator.

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Technical assistance is available at the IT Support Desk on the main floor. Our priority is providing assistance with any library software or hardware that appears to be malfunctioning and general support in utilizing information technology in the library.

Borrowing

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Information on obtaining a TCard, the photo ID student card used for borrowing books and accessing librarys services, can be found on the U of T Library web page.

Undergraduates may borrow up to 50 books at one time. Graduate students may borrow up to borrow 100 books at one time. See our loan periods to find out how long books are available to you.

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During opening hours, books can be left in the book drop located by the Inquiry Desk on the main floor. After hours, books should be left in the book drop at the outside entrance of the library. Materials from other libraries should be returned to the library from which they were borrowed.

Reserve or short-term loan books are available for a shorter loan period than other circulating books—generally two hours, one day or three days. All reserve or short-term loan books are located behind the circulation desk. Please look up the title of the book in the library catalogue and give the call number to staff working at the desk.

See also:
How Do I... for guidance on finding information, research, and writing.