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Killam Library McNab Reading Room Closed January 29 to March 16

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Please note, as part of the Killam Library Deep Energy Retrofit, the McNab Reading Room and Upper Learning Commons on the second floor of the Killam will be closed from January 29 until March 16, 2024.

We apologize for the inconvenience. Students are encouraged to find alternative study space at the Killam or any of our other Halifax campus locations:

 

Try 3D Printing in the Killam Library Learning Commons

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3D printing is now available to all in the Killam Learning Commons! This pilot project, the goal of which is to incorporate 3D printing as a regular service to patrons at a low cost, is the first of its kind at Dal. [Note: As of September 2014, the price of 3D printing is 8 cents per gram. 3D printing is available at four Dal Libraries locations: Killam, Kellogg, MacRae, and Sexton.]

 

These models each took about an hour to print. The dental mould has applications for dentistry students, while the Taj Mahal model could be useful to theatre students building sets. (Bruce Bottomley photo)

3D printing is the process of creating physical objects by building layers of quickly-hardening material one on top of the other. This technology has been around since the 1980s, used mostly by engineers and industry designers. The popularity of 3D printing has grown outside of these disciplines thanks to the efforts of the 3D printer hobbyist community, who have made it cheaper and more accessible.

The 3D printer in action at the Learning Commons Help Desk in the Killam Library. (Bruce Bottomley photo)

 

For this project, Dalhousie Libraries is using a Makerbot Replicator 3D Printer. Users will be able to print their 3D models by sending an STL file to the Help Desk through Filedrop to the address 3Dprinting@dal.ca.

You can create STL files by using 3D modelling programs such as SolidEdge or Google SketchUp. If you don’t have any 3D modelling experience, take a look at Thingiverse.com. Thingiverse has a number of STL files free for download, so check it out and see if there’s anything you want to print.

 

A close-up of the printer building a model. (Bruce Bottomley photo)

 

For more information, visit the 3D printer page on the Dalhousie Libraries website and read the feature story in the Dal News.

3D Printing and Scanning Pilot Project Closer to Launch

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3D printing and scanning for the Dalhousie community is only a few weeks away! SIM students Michael Groenendyk and Riel Gallant have been hard at work testing this service to make it user-ready for the pilot project slated to be set up in the main Killam Learning Commons in May.

3D printing has been around for decades, but only recently has it become accessible to larger audiences thanks to hobbyists and the RepRap project. 3D scanning has also increased in popularity, gaining momentum as the technology improves and becomes more affordable. Dalhousie Libraries’ new Makerbot Replicator and NextEngine 3D scanner will offer you the opportunity to explore this revolutionary technology, and prepare us all for a future shaped by 3D printing.

Here’s a little preview of what’s coming!

Killam Learning Commons Closure

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On Wednesday, December 21 the South Learning Commons in the Killam Library will be CLOSED to the public until 10 am. This is to allow Custodial Services to clean and polish the floors.

For Help Desk assistance please see staff at the Circulation Desk. Hardware Services and the Atlantic Research Data Centre will be unavailable until 10 am.

We apologize for any inconvenience!

Killam Holiday Hours

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Wednesday Dec. 21:   8 am – 6 pm
Thursday Dec. 22:       8 am – 6 pm
Friday Dec.23:              8 am – 12 pm
Saturday Dec. 24:        CLOSED
Sunday Dec. 25:          CLOSED
Monday Dec. 26:         CLOSED
Tuesday Dec.27:          CLOSED
Wednesday Dec. 28:   10 am – 6 pm
Thursday Dec. 29:       10 am – 6 pm
Friday Dec. 30:            CLOSED
Saturday Dec. 31:        CLOSED

Sunday Jan.1, 2012:    CLOSED
Monday Jan. 2, 2012:  CLOSED

Regular hours resume on Tuesday January 3, 2012.

Hours for all Dal Libraries

Dal Night Owls: Study Til 3am at the Killam!

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Midnight to 3am
Sunday through Thursday
October 30 – December 20, 2011
Valid Dalhousie or King’s ID required





Stressing about finals? Need more late night study time? We hear you!

Beginning Sunday October 30th, the Learning Commons in the Killam Library will remain open after midnight, Sundays through Thursdays, until the last day of exams. Extended hours apply to the Learning Commons and atrium only. The Help Desk, Circulation Desk, and upper library floors will close at midnight.

AFTER MIDNIGHT

  • Access is restricted to current Dalhousie or University of King’s College students with a valid DalCard.
  • A swipe reader is located at the University Ave. entrance. All students must swipe their DalCard to gain access.
  • Students already in the Learning Commons/atrium at midnight will be required to swipe their DalCard in a mobile card reader as requested by Library staff.
  • The second-fifth floors of the library will CLOSE at midnight and students will be required to move to the Learning Commons or exit the building.


PARKING / SAFETY

  • To improve safety, the McCain Building Parkade across from LeMarchant Street will offer FREE parking from midnight until 3am, Sundays through Thursdays, until the last day of exams.*
  • If you’re walking or biking, consider becoming “study buddies” with friends or classmates who live near you, and head home together.

*The McCain Parkade is the main parking area for events at the Arts Centre each evening and a fee will be charged if you park there before midnight. After midnight, parking is free of charge until the Learning Commons closes at 3am.

Extended Hours at Killam for Dal Night Owls

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Stressing about finals? Need more late night study time? We hear you!

Starting Sunday March 6 and continuing through April 27, use your DalCard to access Dal Night Owls extended hours in the Killam Learning Commons and Atrium. Dal Night Owls runs Sundays through Thursdays, from midnight to 3am. Please note that extended hours apply to the Learning Commons/Atrium only. The Help Desk, Circulation Desk, and upper library floors (2nd to 5th) will close at midnight.

Access is restricted to current Dalhousie or University of King’s College students with a valid DalCard. Just swipe your card through the reader at the main University Avenue entrance. Students already in the Learning Commons/Atrium at midnight will need to swipe their DalCard in a mobile card reader as requested by Library staff.

Free parking in the McCain Parkade* will also be available throughout Dal Night Owls extended hours. If you’re walking or biking, remember to stay safe by travelling with “study buddies” — friends or classmates who live in your area.

For more information on Dal Night Owls, please contact the Killam Circulation Desk at 494-3617. Good luck with your studies!

*The McCain Parkade is the main parking area for events at the Arts Centre. A fee will be charged if you park prior to midnight. After midnight, parking is free of charge until the Learning Commons closes at 3 am.

Killam LC Hours Extended for Dal Night Owls

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Stressing about finals? Need more late night study time? We hear you!

Starting November 1st and continuing through December 19th, use your DalCard to access Dal Night Owls extended hours in the Killam Learning Commons and Atrium, Sundays through Thursdays, from midnight to 3am. Extended hours apply to the Learning Commons/Atrium only. The Help Desk, Circulation Desk, and upper library floors (2nd to 5th) will close at midnight.

Access is restricted to current Dalhousie or University of King’s College students with a valid DalCard. Just swipe your DalCard through a reader installed at the main University Avenue entrance. Students already in the Learning Commons/Atrium at midnight will be required to swipe their DalCard in a mobile card reader as requested by Library staff.

Free parking in the McCain Parkade* will also be available throughout Dal Night Owls extended hours. If you are walking or biking, remember to stay safe by travelling with “study buddies” — friends or classmates who live in your area.

For more information on Dal Night Owls extended hours, please contact the Killam Circulation Desk at 494-3617. Good luck with your studies!

*The McCain Parkade is the main parking area for events at the Arts Centre. A fee will be charged if you park prior to midnight. After midnight, parking is free of charge until the Learning Commons closes at 3 am.

Book Scanner Trial Take 3

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We’re testing a third and final book scanner in the Killam Learning Commons. So far the feedback we’ve gotten suggests it’s more user-friendly than the previous models, but please try it out for yourself and let us know!

It has an email function which has not yet been activated but we’re working on it and will keep you posted.

Study Coaching for Dal Night Owls

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Midnight – 3 am, April 5 – 8
Writing Centre Office
Main Learning Commons
Killam Library

Dal Night Owls in need of a little extra help preparing for exams will be able to use the services of Studying For Success staff in the Killam Learning Commons next week between midnight and 3 am. General study coaching will be available April 5-8 and Chemistry coaching April 5 and 7. Just go to the Writing Centre Office at the back of the main Learning Commons.

Vikki Walker, Chemistry Study Coach, will be on hand to help students on April 5th and April 7th. Vikki can help with Chemistry in particular, but also with any general study skills problems.

Melanie Farrimond, Coordinator, Studying for Success, Student Academic Success Services, will be available April 6th and 8th for general study skills questions, exam anxiety questions, etc.

Good luck with your work!