Menu

The LibVine

What's going on at Dalhousie Libraries

Archives for services

Go Online with Your Reading List: New eReserves Service for Faculty

Make course-related articles and book chapters available electronically to your students in OWL (BbLearn ) . The Dalhousie Libraries are offering faculty a new service that started in May: an option to have links to licensed e-content added to your reading lists and uploaded to OWL (BbLearn) by one of the Dal Libraries’ Circulation staff, with copyright clearance obtained if necessary.

You can do this online via the Reserve page on our website.

  • Go to the Reserves page and select the appropriate library submission form
  • Login and fill in the brief course particulars
  • Choose “Upload Reading List for New OWL” (you still have the option to fill out our regular form for “In-Library Reserves” if you don’t want your list annotated and added to your OWL (BbLearn) course)

And that’s it! Once you’ve submitted your list, Libraries’ staff will create persistent URLs for electronic items and post the list to OWL (BbLearn) for you.

We work with paper as well! We’ll seek copyright clearance for print material—articles and book chapters—through our Intellectual Property Assistant and then scan and upload the items into OWL (BbLearn). If we’re not able to obtain copyright clearance, the material will be placed on Reserve at the Circulation Desk of your selected library and you will be notified of this change.

By offering this service the Libraries are hoping to build new partnerships with faculty, meet the students where they are, and provide quick and reliable access to library resources. We also hope you find it useful!

Note: Please allow at least 2 weeks for your reading lists to be processed. For further information or to get started, please contact:

New Reference Service Model for Killam

Beginning this September, the Killam Library will be implementing a new reference service model.

The existing Reference Desk in the South Learning Commons will be removed and replaced with two new distinct service points: an Information Desk in the lobby and a Research Assistance area in the North Learning Commons.

The Information Desk will be highly visible to users as they enter the library, and will function as the first point of contact for students and scholars who require directional assistance, referral, and answers to quick questions. The new Research Assistance area will provide a place to get in-depth assistance for research activities.

Creating an area dedicated to research assistance should increase the quality of reference service at the Killam Library. In the Research Assistance area, students and scholars will benefit by getting more uninterrupted time receiving help with their work. Our service providers will be able to focus on your queries without having to also handle directional and “quick ref” questions.

This new two-tiered model will help us achieve our vision of a flexible reference service that prioritizes our users’ information and research needs, while building relationships and creating appropriate spaces for these interactions.

QR Codes Mobilize Dal Libraries


At Dalhousie Libraries, we like to play with innovative technology. Right now we’re placing QR codes in key spots to help you find what you’re looking for, using your smartphone.

QR (Quick Response) codes are barcodes that you scan with your mobile phone or laptop computer. When you scan a QR code, a web page will open directing you to more information on the service you’re looking for. Originally developed by Toyota in 1994 to help them track vehicle parts, these pixelated squares have all kinds of uses. For example, if you’re trying to book a study room in the Killam or Kellogg library, take a photo with your iPhone or Blackberry’s QR Reader to see if the room is available and book it on the spot. The recent launch of iPad 2, with its excellent choice of e-readers and snappy new built-in camera, inspired us to start adding QR codes to books in the Killam which we also have in digital form.

Look for QR codes:

  • on the Study Room doors at Killam and Kellogg
  • at the Killam and Sexton Reference Desks
  • on the Floorplans board across from the Killam Ref Desk
  • on the Killam LC at a Glance signs
  • on the covers of random books on the Killam shelves

To scan a QR code, download a QR reader. We recommend i-nigma for your iPhone, but there are many different QR apps for whatever mobile device you use. Try these codes for yourself and see how they work!

Scan this code to book a room in the Kellogg Library

Scan this code to book a room in the Kellogg Library

Scan this code to see available computers in the Killam Library's South Learning Commons

Scan this code to see available computers in the Killam Library

The possibilities for using QR codes are limited only by your imagination. How about posting a code for library hours on residence bulletin boards? Or a code for the Chemistry Subject Guide right in the Chemistry Department? Do you have any suggestions on what Dal Libraries QR codes you might find useful? Reply to this post and let us know. We’re waiting to see what ideas you have!

Library Accessibility Services

The Mark A Hill Accessibility Centre is located just outside the Killam Library at 6227 University Avenue (call 494-2836 to reach them). All four of the Dal Libraries also offer many services for students, faculty and staff with mobility, visual and other disabilities, including retrieval of materials, photocopying, and bookable adaptive workstations. Find out more on our Accessibility Services page.

The mezzanine level of the Kellogg Library and the Canadian Primary Sources room on the main floor of the Law library are the only floors that are not accessible to people with mobility issues. But have you found any other parts of the libraries inaccessible or thought of an accessibility service we ought to provide? Please tell us!

Borrow Anywhere Return Anywhere Survey

Libraries Nova Scotia would like your feedback about the Borrow Anywhere, Return Anywhere (BARA) pilot project. Available since September 28, 2009, this project allows Nova Scotians to borrow materials from any university, college or public library in the province and return these materials to the library of their choice.

Your feedback is critical in helping Libraries Nova Scotia to determine whether or not this service should be made permanent.

Please take a few minutes to complete the short BARA survey.

Survey results, which are anonymous, will be received and collated by Nova Scotia Provincial Library. Thank you for your feedback!

Improvements to Killam Learning Commons

In order to integrate and streamline technical services, the Computer Help Desk and Hardware Services are being moved from the basement of the Killam Library into the South Learning Commons on the main floor.

Construction work will begin on August 10th 2009 and is scheduled to continue through the summer. We apologize for any noise and inconvenience, but we’re sure you’ll really appreciate the end result!

Charge Killam Library Services to Your Research Account

You can now use an online form to purchase a print/copy card using your research account, or to charge GIS Centre services (map plotting etc.) to your research account. Simply print off and complete the form and bring it with you when you come to the library.

Links to the form can be found on the following pages of our website website:
Borrowing From Dalhousie Libraries
Photocopying, Printing & Copyright
Map Collection Services