Introduction

Course & Assignment Manual

Study Guide

Assignment Resources

AU Resources

Site Map

Library Services

The Athabasca University Library collection contains more than 140,000 books, numerous periodical titles, and audiovisual resources. The AU Library subscribes to more than 100 online databases, providing full–text access to selected articles from more than 20,000 journals.

The Athabasca University Library’s collection primarily supports AU courses and programs. Materials found in the print and electronic collections are available for use by Athabasca University students, faculty, and staff for reference and research purposes.

Requests for library materials or services can be made by email, phone, fax, or postal mail, 24 hours a day. Responses to most requests are handled within 24 hours or by the end of the next business day. Materials on loan to students are normally mailed to the student’s home address along with a return–mail card.

Core Services to Students

Athabasca University students who are registered in a course are entitled to the following library privileges:

• borrow library materials

• search the Library’s online catalogue (AUCAT)

• access resources through the Library’s website

• receive library instruction and research assistance

• request interlibrary loan (ILL) services for journal articles and book chapters

Digital Resources

Access to online journal databases, the Digital Reference Centre (DRC), and the Digital Reading Room (DRR) is available from Athabasca University Library’s main Web page (http://library.athabascau.ca). Tips on searching the journal databases and help with researching, writing, and citing (referencing) is available from the Help Centre (http://library.athabascau.ca/help.php).

Supplementary Materials

Athabasca University courses often require students to investigate material beyond the content of the course materials package. Some Athabasca University course Study Guides list “Supplementary Materials” or “Supplementary Readings,” 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 assignments and course projects. The supplementary materials referenced in your course materials package are usually available from Athabasca University Library or from your local library. Contact the Athabasca University Library to request materials.

How the Library Gateway Works

The Library Website (http://library.athabascau.ca) contains the Library’s online catalogue (AUCAT). It also serves as the gateway to other online information. The Website provides links to journal databases and other subscribed online resources, as well as selected publicly accessible Internet sites. Subscribed resources are available to Athabasca University students. You will be required to enter your first and last names as your username, and your student ID number as your password.

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. Athabasca University Library will request photocopies of journal articles and book chapters through Interlibrary Loans 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) for the requested item. You are not required to return these items to us. Allow sufficient time for the material to be ordered and received. More information on the Interlibrary Loan process is available on the Library Website at http://aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/screens/ill.html.

Contacts

Athabasca University Library
1 University Drive
Athabasca AB T9S 3A3 Canada

Library Website: http://library.athabascau.ca
Email: library@athabascau.ca