Services & Facilities

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Library Mission Statement

The Library's mission is to provide educational collections and technologies, access to information resources, instruction, facilities, and services that foster and enrich learning, and to provide leadership in shaping an environment that contributes fundamentally to student success and to the mission of Capilano University.

Collections

The Library's holdings include over 117,000 books, over 400 print periodical titles, nearly 4,000 electronic periodical titles, 5,000 videos, 50 periodical indexes and full-text databases, as well as DVDs, CDs and LPs. We also collect government publications, annual reports, maps and pamphlets. To recommend material for the collection, submit an online request at Recommend Purchases.

Equipment

Audio Visual Equipment

Video viewing stations as well as CD players, cassette players and record players, a high-speed tape duplication machine and slide/tape machines are located at study stations in the AV Services area. Videos, VCRs and monitors; computer and slide projectors; digital cameras; and other audio visual equipment may be booked in advance for classroom and presentation use. Book in person at AV Services or use the online AV Equipment/Services Request Form. Instruction in using audio-visual equipment is available upon request. for more information, see Audio Visual Services.

Computers

Refer to the Computer Labs page.

Copiers

Refer to the Printing & Copying page.

Special Needs

  • Adjustable study tables are located throughout the Library.
  • A CCTV machine is available in the Audio Visual Services area for students who need to enlarge text or graphic materials for easier reading/viewing.
  • The Computer Learning Centre (CLC) has an adaptive computer workstation for people with disabilities, equipped with adjustable table heights, voice recognition software, large monitor and large print options, and Braille printing.
  • Students with visual disabilities can obtain books and other materials in special print, Braille or audio-tape format. These are requested by the Library from the BC College and Institute Library Services (CILS) - an agency that provides information services in alternate formats for BC post-secondary students with print disabilities. Students requiring the service should contact the University's Disability Services Advisor at Local 7504 once admitted to a program as provision of alternate format material requires considerable lead time.

History & Building

For an historical perspective of the evolution of Capilano University Library, see this brief history.  The library building represents the integration of a new 3 story structure and a renovated single story building. The building was designed by Henriquez and Partners and was opened officially on October 21, 1993. For more information about the construction and architectural features of the building, refer to this online overview or, for more detail, see this publication which is available in the Library.

Interlibrary Loans (Information: 604.984.1769; Status of Requests: 604.984.4944 Local 2107)

Books, journals and videos not held by the Library may be borrowed from other BC libraries. This service is free, although the Library is charged for each transaction. We therefore ask that you request only course related materials and that you restrict the number of loan requests to 5 per assignment. Link to the Interlibrary Loans page for self-serve options.

Online Access

Access to periodical indexes and full text databases from off-campus locations requires a current student or faculty ID number and may necessitate browser customization. Contact the Reference Desk at 604.984.1769 for logon details.

Regional Centres (Squamish & Sunshine Coast campuses)

Sunshine Coast campus has an information resource centre with a limited reference and circulating collection. Both Sunshine Coast and Squamish campuses offer telephone reference service to the North Vancouver Library campus and computers for online access to the library catalogue, periodical indexes and full-text databases. Using the library web, Regional Centre students can also order material online using Intercampus Loans or Interlibrary Loans.

Services

Audio Visual Services (604.984.1783)

Videos, VCRs and monitors, slide and computer projectors, digital cameras and other audio-visual equipment may be booked in advance for classroom or project use. Book in person at AV Services or use the online AV Equipment/Services Request Form. Technical assistance is available for University projects including photography (studio and copystand); colour laser printing and colour photocopying; CD burning; slide and flatbed scanning; laminating; digital downloading; and audio and video duplication. Supplies available for purchase include audio and video tapes, disks, and CDs. Materials being copied or shown in the classroom must comply with copyright rules.
Contact Kathleen Cosgrove, AV Services Supervisor (Local 2113) for more information.

The University subscribes to a Feature Film License for Public Performance Rights that allows most feature films to be shown at the university.  Films covered by this license must be included in one of the following databases:
           Criterion Pictures
           Audio Cine Films

Circulation Services (604.984.4944 Option #2)

Services include loan information and general inquiries; check-out and return of library materials; fines, holds and renewals; lost and found; handling of reserve materials and interlibrary Loans; and provision of course materials for the visually impaired. See also Interlibrary Loans.

Computer Learning Centre (CLC)

Microcomputer lab for general use. Also provides instructional services to students including introduction to word-processing on the PC, setting up of student email and moodle accounts, solutions to wireless, hardware and software problems, assistance with programs on the network and general computer information. Refer to the CLC page for more information about the Centre or to the Computer Labs page for more information about computer access.

Reference Services (604.984.1769)

Librarians are available during library opening hours to assist students with individual research requests and to teach and encourage research self-sufficiency. Students receive a library orientation and basic research methods class during first year English, Psychology and Communications courses. Other courses often include subject-specific library research classes when requested by individual instructors. Research Guides, with particular reference to our collection are available online or in print format (located in a display case next to the Reference Desk). See also Interlibrary Loans.

Study Facilities

The Library has over 350 study spaces on two floors, including individual carrels, group-study tables, couches and window-view counter space. Generally, the main floor of the Library is a designated area for 'quiet' study (low noise) and the 2nd floor is reserved for 'silent' study (no noise or conversation). Food is only permitted if it is in closable containers and is not messy or odorous. In order to ensure the Library remains a clean, quiet, and pleasant place to study, we appreciate your adherence to these policies.

The Library also has a 35-seat Library Classroom (Lb119) which is sometimes available for groups on a drop-in basis when not in use for library instruction or university business.

Bookable Study Rooms

In addition to the main study areas, there are 4 group study rooms available for booking by current CapU students - Rms 204 (cap. 2-4), 205 (cap. 2-4), 206 (cap. 4-8) and 212 (cap. 4-12). Rooms can be booked in person at the Library front desk or by phone at 604-986-1911 x3066. The following rules are applied to all room bookings:

  • Rooms are for current students and employees only. Valid CapU ID must be shown or student number given for booking. 
  • Bookings can be made a max. 14 days in advance.
  • Rooms can be booked/used by groups of 2 or more only. Single students are asked to use the individual study spaces available throughout the library.
  • Bookings can be made for a maximum of 2 hours and 1/day. This is per group, not per student.
  • Rooms are considered free 15 minutes after the beginning of the booked period if no group member has arrived to claim the room.


Although the Library's facilities are open to everyone, note that study rooms and computer equipment are to be used for curriculum related activities only. Where there are time limits on the use of equipment or rooms, please respect the rights of others to use those facilities during their time period. Refer to the Capilano University Policies page for more information on appropriate use of facilities and microcomputers.