Welcome

Welcome to the Lakehead University Libraries. The librarians and staff in the library system are here to help you. Please don’t hesitate to ask us questions at any time, in person or by e-mail, phone, or online chat.

As a foreign student studying in another culture and educational system, you may notice differences conducting library research in Canada compared to your home country. This guide will introduce you to various policies and helpful tips about how to do research in our libraries.

Canadian Library Systems

Most Canadian academic libraries use an "open stack" system. This means that you have full access to the books and other items. Library staff can assist you in choosing what to look for, but you will go to the different floors in the library and find the items on the shelves. You need, therefore, to learn how to use the Library Catalogue, to find call numbers and other location information. Usually, books on the same subject are shelved together, so writing down one call number will lead to a section with books on a similar subject.

E-resources are also a key part of doing research. More and more databases, government data, and journal articles are available online and are accessible off campus as well. We can show you how to quickly access and search these databases and other resources to make your research a bit easier.

If you have questions or need assistance in using the library, please do not hesitate to ask. Library staff are available to help you identify information and can show you, step by step, how to find books and other materials.

Finding Items in the Library

You can find books and journals on the shelves in the Library. They are arranged according to their call numbers in alphabetical and numerical order. The Library catalogue lists key information you need to actually find the book: the call number, location (for example, books starting with the letter A through L are on the 3rd Floor, M through Z are on the 4th Floor), and if the book is available or on loan.

Course reserves are listed in your MyCourseLink course page and hard copy items are available from the library. For these items, write down the call number and ask library staff for it at the library where it is located. Course reserves usually have short loan periods (for example 2 hours or 1 day), and the fines are higher as well.

Helpful Information