One of the goals of the Library is to provide an inspiring and inviting physical environment that allows for diverse learning styles and activities. These policies are intended to inform all Library users of expected and acceptable behaviours in their use of these spaces and create a better space for all.

Food and Drink

Keep it contained

Drinks with secure lids or in spill-proof containers are allowed everywhere in the Library.

Food is permitted anywhere in the Library. 

Be considerate! Don't bring strong smelling, messy, or noisy food into the library. 

Keep the Library clean!

Deposit all garbage in the proper receptacles – recycling and waste stations are located throughout the Library. Ask at the Library Services Desk if you’re unsure where to find one.

Vaping and Smoking Policy

There is no vaping or smoking allowed anywhere inside the Library. Please refer to the University's Smoking and Vaping on Campus webpage for designated areas for this activity.

Noise

Different areas for different needs

There are many tasks and activities that take place in the Library, some involving conversation and others requiring silence. In order to accommodate these activities, the Library has been divided into Silent Zones and Collaboration Zones.

In all zones:

  • Set your phone to silent or vibrate.
  • Use headphones to watch or listen to anything that has audio/noise. We can loan you some if you don't have your own! Ask at the Library Services Desk.
  • Set your volume to a level that cannot be heard by others, even through your headphones.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and respectful of your fellow students.

Silent Zones 

The Silent Zones of the Library are:

  • The 2nd floor (except the group collaboration rooms)
  • Janet MacDonald Room (LB109) - located in the northwest corner of the Library's 1st floor, behind the journal and magazine shelves.

While in the Silent Zones:

  • No talking except for brief, whispered conversations.
  • Absolutely no phone use that creates noise. Texting in silent mode is OK.

Although we strive to reduce ambient noise as much as possible, some noise may filter out from adjacent collaboration rooms due to the design of the building. It is our hope that the policies will help alleviate much of that noise. Earplugs and noise-cancelling headphones are available from the Library Services Desk.

Collaboration Zones 

The Collaboration Zones of the Library are:

While in the Collaboration Zones:

  • Talking is allowed at a normal, conversational level.
  • Shouting and raised voices are not permitted.
  • Rowdy behavior and misuse of furniture is not permitted. 
  • Phone conversations at normal speaking levels are permitted. If you cannot make yourself heard at a normal, indoor speaking level, please take the call outside the Library.
  • Texting and other phone uses are okay, as long as the phone is on silent.

What can you do when others are not following the policy?

If you are being disturbed by Library users who are not complying with these policies, you have the following choices for action:

  • Politely remind these users of the Library policy governing the area you are in, using the Library website or signage to aid in your request.
  • Visit the Library Services Desk and inform Library staff of the problem.
  • Request a pair of earplugs or headphones from the Library Services Desk.

What if you're the noisy one?

Please respect staff and your fellow students. If you are informed that your noise level is disturbing others, please lower your volume or find a more suitable location for your activities. Non-compliance will result in a request to leave the Library. Repeated or serious infractions will be reported to the University Librarian, Security, and/or the Director of Student Affairs.

All students in the Library are subject to the Capilano Student Conduct Policy.

Thank you for your cooperation in making Capilano University Library a welcoming, respectful space.

Collection Policies

Below is a summary of the Collection Development Policy. Read the full policy here: Collection Development Policy 2021

Acquisitions

Jocelyn Hallman, Collections Librarian, coordinates the selection of materials by Librarians for their liaison areas, according to collection and curriculum needs and in conjunction with academic programs.  

Books and Media

To recommend an item for purchase, please read and submit an online request. Please note that it normally takes up to 8 weeks to source, order, receive, catalogue, and make a new resource available. If you have questions, please contact your Liaison Librarian or Jocelyn Hallman.

Periodicals

The Library subscribes to a wide variety of magazines, journals, and newspapers in print and digital formats. Priority will be given to online resources when available. Selection of periodicals is based on curriculum needs. Suggestions for new titles can be submitted online through Recommend a Purchase. Please submit requests by February for consideration for the fall term. If you have any questions, please contact your Liaison Librarian.

Online Databases

CapU Library has made a commitment to providing online resources wherever possible and currently subscribes to over 50 specialty and interdisciplinary databases, each containing thousands or millions of items. Databases include articles (news, magazine, scholarly, peer-reviewed), eBooks, streaming music & video and statistics. Online periodical indexes and full-text databases are priced according to our size and negotiated agreements with various consortia. Please contact your Liaison Librarian for recommendations on current holdings in your area or to recommend a purchase.

Collection Maintenance

The collection is regularly culled to remove items with low or no circulation, that are out of date, or that have been replaced by online and/or updated versions. The Library makes every effort to include faculty in these decisions where possible.

Library Endowment Fund

Capilano University Library is busy and always looking to improve. If you would like to help make that happen through a monetary donation to the Library Endowment Fund, please visit the Development and Alumni Relations donation page, and choose Capilano University Library Endowment Fund from the designation drop-down menu at the bottom of the page.

Donation Policy

Gifts of books, Blu-rays, DVDs, and CDs will be considered for the Library’s collection based on the criteria below. The library does not accept donations of any other types of materials including magazines and journals.

New books are defined as books published in the current or previous year.

Books

  • Books authored by Capilano University faculty, administration, staff, or students
  • Faculty or administrator donations published in the previous five years
  • New children’s books
  • New textbooks
  • New books for the popular reading collection
  • New books for growing areas of the collection
  • Books about the North Shore

DVDs/Blu-rays

  • DVDs/Blu-rays authored by Capilano University faculty, administration, staff, or students
  • DVDs/Blu-rays about the North Shore

CDs and LPs

The Library cannot accept donations of CDs or LPs. While we appreciate these important formats, use patterns suggest there are other ways our patrons connect with this content. 

All donations will also be evaluated for acceptance using the Library’s Collection Development Policy. Should the donations not be added to the Library’s collection, the Library will give away, recycle, or dispose of them.

The donor must have previous documented permission from a librarian prior to delivering the donation. Unfortunately, we cannot issue tax receipts.

Contact

Capilano University Library


604 984 4944
Library Building
library@capilanou.ca
Library Hours
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