Frequently asked questions

Library accounts are automatically created for current students, faculty and staff.

If you are not a current student, faculty, or staff, you can request a USask Library account by reaching out to us in person at a Library Services desk, using our Ask Us chat, or by submitting an online Library Access form.

Your USask affiliation will determine what kind of University Library account you are eligible for. Access to electronic resources (online databases, ejournals, and ebooks) is determined by licenses that the library signs with publishers, and varies depending on your affiliation. Most licenses permit only current USask students, staff, and faculty (including emeriti, adjunct professors, and research associates) to access e-resources from off campus. Alumni and members of the public have limited access to e-resources.

• Undergraduate student library accounts expire on Aug 31 of the current academic year. 
• Graduate student library accounts expire on Sept 30 of the current academic year.
• Faculty and staff library accounts expire at the end of their term of employment.
• Affiliates' library accounts expire either 1 year from date of issue or at the end of their term of appointment.
• Alumni library accounts expire 5 years from date of issue.
• External borrowers' library accounts expire 1 year from date of issue.

To renew or re-activate your library account, visit the library in person, Ask Us, or use our online form.

• Report a lost card to the library immediately. We can deactivate your lost card to prevent someone else from using it.
• Lost USask ID Cards (students, faculty, and staff) need to be replaced at the Bookstore.
• For lost or damaged library-issued cards (external borrowers and affiliates), visit the library in person, or Ask Us for assistance.

1. Search for the item using the Library Catalogue.
2. When you have found what you need, click on the blue Request Item for Pickup button.
3. On the sign-in page, log in with your NSID and password. 
4. Choose your preferred pick-up location from the drop-down menu: Murray Library, Leslie and Irene Dubé Health Sciences Library, Education and Music Library, Science Library, Law Library, or St. Thomas More Library.
   You can also choose Distance Learners to have your items mailed to you. You must register for Distance and Distributed Library Services in order to have library materials mailed to you. 
5. Select “Go”.
6. Select the copy of the book or volume of the journal that you need and click "Request Selected Item".
7. Please allow up to five business days for your request to be filled.
8. We ask that you limit your requests to five items per day to avoid delays.

Yes! Before sending anyone over to the library on your behalf, please fill out our Authorization to Use My Library Account form. Your authorized borrower will need to present their picture ID at the Library Services Desk.

Check your current loans, due dates, and renew items through:

1. My Library Account on the library website.
2. My Library Account in PAWS, or
3. Catalogue Login and then view “Checkouts”

Library items can be renewed twice. Please note: if your item has been recalled (“Requested for Pickup”) by another user, you will not be able to renew that item, and you will need to return it to the library by the original due date or 7 days from the recall date, whichever is soonest. 

A due date beside an item in the catalogue indicates it is currently checked out.

If you would like to borrow an item that is currently checked out:

• Click on the REQUEST ITEM FOR PICKUP button in the catalogue and select your preferred library location, or “Distance Learner” if you are set up for Distance and Distributed Library Services (DDLS). 
• The current borrower will receive a recall notice to return the item within 7 days.
• You will receive an email when the item is available. Pick it up at your selected library location before the date in your notification email, otherwise it will go to the next person who has also placed a hold on that item or back on the shelf. 

• Items that you have signed out may be requested by another user. If this happens, a recall notice is sent to your USask email address. If your original due date is more than 7 days away, a new due date will be assigned to the items included in the email. If your original due date is less than 7 days away, you must return them by the original due date. You cannot renew items that have been recalled. 
• If you keep a recalled item past its due date, late fines will accrue at a rate of $2 per day per item.
• It is your responsibility to return recalled items by the assigned due date. 
• If you have questions about items you have borrowed that have been recalled, please visit the library in person or Ask Us.

Return your items to any of our libraries or to the outdoor book drop located at the Murray Library Loading Dock (open 24/7). If you’re unable to visit campus, please mail items to the library at your expense addressed to:

The University Library has eliminated late fines for most library items. You are still expected to return items on time so we can make sure everyone has access to the resources they need. There are a few types of materials that will result in fines if they are returned late: 

• Recalled items – if an item is recalled by another library user through the "Request Item for Pickup" button, a recall notice will be sent to your USask email address. If your original due date is more than 7 days away, a new due date will be assigned to the items included in the email. If your original due date is less than 7 days away, you must return them by the original due date. Renewals are unavailable for items that have been recalled. Recalled items returned after their due date will accrue late fines at a rate of $2 per day up to a maximum of $50 per item. If you have questions about items you have borrowed that have been recalled, please Ask Us.
• Reserves - Late reserve items will accrue fines at a rate of $2 per hour up to a maximum of $100 per item. Reserve items must be returned to the same location they were borrowed from. 
• Interlibrary Loans - Late ILL items accrue fines at a rate of $5 per day up to a maximum of $100 per item. 
• Lost, Damaged, or Missing Items - If you lose or damage library materials you are responsible for the cost of replacing the item. If the lost item has been recalled by another borrower and has accrued late fines you will be responsible for these late fines as well. Report lost or damaged items right away to avoid additional late fines. 

*If you have fines of $30 or more in your library account, your borrowing privileges are automatically suspended and you will not be able to register for classes, graduate, or receive marks and transcripts. 

• You can visit any of our Library Services Desks to pay in person, or you can pay your library fines by phone using VISA or MasterCard.

If you have questions about your library fines, call us at 306-966-6043 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm), or send us an email at library.services@usask.ca.