Save Your Borrowing History!

By default, Library Services does not track your borrowing history (i.e., once returned, we do not know what books, periodicals, videos, etc. you borrowed).

If you want to track your personal borrowing history, you need to log-in to your library account and opt in to that feature. Library Services staff do not have access to your borrowing history if you elect to track it—assuring your privacy.

To opt in, follow these directions:

STEP 1: Log in to your library account (see Figure 1). You can log-in from the Library Services homepage or the online catalogue.

Figure 1. Library account log-in page (click to enlarge).

STEP 2: Select "Reading History" from the left-hand column (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. Select "Reading History"
(click to enlarge).

STEP 3: Select the "Opt In" button. It will then switch to "Opt Out" (see Figure 3). NOTE: Your record will start to build/retain your checkout history when you next borrow an item.

Figure 3. Opting in (click to enlarge).

VIEW YOUR HISTORY

When you next log-in to your library account and select the "Reading History" option, your borrowing history will be displayed (see Figure 4). NOTE: You can opt out to stop the tracking history or delete selected records.

Figure 4. Borrowing history display (click to enlarge).

If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please make use of our information or social media services.

Text Message a Record from the Online Catalogue

Library Services has introduced a new feature in our online catalogue. This feature will allow patrons to text message the primary information of a record to themselves. The information that will be texted includes: title, call number, and location.

WHY?

• With this service, patrons do not have to write down the record information to retrieve the material from the shelves. Patrons will also be able to retain that record information on their cellular device.  

HOW IT WORKS

1. When in a record, look for the "Send via Text Message" text and icon (see Figure 1) and click it.



Figure 1. "Send via Text Message."
(click to enlarge)

2. In the dialogue box (see Figure 2) enter your cellular phone number with all 10 digits (without dashes, spaces, etc.).

   

   Figure 2. Enter cellular number.
   (Click to enlarge)

   You will also need to select your cellular provider (see Figure 3; we currently provide service to all of Canada's major cellular providers).
   
   

   

   Figure 3. Available cellular providers.

3. Click "Send" and a "Message sent!" dialogue box will appear.
   
   If you decide not to send a text, click "Clear" to return to the record.
   
   
4. You will then receive a text message similar to the one in Figure 4.

Figure 4. Received record information.

WHAT ABOUT QR CODES?

• This services does not replace the use of QR codes in the catalogue—it is a complement or alternate means of delivery to the use of QR codes.

Special thanks to our partners at the University of Lethbridge that made this service possible.

Please note that charges may apply if your service plan does not include free/unlimited text messaging. If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please make use of our information or social media services.

QR Codes: Information in an Instant

WHAT ARE THEY?

You might have seen an image such as the one to the left, but were not aware of its purpose. The image is called a quick response (QR) code and it is a two dimensional barcode.

QR codes can hold a variety of information that could include: calendar events, contact information, phone numbers, plain text, text messages, URLs, and more.

The QR code's purpose is to connect you to information quickly. You will find them embedded in print advertising (take a look at a movie poster when you are at a theatre), websites, television commercials, and more.

HOW DO YOU READ THEM?

To read a QR code, you need the following:

1. A web-enabled phone with a camera. The 4th generation iPod Touch will also be able to read QR codes with a Wi-Fi connection.
    
2. A QR code reading application. Free or low cost applications are readily available from your device’s app store. The i-nigma Reader is a popular reader that is freely available and compatible with a variety of handsets.
   
   Phones running Google Android and modern Nokia handsets have the QR code reader built-in.
    
3. Scan the QR code. With your QR code reading application, scan the QR and retrieve the information encoded in it.

HOW WILL THE LIBRARY BE USING THEM?

To start, Library Services will employ QR codes in the following ways:

Library Catalogue

QR Codes in the Catalogue
[Click to enlarge.]

• You will start to see QR codes in the library’s online catalogue records.
  
  You can perform your search on a computer, capture the QR code with your mobile device, and have its record information displayed on the device. The information will include the title, location, call number, etc. You will no longer need to record the information on a piece of paper; it will now be conveniently accessible on your mobile device.

Library Promotions & Signage

QR Codes in Library Ads
[Click to enlarge.]

• You will also start to see QR codes in some of Library Services’ promotional materials and signs. These QR codes will provide supplemental information and links related to library activities.

Library Services will continue to explore different means of implementing QR codes to facilitate access to information easily and quickly.

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How to Use QR Codes

Library Online Services Disruption - 5 May 2010

On Wednesday, May 5, 2010, Library Services will experience a scheduled disruption of some online services from approximately 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. This disruption is a result of an incremental and planned upgrade to our library system in conjunction with our partners at the University of Lethbridge.

Our patrons will experience the follow disruptions to our online services during this time:

• Unable to use the library catalogue to search for book and audiovisual materials, and renew materials remotely.
  
  
• Unable to remotely log-on to databases to locate journal, magazine, or newspaper articles.

No other services will be disrupted during this time, so you will still be able to check materials in/out of the libraries, access databases from on campus, receive assistance from our online information services (Ask A Question, Online Agents (IM service), and text messaging (403-866-5872)), etc.

We apologize for the inconvenience this might cause.

Library Online Services Disruption - 12 January 2010

On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, Library Services will experience a scheduled disruption of some online services from approximately 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. This disruption is a result of incremental and planned upgrades to our library system.

Our patrons will experience the follow disruptions to our online services during this time:

• Unable to use the library catalogue to search for book and audiovisual materials, and renew materials remotely.
  
  
• Unable to remotely log-on to databases to locate journal, magazine, or newspaper articles.

No other services will be disrupted during this time, so you will still be able to check materials in/out of the libraries, access databases from on campus, receive assistance from our online information services (Ask A Question, Online Agents (IM service), and text messaging (403-866-5872)), etc.

We apologize for the inconvenience this might cause.

Library Services Launches New & Enhanced Services

Over the Summer time, Library Services has launched a series of new services designed to make your access to information and resources easier than ever. Some of the new services include an instant messenger based information service, a new interlibrary loan system, Find It, and a revamped online catalogue.

Click here to read more about the new and enhanced services that we offer.