Library Access for People Unaffiliated with UBC

Community Borrower

  • For personal use only.
  • Library cards are non-transferable.

Fees

  • 12 months from date of issue ($200.00)
  • 4 months from date of issue ($60.00)
  • Senior’s rate for those aged 65 and over ($60.00 per year from date of issue)

Application Process

  • Apply at the Koerner Library Circulation Desk or Okanagan Library.
  • Present one piece of government-issued, photo ID and proof of a local address (e.g., bank statement, utility bill, or automobile registration).
  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Fees and restrictions apply.
  • All fees are non-refundable.
  • Community Borrowers who already have a valid UBC library account can contact library.accounts@ubc.ca to have their account renewed.

Resources & Services

  • Basic reference assistance, access to most library eResources using library branch computers, collections use and study spaces are available to everyone in the libraries free of charge.
  • Remote access to most library eResources is restricted by licensing agreements to current UBC students, staff and Faculty. For library eResources available to all users, click here.
  • Most books may be borrowed for 2-weeks and are renewable if not requested by another borrower.
  • Certain materials cannot be borrowed including course reserve items, journals, reference books, and some videos subject to licensing restrictions.
  • Interlibrary loans and Document Delivery requests are available as fee-based library services.
  • The maximum number of items on loan at one time is 50 (limit of 5 items on loan at one time for patrons who receive their Community Borrower card through the CPSLD Reciprocal Borrowing agreement).
  • UBC Library has eliminated most overdue fines with the exception of high-demand items, including recalled items.

Indigenous Community Borrowers 

  • Free to any First Nations, Métis or Inuit person living in Canada. 
  • You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application. 
  • The card is not for business purposes. 
  • The card is non-transferable — for the cardholder’s personal use only. 

How to Apply 

  • Fill out the online application at https://getaccess.library.ubc.ca/. 
  • Complete the application process by visiting the X̱wi7x̱wa Library, Koerner Library or Okanagan Library circulation desks 
  • You must bring at least one piece of government-issued photo identification (passport, driver’s license, BC Identification Card, etc.). 
  • Proof of Canadian address can be a government ID with address, bank statement, utility bill, or automobile registration. Individuals unable to provide the appropriate requirements listed above will not be issued a library card.  

What You Get Access To 

  • Reference assistance, borrowing materials, and study spaces are available to everyone. Interlibrary loans and document delivery are available for a fee. 
  • Access to most electronic resources is available while using a computer in a Library location. For a list of electronic resources available to all users, click here 
  • Electronic resources cannot be accessed outside of a UBC Library branch or with a personal electronic device. 
  • Most materials can be borrowed for two weeks and are renewable if they have not been requested by another borrower. The maximum number of items on loan at one time is 50. 
  • Certain materials cannot be borrowed, including course reserve items, journals, reference books, Special Collections / Archives materials, and some videos subject to licensing restrictions. 
  • UBC Library has eliminated most overdue fines, except for high-demand items, recalled items, damaged / lost items and technology. 

How to Renew Your Card 

  • Cards will expire one year from the date of issue. 
  • Cards must be renewed in person at the X̱wi7x̱wa Library, Koerner Library or the Okanagan Library. 
  • One piece of government-issued, photo ID and proof of Canadian address will be required to renew the card. 

Community Institutional Borrower

  • Available to businesses, corporations, and government departments.
  • Transferable among staff members of the business or corporation.
  • Valid for one year from the date of issue.

Fees

  • Initial card ($250.00)
  • Each additional card ($25.00)

Application Process

  • Apply at the Koerner Library Circulation Desk or contact the Carding Unit by email to request the application form by contacting library.accounts@ubc.ca
  • Apply in person at the Okanagan library or contact UBCO library for more information regarding the application process.
  • Present one piece of government-issued, photo ID if applying in person along with a business card or letter of introduction requesting the library account.
  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Fees and restrictions apply.
  • All fees are non-refundable.

Resources & Services

  • Basic reference assistance, access to most library eResources using library branch computers, collections use and study spaces are available to everyone in the libraries free of charge
  • Remote access to most library eResources is restricted by licensing agreements to current UBC students, staff and Faculty. For library eResources available to all users, click here.
  • Most books can be borrowed for 2-weeks and are renewable if not requested by another borrower.
  • Certain materials cannot be borrowed including course reserve items, journals, reference books, and some videos subject to licensing restrictions.
  • Interlibrary loans and Document Delivery requests are available as fee-based library services.
  • The maximum number of items on loan at one time is 50.
  • UBC Library has eliminated most overdue fines with the exception of high-demand items, including recalled items.

Okanagan Community Borrower

  • Valid for borrowing at UBC Okanagan Library only.
  • Apply at the UBC Okanagan Library circulation desk.

Fees

  • 12 months from date of issue ($50.00)

Application Process

  • Apply at the Okanagan Library.
  • Present one piece of government-issued, photo ID and proof of a local address (e.g., bank statement, utility bill, or automobile registration).
  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Fees and restrictions apply.
  • All fees are non-refundable.

Resources & Services

  • Basic reference assistance, access to most library eResources using library branch computers, collections use and study spaces are available to everyone in the libraries free of charge.
  • Remote access to most library eResources is restricted by licensing agreements to current UBC students, staff and Faculty. For library eResources available to all users, click here.
  • Most books can be borrowed for 2-weeks and are renewable if not requested by another borrower.
  • Certain materials cannot be borrowed including course reserve items, journals, reference books, and some videos subject to licensing restrictions.
  • Interlibrary loans and Document Delivery requests are available as fee-based library services.
  • The maximum number of items on loan at one time is 50.
  • UBC Library has eliminated most overdue fines with the exception of high-demand items, including recalled items.

Campus + Community Planning Community Borrower

  • Residents of Acadia Park and University Apartments, UBC Residence Life Managers and UBC Child Care Staff who receive the UTown@UBC Community Services Card can activate their card for Community Borrower library privileges at Koerner Library.

Application Process

  • Apply at the Koerner Library Circulation Desk or Okanagan Library.
  • Present one piece of government-issued, photo ID and proof of a local address (e.g., bank statement, utility bill, or automobile registration).
  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Community Borrowers who already have a valid UBC library account can contact library.accounts@ubc.ca to have their account renewed.

Resources & Services

  • Basic reference assistance, access to most library eResources using library branch computers, collections use and study spaces are available to everyone in the libraries free of charge.
  • Remote access to most library eResources is restricted by licensing agreements to current UBC students, staff and Faculty. For library eResources available to all users, click here.
  • Most books can be borrowed for 2-weeks and are renewable if not requested by another borrower.
  • Certain materials cannot be borrowed including course reserve items, journals, reference books, and some videos subject to licensing restrictions
  • Interlibrary loans and Document Delivery requests are available as fee-based library services.
  • The maximum number of items on loan at one time is 50.
  • UBC Library has eliminated most overdue fines with the exception of high-demand items, including recalled items.

University Neighbourhoods Association (UNA)

  • Residents of the UNA can apply for free Community Borrower library privileges at the Koerner Library Circulation Desk when they present their valid UNA card.

Application Process

  • Apply at the Koerner Library Circulation Desk or Okanagan Library.
  • Present one piece of government-issued, photo ID and proof of a local address (e.g., bank statement, utility bill, or automobile registration).
  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Community Borrowers who already have a valid UBC library account can contact library.accounts@ubc.ca to have their account renewed.

Resources & Services

  • Basic reference assistance, access to most library eResources using library branch computers, collections use and study spaces are available to everyone in the libraries free of charge.
  • Remote access to most library eResources is restricted by licensing agreements to current UBC students, staff and Faculty. For library eResources available to all users, click here.
  • Most books can be borrowed for 2-weeks and are renewable if not requested by another borrower.
  • Certain materials cannot be borrowed including course reserve items, journals, reference books, and some videos subject to licensing restrictions
  • Interlibrary loans and Document Delivery requests are available as fee-based library services.
  • The maximum number of items on loan at one time is 50.
  • UBC Library has eliminated most overdue fines with the exception of high-demand items, including recalled items.

Library Access for Guests

  • Guests are welcome to visit any Library branch and use any of the Library’s physical resources.
  • To access the Library public workstations and the Library’s electronic resources, you need to register with the Library. You can register using the Library registration link or by going to any Library public workstation and clicking on the “Sign Up” button on the login screen.
  • If you want to access other Library services (borrowing material, recalling books, placing Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery requests), you will need to obtain a UBC Community Borrower card from the Koerner library Circulation Desk or the UBC Okanagan Library.
  • Registration for access to Library public workstations and electronic resource https://getaccess.library.ubc.ca/