Library Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Last update: March 7, 2023, at 1:35 p.m.

Winter 2023

Please note:

• Members of the SPU and uOttawa community can enter the library using their SPU or uOttawa ID card.
  • Researchers from other institutions as well as SPU alumni can access the library by appointment only. Please email biblio@ustpaul.ca to set up a time. 
• An SPU ID card is required to access the library between 6 a.m. and midnight.

Research and Reference Help

Our librarians offer one-on-one research and reference help through:

• Phone meetings;
• Zoom and Microsoft Teams virtual meetings;
• Email;
• In-person meetings.

Please contact the librarian in charge of your program:

Marta Samokishyn: Canon Law, Theology, Conflict Studies, Transformative Leadership, Counselling and Spirituality

• 613-236-1393 ext. 2313 and msamokishyn@ustpaul.ca

Victoria Tsonos: Social Communication, Social Innovation, Philosophy and Public Ethics

• 613-236-1393 ext. 2222 and vtsonos@ustpaul.ca

Document Scanning

We are able to scan and send by email a PDF copy of articles and books (up to 20% of the book) that are only available in print format. Please send your requests in writing to biblio@ustpaul.ca.

PaperCut Account

To add money to your PaperCut account, please send an email to cms-msc@ustpaul.ca with your full name and student number. 

Group Study Rooms

The library offers four group study rooms (reserved for groups of two or more people) as well as a graduate student study room. These rooms can be booked for 2-hour periods through the library’s LibCal system, available here. Two people must be present to ask the service desk staff for the key to the group study room they have booked.

Writing Centre

The Writing Centre is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Thursday.

Writing help is provided through:

• Zoom and Microsoft Teams virtual meetings;
• Email;
• Phone meetings;
• In-person meetings.

Please contact the writing advisor to set up an appointment:

• Email: redaction-writing@ustpaul.ca
• Phone: 613-236-1393 ext. 2217

Please consult the Writing Centre's webpage for more information about services and appointments.

Ask a Librarian Chat Service

The library offers help through the Ask a Librarian chat service, where students have access to librarians' help in real time through a virtual chat. The link to the service is available on the library’s homepage.

Until April 6, 2023, the hours for the chat service are as follows:

• Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday & Sunday: noon to 6 p.m.

Book Loans

Saint Paul University students, faculty, and alumni: Book loans can be made in person at the service desk (see opening hours here) or through email (see email procedure below).

uOttawa students and faculty: Loan requests must be sent by email (see email procedure below). 

Email procedure: Please send your request to biblio@ustpaul.ca (Monday-Friday only). Pickup information will be provided on a case-by-case basis.  

Book Renewals

Renewals can be done in person at the service desk or online using your library account. To access your library account, visit Omni and click on the login (located in the top right-hand corner of the screen).

• For students: Sign in as an internal user and use your uOzone access credentials.
• For faculty and employees: Sign in as an external user with your @ustpaul.ca email.
• For alumni: Sign in as an external user with the email you provided to the library.

If you wish to return a book, please use the book return box located outside the library.

Home Delivery Service

The library is now offering a free home delivery service to members of the Saint Paul University community. This allows SPU students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty, post-doctoral fellows, affiliated researchers, staff, and alumni living anywhere in Canada but outside of the Ottawa-Gatineau region* to have up to ten (10) books from the library’s general collection delivered at no cost.

Details of the service:

• Delivery is available in Canada only (but outside the Ottawa-Gatineau region)*.
• Delivery is available for books in the general collection only.
• A maximum of ten (10) books can be requested and delivered at a time.
• Requests will be processed, when possible, within three (3) working days.
• Items are shipped using Canada Post.
• Estimated delivery dates or times cannot be provided.
• Return of borrowed items must be done using the enclosed postage-paid label. Only one return label will be provided; please take care not to lose it.

* This service is also available to those who have an illness or disability living within the Ottawa-Gatineau region.

How to request an item:

1. Sign in to Omni.
2. Perform your search.
3. Open the record for the item you wish to borrow and select “Home Delivery.”
4. Follow the instructions and complete the Home Delivery form, making sure to provide your current shipping address.

We thank you for your patience and cooperation. For any other questions, please email biblio@ustpaul.ca.

Please check back here regularly and follow the library's social media accounts for updates.