We are excited to launch a new look for our library hours page. Building hours will now be featured for easy access on the front page of our website and the main hours pages for the library will have a completely new look.

Library staff were consulted on an Alpha version of this and their feedback was incorporated into the design to bring you our first Beta release.

We now welcome your feedback as well! Either use our feedback form or email Katie Legere. In subsequent weeks we will be incorporating your suggestions as well into our new design.

The 1966 Reading Room will not be available for study purposes from 5pm on Wednesday, January 9 until noon on Thursday, January 10th due to a staff meeting relating to the Library and Archives Master Plan.

Access the Exambank to see past exam questions from your courses. Exambank! Exambank is the official database of past exam questions from courses offered at Queen’s University.

• Search Exambank
• Search for Law Exams

See a visual breakdown of Exams added to the Exambank since 1999

Sam Kalb of Queen’s University Library is one of the 2012 recipients of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Library Assessment Career Achievement Award.  ARL’s web page states: “These awards recognize individuals with substantial contributions to effective, sustainable, and practical library assessment as evidenced through presentations/publications, methods, service, advocacy, and other work.”

Sam was presented with his award on October 30 before a large group of colleagues from around the world at the 2012 Library Assessment Conference in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Sam’s leadership in expanding library assessment across Canada and coordinating the  LibQUAL+® Canada consortium were among the notable achievements cited by ARL in its news release announcing this year’s recipients.  Congratulations to Sam on this well-deserved honour!

In the Globe and Mail’s Canadian University Report for 2013, distributed with Tuesday’s paper and also available online, Queen’s University Library has once again received an A grade – the only medium-sized university library to achieve that ranking.  Queen’s Library has consistently received high grades in the report over the years.

University Librarian Martha Whitehead cites a number of factors that contribute to the high regard for Queen’s Library.  These include the exceptional services provided by Library staff in supporting students to achieve academically, the depth and breadth of the Library’s collections, and welcoming Library spaces across campus where students gather to study, learn and collaborate with their peers.  “The Library is integral to student success and to campus life,” states Ms. Whitehead.  “The A grade in this year’s Canadian University Report is a tribute to the dedicated people who ensure the Library provides the services and resources our students need.”

See all of the  2012 University Report Card library rankings.

Single-use bottles of water are no longer available for sale or distribution on campus.  This includes all areas of university operations including food retail space, vending machines, catering, student-run events, athletic events and our commercial retail space. There are bottle filling stations located at:

• MacCorry cafeteria
• John Deutsch University Centre
• Stirling Hall
• Biosciences
• Dunning Hall
• Stauffer Library
• Engineering & Science Library

water bottle filling station at Stauffer Library

Are you interested in working in one of the Queen’s Libraries during the 2012/13 academic year? We have a variety of positions available for students who qualify for the Queen’s Work Study Program.

For more information:

Visit our Student Employment Opportunities website and contact us soon!

Beginning July 3rd, anyone wanting to use a library computer on the Lower Level, 2nd, 3rd or 4th floor of Stauffer Library will be required to logon using their NetID.

If you do not have a NetID, you may use one of the computers on the ground floor, or ask about an account at the Circulation Desk.

On March 9th, QCARD is being replaced by the SOLUS Student Centre, and this will bring about changes to how student library fees can be paid.  After March 9th, any library fees or fines owed by students will automatically be transferred to student SOLUS accounts, and counted alongside tuition and other university fees.

As of March 9th, Students will need to start paying their library fines directly through the University Registrar (using the same methods used to pay tuition).

• Payment Methods for Tuition & Fees – students: pay your library fines using one of these methods

Library circulation desks can no longer accept payments.  Login to My Library Account to view any fines you may owe.

Non-student borrowers (faculty, staff, community borrowers, etc.) can still pay library fines via the circulation desk.  More information about paying library fines and fees.

If you have any questions about your fines, please contact the circulation desk at the appropriate library.

This news story is republished from the Queen’s News Centre site. (Source: http://www.queensu.ca/news/articles/living-library-literacy)

Grace Chen (left) and Kaleigh Smith move into Stauffer Library on Jan. 27.

During exams, many students say they “live” at the library. This week, two students will actually move into Stauffer Library as part a campaign to raise funds and awareness about literacy around the world.

Kaleigh Smith and Grace Chen will set up their four-person tent in the Stauffer atrium, where they will live for one week. They will only leave to attend class or for their daily 70-minute break. Friends and volunteers will bring them food and any other items they need.

“I’m finally following up on something I’ve wanted to do for a couple of years,” says Ms Smith, a third-year biology student. “Everyone here at university has access to an education, and I really believe that shouldn’t be a privilege for a select few.”

Queen’s Discover the Reality of Educating All Minds (DREAM) team created Live-in For Literacy five years ago. This year, nine universities across the country are taking part in the campaign. Their goal is to raise $27,000 to build six libraries in India through Room to Read, an international organization that works in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments to develop literary skills around the world.

First-year Arts and Science student Grace Chen heard about DREAM and the campaign at an orientation week event and immediately wanted to get involved. She says raising awareness will be the biggest challenge the campers face.

“The main reason we’ll be there is because we want people to stop by our tent and listen to what we’re all about,” says Ms. Chen.

In celebration of the 5th anniversary of the event, Stauffer Library will be serving cake at noon on Friday, Jan. 28. The founders of DREAM, deans from several faculties and library staff will be in attendance, and all members of the Queen’s community are welcome.

“We always look forward to hosting Live-in for Literacy in Stauffer Library,” says University Librarian Martha Whitehead. “The students’ dream is to spread education and literacy, and what better place for that message than Stauffer? The DREAM team’s vision and dedication are truly inspiring. We’re delighted they had the idea in the first place and that it has continued and grown.”

The students will be accepting donations in the Stauffer atrium between Jan. 27 and Feb. 3. No donation is too small.

“Every little bit helps,” says Ms Smith. “One dollar is one children’s book in somebody’s hand.”

Get more information or view blogs and live webcam feeds of the campers’ week.