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Community
Our community user group includes anyone who does not have institutional affiliations (Queen’s University or otherwise) and are visitors to the library.
Please visit one of our library service desks during regular business hours to get a library card, which is free of charge. A piece of ID will be required to create your account. You can also request guest credentials to use public library computers and printing services.
Community members can borrow regular books, technology equipment, and government documents, to name a few. Up to 20 items at a time can be borrowed for a two-week loan period. Check our Loan Period page for additional borrowing information.
Due to licensing agreements, community members do not have remote access to subscription-based library e-resources. However, you are welcome to search Omni for freely available open access content or to use library computers on campus to access most subscription-based e-resources in person by using library computers.
Anyone without a Queen’s NetID can request guest credentials at a library service desk in order to use our public computers. A piece of ID is required to set up your guest credentials.
Community users with their own devices can also self-register for free wi-fi (QueensU-Guest) while on campus. Please follow the Queen’s IT Services instructions.
Everyone is welcome to visit Queen’s University Archives (located in Kathleen Ryan Hall) and W.D. Jordan Rare Books & Special Collections (located on the 3rd floor of Douglas Library). No Queen’s affiliation is needed.
Community groups, high-school teachers, and other visitors can request a tour of our libraries. Library tours can help potential students get acquainted with the organization of our libraries, collections, and basic library services and resources. Please submit your request at least two weeks in advance.
Alumni
Our alumni user group includes anyone who has graduated from Queen’s University.
Follow these three easy steps to setting up your alumni library account:
- Step 1 (optional): Get your physical alumni card from Alumni Relations. This is needed for borrowing print books from the library, but not necessarily needed if you’re only planning on using alumni e-resources remotely.
- Step 2: Activate your Queen’s email and NetID through Queen’s IT Services.
- Step 3: Email the library to set up your alumni account in our system and get remote access to a select list of e-resources. Be sure to include your student number, NetID, preferred email, and first & last name.
Alumni can borrow regular books, technology equipment, and government documents, to name a few. Up to 20 items at a time can be borrowed for a two-week loan period. Check our Loan Period page for additional borrowing information.
Login with your Queen’s NetID to use public library computers. If you haven’t yet re-activated your NetID, you can do so through Queen’s IT Services. Using library computers on campus provides access to most subscription-based e-resources.
If using your own device, you can connect to the QueensU-Secure wi-fi network on campus with your NetID.
Alumni have access to a select list of databases that provide off-campus access to library e-resources. To access these resources, you must first re-activate your Queen’s NetID and email the library to set up your account.
Due to licensing agreements, alumni do not have remote access to subscription-based e-resources beyond this list of databases. However, you are welcome to search Omni for freely available open access content or to use library computers on campus to access most subscription-based e-resources in person.
Printing, Scanning, and Photocopying
Community and alumni users can make use of our printing, scanning, and photocopying services at any library location on campus. Community users wishing to print or photocopy must visit a library service desk to obtain guest credentials. Alumni with an active NetID can skip this step. Please note that printing will require the use of library computers (not personal devices).
Scanning requires a valid email address (this does not have to be a Queen’s email). Please be aware there is no USB scanning or printing available.
Visit any library service desk for further details about printing, scanning, and photocopying for community and alumni users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our knowledgebase of frequently asked questions about services, support, and spaces. If you don’t find your question listed here, please ask us.
Library Policies
Here’s what you can expect when visiting library locations on campus.
The consumption of food and drink in library spaces should be minimized in order to protect collections and equipment and to keep shared spaces clean. In general, only small, handheld snacks and covered drinks are permitted.
Additionally, no food or drink of any kind is allowed in the following spaces:
- Queen’s University’s Archives at Kathleen Ryan Hall
- The W.D. Jordan Rare Books and Special Collections floor of Douglas Library
- The Art and Maps collections spaces in Stauffer Library
- At library computers and equipment (e.g., photocopiers, scanners)
Please check our Food & Drink Policy for further details.
We welcome all users and strive to provide a favourable and inclusive environment for everyone to positively engage in research, learning, and intellectual exploration. To ensure everyone can get the most out of all that the library has to offer, we ask that you please abide by all library and university-wide policies and practices.
For example, library users are expected to:
- Maintain appropriate noise levels and silence devices
- Follow any posted guidelines for dedicated quiet areas
- Avoid strong scents (i.e., perfumes, colognes, etc.) as they can negatively impact others
- Treat every individual in the library with courtesy, consideration, and respect
Please check our Code of Conduct for more details about expectations.