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International

An introduction to the Library and Library services for international students.

Welcome to our Library!

What can we expect from our library/librarians?
  1. Using Library Materials such as Books, Journal articles, Music, Video, Course reading etc.
  2. Intense Research Help. Contact your subject librarian.
  3. Citing, evaluating sources and other academic skills via Workshops
  4. Cultural events to explore Laurier Library Culture.
  5. Study Space: Open space, group rooms, individual carrel, Graduate commons, Ph.D rooms
  6. Technology: printing, scanning, copying, wireless access etc.

And much more....

Key Library Terminology

The following is a list of key library terminology used frequently in the library. So, familiarizing yourself with the terminology is a key to successful academic career.

  • Abstract: A brief summary of an article or a chapter in a book.
  • Article : It is a piece of writing often you will see in a publication. In the library, it is often referring to a publication in a journal.
  • Barcode: There are two barcodes you will use for the library. One is the one on your Onecard and the other is the one outside a book to identify the book. You will need these two to sign out books when using automatic machines on the main floor.
  • Bibliography: a list of books or journal articles you used to write your paper. It is sometimes called ' Reference".
  • Call number: It is an address of a book to figure out where the book is located. Often, it is a combination of letters and numbers. In our library, the call number for a book starts with letters and ends with a combination of letters and numbers. For example, for the call number PE1128 A4573, go to the floor that houses books with PE at the beginning. Find out which floor.
  • Catalog: It is often referred to a library database which you can use to search for books and articles.
  • Citation: A complete information of a book or an article such as author name, title, publisher, published location, dates, page number, volume etc.
Library Workshops
  • International/Exchange student specific workshops: There are library workshops specifically tailored to the needs of international students, pre-MBAs, exchange students, LEAF students, visiting/research scholars. If you missed pre-scheduled workshops, please contact the Library to set up an additional one.
  • General Workshops open to all Laurier Students: Check out our list of library workshops such as Google, finding your research impact, citation management systems(Zotero, Mendeley, Bibliometrics) and Research Data Management. If you would like someone assisting you in the workshop, please contact the library.
Social Events

Throughout the year, the Library will be holding social events for our international and incoming exchange students to feel welcome in the library. For example, in the fall, our international students participated in the portrait painting sessions. We plan to host many more events, so please look out for those events to enjoy and learn about the customs and culture in Canada. In October, we will be holding a Halloween gathering which you can participate in costume if you would like. Just watch for an announcement.

Plagiarism

In North America, when you use someone else's idea in your paper, you need to give credits to the person you got the idea from. When you don't, it is considered to be a serious offence called "plagiarism". In order to avoid this, you can simply give credit to the person who originally owns the idea in various format using "citation". You can watch the following video tutorial to learn about it more.

Understanding Plagiarism

Citing

The following video tutorials will explain citation style, when and how to cite.

Library and Internet Resources on Learning English

The following resources are helpful in learning English.

  • Academic Writing: A handbook for International Students (PE 1413 B28 2015)
  • English Grammar for ESL learners- WLU Book Shelves (PE1128 .S9774 2013 ) : help you understand the different rules and elements of grammar with exercises.
  • Writing better English for ESL learners- WLU Book Shelves (PE1128 .S978 2009 )
  • Rules for writers-WLU Education Collection - Curriculum Stacks (PE1408 .H277 2008 )
  • A Canadian writer's reference-WLU Book Stacks (PE1408 .H33 2012 )
  • Purdue Online Writing Lab
Library Resources on Academic success for international students
  • Beyond the answer sheet : academic success for international students ( LB2375 .B33 )
  • Crossing borders : international women students in American higher education (LC3071 .Q56 2009 )
  • Succeeding as an international student in the United States and Canada ( LB2376.4 .L57 )

Additional Academic Survival Tips:

As an international student, you may find it difficult to adapt to the academic environment in Canada. It is important to master classroom skills such as note taking, group presentation, and building a good relationship with your instructors. You may face writing-related challenges such as writing styles and citations and so on. The University offers professional assistance such as Writing Centre and Study Skills and Course Support. If you would like to discuss these with a librarian, please contact the library.

Selected Recreational Reading
  • Comic book encyclopedia : the ultimate guide to characters, graphic novels, writers, and artists in the comic book universe. WLU Book Shelves (PN6707 .G68 )
  • The superhero book : the ultimate encyclopedia of comic-book icons and Hollywood heroes. WLU Book Shelves (P96.H46 S87 )
  • Dictionnaire de la bande dessinée. WLU Book Shelves (PN6707 .F55 2005 )
Resources for Exchange Students-Outgoing

You can use the following resource to learn about the country you plan to study.

From Canadian Perspective

From Foreign Perspective

We also have paid subscription resources you can use.

For in-depth research on countries, visit our library page on Country research.

Multilingual Staff

We have staff who have the following language skills. Please contact the library if you would like to speak to the staff who speak your language.

  • Armenian: Gohar Ashoughian
  • Cantonese: Murray Tong
  • Dutch: Greg Sennema
  • Mandarin: Jingjun Ha, Yanli Li
  • Russian: Gohar Ashoughian
  • Swahili: Greg Sennema
Foreign Language Dictionaries

Page Owner: Yanli Li

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