Physical Item Pickup (Books to go)

The Library provides access to print collections in Omni through a service called Books to Go.

• This service is available to Laurier students, faculty, and staff
• Requests can be placed in Omni (see Requesting Items below)
• Print items are loaned for 120 days with unlimited renewals

What is Included?

You can request books and most circulating physical materials located at the Waterloo and Kitchener (Faculty of Social Work) Libraries and Laurier books held in the Brantford Public Library.

See the Frequently Asked Questions section for more information on which collections the service covers.

How it Works:

1. Request your item 
2. When your item is ready for pick up you’ll receive an Item Ready for Pickup notice in your email
3. You can pick up your item at any time during building open hours
4. Return your item when you’re done using it. See instructions for Waterloo Pickup and Returns, Kitchener Pickup and Returns, and Brantford Pickup and returns above

How to Request Items

1. You can request print books and materials from the Laurier Library or any of the 19 Omni libraries in Ontario
2. After locating the item, select Laurier Users, sign in using your Laurier Single Sign On (SSO) credentials
3. You will see the following request options:
   • For items held at Laurier – Borrow from Laurier Library
   • For items available from another Omni Library – Get it from another library
4. Select Wilfrid Laurier University from My University in Pickup University
5. Select the campus location where you would like to pick up your items: Waterloo, Kitchener or Brantford
6. Add a Not Needed After Date and Comment if desired
7. Click Send Request
8. You will see a Your request was successfully placed message and also be able to see your request in your Omni library account

Contact your subject librarian for help finding resources in Omni or finding alternative resources for those not yet available through the Books to Go service.

Request processing and notices

• You will receive a Books to Go item available for pick up notice by email when your requested item is ready for pick up
• Requests will be processed as they come in
• You will receive notification for a pickup for each requested item available
• You may pick up your items at any Laurier Library service desk during the building open hours for the location requested

Schedule

Requested items can be picked up during building open hours 

• See building hours

Pickup Location

Please note, if you are driving:

• Items are available from pick up at the User Services desk on the main floor of the Library (to your left off of the main entrance)
• Accessible parking spaces are located in Lot 42 (enter off Albert St.) and are also indicated on the map
• Bicycle parking is also available at the front of the library

Pickup Process

1. Go to the User Services desk and notify staff you are picking up your item
2. You will be asked to scan your OneCard to complete pick up
3. Self-check out machines are available for self-service

Returning Items

• Your items can be returned to the book bins at the entrance to the Waterloo library. Returns can be done at any time

Pickup Process

• Items requested through Omni or resource sharing (interlibrary loan) can be picked up from the Kitchener Faculty of Social Work library's service desk
• Please note that access to the Faculty of Social Work building is currently restricted by card access to students, faculty and staff in the Faculty of Social Work
• Social Work users can also pickup items outside of library hours, following these self-service hold pick-up steps
  • Step 1. Look for your books on the cart by the user services desk. They will be grouped together in a bag with your last name
  • Step 2. Take the books
  • Nothing else is required at this time
  • Step 3. Library staff will contact you over the next week and confirm you picked up your books. Your loaned items will show up on your Omni account shortly after

Returning Items

• Items can be returned to the Kitchener Faculty of Social Work library

Pickup Process

Requests placed in Omni with a Brantford Pickup location will be processed and delivered by the Brantford Public Library (Main Branch) at their service desk.

• You will receive a notice when your requested item is available
• Pick up is available at the Main Branch during revised hours (Monday to Thursday 9:30am-8pm, Friday 9:30am-6pm, and Saturday 9:30am-5pm)
• No appointment is necessary when picking up your items
• You will need your OneCard to pick up your item

Please refer to Brantford Public Library’s Modified Services page for more information about the pickup and drop off process at Brantford.

Returning Items

• Your items can be returned to the book bins at the main entrance to the Brantford Public Library, 173 Colborne Street
• Returns can be done at any time

• Please contact the Service Desk if you have any accessibility questions or needs related to this service
• You can reach us by email libraryhelp@wlu.ca or chat with us online during operating hours

1. What collections are available through the Books to Go service?

The following collections are available to Laurier users through the Books to Go van service:

Available collections

The following non-circulating /short-term circulating collections are not available to Laurier users for delivery through the Books to Go van service at this time:

Unavailable collections

2. What happens if I can't pick up my items right away?

• Requested items will be available for 14 days from the date of the Omni notice. Your items will automatically be available on the next pickup date.
• If it is not possible for you to come pick up your books, you may send a designate. Please contact the library by email libraryhelp@wlu.ca with your designate's name and contact email or phone number before they come to campus.
• If you need your items held for longer than 14 days please contact the Service Desk at libraryhelp@wlu.ca or chat with us on our website during operating hours.

3. How can I make a request for accessibility related to the Books to Go service?

• If you require assistance when picking up the item at one of our designated spots, please contact Library staff with your request.
• Please note, students requiring alternate formats of printed books in the library collection should contact the Library’s Accessibility staff. We have a number of options to draw upon in order to supply many of our print titles in an alternate format.

4. Can I still request items from other universities?

• Requesting from other institutions is available either through the library catalog by selecting "Not available locally, select more options" and choosing another institution using the catalog record or through RACER (Inter-library loan).

5. Is it safe for me to use the Books to Go service?

We are taking necessary precautions to ensure that materials on our shelves and those that are returned to us are safe to be handled by members of the public.

• If you are feeling unwell or if any member of your household is sick or in isolation, we ask that you refrain from borrowing library materials. This will help us all feel more comfortable and confident with the safety of our collections. Contact your subject librarian for help in finding electronic resources if you feel you should not borrow physical materials through the Books to Go van service.

6. Can I return the items to the library?

• Yes. Please see the tabs corresponding to location (Waterloo, Kitchener or Brantford) for further information on how to return materials to each of these locations.

7. Are the loan periods for materials still the same lengths of time?

• Yes, the loan periods for all Laurier items remains the same. Please see our Borrowing page.

8. Could my item be recalled?

• Loaned material is not eligible for recall by users but staff reserve the right to recall physical items to support course readings or critical research needs.

9. How long will my item be held?

• Requested items will be available for 14 days from the date of the Omni notice. Your items will automatically be available on the next pickup date. 
• If you need your items held for longer than 14 days please contact the Service Desk by email at libraryhelp@wlu.ca or chat with us on our website during operating hours.

10. Can Alumni, Community Borrowers, and others use the service?

• Currently the service is only available for WLU Students, Faculty, and Staff.

If you have any additional questions please contact the Service Desk by email libraryhelp@wlu.ca or chat with us on our website during operating hours.