Frequently Asked Questions

Library Cards and Accounts
Faculty
Finding and Borrowing Materials
Online information
Photocopying and printing
Computers in the Library
Library spaces
General Questions About BCIT

Library Cards & Accounts 

• Why do I need a PIN?
• How do I create a PIN?
• How do I modify a PIN?
• What if I’ve forgotten my PIN?
• Is my Library PIN the same as the myBCIT password?
• Is my Library PIN the same as the password I use to log in to the Computer Lab workstations?
• Do I need a Library card?
• Where do I get my BCIT ID card?
• I’ve graduated from BCIT. Can I get a card?
• Can I use my BCIT ID card at UBC or other post-secondary libraries?
• Do I need a card if I’m a distance or online student?
• I’m not a BCIT student. Can I get a card?
• Can I get a card if I’m a part-time student?
• How can I pay my overdue fines?

Faculty 

• How can my students learn about using the Library?
• How can I book a video/DVD to use in my classroom?
• How can I preview a video/DVD prior to purchase?
• How can I find out more about copyright?
• Can I get help with applied research?
• How do I get materials added to the Library collection?
• How can I borrow items from another Library?
• How can I put a book or article on Reserve for my class?
• How can I keep up to date with current research in my field?  

Finding & Borrowing Materials  

• How do I find out what books, journals and audiovisual materials the Library has?
• How do I borrow books, videos, etc.?
• How can I renew materials?
• The book I want is signed out to someone else. What should I do?
• BCIT doesn’t have the book or journal article I want. How can I get it?
• I’m a distance education student. How do I borrow materials?
• Can I get books and articles delivered from other BCIT campus libraries?
• Where do I return books?
• My instructor says there is a book on Reserve for my course. Where will I find it?
• Does the Library have a copy of my textbook?
• I need a description of a course I took at BCIT to apply to another school. How do I get copies of course outlines?
• Does the Library have copies of old exams? 

Online Information 

• How do I find online journal articles and books?
• I’m having trouble accessing information from my home computer. What should I do?
• How do I get a password to use the Books 24x7 collection of ebooks?
• I’ve found an article in a database but I can only get a summary. How do I get the whole article?
• Where can I find the PCensus database? 

Photocopying & Printing 

• How can I make photocopies in the Library?
• How can I print from the computers in the Library?
• Can I print in colour?
• How can I add money to my BCIT ID card?

Computers in the Library 

• How do I log in to the computers in the Library?
• How can I get help if I can’t log in?
• Where can I find a scanner?
• Where can I do assignments in the Library?
• Where can I get Internet access in the Library?
• Do the Library computers have access to the Share In/Out directory?
• Can I borrow a laptop?
• Is the Library wireless?
• Can I use a computer if I’m not a BCIT student? 

(N.B. many technical and computer questions are answered in the campus Knowledge Base.)

Library Spaces 

• Where can I study in the Library?
• What is the Learning Commons?
• How can I book a group study room?