How to Borrow
We provide access to millions of books, articles, media, archival materials, and digital resources. Many materials are available online, and physical collections can be borrowed or consulted in our library locations.
Borrow in Person
Visit any Dalhousie library location and check out materials using your library card at a service desk or self-checkout station.
Request Items Online
Request items through our catalogue (Novanet) and have them delivered to your preferred pickup location.
High-Demand and In-Library Materials
Some materials, such as course reserves, reference items, or special collections, may have shorter loan periods or be available for in-library use only.
Request Materials from Other Libraries
If we do not have what you need, you can request it through our Document Delivery service. We will borrow it from another library on your behalf.
Loan Periods
Loan periods vary by user type and material format. The most common borrowing periods are outlined below.
| Undergraduate Students | Graduate Students, Faculty & Staff | Community Borrowers, Alumni & IB Students | |
Books |
3 weeks |
3 months |
3 weeks |
Course Reserves |
2 hours to 3 days |
2 hours to 3 days |
2 hours to 3 days |
Media and Other Materials |
Varies by format |
Varies by format |
Varies by format |
Most items can be renewed through your library account (if they have not been requested).
Items from Document Delivery have different loan periods and are set by the lending library. Your library account will show the due date.
Returning Materials
Borrow anywhere, return anywhere: Return borrowed items to any Dalhousie library location, Novanet member library, or public library in Nova Scotia. Book drops are available for after-hours returns.
Some specialized materials may need to be returned to the service desk where they were borrowed. Reserve items and items borrowed through Document Delivery must be returned in-person to the same place they were borrowed from.