Blog posts archive

January 2019

Interview with Ryan Ball, Lending Supervisor: written by Jahanvi Desai

Hey UWaterloo! My name is Jahanvi and I’m currently in my 2A term of Environment and Business. This is my 1st term as a Library Ambassador and I am enjoying every minute of it! My favourite part of the job is interacting with students to let them know about the cool events and services that the Library has to offer!  

Interview with Lauren Doyle, Acquisitions Associate: written by Marya Talha

Hello!

I’m Marya and I’m a third year in Biomedical Sciences. This is my 1st term being a Library Ambassador and I am absolutely loving it!

Recently, I got the opportunity to sit down, talk to, and learn more about one of our talented library staff, Lauren Doyle.

Wat? IAM able to log into my Library account?!

student at computer

With the launch of Omni, all students and many faculty and staff will be able to use their WatIAM account to log into their library account and to get access from anywhere.

Not working for you? See below for details.

Who can log in with WatIAM?

Fine-ally, changes to overdue charges in Omni

Meet Omni

As the Library moves to Omni, we are pleased to eliminate all currently outstanding overdue fines* for all our users!

In Omni, there will be no regular* overdue fines. Once materials are 30 days overdue, they will be assessed a replacement cost and a non-refundable administration fee of $25.

If you need an item that is signed out, the system will work to find another copy in the Omni database or will recall the item for you. Fines for overdue recalled materials will increase to $4 per day.

Game of loans

Omni logo

The move to Omni brings new and simplified borrowing policies for print materials across the 14 Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) members. Learn more about the project on our Omni website.

Key policy changes* include:

Changes are coming to the Library catalogue

Meet Omni

University of Waterloo Library is one of 14 members of the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) coming together to create a single academic search tool called Omni. Learn more about the project on our Omni website.

Some of the things that Omni includes:

What it's like being a Senior Library Ambassador: written by Mariam Rizvi

Hello everyone! My name is Mariam and I am a 4A Environment and Business student. I am returning as the Senior Library Ambassador for the current Fall term! I’m super excited to be in this role as it helps me challenge myself in various dynamics such as leadership, verbal communication and event planning skills.

Save your (Primo) shelf

In December 10, 2019, University of Waterloo Library is moving to a new shared Library system called Omni, including a new and improved version of our Primo catalogue. Omni will provide fast and easy access to a vast collection of high-quality, academic material from 14 Ontario university libraries!

Unfortunately, saved items and search settings in your current Primo account will not migrate to the new version.

Make sure you export your e-shelf items and and saved searches by December 6, 2019.

Behind the scenes look at Interlibrary loans: written by Fatima Sidi Aliyu

Hello everyone!

Library ambassadors: written by Matheson Tang

Hey everybody I’m back! My name is Matheson and I am in my 2B term of Honours Science at the University of Waterloo. This is my second term as a Library Ambassador, and I wanted to come back because I had such a great experience being a Library Ambassador last fall term.

The end (of Trellis) is upon us

Do you still use Trellis, our old or 'classic' catalogue?

When University of Waterloo Library moved its catalogue to Primo many years ago, our old catalogue - Trellis - stuck around. In December 2019, the Library will be moving to a new version of Primo. Learn more about Omni.

The great news: Omni will see 14 Ontario university libraries join forces to share one catalogue - vastly expanding the resources available to our users.

Library ambassadors: written by Maryam Shaker-Azab

Library ambassadors: written by Amatul Shafi

Picture this: It’s the beginning of the semester or mid-semester. You are sitting in one of your classes and the professor announces that they have put a necessary journal on ‘course reserve’ and that they want you to read it before the final. You then try to Google and it leads you to the course reserve web page, the main Library website or this blog (hopefully)! Well, you are not the only one clueless about this. Students often ask questions around course reserves during info sessions. So I will try my best to be direct and clear about the whole process.

Library ambassadors: written by Almyra Popat

Do you find yourself at the library and looking at a particular bookshelf with the sign “Waterloo Reads”? Do you find yourself wondering what it is? Well, Waterloo Reads are books with popular titles that are purchased and selected in collaboration with Words Worth Books in Waterloo.

Library ambassadors: written by Rachel Ross

When you think of a Library, what comes to your mind? Mainly books I’m assuming. Maybe they just serve as a location where you can find a quiet study space, but you haven’t ventured very far from the individual desk sections. This was also my reaction when I thought about libraries until I became a Library Ambassador.

Library ambassadors: written by Chelsea Davies-Kneis

Library ambassadors: written by Brittney Wong

Library ambassadors: written by Megan Thomas

Hi everyone! My name is Megan and I am in my 3rd year of Biomedical Science. As one of the Library Ambassadors for this term I will be discussing one of the many free and convenient services the library has to offer; Interlibrary Loans.

More changes coming to Davis Centre Library

carrel design

In consultation with designers and Plant Operations, the Library Renovation Team has reviewed a number of plans, designs, and furniture options for student spaces in Davis. This was made possible by funds given by the Office of the Provost to update student furniture in the Library.