Library services and resources

Omni library system

The University of Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier University, and the University of Waterloo libraries are part of the Omni library system, a collaboration among 19 Ontario university libraries that allows researchers to search across all sites.

Key features of Omni include:

  • One-stop searching of resources from 19 Ontario universities via the library catalogue.
  • Make requests through your home university's instance of Omni to find the book from the other university library.
    • For example, if you are a student at the University of Guelph wishing to borrow a print item from the University of Waterloo, you will request it through the University of Guelph's instance of Omni (your home university), not the University of Waterloo's instance of Omni where the item resides.
  • 120-day loan period for most print items
  • Use your home library card at any OMNI partner university to borrow books when you are there in person. Before you go, please make sure your student card is operational in your home library.
  • For members of the TRI-U History Graduate Program only, access to online resources at the three TRI-U program libraries (see below).

Access to online resources at the three libraries of the TRI-U History Graduate Program

Students and faculty of the Tri-U program are eligible to access electronic resources from the three libraries (University of Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier University, and University of Waterloo) associated with this joint program. You will be automatically registered for access to online resources. For instructions on how to access, check the relevant page below for your university.

Note: If for some reason you find you do not have access at a partner library, please contact the Tri-U History administrative assistant.

History research guides

Interlibrary loan

For items not available through the Omni library system, use the interlibrary loan services form for your university to submit a request. So, for example, if you can identify a print or microform item that exists somewhere in the world, your home library will try and get it for you, at no additional cost to you. 

Additionally, as a graduate student in a Canadian University, you are entitled to freely visit, borrow, and return items at any Canadian academic library (fees applicable for in-person access and borrowing at the University of Toronto; please check with your home institution if University of Toronto materials are available through interlibrary loan). See the Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement for more information.

Research assistance

Each Tri-U institution has a librarian who supports the history department at their site. These librarians can assist you with search strategies, identifying appropriate resources, citation management, and more. Don’t hesitate to contact:

For Waterloo students

Waterloo students: Joint program e-resource access

University of Waterloo students and faculty members in joint programs with Wilfrid Laurier or University of Guelph may on occasion need to access licensed resources at partner institutions. In collaboration with Laurier and Guelph, the Waterloo Library has developed a process to facilitate authentication for joint program patrons. Please review the information below for details.

University of Guelph

To use the University of Guelph library resources, go to the Guelph library website and search for the electronic resource that you want. After clicking on “view full text” you will see a login page that offers an option for Joint Program students. Please choose the “All other registered library users” login option. For the first time you will need to use the “click here to reset your password” link. On the next screen place your home institution’s email in the ‘User ID’ field.  An email will be sent to that account that will allow for a password to be created.

Wilfrid Laurier University

To use Wilfrid Laurier University library resources, go to Laurier library website and search for the electronic resource that you want. After clicking on “view full text” you can sign on via the second option on the Login page, by using your Waterloo library barcode (begins with 21187) and your last name.