Visitors not currently affiliated with Thompson Rivers University may obtain a borrowing card by visiting the Library during opening hours.
TRU Alumni can access library services with their Alumni Benefits card. Cards may be requested from https://www.tru.ca/forms/alumni/update/
Alumni and members of the community may borrow materials from the TRU campus library with their Alumni or Community Card. TRU Interlibrary and intralibrary loan service is not available for community patrons.
Article databases and other licensed resources are purchased for the exclusive use of TRU Faculty, Staff and Students. Due to licensing restrictions, remote access for alumni is prohibited for many of our databases. See a library staff member for more details.
Service Commitment
TRU Library Reference Staff will:
- Provide timely, appropriate, helpful, and courteous service whether asked in person, online, or by phone.
- Be approachable, polite, sensitive, efficient, and knowledgeable.
- Respect the patron’s privacy and confidentiality.
- Make informed referrals when appropriate.
- Provide effective reference interviews, listen attentively, and connect patrons with resources that will answer their information needs.
- Answer all questions when possible within the limitations imposed by legal, financial, or access constraints.
- Follow Reference and User Services Guidelines (RUSA) whenever possible.
Eligibility
- The TRU Library provides reference services to anyone who requests assistance. However, current TRU students, faculty, and staff take priority over requests for assistance by the non-TRU community.
- The TRU Library does not offer an expedited or “Rush” system for requests for assistance. All requests are processed on a “first-come, first-served” basis.
Limitations of Reference Services
- When the reference staff member has multiple patron demands, first priority is placed on serving the needs of current TRU students and faculty.
- It is expected that a telephone request will entail significant research time, a return call may be required, or refer them to visit the reference desk, or book a one on one consultation.
- The Library is not equipped to handle most questions of a genealogical nature. These requests are referred to the TNRD public library.
- Reference assistance at TRU does not include giving legal or medical advice or opinions.
