Alumni & community

Welcome to UVic Libraries!

Community members and alumni are welcome to visit and use our buildings, collections and resources. Our spaces are open to all—no sign up required. You can borrow our materials by signing up for a free library card.

Stop by to browse our shelves or join an activity. Many of our workshops and events are free and open to the public. We look forward to seeing you!

Our library is your library

The Mearns - McPherson Library and the Priestly Library are open to the public.

You don’t need a library card to visit. Come in and enjoy our building, browse our shelves, use our seating and experience our art.

Art in the library

We host art in our buildings for visitors to enjoy. Explore our latest exhibits in the Legacy Maltwood Gallery on the lower level of the main library. Learn about Treaty Relations in the Salish Sea from the new map in the student lounge area on the main floor.

Rare and unique collections

Our Special Collections are also open to everyone. Visit the reading room to access rare and unique books, photographs, letters and other materials.

Study rooms

Community members can't book study rooms, but you can use them if they are empty. Please note that you must leave the room if asked.

Using our print & digital collections

Print collection

You can borrow library materials for free with a community card or alumni ONECard.

• visit the Ask Us Desk to get a free community card
• the Alumni ONECard also acts as a library card

Our collections take many different forms. In our stacks, you can find:

• CDs
• kids’ books (curriculum collection)
• novels and leisure reading
• vinyl records

If the item you’re looking for is not in our collection, you can request an interlibrary loan for a fee.

If you live outside of Victoria, we can send books to you by mail for a fee.

Digital collection

You can access our digital collections in person at our library workstations with a guest Netlink ID. Visit the Ask Us Desk in the Mearns - McPherson Library to get one.

If you want to copy database materials for personal use, you can use the library printing stations for a small fee.

Need access to databases from home? Try these resources:

• articles: Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
• ebooks: OAPEN Library

Alumni can access some of our databases from home using your Netlink ID.

Looking for local Indigenous content? Our Indigenous Hub can help you find the resources you need.

Get involved

Attend an event or workshop

Many of our events are open to the public. Check out our homepage to see what’s coming up.

Do you want to learn a new skill or tool? Most of our in-person and online workshops are open to the public.

Curious about Generative AI? We hold regular GenAI workshops. We also have online guides to GenAI that you can access for free.

Sign up for our newsletter

Stay up to date about what’s going on in the libraries!

Visit the downtown gallery

Did you know that the University Art Collections also has a downtown gallery? Stop by to experience art exhibitions off-campus.

Support us

Looking for a way to support UVic Libraries? Learn more about donations and their impact.

Have a question?

Contact us and we will be happy to help.