Library Commons Construction and Federated Identity Management

Reminder! All students need new ID cards  

Students who received their student ID card prior to July 2019 must get a new student ID by the end of the fall semester. All members of the VIU community will need their card to access the library’s Learning Commons and the Centre for International Education on the Nanaimo campus after hours starting December 18. In the future, the card will be used to access other facilities and services. 

This is part of the Federated Identity Management initiative, which will lead to a greatly simplified user experience when accessing both VIU internal and external services and resources. 

Please remind your students to get a new card if they have not since July. New cards are free, and students can now upload selfies through the Student Records System or visit the library service desk.

Prizes! Prizes! Prizes!

Students who received a new student card from July 2019 onward are automatically entered to win the following prizes:

• • Up to $500 worth of textbooks from the Campus Store in January 2020

  • VIU hoodies from the Campus Store

Also, students who get a new student card between now and December 18 will receive a coupon for 20% off regular priced clothing and giftware at the Campus Store.

For questions or concerns, contact fim@viu.ca. 

Main floor of library undergoing renovations

Starting soon, we will begin making several improvements to the library and Learning Commons, responding to consistent student requests made over the last decade (tri-annual student surveys; space usage analysis; student focus groups). These include:

• • Secure 24/7 access to the third and fourth floors for students and employees; the Library Commons will grow from 8,000 square feet, to nearly 43,000 square feet;

  • Increase in the number of computers available 24/7 from 64 to 101;

  • Access to both silent study spaces, 24/7;

  • Increase in individual and collaborative study seating, from 320 to 450;

  • Redesigned single-service desk, incorporating the IT Help Desk;

  • Centralized printing/copy area;

  • Dedicated space for students with families, featuring family-friendly furnishings; 

  • Improved traffic flow;

  • Universal design elements, including accessible furniture, service points, and significantly improved access to the fourth floor accessibility bridge, which provides essential access to buildings 355, 356 and the upper campus;

  • Green elements to address students’ desire to see more plants and nature-themed art in our spaces;

  • Renovated washrooms.
    

These improvements will unfortunately be noisy and disruptive, and we apologize. Additional seating will be made available on the fourth floor to reduce the impact on studies, and free earplugs are always available at the library’s service desk. As a 24/7, high volume facility, it will not always be possible to complete the work quietly. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we bring about these exciting changes!

Check out our library renovation page for the latest updates. If you have any questions, please send them to research.help@viu.ca.