Borrowing Agreements with Other Institutions

In addition to ordering materials from other libraries, University of Windsor students, faculty, and staff can visit libraries across Canada and the US and borrow materials for academic research.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask before you go.

Ontario university libraries participating in Omni 

Omni is a collaboration between 19 Ontario Universities, enabling simple network borrowing across all participants. Students, faculty, and staff of Omni schools also benefit from walk-in borrowing privileges at any partner library.

To borrow from an Omni library while visiting, present your ID card from your home institution at the circulation desk of the Omni library you're visiting. Staff can loan you items as if you were at your home library.

When it is time to return your items, you can also drop off your Omni loans at any other participating Omni library.
List of Omni libraries

As of September 2024, all Ontario universities except for the Royal Military College and the University of Toronto participate in Omni. This includes:

  • Algoma University
  • Brock University
  • Carleton University
  • University of Guelph
  • Lakehead University
  • Laurentian University
  • McMaster University
  • Nipissing University
  • OCAD University
  • Ontario Tech University
  • University of Ottawa
  • Queen’s University
  • Toronto Metropolitan University
  • Trent University
  • University of Waterloo
  • Western University
  • Wilfrid Laurier University
  • University of Windsor
  • York University

University libraries in Canada

The Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement (CURBA) permits all students, faculty, and staff with a valid UWinCARD to register at participating Canadian university libraries to borrow material onsite. By using the lending library's collection or services, all borrowers agree to abide by its regulations and policies.

Most academic libraries in Canada allow external users to access their licensed e-resources from select computer stations in the library. Check the visiting library's website for full details before you go.

Required Documentation
For most university libraries, all that is required is a valid UWinCARD.

In some cases, host libraries, such as those from Quebec, will require a specially issued card for identification purposes. You can get this card – the Inter-University Borrowing Project (IUBP) card – from the Information Desk. If you have questions, please check with us before you go or contact the library you intend to visit.

The University of Toronto Libraries does not participate in this program, but graduate students, faculty, and staff may purchase an external researcher membership.


University libraries in the US

University of Windsor users can also visit and borrow materials from some institutions in the United States. In addition to borrowing print materials, most academic libraries allow external users to access their licensed e-resources from select computer stations in the library. Before you go, check the visiting library's website for full details.
 

Metro Detroit: INFOPASS

INFOPASS is a form that allows University of Windsor faculty, students, and staff to borrow up to three books unavailable from the Leddy or Law Library from this list of libraries in the Metro Detroit area. An INFOPASS is issued upon request at the Information Desk and is valid for ten days from the date of issuance. An INFOPASS will not be granted for an item that is missing or currently being lent out at either the Leddy or Law Library. While the libraries of Wayne State University and Michigan State participate in this program, please be aware that the libraries of the University of Michigan do not. The University of Michigan offers a Guest Borrowers Card to those not affiliated with the University for $250.

To get an INFOPASS

  1. Go to Leddy Library’s Information Desk and get written verification that your library card has no outstanding fines or blocks.
  2. Go to Leddy Library’s Research Help Desk and work with a librarian to fill out the form with information about the book you need and the library where it is available.
  3. Go to the participating library, locate the book(s) and present it along with the INFOPASS form, your current student card, and a 2nd picture ID at their Circulation desk.
  4. Go to the participating library to return the book. Books borrowed with INFOPASS must be returned to the lending library. Do not return books to the Leddy Library.
 

Other US libraries: OCLC

Faculty at the University of Windsor planning to do research at other North American University Libraries can obtain an OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Card from the Information Desk in order to borrow material from this list of participating libraries. While the libraries of Wayne State University and Michigan State participate in this program, please be aware that the libraries of the University of Michigan do not. The University of Michigan offers a Guest Borrowers Card to those not affiliated with the University for $250.

 

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