Books

Unlock More with SmartLibrary: One Card, Twelve Libraries

Have you ever been frustrated when your local library doesn’t have the book or resource you need? Imagine being able to borrow from twelve different libraries — public and academic — across the Ottawa–Gatineau region, all with a single card.

That’s the magic of SmartLibrary.

What Is SmartLibrary?

SmartLibrary is a partnership between twelve libraries in the National Capital Region that lets you use one card to access all their collections. Whether you’re a student, researcher, or lifelong learner, SmartLibrary opens the doors to millions of books, DVDs, and digital resources.

📚 Visit the official site → smartlib-bibliogen.ca

Why You’ll Love It

Here’s why SmartLibrary is a game-changer for knowledge seekers:

  • More Access: Browse and borrow from twelve different libraries instead of just one.

  • More Languages: Access both English and French materials, from popular novels to scholarly research.

  • More Convenience: Borrow from the location that’s easiest for you — whether you’re in Ottawa or Gatineau.

  • More Variety: Academic journals, local history, movies, kids’ books — you name it, one of the partner libraries probably has it.

How to Get Your SmartLibrary Card

It’s easy!

  1. Be a member of one of the partner libraries.

  2. Ask for a SmartLibrary card at your home library.

  3. Start borrowing from any participating location.

Just remember: you’re responsible for returning items on time and following each library’s borrowing rules.

Meet the Partners

SmartLibrary brings together some of the region’s top public and academic libraries, including:

  • Ottawa Public Library – with over 2 million items and a wide range of programs and services.

  • Bibliothèque municipale de Gatineau – offering 664,000 French-language documents across 10 branches.

  • Algonquin College Library

  • Carleton University Library

  • Canadian War Museum & Canadian Science & Technology Museum Library and Archives
  • National Gallery of Canada

  • Université du Québec en Outaouais Library
    …and several others.

Together, they form a powerful network that makes learning and discovery easier than ever.

Why It Matters

In a world full of subscription services and paywalls, SmartLibrary is a reminder that knowledge should be free and accessible. It connects people to information, supports bilingual learning, and encourages community growth — all through collaboration between libraries.

Ready to Explore?

As an Algonquin College student you’re just one step away from unlocking a much larger collection. Visit smartlib-bibliogen.ca to find out how to get your SmartLibrary card and start borrowing today.

Make the Most of the Online Library!

From eBooks and research databases to print books and laptops, we’ve made sure the Library is at your fingertips whenever you need it. Want the full scoop on how we can help you?

Whether you’re totally new to the Online Library or just want to make sure you’re using all our supportive resources, here are some tips to get you started:

Book a One-on-One Online Appointment

Sometimes you need a little more personalized help—and we’re here for it! You can book a one-on-one online appointment with one of our library experts to get advice on everything from searching for resources to planning your research project. We’ll guide you through it all—no stress! Just book your appointment here.

Register for a Library Workshop

If you’re new to the Library (or just need a refresher), we’ve got a workshops that’ll show you the ropes! These sessions cover everything from how to avoid plagiarism to finding the perfect resources and citing them like a pro. Trust us, our workshop will be super handy when those big assignment roll around.
Check out our Workshops page to sign up for free.

Discover Our Digital Resources

Need articles, eBooks, tutorials, or videos? We’ve got it all in our digital collection, and the best part is—you can access it anytime, anywhere. Use Page 1+ to find almost everything we have, all in one place. It’s like your personal research assistant (but faster!). Start exploring all the goodness on our Library homepage.

Place a Hold on Print Books

Need a physical book? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with 24 hour book pickup! Just log in to your library account through Page 1+, request the book you want, and we’ll email you when it’s ready for pickup on campus. It’s that simple. For more info on how it works, check out our FAQ on placing a hold on an item.

Check Out Our Subject Guides (They’re Like Cheat Sheets!)

Feeling a little overwhelmed with all the resources out there? No worries—our Subject Guides are like your personal roadmap to everything you need for your specific program. Each guide is packed with curated resources just for your field of study, so you can get right to the good stuff. Check them out on our Subject Guides page.

We’re here to make sure you have everything you need to succeed this semester (and beyond). Whether you’re looking for research tips, library resources, or just need someone to chat with, we’ve got your back! For all the info you need, visit our Library website, or start a chat with us online. Let’s make this semester awesome!

Get Your Fill of Thrills and Chills This Halloween!

October 31st is the one day where (mostly) everyone is ready for a good scare! Whether you’re a true crime fanatic, an armchair detective, a paranormal enthusiast, a creative costume-maker, or an overall devotee of all things spooky – we’ve got you covered!

Creep what we have online and on our shelves to help you have the best Halloween ever:

Horror Movies from Criterion

Watch feature films, from current hits to classic favorites, including films from major producers such as Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox available in the Criterion database.

Browse by genre and select Horror to start streaming scary films such as The Conjuring, Barbarian, Midsommar, A Quiet Place Part II, Scream, Paranormal Activity, Beetlejuice, and many more popular titles!

Supernatural Stories – You’ll Want to Sleep with the Lights On!

True Crime: Because the Truth is Scarier than Fiction

Dress to Impress: Create the Perfect Halloween Party Costume

Stephen King: Terrifying Tales from the King of Horror

Happy Halloween from all of us at the Library, stay spooky!

The Library & SLC: Here to Support Your On-Campus & Online Learning!

A big welcome to all our new and returning students! Whether you’re taking classes on-campus or online (or both!) we want to assure you that the Library and Student Learning Centre (SLC) have a variety of services available to support your learning.

*Please note, some of our online resources will require you to login with your College Network Account.

Explore our list of services and resources:

  • Library Space:
    The Library space at the Ottawa campus is open 24/7 and features a silent study room and a bookable meeting room (more meeting rooms are available on the 2nd floor of C Building). The Library help desks are available to assist you during business hours.
  • Borrowing Books:
    If you would like to borrow a book from your campus Library, you can request the item online using Page 1+ or you can visit your local campus Library in person. You will need your AC card to borrow books. Click here for more information on how to request items.
  • Returning Books:
    Books may be returned to your campus Library drop box.
  • Digital Resource Collections:
    Access the library’s A-Z digital resource collections, this includes databases, eBooks, online videos, journals, and more. Digital resources are available 24/7 and require you to login to your College Network Account.
  • eBooks and Audiobooks Collections:
    Access electronic books on a wide variety of subjects. Find instructions on how to locate, use and download eBooks to different devices in our eBooks Guide.
  • Essential Skills Guides:
    Explore a variety of online guides that cover essential skills such as citing sources, avoiding plagiarism, research, math, English communication, technology, study skills, and much more.
  • FAQ’s:
    Find answers to commonly asked questions.
  • Coaching Lab:
    The Coaching Lab offers all Algonquin College students individual and small group coaching, both online and on-campus, at no charge. The areas of coaching offered are computer, math, writing, ESL, study skills, presentation skills, research, and anatomy/biology.
    *Pembroke students can also visit the Pembroke Campus Student Support Lab page to book an appointment with a Pembroke Campus Coach.
  • Peer Tutoring:
    If you’re a student who finds themselves experiencing difficulties in a course or are struggling to understand a concept being covered in class, Peer Tutoring can help. This service matches you with a trained student tutor for one-on-one tutoring. Tutors are students who graduated from the class before and did well in it. The fee for tutoring is $9.00 per hour. Peer Tutoring appointments are offered online and on-campus.
  • Skill-building Workshops:
    Students can participate in workshops to develop and strengthen fundamental skills such as research, writing, digital skills, and study skills to help you succeed in classes. These workshops are offered both online and on-campus, and are free to attend.
  • Online Video Collections:
    Access multiple online video collections on a wide variety of topics. Find instructions for finding, using, downloading and embedding online videos in our how-to guide.
  • Page 1+:
    Meet the Library’s new resource search tool. Research more effectively and discover access to industry-relevant resources.
  • Open Educational Resources (OER):
    Find free, openly licensed images, videos, icons, course material, textbooks and more within our Open Educational Resources Guide.
  • Subject Guides:
    These are curated guides for specific programs and areas of study. This is a great starting point for new students and for those doing preliminary research!
  • The Learning Portal:
    The Learning Portal provides shared access to resources from all Ontario Colleges. Explore modules related to learning online, study skills, digital skills, writing, research, math, career exploration, and more.

    • Maamwi Hub: The Maamwi Hub is inspired by the TRC 94 Calls to Action to ensure that the 24 Colleges of Ontario lead in the education of staff and students on the diverse Indigenous histories, cultures, and current Indigenous worldviews. We hope that the Maamwi Hub will be a part of your ongoing reconciliation journey.

For more information, please visit us in-person or connect with us online. Have a great first week!

Black History Month at the Library

February is Black History Month; a time to honor and celebrate the culture, contributions, and legacies of Black Canadians and others around the globe.

In support of this year’s theme “Black Resistance,” the Library would like to share some resources to guide the college community in finding out more about the achievements made and adversities faced by Black individuals over the course of history.

We have a selection of books on display at the Ottawa Library (Collection Room II) in honor of Black History Month. We encourage all to drop-by and discover a variety of novels featuring prominent Black authors, non-fiction narratives that foster allyship, award-winning children’s books, and more.

Below is a list of what you can find on display in the Library throughout February:

Explore our online collections to find more recommended resources in celebration of Black History Month: