After months of closure, Humber Lakeshore’s library re-opens in time for finals

Humber Lakeshore’s library is now officially open again after over three months of closure. It was initially closed starting July 18 due to the construction of the new Cultural Hub, which was expected to last four weeks, but multiple delays caused the closure to continue until the end of October.

While most services are back up and running, Sandra Herber, librarian for the Faculty of Media and Creative Arts, said there are still some restrictions.

“Unfortunately, there’s still some construction going on. That is affecting our lower level. So the lower level where all the books are kept, and there are some computers down there, is off limits to students at the moment.”

However, study rooms, printers, scanners, and open-study spaces are all available to students once again. Herber is unsure when things will be fully back up and running again, as it is all dependent on the construction progress.

Anastasiia Sten, a Digital Communications degree student at the Lakeshore campus, said she is very grateful the library is open once again. “I used to study there often, and I really like the study spaces because it’s nice and quiet.”

In addition to study areas, students are able to access research help and resources at the library if they need it.

“We have a research help desk in the library, which is staffed when the library is open. We [librarians] sit on the desk as well as library technicians for walk-up questions. Whatever help they require. We’re ready to give it at that moment,” Herber explained.

Herber said she wishes more students knew about the library and the in-person and virtual resources it can offer students, whether they are working on their thesis or just completing assignments.

“This library isn’t just the physical space … there’s so much more that could help you could do very well in your programs without having never come into our spaces.”

She shared that each faculty has a designated librarian. Students can book appointments with librarians online with librarians who can help them with in-depth research. The Humber libraries offer around 100,000 physical books between the two campuses and close to 3 million e-books.

“We’re only too happy to have you come in, and we’d love you to come in, but you can do all that research from the comfort of your home,” Herber said.

Sten said she has used the online library services extensively for her thesis capstone research and found useful key articles for her required annotated bibliography assignment.

The Lakeshore Library is located in the A building and open on weekdays from 8 a.m to 6 p.m.

Humber students can use and access library services free of charge and only need to bring their student number and a piece of ID if they would like to check out equipment or borrow books.

The virtual library is available at all times at https://library.humber.ca/ and students can access it using their Humber login details.