Seneca Libraries collections are developed to support college programs. Priority is given to the information needs of current students, staff, faculty and the college's Board of Governors. The surrounding community is welcome to use library facilities and individuals may register as a Community Borrower.
Seneca Libraries recognizes and honours the intellectual freedom and right to privacy of all persons. Seneca College protects the confidentiality of borrower records including the circulation of material, interlibrary/intercampus loan transactions, reference queries, reserve requests and the use of new media materials as collected under the legal authority of the College and Universities Act, R.S.O. 1990 c.M19, section 5 Reg. 770.
All full- and part-time students, faculty, and staff can borrow library material and access online resources using a valid Seneca ID or library card. Please note that these ID cards are non-transferable.
The libraries' general collection is not open to Alumni, retirees, or community borrowers.
The majority of collections circulate for two weeks. High demand materials have shorter loan periods.
What should I know about borrowing from the general collection?
Are faculty and staff allowed extended loans on General Collection materials?
Yes, faculty and staff may request extended loans on any item in the General Collection. Seneca Libraries reserves the right to recall extended loans prior to the due date.
Can I borrow materials between semesters?
Students enrolled in the term immediately following the current one may borrow material during the 2 week period between terms. Full-time students must show a copy of their timetable to staff and returning part-time students must show their registration papers. New students must wait until the first day of the term to borrow items.
Can I borrow material from the legal reference collection?
Unfortunately, items from the legal reference collection do not circulate and are for in-library use only.
How can I renew my materials?
Renewals can be done online, in person at the Self Check station, or by contacting us on AskUs Live.
Where can I return my books?
Books and DVDs can be returned to any campus location.
What are recalled items?
If a hold is placed on an item that you have checked out, and if the item requested is overdue, Seneca Libraries will recall the item. When the item is returned, the requester who placed the hold will be notified and the item will be held for up to three days.
What happens if I lost or don't return an item?
Items not returned or renewed after 6 weeks past their due date will be considered lost. You will be required to pay the cost of the item plus a $6 processing fee to replace a lost item.
Interlibrary loans (ILL) allow Seneca students, faculty and staff to borrow materials such as books (excluding textbooks), reports, theses and some periodical articles from libraries outside of Seneca College.
All current Seneca students, staff and faculty may borrow materials directly from Ontario Colleges through the Direct Borrowing agreement. Students who are enrolled in joint Seneca College/York University programs, and all faculty, may borrow directly from York University.
Requests may be submitted using the Interlibrary Loan Form. Reference, reserves and serials are not for loan. Seneca is a reciprocal loan institution; for full information please see Symbols and Interlibrary Loan Policies in Canada.