Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement
The Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement (CURBA) makes it possible for UNB and STU students, staff, and faculty to borrow library materials from participating university and college libraries across Canada, and for students, staff, and faculty from those same institutions to borrow from UNB libraries. The agreement affects member institutions of four library consortia:
- CAAL-CBPA: Council of Atlantic Academic Libraries / Conseil des bibliothèques postsecondaires de l’Atlantique
- PBUQ: Partenariat des bibliothèques universitaires du Québec
- OCUL: Ontario Council of University Libraries
- COPPUL: Council of Prairie and Pacific University Librarians
Identification/Borrowing Card
UNB and STU students, staff and faculty need a valid CURBA card to borrow library materials at participating libraries. CURBA cards are issued at the Harriet Irving Library (Monday to Friday - 8:00 am - 4:00 pm) in Fredericton, and the Hans W. Klohn Library in Saint John.
When UNB or STU students, staff, or faculty visit participating libraries, they may be asked to provide additional information or identification, such as a UNB or STU ID card. It is their responsibility to ensure that they have obtained the appropriate identification before visiting another library.
Individuals seeking library privileges while visiting UNB libraries are expected to obtain the proper identification card from their home university. UNB libraries have the right to defer an application until such time that the applicant’s status and standing at their home university are confirmed.
Library Privileges and Restrictions
The primary privilege under the agreement is in-person borrowing of circulating library materials. Each library may offer additional privileges or services (e.g. interlibrary loan privileges) to users from participating libraries as they see fit, and some fees may apply.
Each university will lend materials to CURBA card holders based on their rules and regulations and will determine the loan periods and privileges to extend to card holders. Note, for example, that the University of Toronto will not lend materials to undergraduate students.
Returning Library Materials
Materials borrowed under the agreement may be returned to the library that owns the materials or to another library within the same consortium. Materials may not be returned to libraries that are outside of the consortium. For example, books borrowed from Dalhousie University Libraries may be returned to UNB Libraries or to any other member of the CAAL-CBPA consortium (listed below), but may not be returned to the University of Alberta, which is a member of the COPPUL consortium. CAAL-CBPA (Atlantic Provinces) members are listed on the CAAL-CPBA Members page.