NOVA Libraries provide access to the resources, services, and support you need for academic success. Explore how to access citation help, group study spaces, technology lending services, and use of print library materials to support your learning and research goals.
Citation Help & Plagiarism
Students can find information about citing sources and avoiding plagiarism in the guides below. For more guides, visit Research Guides.
Library Services
Group Study Rooms
Students can reserve a group study room at any campus library (except Manassas) by visiting Group Study Rooms.
Equipment & Technology
Students can borrow various equipment and technology that is available at campus libraries. For more information, visit Equipment & Technology.
Course Reserves
Some professors place course materials, including textbooks, on reserve at campus libraries for students to use. These course reserve items are usually for specific courses and are generally only available at the library on the campus where the course is being taught.
Professors determine how students can use course reserve items; most items must stay in the library, and some have time limits. Course reserve items that can leave the library have restricted loan periods. To check out course reserve items, students are required to have their NOVACard. Course reserve items cannot be renewed.
Students can search for course reserves using the library catalog. For instructions, see How to Search for Course Reserves Online. For more information about course reserves, please contact a campus library.
Interlibrary Loan
The purpose of interlibrary loan is to obtain materials that are needed for college-related research that are not available in the NOVA Libraries collection. Students can submit requests for interlibrary loans by using the Interlibrary Loan Request forms below.
Suggest a Resource
Students can suggest a resource for the Libraries to add to their collection by using the Suggest a Resource forms below or by contacting a campus library.
Using Library Materials
Borrow, Renew, Return
| Borrow | Renew | Return |
|---|---|---|
|
Required Card: NOVACard Loan Period: 3 weeks (except course reserves and equipment) Borrowing Limit: 30 items total |
Library items (except course reserves) can be renewed once, unless they are overdue or have been requested by other patrons. Items can be renewed:
|
Library items may be returned at any NOVA campus library. For locations, see Contact Us. Please return breakable items directly to library staff rather than leaving them in an unattended location or placing them in book drop. |
Request Library Materials
Students can request to have library items:
- Sent from one campus library to another
- Placed on hold at the campus library where the item is located
Students can submit requests:
- Online. For instructions, see How to Request Items Online.
- In person at a campus library. For locations, see Contact Us.
- By contacting a campus library. For contact information, see Contact Us.
Students will receive an email when an item that they requested is ready for pick-up.
Overdue, Lost, or Damaged Items
NOVA Libraries do not charge fines for items that are overdue.
Library items are the property of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Library users are responsible for the care and return of these items. Students must pay the replacement cost of library items on loan to them that are lost or damaged. For more information, please contact a campus library.
Privileges at other Academic Libraries
George Mason University
Students are eligible for limited borrowing privileges at George Mason University Libraries at no cost. For more information, see the VIVA Cooperative Borrowing Program section on the Special Groups webpage.
VIVA Cooperative Borrowing
Students can borrow materials on-site from any participating academic library through VIVA's Cooperative Borrowing Program.