Skip to Main Content

Canadian Literature

A guide to Canadian Literature

Catalogue upgrade 2022: Temporarily broken links

Broken link iconNote to users: Please be advised that after May 17th you may encounter some broken links on our Research Guides. These have occurred due to a library system migration, and we are working hard to repair these links quickly. In most cases, broken links will be links to books in Novanet. If you find a broken link, we recommend you copy the book title and paste it into the library search bar. If you are unable to access the book or have any other questions, please contact your Subject Librarian (contact info on this guide).

Finding Books in the Killam Library

The Library's collection of Canadian literature and criticism is located on the 3rd floor of the Killam Library in the PS8000 section. There might also be helpful books in the PN section, which is the section for general literature. The Library uses the Library of Congress classification system to organize our collections. 

Search Novanet for Books

Searching the Novanet catalogue is a great way to find books, especially those in print.

Use these short help videos to learn how to use Novanet:

For help searching in Novanet you can:

Find Books Online

Ebook Collections

Document Delivery

So you found a great book but it isn't at Dal - what can you do?

Watch these videos about Novanet Express and Document Delivery, or read on below.

If the item is listed in Novanet you can request it using the Novanet Express service! Click on the "Available at other Novanet Libraries" option, then click "Sign in" to place a hold. You can choose which library you want the book delivered to when you sign in with your Dal Card barcode and 4-digit PIN.

Novanet Express requested items are guaranteed delivery within 3 business days.
You will be notified by email when your requested material arrives. All requested items are to be picked up at the Circulation desk.

Screen shot underlining "sign in" link on Novanet, under "Get it" heading.

Then click "Hold"

Screen shot with "hold" link, click on "sign in" to reveal this option.

Or, click on the Document Delivery option

Screen shot of the left-most column in Novanet item pop-up window, "document delivery" option is the second to last link.

Choose the "Document Delivery" option from the list by clicking the "Go" button will take you to the Document Delivery request form. The same login is required. The form will be automatically filled in with the information of the item you want but please check that the information is complete, add a "need by date" and any notes, click on the box next to the copyright statement and submit the request.

Screen shot of Novanet item access options. Click the "go" option beside document delivery.

Document Delivery requests filled by any Atlantic Canadian university library will also normally arrive within 3 business days. If the material is not locally available delivery times will vary. You will be notified by email when books arrive, pick up is available from the Dalhousie library of your choice.
*King’s users must use the King's Document Delivery service.

Articles will be delivered by e-mail link to your registered Dalhousie/King's email address.

If the item isn't in Novanet

If you searched for an item that didn't show up in Novanet, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "try your search in WorldCat."

Screen shot of the very bottom of a Novanet item pop-up window, under the "not finding what you're looking for?" heading, option to link out to WorldCat.

Then find the item you want in WorldCat, click on it, and click on "Request Item through Document Delivery." You will be asked to log in. This will auto fill the Document Delivery form. Check that the information is accurate, then choose your delivery location and "Need by" date. 

Screen shot of WorldCat web page item pop-up window, option to request item through Document Delivery under "availability" heading.

Or

Use the following link to Dal's Document Delivery webpage and choose "Patron Request Form." The same Document Delivery login and services as described above apply. Select the appropriate "Loan/Book" or "Copy/Article" option. Fill in the form and submit the request.

https://libraries.dal.ca/borrow/document-delivery.html