Inside UNB
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Commons
The Hans W. Klohn Commons is home to the UNB Saint John campus library, the Student Technology Centre, and to many other important resources and services as noted below. At the Commons, you can:
Access research materials
The Commons houses more than 150,000 books, journals, DVDs, and other research materials. Use the library's website to search the collection and to access thousands more eResources, including ebooks and ejournals.
Book a meeting room
The Commons has 9 groups study rooms that can be booked online.
Get research help
The librarians at the Help Centre (directly across from the main entrance) can help you develop research strategies, direct you to the best search tools, and teach you how to use the library's resources. More information | Hours
Get IT help / technical support
The Student Technology Centre (on the first floor) can help with many technological needs including basic hardware setup and maintenance, software support (including Microsoft Office), etc. More information
Get writing help
Consultants at the Writing Centre (on the first floor) help students improve their writing abilities through tutoring sessions that focus on academic assignments. More information | Hours | Book an appointment
Get Math and Science help
The Math and Science Help Centre (on the first floor) helps students who are experiencing difficulty with first year mathematics, statistics, and science courses, and with some upper level business math courses as well. More information
And more...
Enjoy comfortable quiet and group study spaces throughout the building; use the Commons computers or access wireless Internet on your own device; photocopy, print, and scan at the Repro Stations on each floor; and purchase a treat at the Commons Cafe (including JavaMoose coffee).
Questions and Answers:
- How many books are in the Hans W. Klohn Commons?
This summer we moved 150,000 books and bound periodicals to the Commons from the Ward Chipman Library. If you’re having trouble imagining this, it is about 4500 three foot sections of shelving, or 900 bays (assuming 5 shelves per bay), or 36 kilometers if the books were laid end to end.
- How long did it take to move the books from the Ward Chipman Library to the Hans W. Klohn Commons?
It took about 5 days.
On July 11, Campbell Brothers Moving arrived from London, Ontario to vacuum, pack-up and move all of the books and periodicals from the Main Stacks in the Ward Chipman Library to the Hans W. Klohn Commons. They completed the job on July 16.
- Where are the rest of the books and periodicals?
We left some collections of material in storage in the basement of the Ward Chipman building. This includes our Science Fiction and Fantasy Collection. Requests for material can be made online and we’ll fetch twice a day. -
How many people work in the Commons?
21 full-time staff work in the Commons. Plus about a dozen student assistants during the school term. - What services are available in the Commons?
Along with traditional library services such as borrowing books, help with research, study carrels and computers, students can: borrow laptops, other mobile devices, cameras, et cetera; meet with a writing tutor in the Sisters of Charity Writing Centre; get expert help in the Math and Science Help Centre; or attend a class in the BMO Financial Group Smart Classroom. - Is it possible to get squashed in the compact shelves?
The shelving system installed in the ground floor uses motion detectors to ensure that the shelves cannot close when someone is in the aisle. Even a book pulled out too far will stop it from moving. - When will the BMO Financial Group Smart Classroom be available?
The Classroom will be available for faculty to book individual classes for the Winter 2012 term. When the class isn’t in use the room can be used as an open lab. -
What furniture and equipment will be in the BMO Classroom?
There will be a variety of tables, displays and workstations designed with presentations and small group work in mind. -
How many computers are in the Hans W. Klohn Commons compared to the Ward Chipman Library?
There are 88 computers for students in the Commons compared to 46 in the Ward Chipman Library and the Student Technology Centre. -
How many group study rooms are available?
There are 9 group study rooms, 2 large and 2 regular size on the ground level, and 5 rooms on the 2nd floor. The rooms can be booked online. -
If every student on campus came to the Commons at the same time how many of them could sit in a chair?
About 375 (depending on how cozy you want to be on a sofa). That’s a 42 percent increase from what was available in the Ward Chipman Library. - What are the hours of the Commons?
During the term we are open:
Monday to Thursday 8 am to 11 pm
Friday 8 am to 8 pm
Saturday and Sunday noon to 8 pm
Check the hours for today - Does the Commons have a Facebook page?
Yes! -
What are my options for getting help if I’m at home or on the bus?
Try our chat widget during opening hours or call us at 648-5710. - Do I have to read in the Keith and Elizabeth Chapman Grand Reading Room?
The Grand Reading Room is meant for QUIET study. What you can lawfully do very quietly you can do in the Grand Reading Room. Please respect your colleagues need for silence while they are working. If you need to slurp coffee, bang on a keyboard or speak to a friend, use another area of the Commons. - Is it possible to find out if a study room is available?
Yes!
Ask the staff for help! -
Can I eat and drink in the Commons?
Yes. Please clean up after yourself and remember to recycle. - Are there printers and photocopiers?
Yes. There are Repro stations on each floor. The multi-function devices will print, scan, and copy. -
How much does it cost to print?
10 cents a side. Scanning is free! - Where can I scan a picture?
At any of the Repro stations. - Can I edit movies in the Commons?
All of the iMacs on the ground floor have iMovie. If you want to do more advanced editing you will be able to use the Digital Media Production Suite located on the 2nd Floor (The DMPS will be ready later in the Fall). - Can I make an appointment to see a Writing Tutor?
Make an appointment online or call 648-5710
