UBC students, faculty and staff now have remote access to more than 80 UBC Library computer workstations for academic instructional use. Users can connect, using CWL and password to desktop computers in four UBC Library labs.
Access to these workstations, which include PCs and Macs, is especially critical to those who require specialized software and high-performing machines to pursue their research.
“It is hugely impactful for students to be able to access high power machines that they likely wouldn’t be able to access or afford otherwise — especially at this time,” says Eka Grguric, Digital Scholarship Librarian, “Access to the right tools at the right time is critical to student success.”
Among the computers available are the seventeen powerful machines located in the Digital Scholarship Lab in the UBC Library Research Commons which boast a comprehensive list of specialty software. “Even providing access to something like Oxygen XML editor is a show of support to under-resourced projects on campus that are used to provisioning their own tools,” she adds.
Evan Thornberry, Map and GIS Librarian is pleased that students now have access to the six computers located in the GIS Lab in the Research Commons. “Many of the software available on these computers cannot be easily provisioned on personal computers. With the virtual machines, we are able to provide access to specialized proprietary software like Esri’s ArcGIS 24 hours a day.”
Users can also gain access to more than 40 Mac public computer workstations and nearly 200 PC public computer workstations across several library branches.
“Being a student is difficult enough with the challenges that the COVID-19 outbreak has introduced to the new academic year. Providing remote access to library computer labs allows us to honour the library’s strategic direction to provide technology-rich spaces that enable experimentation and encourage creative approaches for our faculty and students,” says Allan Bell, Associate University Librarian, Digital Programs and Services.
Access remote computers at UBC Library.
Learn more about the software available in the UBC Library Research Commons’ Data/GIS Lab.
Learn more about the software available in the UBC Library Research Commons’ Digital Scholarship Lab*
Learn more about the software available in the Woodward Library lab.
*Due to licensing restrictions, Adobe Creative Cloud software is not available remotely.
This project is part of UBC Library’s strategic direction to inspire with innovative spaces and services.
Learn more about our Strategic Framework.