- Q : For first-timers and infrequent visitors, is there a good
*** place to start?
A :
Go to the Reference Desk on the main floor. The librarian on
*** duty can help you get started on your assignments. And, in the
*** Reference Room and near the entrance there are numerous
*** staff -prepared flyers that should help you with your research,
*** as well as acquaint you with Soper's collections and services.
Q : During orientation, the librarian spoke of "ready reference."
*** Is that different from "reference"?
A : Yes. Ready reference books are shelved behind the Reference
*** Desk, and you must sign for and present an ID in order to use
*** them. This provides an extra measure of control, necessary
*** due to especially heavy demand for these items.
Q : May I access the Library's electronic databases from home?
A : Yes, but you must be registered as a Soper Library patron. Click
*** on "Research Port " and follow the prompts for your last name and
*** barcode (the 14-digit number on your Bear Necessity Card).
Q :May I check my personal circulation record?
A : Yes. Select "my account" from the menu of choices in the online catalog. Follow the prompts.
Q : How may I recommend a book or journal to the Library?
A : Ask your professor to request purchase of the item through his/her
*** academic department.
Q : May I return books from other campuses to Soper Library?
A : Yes. You may return books from other campuses to Soper Library.
Q : My instructor says he has placed books on reserve. Where are
*** they?
A : All reserve materials are located on shelves behind the
*** Circulation Desk. They circulate for in-house use only and (with
*** few exceptions) for short periods.
Q : How can I find out if you have a video on a certain topic?
A : Using the online catalog, select "advanced search" from the menu.
*** The next screen will provide a pull-down menu for format. Among the formats
*** you may select from is "Videos-VHS".
Q :
A : Interlibrary loan is a loan between libraries, which explains why
*** patrons who have made interlibrary loan requests cannot pick up
*** the items in person at the lending library.
Q : What types of materials are not available through interlibrary loan?
A : Generally, non-circulating materials are not available. These might
*** include rare books, reference books, items in special collections,
*** entire issues of newspapers or periodicals, audio-visual and
*** multimedia materials.
Q : Who is eligible for interlibrary loan?
A : All MSU faculty, staff, and students who are in good standing have
*** interlibrary loan privileges.
Q : If I have a question about interlibrary loan, whom should I contact?
A : Contact Donald Matthews at 443-885-1711/3477 (telephone) or
*** dmatthews@moac.morgan.edu (e-mail)
Q : How do I place an interlibrary loan request?
A : Please click on "Library Service" and then "Request for Interlibrary Loan. Also, you may
***request for an ILL form at the Circulation Desk.
Q : How do I renew my interlibrary loan book?
A : For the most part, books borrowed on interlibrary loan cannot be
*** renewed. If renewal is desired, give at least one week's notice
*** prior to the due date to Soper Library's ILL librarian. Soper
*** Library cannot renew ILL items; the ILL librarian will request
*** the renewal from the supplying library.
Q : Is there a charge for interlibrary loan?
A : Soper Library does not charge for interlibrary loan, as is the case
*** with many of the libraries from whom it borrows regularly.
*** However, it is not uncommon for some libraries--especially those
*** that receive a large number of requests--to charge a fee to cover
*** their expenses. Patrons should note the maximum amount they are
*** willing to pay for the lending library's fees.
Q : I live in the community nearby. May I borrow books?
A : No. While you do have access to many of our services and may
*** read books and periodicals in-house, we restrict borrowing
*** privileges to those affiliated with the University or with other
*** institutions with whom we have reciprocal agreements.
Q : Why is it that I find some areas closed when I visit the library?
A : Like most libraries, special purpose areas are not scheduled to
*** be open during all Library hours--usually due to low usage and
*** staffing limitations. When we say the library is open, we are
*** referring to the Circulation and Reference Desks, and the stacks
*** and common areas. Hours for the special purpose rooms are posted
*** on the doors to those areas.
Q : Is there a change machine in the Library?
A : No. The copy machines accept quarters, dimes, nickels, and small
*** bills (ones and fives). Some accept the Bear Necessity Card, as
*** do all the microform printers in our Multimedia Room. A vending
*** machine in the main lobby allows MSU students and employees to
*** add value to their cards or visitors from off campus to purchase cards.
Q : Is there any way of knowing whether a book is actually on the
*** shelf?
A : In most cases, you need only consult the full record in the
*** online catalog. After you find the title of a book that
*** interests you click on it to bring up the full record. After
*** scrolling past the descriptive information, the "Status" will
*** inform you that the item is "not checked out" or, if it is, the
*** date that it is due to be returned.