University Library

ID Card:

Your UMass ID card (UMass Pass) is your borrowing card for the university library. Library materials may be borrowed at the first-floor Circulation Desk.

Hours:

Monday-Thursday 08:00 am to 11:00 pm
Friday 08:00 am to 05:00 pm
Saturday 09:30 am to 05:00 pm
Sunday12:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Special hours are posted for holidays, final exam periods, and recesses. Call 999-8675 or ext. 8675 for recorded announcements and further information.

First Floor:

Includes the circulation desk, a current periodicals reading room and reception area, popular videotapes, and the browsing area, which features a collection of recently-published fiction, biography, history, poetry, and other subjects of general interest. The area is often used for lectures, presentations, and films. There are also facilities on this floor for viewing videotapes and listening to sound recordings.

Second Floor:

Is devoted to reference, with the reference desk, computers for searching CD-ROM and Web-based information sources, print reference sources, and the offices of reference librarians.

Third Floor:

Contains technical services (acquisitions and cataloging) and the periodicals collection: magazines, academic journals, and newspapers, including current issues and back issues bound and on microfilm. Photocopiers and microform reader/printers are available here. The library dean's office and conference room are also located on this floor.

Fourth Floor:

Features the University Archives and Special Collections, including the R.F.K. Assassination Archive and contains about half of the general circulating book collection; the other half is held on the fifth floor.

Lower Level:

includes a study lounge, computer clusters, and an electronic classroom, which is used to introduce students to library resources in all formats. This floor also houses the library's Photographic Department which provides photography and graphics services to faculty, staff and students to produce pictures and visual materials for classroom use, presentations, seminars, and publications.

Library Collection:

Includes: 378,571 book volumes; more than 100,000 government documents (the library is a Federal Government Documents Depository); 2967 newspaper, magazine, and journal subscriptions; 5,465 videos; 8,713 sound recordings.

Electronic Resources:

Beyond printed and recorded information, however, the library also offers a vast array of electronic resources, available either on CD-ROM or via the Internet. Visit the library's Web pages at www.lib.umassd.edu for an overview of the library's virtual resources, including online databases, electronic journals, inter-library loan, links to other sites, reference materials, library news and information, policies, plans, and much more.

Liaisons:

Each academic department is represented by two liaisons: a faculty member and a librarian. Together, these liaisons help establish collection development policies and procedures and collaborate on library instructional activities. The library encourages all faculty to contact their librarian liaison any time there are library-related concerns.

Book Ordering:

Each academic department's liaison works with the appropriate library liaison concerning book ordering. If there are materials you would like the library to buy, contact your library liaison for the procedure appropriate to your department. If you would like additional information, please contact Bruce Barnes, Library Technical Services/Acquisitions, at 999-8666.

Interlibrary Loan:

Faculty can request books and journal articles from other libraries via interlibrary loan. Under most circumstances, the library absorbs the costs of these transactions. For information, call 999-8684.

Reserve Materials:

Faculty can place up to twenty-five items per course "on reserve" as assigned reading for students. These items can be library materials, personal copies, media or photocopies. Complete information about the library's reserve policies is available by calling 999-8750 or by consulting the Reserve Policy Web page: www.lib.umassd.edu/policies/res_guide.html

Database Searches:

The library subscribes to many electronic databases, on CD-ROM and Web-based, but has access to hundreds more. Faculty may request database searches of their research or instructional interests, and the library will absorb the cost up to $100 per semester. Contact Reference at 999-8678 for more information.

Consortia:

The library belongs to several consortia which extend a faculty member's access to information resources and materials. The Boston Library Consortium, for example, permits faculty to use and borrow materials from any of sixteen member libraries. Cards are issued through the circulation desk, first floor.

Instructional Programs:

The library offers instructional programs to teach students how to use an academic library. At the reference desk, librarians and staff are available to answer questions and guide library users to the most appropriate books, media, or databases. Librarians are also able to tailor specific workshops, tutorials, lectures or demonstrations for your courses. Contact your library liaison to discuss the best approach or call 999-8886 for an instruction appointment. Librarians and library interns (peer tutors) have regular office hours set aside to meet with students and faculty who want guidance with their library research. Please check at the reference desk on the second floor, call 999-8678, or use the link on the library's Web page.

Media & Equipment:

All classrooms in Groups I, II, VI, Dion, and the ground floor of the Campus Center have been equipped with a TV, VCR, overhead projector, and screen. Videotapes or satellite signals on C or KU band may be played back to most classrooms via the closed circuit cable system.

Audio/visual equipment is available for use on campus by faculty, staff, and students. Equipment available includes audiocassette recorders, computer projection panels, data video projectors, overhead projectors, cassette/CD players, screens, slide projectors, VCRs/monitors on carts, and camcorders.

A maximum of 30 people may view videotapes in the first-floor Viewing Room.

The Browsing Area is suitable for larger groups (up to 100), and may be equipped with a wide variety of audio/visual equipment upon request. These areas must be booked in advance by calling the Scheduling Desk, 999-8688.

All reservations for audio/visual materials and/or equipment should be made by calling the Scheduling Desk at 999-8688. Requests must be submitted by 2 p.m. of the business day (Mon.-Fri.) before the items are needed.

Please note that more detailed information about many of the library's services is available in printed format or on the library's Web page at www.lib.umassd.edu.