Library FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

How do I look up a course reserve? 

Click on "Course Reserves" on the library home page.   Choose "search by course" or "search by professor."   Type the name of the course or the professor to locate the class for which you need the reserve. A list of reserves for that class will be on the screen, alphabetically by title. Scroll down until you find the reserve you are looking for.  You can also sort by author.  Journal articles will have a "folder number."  Take your professor’s name, course, and folder number or book/video title to the Circulation Desk.  Circulation Desk assistants will then be able to find the course reserve for you. All reserve items must be checked out with an ID card.

Do I need a card to check something out?

Your ID card is always needed to check out anything at the Library and the Media Center. The staff at the Circulation Desk will be happy to hold your items temporarily until you produce your ID card.

How do I renew a book or other materials I have checked out?

You may renew your books on any computer that has Internet access. Go to the library homepage and click on “My Library Account.”  Type in your name and your barcode number and click on “Display Record.” You can see how many books you have checked out and when they are due. To renew your books, click on “Renew. You may not be allowed to renew your books online if you have excessive fines or if the book is already overdue.

Reserves must be renewed at the Circulation Desk.  Please return them there, too, instead of putting them in a book drop.  That way they will get checked in right away and you won't incur any fines.

How much are library fines?

Library fines vary depending on the type of material you have checked out. 
Fines for each type of material are listed here.

Where do I pay my library fine?

You can pay your library fine at the Circulation Desk. A Librarian or a Circulation Assistant will be able to collect your fine and clear your record.

How do I look up music CD’s?

Check the "Finding A-V in the online catalog" help guide.  There are numerous subject headings which will help you find what you want.  

The CD’s are shelved according to type of music.  Call numbers are in numerical order.  The 20000’s are classical, 30000's are Opera, 40000’s are Ethnic and Folk, 50000’s are Jazz, Blues, and Big Band, 60000’s are Broadway, Musicals, and Movies, 70000’s are Miscellaneous: Pop, Gospel, Rock, Country, Etc., and the 80000’s are Spoken, including Shakespeare.

You will need to check out CD's from the Circulation.  Please give the Circulation Assistant the call number for the CD you want.

Where is the Media Center?

The Media Center is located in the gray two-story building immediately east of the Library.  Go to the Media Center page for a list of Media services, equipment, and materials available.  Library Videos and DVD's are also available for checkout from the Media Center.

How many books may I check out? 

Central students and staff members may check out as many books as they need, while public patrons have a limit of five books.

May I check out magazines and journals?

Magazines and journals may be checked out and are due by library closing the following day.

Why can't I check out periodicals for more than one day?

Many periodicals are in very high-demand, even (and sometimes especially) older bound copies. However, if you do need the item, please call us and we will be glad to renew it for you if another patron is not waiting for it.  Please remember that our periodicals can be very difficult, if not impossible, to replace. Our current fine structure encourages students to return them on time and in good shape. You can avoid the fine issue altogether by calling to renew -- just let us know, and we'll be glad to help!

How do I know if the Library owns a particular magazine or journal?

You have two options for finding out whether Geisler owns a particular periodical. As with any other type of material, you can always do a Title search in the online catalog to see if we have it. To find out if we subscribe to the journal either in paper on in full-text online, check the Geisler Journal List. If you need the item and we don't have it, please see a Reference Librarian to get it on InterLibrary Loan. 

What is InterLibrary Loan?

InterLibrary Loan is used to borrow magazine articles or books that Geisler Library does own or have access to online.  These articles and books are acquired from other college and university libraries.  You will need to fill out a form with the complete citation for the book or article that you want and submit it to a Reference Librarian.

May I renew an interlibrary loan?

Interlibrary loan books may be renewed if permission is granted by the lending library. Contact Jane Friedman (friedmanj@central.edu or telephone x5193) to request a renewal.

May I check out reference books?

As a rule, reference materials are not checked out. They are so often used that they must stay in the Library to ensure fair access. However, under particular circumstances these items may be used in a class for an hour or two if necessary. Please see a Reference Librarian for permission and to make arrangements for picking up and returning the item.

Where is there a phone I can use?

There are three phones that patrons can use. The first one is located on the ground floor lobby at the bottom of the stairs.. The others are located on the second and third floors directly outside of the elevator.

Should I re-shelve the books I use or look at?

No, please don’t re-shelve the books you use.  The library staff is trained to shelve books in the proper order. Please leave your books on tables and the library staff will take care of them.

Why can't I use my ID number or swipe my card on the copiers and have it charged to my account?

The College would need to install new photocopy machines across campus in order to move to a "credit card" pay system. We think this is a good idea, but the decision is not for the Library to make. We will forward any inquiries to the Vice President for Business. It might also be helpful to voice your desires directly to the staff in that office.

What's with the "Food and Drink" signs? I'm not going to spill all over Library materials, if that's what you're worried about!

Geisler's "no food, and drinks in closed containers only" policy not only prevents spills, but also the crumbs and drops of liquid that attract little beasties like mice and bugs. Once these guys are in the Library, they won't stop at crumbs--Library materials are next! So we really do appreciate your eating and drinking in the lobby or down in the cafe. Thanks for your help!

Can you please expand your collection by adding this magazine/journal/newspaper?

We would like to subscribe to more newspapers, magazines, and journals. The problem is that they are very expensive. In order to add another item we need to drop one that we currently get because our periodicals budget is very tight. However, we are always open to suggestions--please let us know what items you feel would be helpful and we will look into the possibilities. You may also want to check for additional magazines and journals available in full text via EBSCOhost and Lexis-Nexis Universe.  . Another option is to check the Geisler Journal List, Newspaper List  and Electronic Texts section of the Library web page, which provides links to many important resources not otherwise available in Geisler Library.

I thought the Library was open until midnight, but the black doors are locked and people start reminding me of closing at 11:50 p.m. What gives?

We apologize for any confusion over the Library's closing time. In order to have the entire Library closed and secure by midnight, we must begin closing procedures by 11:50 p.m. This includes locking the doors, as well as reminding patrons of closing time. This policy is reflected in the Library Hours sign at the front door.

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revised December 13, 2005 ls