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• New Faculty
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Faculty Resources: New Faculty

Welcome! The Library is glad you’re here. We’d like to meet with you for a library orientation meeting at your earliest convenience. This helps us get to know you and your needs and hopefully makes your transition a little bit easier. Come in or give us a call. In the meantime, we’ve put together this guide which covers some material you may need to know.

Textbook and Reserve Items
The Library puts textbooks and suggested reading materials on reserve for all on-campus classes. Students may check out textbooks and reserve materials for 2 hours Library-use only. The policy insures that all of students will have access to these materials. Reserve items are located at the Circulation Desk.

Textbooks
Textbooks will be on reserve at the Circulation Desk by the 1st day of the quarter. The supply store gives the Library a list of textbooks ordered by faculty and sends a copy of each to be placed on reserve. Let the library know if you are making a last-minute change so that we can buy the appropriate book for your class. Please double-check with us a week before the quarter begins to ensure that your textbook is available to students.

Reserve Items
If you would like to have an item placed on Reserve let us know in advance by filling out the Faculty Reserve Request Form and returning it to the Circulation Desk. The Library will take all books off reserve each quarter so you will need to resubmit the form if you want items to remain on reserve. We suggest retaining a copy of the request form, changing the date and resubmitting it to save you time.

Videos & DVDs
Videos and DVDs are located in the main collection. Both instructors and students may check out these materials. If you need an item for class, plan ahead and check out the item in advance. Do not wait until the day of the class and expect to find what you need. If the Library doesn’t have an item that you want, we may be able to purchase the title.



Photo Copies
As faculty, you may use the copy machine in the Library free of charge. Pick up a complimentary copy card at the Circulation Desk and return it when you have finished making copies.

Library Instruction
Instruction sessions are available for your classes. Contact the Reference Librarian at 312.777.8725 to schedule a class visit.

General Sessions
General Sessions cover how to use the online catalog, research databases, and location of items in the Library. Sessions range from 15-20 minutes and faculty must stay with their students for the entire session.

Please schedule your classes as early as possible. We use the Library Instruction Room 1063, which is also being scheduled for select Ai and Argosy meetings so we need to claim the room as early as possible. We'd prefer to be notified before the quarter starts but will try to accommodate all requests throughout the quarter.

Specialized Sessions
Specialized Sessions cover how to use the online catalog, research databases, and location of items in the Library. Resources for a particular assignment will be highlighted. Session times vary.

Let us know what your needs are and we will customize a session for you!
We hope to see you and your classes soon!

Class Visits to the Library
If you would like to bring in a class without arranging for a presentation, please contact the Library 24 hours in advance to avoid scheduling conflicts. Contact the Reference Librarian at 312.475.6833 to schedule a Library visit. We ask that you stay with your students the entire time. No classes will be admitted without prior approval.

Help us Protect Library Materials
If you must assign projects requiring students to clip images from books and magazines, please stress that the Library materials are not to be used in this manner. The Library collection becomes a target for clipping and any help from you to prevent this is appreciated.

Requesting Library Materials
If the library does not have an item that you want, we can get it for you. The Library will either purchase the book or borrow it through Interlibrary Loan depending on your needs and relevancy to the Library collection.

Interlibrary Loan
The Library can borrow a book on your behalf through the OCLC consortium. Fill out the Interlibrary Loan Form located in the Library and return it to the Circulation Desk. The process takes a minimum of 2 weeks depending on the lender library and shipping time. It is best if you give the library 3 weeks to insure you have the item when you need it.

We’ll contact you when the item is available. If you need the material in advance of 2 weeks the Reference Librarian would be happy to search the Chicago Public Library System on your behalf and will let you know if an item is available locally for you to pick up. Feel free to come in and talk. We’d love to hear your ideas of how we can improve our collection!

The Library cannot guarantee that we will be able to get the requested item.

Software for Faculty
Software to aid in the instruction of classes is available for faculty use only and may be checked out from the Library for 3 days. The software can be downloaded onto your computer but must either be removed after 90 days or a new agreement must be signed. The software is located in the Library Director’s office and may be checked out after reading and signing a license agreement. Please be aware that your department director must sign the document as well. To find out what software is available, search the online catalog, Athena, using the keyword “training software.”

Software Training
The Library provides software training by the Virtual Training Company (VTC) to Faculty, Students, and Staff. The tutorials are available on the school Online Services Website, OLS (Student/staff email site). You will need to download a free version of QuickTime and have a high-speed Internet connection to view the training sessions.

Resources for Students
Research guides, citation styles for bibliographies, and tips on evaluating Internet resources are available on the Library Website under the category Research Help. Research Guides are aimed at making students aware of some of the key reference and online sources available for their topic/major. The call number ranges for material on each topic can be found at the bottom of the lists. The guides are a work in progress and the Library welcomes any comments and/or suggestions you may have regarding the content. Citation Styles contains titles and call numbers for style manuals used to create bibliographies.Evaluating Internet Sources provides tips for assessing online resources.

Reference Help
A Reference Librarian is available for research help. Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance!

The Library is here to serve students, faculty and staff so please let us know if you need something or have suggestions. Again, we look forward to seeing you soon!