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WVU STUDENT HANDBOOK - THE MOUNTIE
Effective January 1983; Revised August 2006
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West Virginia University Libraries
The West Virginia University Library System supports the teaching, research, and service functions of the university. The libraries contain close to 1.5 million physical volumes and 2 million microforms. In addition, the West Virginia Collection contains over 5 million manuscript items. Over 28,000 volumes are added each year. The libraries subscribe to over 5,000 print periodical titles and have access to over 17,000 electronic journals. The library system includes six campus libraries. Users may return library books to any library location across campus.
The Downtown Library Complex includes the new Downtown Campus Library and the renovated Charles C. Wise, Jr. Library. The Downtown Campus Library houses materials related to anthropology, astronomy, biology, business, chemistry, communication studies, economics, English, foreign languages, geography, geology, history, literature, physics, political science, psychology, public administration, social work, and sociology.
The Wise Library contains many special collections including the West Virginia and Regional History Collection, and the Appalachian Collection.
The Evansdale Library is on the Evansdale campus between the Agricultural Sciences and Engineering Sciences buildings. It houses collections supporting disciplines located on the Evansdale campus, including agriculture, art, computer science, education, engineering, forestry, mineral resources, music, physical education, and theater.
The Law Library is on the second floor of the Law Center.
The Mathematics Library is in Room 421 Armstrong Hall.
The Health Sciences Library is on the second floor of the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center. It contains more than 280,000 volumes and supports the teaching, patient care, and research programs of the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, West Virginia University Hospitals, and medical practitioners statewide.
LOAN PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Due to differences in research demands throughout the WVU campuses, there are variations from library to library in loan durations and borrower privileges. Please inquire at each library for precise policies and visit www.libraries.wvu.edu for further information.
Identification: Your WVUID is your library card. Your card cannot be used by anyone other than you, and is required to check out materials and access certain collections.
Borrowing Privileges: Undergraduates may borrow books for four weeks. The loan period is one semester for graduate students. Faculty members may charge out books for the semester. All borrowers must return books immediately if they are recalled by another borrower. Materials placed on reserve by a faculty member will be recalled at any time. The date due is indicated in all cases. Returning material on the date due is the responsibility of the borrower. Book returns may be made to any library in the system. Journals must be returned to the owning library.
Bound Periodicals: Students and faculty may borrow periodicals for one day.
Current Periodicals: Because of heavy use, unbound periodicals are available to the undergraduate students for use in the library only. Graduate students and faculty may charge out unbound issues for a period of two hours or overnight beginning two hours before closing. Many periodicals are now available in electronic format. Check www.libraries.wvu.edu for further information.
Renewals: You may renew a book if it is not on hold for another borrower. When a fine is due however, overdue books cannot be renewed until the fine is paid. You may renew your own books on-line through MountainLynx using the Patron button. You may also check the status of your requests or fines at this location. You may place requests for services such as BookExpress and E-ZBorrow using the Requests button.
FINES AND LOST MATERIALS
Fines are intended to encourage borrowers to return books on time so that others may use them. Relatively high fines are charged for materials and users are encouraged to abide by the Libraries' policies so they do not accumulate. When fines do occur, they are posted automatically by the Libraries automated system, Voyager. The rates for books and periodicals are:
Book loans for two weeks or more:……………… $0.25 /day
One day loans (periodicals)……………………… $1.00 /day
Two hour and overnight loans…………………… $1.20 per hour
Recalls (overdue)………………………………… $3.00 day
Maximum fine per item………………………….. $25.00
Borrowers are responsible for all materials charged to them. In the case of lost books, the borrower is charged the book price plus a processing charge of $20.00. When the books are returned, the charge is reduced to a maximum fine of $25.00 per item. The loss of library material should be reported at once. This will permit the libraries to order a replacement copy at the earliest possible date.
Unpaid library accounts are transferred to the Office of Student Accounts and posted in the Banner system. Transcript and registration holds result after fines reach $50.00 or more. Students are cautioned to avoid fines and pay them promptly when they do occur. Fines of over $5.00 result in blocked borrowing privileges throughout the library system. As soon as fines are paid in full, borrowing privileges will be reinstated.
RESERVE MATERIALS
Materials are placed on reserve by the Libraries' staff at the request of the faculty to directly support student coursework. There are two types of reserve: traditional print and electronic. Reserve collections of print materials are maintained at the Health Sciences Library, the Law Library, the Evansdale Library, and the Downtown Campus Library. Reserve materials may be charged out for two hours or overnight two hours before the Libraries close. They are due within one hour of opening the next day. Reserve materials must be returned to the owning library. Failure to return reserve books on time will result in a fine of $1.20 per hour for each item. Electronic reserve materials are available at all times through www.libraries.wvu.edu/reserves
MEDIA SERVICES
The University Library System maintains a large collection of audiovisual materials to support academic programs. The collection includes films, audio and videotapes, CDs, videodiscs, filmstrips, slides, etc. The Media Services Department, located on the lower level of the new Downtown Campus Library, contains the general media collection as well as projectors, players, laptop computers, and other hardware. Those who would like information about the availability of materials should call (304-293-4040 Ext. 4664) or visit the department.
REFERENCE
Reference is the place to begin any research project, find a fact, or find a book to enjoy. The Reference staff is helpful, knowledgeable, and professional. If you have any questions or are having problems finding what you need, they will be pleased to help you.
The Reference area is a center of activity with students and professors actively conducting their preliminary research. If you need to study or read quietly, head for a study room, a study carrel or table.
Even if the Reference Librarians appear busy, don't be afraid to ask for help. They answer informational and directional questions, and provide research assistance. They will give you their full attention and there are no "stupid questions." Let them help you use the library and its resources so you can use your energy to comprehend the content of the materials you find. Consider using any remaining gray matter to make your own contribution to humanity in the world of research and knowledge.
Printers and computers are available on every floor of the Downtown Campus Library.
The Evansdale Library has computers on every floor, with a central print station on the main floor. All of the computers have internet access, word processing, spread sheet and presentation software. And whether Downtown or Evansdale, students can borrow wireless laptop computers for use anywhere in that library, and there are special computers available for multimedia and assistive technology.
The library catalog and over 100 subject-specific databases are available through the Libraries web site. Many library databases are full text. These make the entire content of newspaper, magazine, and journal articles available to WVU students any time and anywhere they have access to the web. Should you so choose, you may do library research in your pajamas at 1:00 a.m.!
The amount of information available on the internet and in the library can be overwhelming. There are millions of documents but only one that you need at this moment. The Reference Librarians at WVU are there to help you find the information you need and can help you learn to use both electronic and print resources efficiently and effectively.
APPALACHIAN COLLECTION
The Appalachian Collection is located on the third floor of Wise Library. Numbering over 5,000 volumes, the collection documents the unique culture of the 13-state Appalachian Region. Books can be checked out for the regular loan period.
COPY SERVICES
The Downtown Campus Library has a central copy center that is located on the first floor of the library. This center holds 4 copy machines, a digital scanner and a machine to add value to Mountie Bounty. There are additional copiers and digital senders on other floors in the library. Evansdale Library has a copier area on the main floor.
GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS
WVU Libraries are a regional depository of U.S. government documents. This means that the libraries receive a copy of all government publications available for distribution through the Government Printing Office. The depository items are housed in the Downtown Campus, Evansdale, Health Sciences, and Law Libraries. Most of the collection can be found in MountainLynx, the library's on-line catalog. The rest of the collection and all records of depository items published since 1976 can be found using MarciveWeb Docs, which is accessible on all library computer workstations.
WVU Libraries became a West Virginia state depository in 1996. The libraries receive two copies of all documents distributed through the State Publication Clearing House in Charleston. These state publications are housed on the ground floor of the Downtown Campus Library. Selected documents are cataloged by the Library of Congress Classification number. Others are shelved by agency. For more information visit the Government Documents web site at www.libraries.wvu.edu/government/index.htm.
INTERLIBRARY LOANS
Books, journal articles, and other research materials that are not held by the WVU Libraries may be obtained through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Requests for loans can be made electronically. The electronic forms can be found on the Interlibrary Loan web site, which is linked to the libraries homepage. Requests should give a complete citation, with as much bibliographic information as possible, including the source of the reference.
The Interlibrary Loan process works due to cooperation among libraries. Therefore, it is important to renew or return materials by the due date and to abide by the conditions of use required by the lending library.
PERIODICALS
The Periodicals collection includes current and bound journals, newspapers, and microforms. At the Downtown Campus Library, the collection is located on the second floor, and journals are checked out and returned at the Periodicals Desk. The Periodicals collection at the Evansdale Library is located on the main floor. Bound periodicals, however, are placed according to call number and can be found on all three floors. Materials there are checked out and returned at the main Access Services Desk.
WEST VIRGINIA AND REGIONAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The West Virginia and Regional History Collection is on the sixth floor of Wise Library. The collection contains books, periodicals, recordings, archives, manuscripts, photographs, and other items relating to the history and development of West Virginia and Appalachia. It is by far the largest and richest collection on West Virginia history in existence. Because of their variety and value, items in the collection must be used in the building and do not circulate. Most of the printed material in the collection can be located through MountainLynx, the on-line catalog. There are also guidelines to the manuscript and other collections. However, do not hesitate to ask one of the staff members for assistance if you do not find what you need.
ELIZA’S
Eliza’s is a coffee shop located on the fourth floor of the Downtown Campus Library. The café is named after WVU’s first professionally trained librarian, Eliza J. Skinner, who served as library director from 1897-1902. Fresh-brewed Starbucks coffee, espresso drinks, tea, hot chocolate, Italian sodas, bottled soft drinks, juice, and some food items – muffins, bagels, and biscotti – are available for those late-night study breaks.
LIBRARY HOURS
Library hours and other current library information are always available at www.libraries.wvu.edu.
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