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Library FAQs
Below are answers to some questions that are frequently asked at the Skillman Library Reference Desk. If your question isn't answered, ask it via this form.
Borrowing books
How many books can I borrow and for how long?
Students may borrow an unlimited number of books for 28 days and renew them twice if they have not been requested by another borrower. Honors candidates receive semester borrowing privileges for books related to their research. Faculty and staff may borrow books for the academic year.
How can I get a book that's checked out?
If you need a book that is checked out, you may have it recalled by placing a recall request at the Circulation Desk. The person who has the book will be asked to return it, and you will be notified when it is back in the library. You may also request a copy from another library using interlibrary loan.
Call numbers
Where can I find this call number?
Most items with Library of Congress call numbers (those that begin with letters) are on the upper level of Skillman. Items with Dewey call numbers (those that begin with numbers) are on the lower level. More information, including a map, can be found on Skillman's call numbers and locations page.
Where can I find the art/biology/etc. section?
Skillman Library uses both the Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress (LC) classifications to assign call numbers to materials. This means that there are probably books on your subject on both the top floor, where the LC books are located, and on the bottom floor, where the Dewey books are located. Consult our page on call numbers for a guide to which call numbers match up with which subject areas or try a keyword or subject search in the Library Catalog to find the call number areas where most of the books on your topic are located.
Where's the fiction section?
Skillman doesn't have a fiction section per se. Works of fiction are interfiled with books of literary criticism. If you're searching for a particular novel or works by a particular author, try a title or author search in the Library Catalog. If you'd like to browse the shelves for some recent works of fiction, try looking in our Browsing Collection (on the main floor, in the current periodicals room) in the PR and PS call number ranges.
Digital cameras (and other equipment)
Where do I go to borrow a digital camera/video camera/etc.?
Digital still cameras, digital video camcorders, wireless microphones, external hard drives, and headphones may be borrowed at the Skillman Circulation Desk. Loan periods for the equipment range from four hours to two days.
Neither the Library nor ITS has projectors for loan. See below.
Fax
Is there a fax machine in the library that I can use?
No. The Reprographic Service Center in the basement of Marquis Hall has a fax machine that students may use for a small fee. (The fax machine in the basement of Farinon is for outgoing faxes only.)
Several web sites allow you to send faxes for free; some allow you to receive them too (via email); and some offer tiered free/fee services. Free sending is available through faxZERO. A Google search for free fax turns up several other possibilities.
Full-text articles
Why can't I access the full-text of the article I want?
Some electronic indexes, like Academic OneFile, contain many full-text articles. Others, such as EconLit and PsycInfo, only contain citations and/or abstracts. However, the Lafayette Libraries may still have access to the full-text article, either electronically or in print. When using an electronic index, click the WebBridge button (usually near the top or bottom of the screen) to determine whether the article you want is available through Lafayette. For more help, consult our guide to using WebBridge or our guide to finding articles.
I am being asked to pay for the article I want. Do I have to?
No. First, you want to confirm whether the Lafayette Libraries subscribe to the journal in which your article is published. Our subscriptions are available to you at no cost. Do a journal title search in the Library Catalog to see whether we subscribe to the journal and for which years. If we don't subscribe or we don't subscribe to the year that you need, place an Interlibrary Loan request at no charge.
Honors Theses
Can I see honors theses written by Lafayette students in past years?
Yes. Honors theses are kept in Special Collections and College Archives on the second floor of Skillman Library. Special Collections is open 10:00-noon and 1:00-5:00 or by appointment (610.330.5148), Monday through Friday.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
How long does it take to get something from interlibrary loan?
The time it takes for ILL materials to arrive varies with the difficulty of the request, the proximity of the lending library, and the material
type. Requests that can be filled from Lehigh Valley schools arrive in
several working days, while more involved requests can take several
weeks.
Journals
Where are the journals?
Recent paper copies of periodicals are kept in the current periodicals room on the main floor. They are arranged alphabetically by title. Older paper copies of magazines and journals are bound into book-like form and shelved by call number. They are interfiled with the book collection, not shelved in a special area. Electronic periodicals are available from links in the Library Catalog. Microfilm and microfiche are housed in cabinets in the microform area on the lower level.
Laptops
Are there laptops I can borrow?
There are PC laptops available for use in Skillman and Kirby Libraries. All have wireless capabilities and are configured to print. To borrow a laptop, present your Lafayette ID at the Circulation Desk. The loan period for all laptops is three hours. Laptops may not be borrowed for use outside of Skillman or Kirby.
Can I use my own laptop in the library?
Yes. There are power and data connections in many locations throughout the library that you can use with your own laptop. Data connections require the standard network cable used throughout campus; if you don't have a network cable you may check one out at the Circulation Desk. If your laptop has a wireless network card, see 'Wireless' below.
Late fees
Will I be charged -- and how much -- if I bring materials back late?
If you forget to return a book, the circulation department will send you email reminders. After a grace period of one week from the due date, a fine of $0.25 per day will accrue. Reserve books are fined at a rate of $2.00 for the first hour overdue, then $0.25 for each hour after that. If a book is not returned after a fourth notice, the circulation department assumes it is lost and a replacement fee is assessed (usually the cost of the book plus a processing and billing fee).
DVDs and videos are fined at a rate of $0.25 per day.
Macs
How do I save to my U drive in the Mac lab?
See these instructions from ITS.
Microforms
Where are the microfilm/microfiche readers?
Microfilm and microfiche readers are available on the ground floor of Skillman, to the left as you go down the main staircase.
Can I make copies from microfilm/microfiche?
Yes, the microform readers allow you to make copies at no charge.
Network passwords
I forget my network password. What should I do?
If you've forgotten your network password and have registered an alternate email with the college, you can reset your password using the Network ID Password Change Utility. If you've never set up a challenge/response key, bring your Lafayette ID to the Reference Desk during regular reference hours, and a librarian can reset your password for you.
Newspapers
Where are the newspapers?
Skillman Library subscribes to daily, weekly, and monthly newspapers in several languages. These are found in the current periodicals room on the main floor of the library. Most newspapers are kept for one month before they are discarded.
Photocopies
Where's the copy machine?
Photocopiers are in Skillman 134 (to the left as you walk in the building).
Do you have a color photocopier?
No. Color copies can be made at the Reprographic Service Center in the basement of Marquis Hall.
Presentations
Is there a place where I can practice a presentation?
You may practice presentations in Skillman 003 and 004, which are equipped with the same control panels and software found in the electronic classrooms on campus. Simply connect a laptop to the projection equipment using the connector available in the room. (The connector in the room requires that your laptop have a VGA port. If you're using a Mac laptop without a VGA port, you may borrow a special connector from the Skillman circulation desk; note that this connector works with some MacBooks only.) If you need a laptop, you may borrow one at the circulation desk.
May I / do I need to make a reservation to use 003 or 004 for practicing presentations?
The rooms are available on a walk-in basis only. Reservations are not accepted.
Printing
How much does printing cost?
Printing is free for all library patrons. In order to keep printing free, library printers should not be used to make multiple copies of fliers, handouts, posters, etc. Such copies can be made at the Reprographic Service Center in the basement of Marquis Hall.
Can I print double-sided on the library printers?
Yes. All printing in Skillman defaults to duplex. If you need to print single-sided, see the instructions near the printers or ask for help.
Can I use my own paper in the library printers?
No. The Reprographic Service Center in the basement of Marquis Hall will print materials onto special paper (either your own or stock that you buy from them) for $.05 per page.
I printed something from a library laptop. Where did it print to?
The library's laptops are configured to print to the printer in the photocopy room.
Can I print from my own laptop to the library's printers?
No. The library's printers are intended to service the 100 or so computers in the library and are not intended for campus-wide printing.
Is there a color printer in the library?
Yes. There's a color printer in the ITech Media Lab on the first floor of the library. The printer prints from the Macs in the lab as well as the Macs and PCs in the ITech Studio (the area outside of the ITech offices).
Is there a place I can print a poster?
Instructional Technology has a large format printer that students may use for a fee. Contact Instructional Technology at extension 5618 for additional information.
"Processed" books
The Library Catalog says the book I want is being processed. What does that mean?
Items being processed are physically in the library but are waiting for call numbers and other details to be assigned by Technical Services. If you need an item that is being processed, it can usually be obtained within 24 hours. Fill out the online form that is linked from the item record in the Catalog or ask at the Reference Desk.
Projectors
Does the library have an LCD projector that I can borrow?
No, but there are projectors available through the Scheduling Office that can be used in rooms on campus that aren't equipped with technology. Contact the Scheduling Office at 610-330-5077.
Renewing books and DVDs
Can I renew my books and DVDs over the web?
Yes. You may use a feature in the Library Catalog to renew the materials you have checked out from Skillman and Kirby. From the Catalog home page, select "Your library record" from the left-hand column. Log in using your Network ID and password (or your name and your barcode), then select the link to see the items you have checked out, and follow the on-screen instructions. Note that you will not be able to renew an item if someone else has placed a hold on it, if you have already reached the renewal limit for the item, or if it's too soon to renew the book. Also note that interlibrary loan materials may not be renewed using this feature. For materials borrowed via ILL, log on to the interlibrary loan system and select the option to "View/Renew checked out items."
Reserves
My professor put something on reserve. Where can I find it?
Faculty members frequently put course readings, solutions to problem sets, videos, and other materials on reserve at Skillman or Kirby Libraries. To obtain these reserve materials, use the Course Reserves options in the Library Catalog to obtain the call number, then present the call number and your Lafayette ID at the Circulation Desk. Reserves normally may be borrowed for two hours. Most items are available for overnight loan beginning one hour before the closing of the library and due back a half hour after the library opens the following day.
Reserving Rooms
Can I reserve a study room?
No. Study rooms on the ground and second floors of Skillman Library are available on a walk-in basis only.
Scanning
Is there a scanner that I can use?
All of the Macs in the ITech Lab as well as the PCs in the Itech Studio (outside the ITech offices) are equipped with scanners and software for manipulating scanned images.
Server space
I'm editing a film in the library and have run out of disk space. What can I do?
If you are working on a film for a class and have received instruction from the ITech department, you should have an account on a server called "Nemo" that is specifically designed to hold large video files. If you don't have a Nemo account, you can request additional space on your network "U" drive by contacting the Computing Services Help Desk at 610-330-5506; you should have additional space added in about a day. If you need someplace to store your files while you're getting additional space, you may borrow a firewire drive (essentially a large hard drive) from the Circulation Desk.
Software
Is Mathematica / SPSS / etc. available on the library PCs?
For a complete list of software available on computers in Skillman (and in campus labs), consult ITS' lab software list.
St. Martin's Handbook
Does the library have a copy of St. Martin's Handbook?
Yes, Skillman Library has several copies of the most recent edition. One is kept behind the Reference Desk for easy access and two more are on the regular reference shelves on the main floor of Skillman. The call number for all three copies is PE1112 .L86. Students should feel free to grab a copy from any of these locations and use them inside the library. As a courtesy, please return the Handbook when you're done to the cart next to the Reference Desk. This will ensure that the copies make it back to the shelves quickly for others to use.
Storage and Annex materials
The Library Catalog says the book I want is in Storage or in the Annex. What does that mean?
Items with the location "Storage" are in Skillman Library; they can be retrieved for immediate use by requesting them at the Skillman Circulation Desk. Items with the location "Annex" are housed in a remote storage facility. To obtain these materials, click the "Request from Annex" link that appears on the right side of the screen in the item's record in the library catalog. Materials requested from the Annex will be available within 24 hours of placing the request, Monday through Friday.
Textbooks
Does the library have the textbook for my class?
The Lafayette Libraries do not own the textbooks for every class taught on campus. To see whether we have the specific textbook that you are looking for, do a title search in the Library Catalog for the name of the textbook.
Videos and DVDs
Where can I watch VHS videotapes?
There are TV/VCR units on the lower level of the library. Headphones for use with these units may be borrowed at the Circulation Desk.
Where can I watch a DVD in the library?
You may use any of the PCs or Macs in the library to watch a DVD, although you may find the Macs in the ITech Media Lab best suited for this purpose since they have large screens. Headphones may be borrowed at the Circulation Desk.
The library doesn't have the movie I want to see. Will you get it for me?
You can make recommendations for additions to the library collections using the Suggest items for purchase link on the library web site.
Wireless
How do I access the wireless network in Skillman or Kirby?
Wireless on campus is available to current employees and students of the college. For details on connecting, see Connecting to the Wireless Network on the ITS Website.
24 Hours
What do I need to know about 24 hour access?
- Skillman Library is open to students and employees of Lafayette College 24/6 the last week of classes and the week of final exams. A current Lafayette ID is required to be in the library between the hours of 11:00 PM and 8:00 AM.
- When the library is open 24 hours, college-issued electronic access key fobs are required to enter the building between 11:00 PM and 8:00 AM. If you live off campus, or do not have a key fob, you will need to show your Lafayette ID to the security guard to gain entry to the building. All members of the Lafayette Community will be expected to produce their ID to the security guard if requested to do so.
- If you have problems with your key fob, please contact Ken Murray in Access Control at 610.330.5453 or email murraken.
- Some spaces, such as the Simon Room, will be closed at midnight.
- All circulation activity will cease at 1:00 AM (midnight on Fridays), and resume at 8:15 AM.
- All library-owned laptops must be returned before the circulation desk closes.
- Groups of two or more have priority in using group study rooms. Since group space is limited, we ask individuals to respect the needs of groups. Items left unattended in study rooms may be removed.
- The security guards will not be able to provide technical support for computers or printers, nor will they be able to check out or in any materials or equipment.
- Personal possessions left unattended are an invitation to thieves. Items recently stolen from tables, carrels and group studies include textbooks, laptops, wallets, purses, calculators, iPods and cell phones. PLEASE take all belongings with you, even if you're just taking a short study break. Please also note that we are now circulating laptop locks; just ask at the desk.
