FAQs for new faculty
Below are answers to some questions that are frequently asked by new faculty at Lafayette. If your question isn't answered here, please contact a librarian at 610-330-5155 or refdesk@lafayette.edu.
Borrowing materials
For how long may I borrow materials?
Faculty members may generally borrow books for one academic year. (Some books have shorter loan periods; loan periods for ILL materials vary and are set by the lending library.) Bound periodicals circulate to faculty for one week; current periodicals circulate for two days. Videos and DVDs circulate for seven days. You can renew materials checked out from Skillman and Kirby libraries by logging into your library record. For materials borrowed via ILL, log on to the interlibrary loan system and select the option to "View/Renew checked out items."
Can my spouse/partner or children borrow materials?
The Libraries extend borrowing privileges to spouses/partners and to children aged 16 and over; visit the Skillman Library Circulation desk for cards. Spouses/partners and children may borrow books for four weeks.
May I use my Lafayette ID to borrow materials from other libraries?
With a valid Lafayette ID, faculty (and your students) may borrow materials in person from any member library in the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (Cedar Crest, DeSales, Lehigh, Moravian, and Muhlenberg). Borrowing privileges for faculty are also available at a number of other Pennsylvania academic libraries that are part of the PALCI consortium. More details are available at the PALCI web site.
How do I request materials from other libraries?
Books, articles, and other materials may be requested via interlibrary loan. more »
Can I have journal articles and book chapters owned by the libraries sent to me?
Journal articles and book chapters from Lafayette-owned materials will be scanned and delivered as PDFs to your ILL account. Log into the interlibrary loan system and select the "Document Delivery Request" option from the main page. Requests should be filled within 24 to 48 hours. Due to copyright restrictions, requests for document delivery should be limited to items needed for private study, scholarship, or research (the library cannot scan for course packs or reserves).
How do I place a recall on a book that's checked out?
If you're in the library, you can fill out a recall form at the circulation desk or you can send your request to circdesk@lafayette.edu. Since recall gives the person two weeks to return the book, if you need it right away, you might want to request it through the interlibrary loan system.
Collections
How do I request that the library add a book or film to its collection?
We're happy to get your purchase recommendations, and can usually fill most requests for books and films. You may submit them in any way that's easy for you: you can send catalogs or bibliographies to your department's collection liaison (either the faculty coordinator or the librarian) or you can use our online suggestion form. more »
How do I request that the library add a journal subscription to its collection?
Periodical subscriptions are reviewed once a year in early fall by each department. Suggestions for changes to your department's periodicals list should be made to the faculty collection coordinator in your department.
Digital repository
How do I make my articles available via Lafayette’s Digital repository?
Depending on the publisher, you can send your final draft or the published version of your scholarly articles to the library by using the digital repository submission form. more »
Electronic resources
Where can I find a list of your databases?
From the library homepage, click the Research Tools tab. For the databases in your field, choose your subject area under Subject Specific Resources.
Do you have a list of all of your electronic journals?
Information on all of our electronic journals is in the Library Catalog. Simply do a journal title search for the title you're interested in. If you'd like to see a list of all of our electronic journals, do a genre search for electronic journals.
Do you have any e books?
Yes, we have e books from Ebrary, MyiLibrary, Springer, and others. All of the titles are included in the library catalog.
How can I access electronic resources when I'm off campus?
To log in to subscription resources from off campus, connect to the resource using a link from the library's web site or catalog, then log in with your Network ID and password (the same credentials you use for email). If you haven't been issued a Network ID yet, you can log in using your last name and the 11-digit barcode number from the back of your Lafayette ID. If you have problems or have not yet been issued a Lafayette ID, contact a reference librarian at refdesk@lafayette.edu or 610-330-5155. We can usually get you squared away within 24 hours. more »
Does the library subscribe to any bibliographic management program?
Refworks is the program supported at Lafayette. You can import your citations from other bibliographic management programs into Refworks. Detailed instructions for doing this can be accessed at http://www.refworks.com/Refworks/help/Refworks.htm. Select "Getting References into Your Account" from the left-hand navigation bar, then "Converting from Other Bibliographic Management Programs." You also have access to EndNote Web through our Web of Science subscription, which is listed under "Most Used Research Tools" on the Library's homepage.
Can I access library resources with a smart phone or an iPad?
Yes, some library resources have apps for use on mobile devices. more »
Instruction
Can I ask a librarian to meet with my class?
Yes, we're happy to meet with any of your classes to instruct them in finding and using the information they need for their assignments. We tailor all our sessions to the individual needs of your students. To learn more or to arrange a session for your class, contact Lijuan Xu, instruction coordinator (ext.5152). more »
Reserves
How do I place materials on reserve?
To put materials on reserve for your classes, contact Kandyce Fisher at Skillman Library (ext. 5882). more »
Will the library scan my materials to put on reserve?
The library does not offer scanning services for reserve materials, but faculty may scan their own materials and make them available on their course web site or link to full-text articles available from one of the library's subscriptions.
Can I reserve films to show in my class?
Yes. You can reserve films for classroom use by contacting Tami Kurzeja, weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ext. 5149) for assistance. We recommend reserving films well in advance so as to insure their availability by the date needed.
Special Collections and Archives
Where is Special Collections?
Special Collections is located on the second floor of Skillman Library. It is open to the public. For more information including arranging a class visit to view materials in the collection, please email archives@lafayette.edu or call 610-330-5148.
For more information...
Library listserves
If you would like to keep abreast of new library resources and services, subscribe to the Library News listserve by sending a blank email to LibraryNews-subscribe@mailman.lafayette.edu. more »
