Get A Grip Questions

 

LTS (Technology)  

Gov Docs

 Special Collections

Punxsutawney

Circulation

ILL

 Reserve

 

Questions for LTS

 

Get A Grip
Questions for Library Technology & Security (LTS)

 


  1. What software packages are on the media pods?

 

            Vegas Video, Sound Forge, Scanning software, as well as the entire Office        Suite and Adobe Photoshop and other graphic    applications

 

        2.Which computers are maintained by the LTS?

     

      All lab and public pc’s including all wireless. Basically anything that does not begin with ADM.

 

        3. What service does LTS provide with the media pods?

 

            From 1:00pm to 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday we will have technical support people on hand to help with all aspects of video/audio production.

 

        4.What service does LTS provide with laptops?

           

            We circulate, charge, clean, repair .

 

        5. What service does LTS provide with scanning?

 

All pods have scanning hardware and software and is support 1:00pm -5:00pm  Monday through Friday.

 

 

        6.What are the procedures for scheduling classrooms and classroom laptops?

 

      The reservation for is at:

 

            http://www.lib.iup.edu/wireless/bookinginfo/

 

 

        7. What is the best way to handle a request for a refund for printing?

(printer malfunction, choosing color printer by mistake)

 

            See lab attendant. No refunds are given but we do offer coupons for  free printing if warranted.

 

 

        8. Where is help available for students who want to use WebCT?

 

            Currently the students can make arrangement for limited support and training for the IT Support Center located at the Suites on Grant.

 

 

  9.  Where is help available for training on the media pods?

 

         From 1:00pm to 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday we will have technical support people on hand to help with all aspects of video/audio production.

 

 10. Which computers in the library have access now to the P Drive?   

All public and lab computers as well as the wireless laptops.

 

 11.   What software packages are on the computers in the lab?

 

Extensive list, see:

 

http://www.lib.iup.edu/depts/lts/equipment.shtml

 

          

 

 

Questions for Gov Docs   (Back to top)

 

 

Get a Grip – Government Documents

April 10, 2007

 

Questions and answers for Government Documents

 

  1. What are the library hours of Government Documents?

In regular semester session:

Hours are the same as the main library’s hours. For reference, please see Reference Desk hours:

Monday-Thursday 7:45a.m.-10:00p.m.
Friday 7:45a.m.-5:00p.m.
Saturday 11:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
Sunday 1:00p.m.-10:00p.m.

 

  1. How do we refer evening and weekend questions?

To my Email:  jinpang@iup.edu; or call:  724-357-4892 to leave a message.

 

  1. What are NTIS documents?

NTIS stands for National Technical Information Service

The fee-based documents providing scientific, technical, engineering, and business related information.  Click here for subject coverage of NTIS collection.

NTIS provides Simple Search, Advanced Search and Featured Search  for their collections. 

 

  1. How do we find NTIS documents online?

Recently, as a collaborative program of NTIS and GPO, NTIS opened approximately 240,000 online documents dating from 1964 to 2000 to all Federal depository libraries free of charge., and created a website (http://www.ntis.gov/fdlp ) for federal depository libraries to search and download NTIS documents.  A user ID and password are issued to each depository library for search and download.  Please see the handout distributed at the reference meeting for the user ID and password assigned to our library and other information for the use of this service.  A copy of this handout can also be found in Reference Desk Notes (in a white binder) shelved at Reference Desk. 

 

  1. How much weeding has been done in Government Documents?

The weeding of government documents started in Spring 2005.  Since then, we’ve weeded and discarded approximately 3200 items. 

                                   

  1. Are you able to check any materials out of Government Documents? If so, how long do the items circulate?

It depends on what type of materials you want to check out.

- Printed materials.  If they are not cataloged as reference, they can be checked out  as any other regular materials in the library.

- Microforms.  Library use only.

- Maps.  Library use only.

- CD-ROMs/DVDs.  Follow Media Circulation policy.

 

  1. Are all publications cataloged in PILOT?  What items are not?

No.  Those published before 1970s; those that have a short life cycle, such as pamphlets, application forms, posters, and sheet maps.

 

  1. When will all depository items be available online?

I cannot find an official answer for this answer, but, according to GPO, 93% of all titles have been made available through the FDLP are online.

 

  1. What information does the Government Documents website provides?

 

Generally, it provides profiles of our government documents collection, including printed materials, microforms, maps, CD/DVDs, and links to frequently used government information resources.  Please go to the web site for details:   http://www.lib.iup.edu/depts/govdocs/govdocsdept.html

 

  1. Is there any way to correct the URL document links which are not working?

Yes, some of the broken links can be fixed by sending a request to GPO for a correct URL, but some cannot, because after the terrorist attack on Sep. 11, 2001, U.S. government became more concerned about what information was put online, and a lot of sensitive information was removed from the web since then.  If broken links fall into this category they cannot be fixed.

 

  1. Which government documents are on micro (e.g. card, film, fiche)?

Mostly, census, congressional and presidential materials issued before 1990s.

Please see the web page for details:

http://www.lib.iup.edu/depts/govdocs/gov.doc.microform.htm

 

      12.  Where can we find a catalog of government documents for public access?

 

Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP) is available for public access. http://catalog.gpo.gov/

This catalog is a new and improved one launched in the summer of 2006.  It currently offers more than 500,000 records to both historical and current Government publications, covering 1976 to present.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions for Special Collections   (Back to top)

 

 

 

  1. What are the library hours of Special Collections?

Regular session hours are:

Monday - Friday

9:00a.m. - 4:30p.m.

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

 

 

 

We try to maintain those hours but the shortage of staff makes that impossible. We try to remember to put up a sign when we know we won’t be there.

 

 If people are coming to visit it is best to tell them to email me or call and let us know they are coming and we will make arrangements to open.  

 

 

  1. How do we refer evening and weekend questions?

 

Best thing to do it to tell them to email me mcdevitt@iup.edu  or call at 7-3039. I will get back in touch with them. You can also refer them to the web page http://www.lib.iup.edu/depts/speccol/index.shtm .  There is lots of information there including list of collections and their inventories and links to other useful sites.

 

 

  1. What counties in Pennsylvania do the mining papers cover?

 

All over. There is not map or listing that has been prepared. To determine if we have information on a specific county a searcher would have to go through the inventories.

Many of the mining collections are included in the listing at http://www.lib.iup.edu/spec_coll/lih-header.html .

 

  1. What is the R&P Coal Mining Map Project?

 

They are scanning the large format mine maps that we received from the Rochester and Pittsburgh Coal Company with the rest of their papers as part of a larger project. It just uses Special Collections materials but not really a special collections project. Best person to ask if Phil, Ed, or Doug. The only thing we do is keep the maps and the cd masters of the scans.

 

  1. Is everything in Special Collections accessible to the patron?

 

No, some material is restricted because it the donors have placed restrictions on it . If materials are fragile we might refuse to copy or scan them and direct users to microfilm copies instead of originals. We generally do suggest any restrictions be put on using materials.

 

 

  1. Are you able to check any materials out of Special Collections?

 

As a rule no (but there are exceptions to every rule:)  If someone can’t come in during regular hours we may make it available to them at the reference desk.

 

 

 

  1. Is everything cataloged in PILOT?  What items are not?

 

Published materials are cataloged. Manuscript materials are described by inventories. Inventories or descriptive indexes for materials coming from University offices can be found at: http://www.lib.iup.edu/depts/speccol/All%20Finding%20Aids/rgindex.html .

Inventories or descriptive indexes for materials can be found at http://www.lib.iup.edu/depts/speccol/eadindex.html

 

 

  1.  Can anyone access the materials in Special Collections?  Do you have to make a special request if you are not an IUP student/employee?

 

  We have no restrictions like that as a general rule.

 

 

  1. Are there special precautions patrons have to take working with rare books and/or original documents?

 

Yes, they can’t have drinks or food (even Java City); they can’t use pens, and should use gloves when handling some materials.  

 

 

  1. What is the Coal Culture Website?

 

Coal culture website is the site we are designing as a result of the LSTA digitization grant we received in March. You can look at it at: http://www.lib.iup.edu/depts/speccol/mininglife/  . It is under construction but should be pretty much finished by next summer.  

 

 

  1. What are the basic guidelines and cost of scanning primary source materials?

It depends but its pretty expensive involving equipment, staff, and storage.

 

 

 

  1. What genealogy records/materials are available in Special Collections?

 

 

· Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research in Pennsylvania, 1958.

·  Pennsylvania Line: A Research Guide to Pennsylvania Genealogy and Local History.

·        Genealogies of Pennsylvania Families

This is a three volume set that contains family history articles which have been excerpted from the Pennsylvania Genealogy Magazine published from 1895 through 1980.

·  Manuscript Census Information on the Heads of Households in Pennsylvania

 

Mostly just what can be found in various manuscript collections that contain people’s names and county histories are often useful. We are not set up to do genealogical research. I usually direct genealogists to Indiana Historical and Genealogical Society where they do that more commonly.

 

13.    When will the Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company records be available?

 

They are available now.  Information already processed http://www.lib.iup.edu/depts/speccol/ead/mg51.html . Processing of other stuff is ongoing but if people want to look for things they came come out and look.

 

 

14.    How complete are the holdings of The Penn?  Senate meetings?  Board of Trustees meetings?

 

We have the Penn on microfilm and in paper. Most recent issues are available at Penn Online  http://www.thepenn.org/ .

 

Senate meetings except for what is online http://www.iup.edu/senate/ . The inventory

http://www.lib.iup.edu/depts/speccol/All%20Finding%20Aids/Finding%20aids/Record%20Groups/RG37.doc .

 

Trustees’ information as listed in inventory http://www.lib.iup.edu/depts/speccol/All%20Finding%20Aids/Finding%20aids/Record%20Groups/RG03.doc .

 

 

 

Questions for Punxsutawney Regional Campus  (Back to top)

 

 

  1. What are the library hours at Punxsutawney?
    These are the hours during the regular semester.  Please check the web page for summer and break hours at  http://www.lib.iup.edu/Punxsy/hours.shtm

Days

Hours

Monday-Thursday

8:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Friday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sunday

6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

 

 

 

  1. How many students attend Punxsutawney?
    Currently over 300, but there are plans to double this size.

 

 

 

  1. What are the major programs at Punxsutawney?
    There is a Culinary Program and it is a first-year campus.

 

 

 

  1. What is the First-Year Experience at Punxy?
    The Punxsutawney Campus is geared to the "First Year Experience."  When students start classes at the Punxsutawney Campus, they experience the start of a very important relationship.  The campus and classes are small enough for the faculty members to get to know students on a one-to-one basis.  They are available to the students to offer the direction and support that they will need to succeed in college.  While at Punxsutawney the student will be assigned a faculty advisor that will help with with course selection and to give insight on how to build a successful college experience. Most students will transfer to the Indiana Campus after their freshman year but there are certain requirements a student must meet in order to transfer.

 

 

 

  1. How do you plan to utilize video reference?
    Pilot reference services to Punxsy while I am at the reference desk on main campus.

 

 

 

  1. How does a student from Punxy order books/media from Stapleton Library?
    Students needing a book that is located in Stapleton Library, the main campus library, should enter a request through ILLiad.  Although we do send according to the directions given to us by the student when the student logs into ILLiad for the first time, they could enter into the “Notes” box such information as “Please send to the XXXX Campus Library”, the call number of the book, whether the book is checked out or not, anything helpful in finding the book in the stacks and expediting the process. 

 

 

 

  1. How can we tell which books on PILOT are on the shelves at Punxsy and have not been discarded?
    Until the flip is done ALL books at Punxsy say “Temporarily Stored”.


     
  2. How do we handle requests for books/media from main campus to Punxy?

Through the Interlibrary Loan Department, they will send it through IDS or with me on Wednesdays.

 

 

 

  1. What computer lab facilities are at Punxy?
    We have 6 stations in the library and two labs across from the library.

 

 

     10.  Are there any classes available at Punxy for students to learn about WebCT,      

            URSA?
            Yes, they learn it through their introduction to computer class.

 

 

 

  1. Is the Academy of Culinary Arts part of the First-Year Experience?
    Yes, they take classes and their office is housed in the new building.

 

 

 

  1. What resources do we offer the Academy of Culinary Arts?
    We catalog all their materials that they donate and a budget has been set a side for collecting in this area.

 

 

 

     13.  Does the library provide any services for Punxsutawney Phil?
            Yes, he is our unofficial mascot until he is replaced by the “Fighting Squirrel”.

 

 

 

Other questions/notes:

 

                    

 

Questions for Circulation (Back to top)

 

  1. What should we do when a student calls and cannot login into the library databases? Should the student be referred to Circulation, or should we check the 16 digits from their I-Card?

 

You can transfer the call to the circulation desk and ask the student worker to check to the patron’s card to be sure it is valid (or active). 

 

  1. What is the overdue fine per day for books?

 

Fines are charged at 25 cents per day per book.  Videos/DVD’s are charged at $3.00 per day per item. 

 

  1. Can a student renew books online?

 

Yes, they can.  However, if the books are overdue or due on the day they try to renew them, the system won’t let them renew them.  They will have to come in or call to have someone in circulation renew for them.  Also, if they have PALCI books they should call the circ desk (7-2340) and have the student do that for them.

 

If the books have been renewed twice already, they will not be able to renew online.  They will have to speak to a supervisor who will make the decision as to whether they can have a third renewal or not.

 

  1. Can a student renew books over the phone?

 

Yes, by calling 724-357-2340.

 

  1. How long can graduate students borrow books?

 

Faculty, doctoral, masters and staff may borrow for 90 days with 2 renewals.

Undergrads and library patrons may borrow for 30 days with 2 renewals.

 

  1. How does a student from the Monroeville Center and/or the Dixon Center borrow books and request journal articles?

 

They may order books through PALCI or ILLiad.  Journal articles can only be ordered through ILLiad.

 

 

 

  1. When do we use UBorrow?

 

U-Borrow can be used at any time, however, as staff we find the system very cumbersome to work with.  PALCI is a much better system and very user-friendly for staff as well as patron.

 

 

  1. After filling out a search request for a book, is there a time limit for how long a student waits for a response? Do faculty and/or a student have to return a book after receiving a recall?

 

We will hold a search open for one week.  If the item is not found, we will attempt to get the book through PALCI and then notify the patron of our action.  If we can’t get the material through PALCI, we notify the student and tell them they can request it through ILLiad.

 

If a requested book is checked out, the item is recalled.  If a recalled book has only been checked out for a few days, the system will calculate a 15 day loan for the patron (from the original check out date) and then give the patron a new due date.  They will then have 7 days to return the book, giving them a total of 21 days.  If the requested book has been out for more than 15 days, the system will immediately calculate a new due date for 7 days from the date of the recall and the patron must then return the item by that date or pay a fine of $8.00 per day up to a total of $50.00.

 

 

  1. How many books can a student borrow?

 

Faculty/staff can borrow 100 books

Grads can borrow 75 books

Undergrads and library patrons can borrow 50 books.

 

  1. What services do we provide for alumni? 

 

If they are living in Indiana, Jefferson or Allegheny counties they can purchase a library card.  Current cost is $5.00 per card.

 

  1. What current services do we offer for the handicapped?

 

Because we are not ADA compliant we will assist patrons in retrieving books from the stacks for their use. 

 

For students with sight or hearing disabilities, we do have a study carrel with a computer equipped to help them.  They can see someone in the circulation department about any of this (direct them to one of the fulltime staff).

 

 

Questions for ILL (Back to top)

 

 

  1. Would ILL prefer PALCI or ILLIAD for ordering books?  Why?

 

We tell patrons to try to get their materials through PALCI first as it is usually faster and doesn’t cost us anything.

If they are unsuccessful, then they should go through ILLiad.

 

  1. Is there any cost to the student for ILL services?

 

Generally, no. If a requested item can be gotten but at a high fee we will inform the student that we can get it but that IUP can’t assume the cost.  It is then up to the student to decide whether it is something they are willing to pay for.  If it is, we will order it for the student once they pay the fee.

 

  1. Where does a student pick up an ILL book?

 

ILL materials, PALCI materials, UBorrow materials are picked up and processed at the main Circulation desk.

 

  1. How long does it take to receive a book or journal on ILLIAD and/or PALCI?  Are most journal articles scanned and sent by e-mail?

 

The time it takes for materials to get to IUP depends on the school filling the request.  PALCI is generally faster than regular ILL.

 

Most journal articles are scanned and emailed to the patron at their IUP email address.

 

PALCI does NOT process journal requests.  Books only.

 

  1. How long is the loan period for a book from PALCI?  ILLIAD?

 

PALCI – 30 days with one renewal

ILLiad – depends on the lending school.  Usually 2-3 weeks.  Renewals also depend on the lending school.

 

  1. Does ILL use DOCLINE for all health/medical journals?

 

No.  Docline is a service we pay for so we only use them when we can’t get the information from any other source.

 

 

 

  1. If the item has been ordered and is unavailable, how is the patron notified?

 

Email

 

  1. If the book is not on the shelf at Stapleton, is a student still able to order on ILL?

 

If IUP owns a book, we generally do not order through ILLiad or PALCI with these exceptions:  If a book is charged, lost or missing, the student is able to order through the PALCI system. 

 

If a book is just not on the shelf, we will search for it first, then make the determination whether to order through one of our borrowing systems.

 

 

 

 

Questions for Reserve (Back to top)

 

  1. What is the loan period for reserve books?

 

The professor sets the loan period.  It could be one – three hours or one day, 3 days or 7 days.

 

  1. Are you able to take reserve books out of the library? 

 

The professor determines whether the book can go out of the library.  We suggest that they do not allow overnight check outs as it is sometimes hard to get it back in the designated time and then everyone else in that class is inconvenienced.

 

 

  1. What is the fine for an overdue reserve book?

 

We charge $8.00 per day per item up to a maximum of $40.00.

 

  1. Where do we find the password for e-reserve?

 

The professor is to provide the students in their class with the password for their particular course.  If the student forgets, they can come to the circulation desk and our student workers will assist them.  Or the reference librarian can give the formula to the student.  The formula is:  the first 3 letters of the professors last name, course prefix and number.  No spaces, and it isn’t case sensitive.

 

 

 

 

  1. How do we find a book on reserve if we do not know the professor’s name?

 

Our student workers can do a search and locate the professor’s name, but if the student is actually in the class, they normally know their professors name.  If a student who is not in the class wants to see a book that is on reserve, they are only allowed to use IUP library books that are on reserve.  And those cannot be checked out to the student or taken out of the library.  If the item in question is a personal copy of the professors’, only those students who are in the class are permitted to use it.

 

  1. What do we do if someone turns in a lost I-Card?  Do you the call the student?

 

We generally do not call the patron.  We hold the I-card for one day.  After that we put it in the designated box in the copy area on the ground floor.  That is picked up by the I-card office.

 

 

 

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