A Handbook
Table of Contents
Besides books, what other materials can I locate in the PAC?
Where can I found out what magazines, journals, and newspapers the library owns?
How can I find magazine and newspaper articles on a particular subject?
What if the college doesn't have the book or periodical I want?
How much is it going to cost me if I lose materials or return them late?
Things to Consider when Evaluating Reference/Research Sources
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Who's Who?
Librarian……………………..…….……........Karen Dole
Circulation Assistant………………………...Deborah Kolb-Jackson
Serials Assistant.……..………......…….......Kim Kraus
Interlibrary Loan Assistant.............................Cindy Eyberg
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Fall and Spring Semester
| 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Monday – Thursday |
| 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Friday |
| Closed | Saturday |
Summer School Term II (June-Mid July)
| 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Monday – Thursday |
| 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Friday |
| Closed | Saturday |
Breaks & Summer Term I (May) & Term III (Mid July-August)
| 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Monday – Friday |
| Closed | Saturday |
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What do I need to do to check out library materials?
Please pick up your student identification card in Student Services and bring it to the library circulation desk to be activated for library use. Your identification card (I.D.) must be presented to the desk attendant each time you check out any materials. IMPORTANT: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL MATERIAL CHECKED OUT ON YOUR CARD. Be careful about loaning your card to anyone else. Report the loss of an I.D. card to the circulation desk immediately. Obtain a new one from Student Services. Anyone from the North Iowa area may obtain a temporary borrower’s card to use the NIACC library.
What is the Open Access Program?
NIACC is a participant in the Iowa Open Access Program. This means that anyone who has a library card from another participating library may use that card to check out materials from the NIACC Library. NIACC students may also use their student ID to check out materials from other participating libraries. Materials borrowed from other participants may be returned to the NIACC Library and will be mailed back to the original lender. Ask the library staff for more information about this program.
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How long can I keep this book?
General Circulation
The majority of the books in the open stacks may be checked out for three weeks. A few, such as career and quarto (oversized) books, are on one-week checkout. Renewals are granted for a three-week book unless another person has requested it or it is to be placed on reserve.
Reserve Books
Your instructors place certain material on reserve to be held at the circulation desk. Ask the desk attendant for your choice, by author and title.
RESTRICTED RESERVE BOOKS may be borrowed for overnight
use, one-half hour before the library closes for the day. They are due at 9:00
a.m. the next school day. RESERVE BOOKS CANNOT BE RENEWED. There is also a
category called CLOSED RESERVES for those books that are checked out only for
use in the library.
One-Day Reserve
One-day reserve books are kept at the circulation desk. They may be checked out at any time for overnight use and are due back by closing the following school day.
Reference Books
Because of their high cost and the difficulty of replacing them, reference books cannot be checked out. Ask about free photocopying of reference materials.
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How can I find materials in the library?
The library's Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) is used to find books, media, and other materials in the library. It is available on five terminals in the library and from computers both on and off campus through the library web page.
How To Search the PAC (Public Access Catalog)
The PAC provides access to library materials using a computer to search by title, author, subject, or keyword. Keywords are words or phrases that appear in the title, author’s name, or subject heading of a work. The Advanced Search Mode and Boolean Search Mode allow you to combine terms for searching using Boolean Operators (AND, OR, NOT) and to limit searches by format or publication date. A Browse Search Mode is also available. To locate a book, periodical, or non-print item on the PAC, follow the instructions on the computer screen. The following sample screens illustrate how the PAC works.
To select a search mode:
If the search screen is not showing, click on the black Search tab at the top of the screen. The system defaults to the Keyword Search screen. You may search from there or choose another search mode by clicking on the appropriate black tab under the Polaris logo.
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To do a Keyword Search:
A Keyword Search looks for the text you type anywhere in a field you choose. You can limit the search by selecting Title, Author, Subject, etc., from the drop-down menu. To search by keyword:
1) At the Keyword Search screen, type in the word or words that pertain to your search.
2) You can use truncation (ship* will find ships, shipping, etc.)
3) You can search a term in all searchable fields or limit it to a specific field (author, title, subject, etc.) by using the pull-down menu.
4) If you want to include other library catalogs and databases, click on Select Databases link and select the ones you want to use. Click on Set Selected Databases. Click on the Back to Search link at the bottom of the screen.
5) Click on Open Search Options to limit your search by date, format, etc. Click on Set Search Options. Click on Close Search Options link to resume your search. Note: Once you change Databases or Search Options, they will remain on until you reset them. Click on the Reset Search Options button to return to the original settings.
6) Click on Go! or press Enter.
7) Click on Next 10 Titles to view more results, if necessary.
To do a Browse Search:
A Browse Search looks for the word(s) you typed in and brings up a list of results that begin with similar word(s). You can then scroll forward or backward through the index. Title is the default, but you can also search by other fields (see illustration). As with a Keyword Search, you can also select library databases or open search options. This search is helpful if you aren’t sure how to spell the word you’re looking for of for searching for a specific author (last name first) or title. Use this method as you would a Keyword search.
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To do an Advanced Search:
An Advanced Search allows you to construct a complex keyword search by combining search terms and focusing the search in specified ways by letting you fill in blanks to connect words by using the Boolean operators AND, OR, or NOT. You can also use the drop-down menus to search specific fields, such as author, title, and subject. Additional search options include: publication date, format, material type target audience, and language. You can choose how you want the results to be sorted. When ready, click on the Perform Search button at the bottom of the screen to execute your search. This type of search will help you to limit your search results.
To move between search options, click on the appropriate black tab at the top of the screen or use the links from the dashboard on the left side of the screen, if they are available.
To return to the opening search screen (Keyword Search), click on the Polaris logo at the top left of the screen.
Viewing Search Results
Once you have completed a search, the results show up in a list that can be sorted by author, title, publication date, most popular, or call number. On the left, a dashboard shows Related Subjects and Other Searches that are available. The entry includes brief information about the item. (See the figure below.) It also indicates the number of items the library owns and the number which are available for checkout.
Click on the Availability link under the title information to find the Collection Code that indicates where to locate the item in the library or to find the due date of an item that is currently not available.
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Add to Title List | Place Request | Enrich Data | Next Title >> |
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Book - 3 Weeks |
Click on the Detailed Information link to get complete information about the book. The Enrich Data link may provide book reviews and other useful information. A globe icon to the right of the title indicates a link to more information about the item or to the full-text of a NetLibrary electronic book.
Click on Add to Title List to compile a list of items to print out in a bibliography. You can also place a Hold Request for the book by clicking on Place Request (you will need to log in to your Patron Account to place a request.)
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Accessing Your Patron Account:
Your library account shows your registration data, hold requests, items you have checked out, and fines and fees you owe. You can check your registration information or change your password, place holds on books, and renew items. You can also create a reading history or search list.
To Log On to Your Account:
1. Click on Patron Account tab at the top of the PAC screen.
2. Click in the Barcode Number window and type your library barcode number on the back of your student I.D.
3. Click in the Password window and type your password. (Your password will be the last 4 digits of your phone number or another number given to you by the library staff when you had your I.D. barcoded, until you change it.)
4. Click on Log On.
5. When finished using your account be sure to LOG OUT. Otherwise, others will be able to view your account information.
Check Your Account Information: Log on to your account. Check over your personal information to make sure everything is correct. If you find something that needs to be changed, contact the library staff. They will make the changes for you. Click on Log Off when finished.
Check Your Fines and Fees: Log on to your account. Click on Fines and Fees tab. Click on Log Off when finished.
Change Your Password (be sure to do this as soon as possible after your barcode is activated by the library staff)
1. Log on to your account.
2. Click on Change Password.
3. Type your current password in the Old Password window.
4. Type your new password in the New Password Window. (You can use 8 to 16 characters. Be sure to use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and non-alphabetic characters.)
5. Type your new password again in the Verification window.
6. Click on Submit.
7. Click on Log Off when finished.
8. If you forget your password, contact a library staff member to have it reset.
View and Renew Items Out
1. Log on to your account.
2. Click on Items Out.
3. To renew all items, click on Renew All Items. To renew a single item, click in the box next to the item and click on Renew Selected Items.
Reserve materials and audiovisual items cannot be renewed. If the items you are renewing are overdue, you will owe a fine for the days that they were overdue before renewal.
4. Click on Log Off when finished.
View or Cancel a Hold Request
1. Log on to your account.
2. Click on Requests. A list of your hold requests will appear.
3. To cancel a hold request, click on the box next to the item, and click on Cancel Selected Holds. To cancel all requests, click on Cancel All Holds.
4. Click on Log Off when finished.
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Besides books, what other materials can I locate in the PAC?
Pamphlet Files
These files are in the tan four-drawer file near the microfilm cabinets in the reference section. They include the Vocations File, Information File, and Social Issues Resource Center. The file name will appear in the call number of the item record in the PAC.
· Vocations File
o The material in this file includes several career information services. It is on three-week checkout. Items are listed in the PAC by subject.
· Social Issues Resource Center
o This file contains pamphlets and other items on social issues. They can be signed out on the clipboard sheet near the file cabinet.
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How do I find cassettes or videotapes on my subject?
Audio-Visual materials are listed in the PAC. They can be a good source of information for research, especially primary source material. Their call numbers are different from books and indicate the type of material. Different types of A-V materials that the NIACC Library has include:
filmstrips (FS) videotapes (VT) cassettes (CS) DVD (DVD)
kits (KIT) slides (S) audio books (AB)
These resources are housed at the Circulation Desk. Ask a staff member for the one you wish to use.
Equipment on which to use this type of material can be found in the media room in the northeast corner of the library. Cassette players, earphones, and calculators can be checked out at the circulation desk.
Following is an example of a PAC entry for a videotape. The film icon and the description indicate that it is a video.
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What special book collections does the library have?
In addition to the main book collection, the reference collection, the reserves, and the multimedia materials, there are also some other special collections that should be noted. They are:
The “Q” Collection
Oversized books are kept on special shelves at the end of the book stacks. The collection code for these books is “Oversize” in the catalog entry (availability) and they are marked with a “Q” in the call number, as pictured below.
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The Children’s Literature Collection
These books are for use by the Children’s Literature classes. The Agency Code is Children’s Lit.
They are located in the northeast corner of the library. The books are separated into Y-fiction, Y-nonfiction, YE-fiction, and YE-nonfiction categories, with the YE books being picture books. Below is an example of the “Availability” screen for a children’s book.
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Availability | Add to Title List | Place Request | Enrich Data |
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What are the different kinds of reference books available?
Although every book is potentially a "reference" book, those which are of particular value, because they are comprehensive, compact, and conveniently arranged are generally separated into the reference collection. They have an "R" in front of the call number in the library catalog. A basic list of reference books is available from the library.
Reference problems are best approached with some idea of the kinds of books that are most useful in answering certain types of questions.
As indicated in the section on electronic resources, many of these reference books are also available in electronic format in the library.
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How can I find magazine and newspaper articles on a particular subject?
A list of periodicals owned by the library is available and can be found on the web page and near the computer workstations. The list tells what issues of a periodical the library has and where to find them. There is also a list of full-text periodicals in the library's online databases.
If the magazine title is followed by an M, the magazine is located in the main room of the library. If it is followed by a CO, it is it is kept in the circulation office and must be asked for at the circulation desk. If it is followed by an LO, it is in the library office. Current and back issues of some magazines are housed in various departments on campus. This is also indicated on the list.
Many magazines are kept on microfilm and can be located in the microfilm cabinets. A microfilm reader/printer is available nearby. Please ask for help if you are using these materials for the first time.
Current issues of periodicals are arranged alphabetically by title on slanted open shelves near the windows. Some are also housed in the circulation office, staff library, or in departments. They are checked out for one day only. Back issues of periodicals are kept for a specific period of time, varying in length. Bound back-issue volumes are loaned for one day only; other single back issues are loaned for one week.
The library provides access to a number of electronic indexes and databases. The collection of EBSCOhost databases includes Academic Search Premier, a full-text periodical database containing over 4,600 journals and other publications. EBSCOhost also includes a number of special subject databases, including ones on education, nursing, and other topics. Newsbank Newsfile contains full-text articles from many major newspapers, including the Des Moines Register. Lexis-Nexis provides access to full text articles and publications in the areas of news, business, law, medicine, and reference. Several other databases are also available. All are available online and can be accessed through the library web page.
What newspapers does the library receive?
The library subscribes to all area newspapers and the following local and national editions.
Chicago Tribune Sunday
Minneapolis Sunday Tribune
Christian Science Monitor – Daily
USA Today – Daily
Commerce Business Daily Wall Street Journal
Des Moines Register – Daily & Sunday
Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier
New York Times – Sunday
Back issues of some years of the New York Times and the Des Moines Register are on microfilm.
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What electronic resources are available in the Library?
Nine workstations with access to the World Wide Web are also available for faculty and student use. The library subscribes to several licensed databases, including the following:
· EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier, Business Source Elite, CINAHL, Health Source: Consumer & Health Source: Nursing/Academic, ERIC, Professional Development Collection, PsychARTICLES, Vocational and Career Collection, and Newspaper Source
· Newsbank Newsfile & Des Moines Register
· Issues and Controversies on File & Issues and Controversies in American History
· Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center
· FirstSearch
· AccessScience
· Encyclopedia Americana
· CQ Researcher
· Oxford Reference Online
· Vocational Guidance Database & Career Guidance Center
· LexisNexis Academic
The library also owns a collection of electronic books through NetLibrary. Most of the online databases do not require a password from a library or computer lab workstation. Passwords and usernames for off-campus access are available in the library.
The library’s web page has direct links to all of its online databases. Click on the Online Resources and Databases link, then choose the subject area you need, the alphabetical list of all databases, or the link to EBSCO databases. The web page also includes direct links to many government resources and databases, as well as other helpful reference resources on the Internet.
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What if the library doesn’t have the book or periodical I want?
Anyone who takes a class on the NIACC campus or works or teaches for NIACC or one of its partner institutions can borrow books and obtain photocopies of periodical articles from other libraries through the NIACC Library’s Interlibrary Loan Service. A nationwide computer network connects the library with many other libraries across the country.
Interlibrary Loan request forms are available at the circulation desk. Please fill out the form as completely as possible, and indicate the date by which the material is needed. Be sure to allow enough time for the book or article to arrive. Requests for articles are subject to restrictions of the copyright law. Please feel free to use interlibrary loan whenever you need it. The library pays for the cost of this service. Please see Cindy Eyberg or Karen Dole for assistance.
The library also provides access to the SILO Locator, a database listing materials located in many libraries across the state, and WorldCat, which lists materials available across the country. Both are available through the library web page.
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How much is it going to cost me if I lose materials or return them late?
While the library no longer charges fines, written notices are sent to students having overdue materials. Students are encouraged to return materials on time to make them available for other users. Students are responsible for paying replacement costs, plus a processing fee, for items that are lost or not returned.
Charges for Lost Materials
Overdue and lost materials must be returned or paid for before a student may re-register in the college, get grades, or be issued a transcript. Long overdue items may be sent to a collection agency.
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The Library is Yours to Use
Please come to the library to study or to research subjects. All of the library staff are ready to help you with your library needs. Please feel free to walk into the library office and ask for help. The library staff is never too busy to help students. Please respect the rights of others to quiet study in the library. The library exists for you, so use it wisely.
A map on the inside of the back cover of this handbook will assist you in finding your way around the library and locating materials.
The following pages are intended to help you in planning your research, evaluating resources, and using electronic databases.
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DEWEY DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION OF BOOKS
| 000 GENERAL WORKS | 500 PURE SCIENCE |
| 010 Bibliography | 510 Mathematics |
| 020 Library Science | 520 Astronomy |
| 030 General Encyclopedias | 530 Physics |
| 040 General Collected Essays | 540 Chemistry |
| 050 General Periodicals | 550 Geology |
| 060 General Societies and Museums | 560 Paleontology |
| 070 Journalism | 570 Biology |
| 080 Special Libraries & Collected Works | 580 Botany |
| 090 Book Rarities | 590 Zoology |
| 100 PHILOSOPHY | 600 APPLIED SCIENCE |
| 110 Metaphysics | 610 Medicine |
| 120 Special Metaphysical Theories | 620 Engineering |
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130 Physiological, Abnormal & Differential Psychology |
630 Agriculture |
| 140 Philosophical Systems | 640 Home Economics |
| 150 Psychology | 650 Business |
| 160 Logic | 660 Industrial Chemistry |
| 170 Ethics | 670 Manufactures |
| 180 Ancient, Medieval & Oriental Philosophy | 680 Mechanic Trades |
| 190 Modern Philosophy | 690 Building |
| 200 RELIGION | 700 FINE ARTS AND RECREATION |
| 210 Natural Theology | 710 Landscape Art |
| 220 Bible | 720 Architecture |
| 230 Doctrinal and Dogmatic Theology | 730 Sculpture |
| 240 Devotional and Practical Theology | 740 Drawings and Decoration |
| 250 Pastoral Theology | 750 Painting |
| 260 Church Institutions and Work | 760 Engraving |
| 270 Christian Church History | 770 Photography |
| 280 Christian Churches and Sects | 780 Music |
| 290 Non-Christian Religions | 790 Recreation |
| 300 SOCIAL SCIENCES | 800 LITERATURE |
| 310 Statistics | 810 American |
| 320 Political Science | 820 English |
| 330 Economics | 830 German |
| 340 Law | 840 French |
| 350 Public Administration | 850 Italian |
| 360 Social Welfare and Institutions | 860 Spanish |
| 370 Education | 870 Latin |
| 380 Commerce | 880 Greek |
| 390 Customs | 890 Minor Literatures |
| 400 PHILOLOGY (LANGUAGE) | 900 HISTORY |
| 410 Comparative | 910 Geography and Travel |
| 420 English | 920 Collected Biography |
| 430 German | 930 Ancient History |
| 440 French | 940 Europe |
| 450 Italian | 950 Asia |
| 460 Spanish | 960 Africa |
| 470 Latin | 970 North America |
| 480 Greek | 980 South America |
| 490 Other languages | 990 Oceanica and Polar |
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