Frequently Asked Questions
What are your hours of operation?
The current hours for the library can be found on the home page.How do I get a library card?
Upon completion of class registration and payment of fees, take your registration receipt to the Warhawk I.D. Card Services Office. The WIDS office is located in University Commons II, 50 yards Northwest of the library, between LaCap and Starbucks. WIDS staff will take a photograph and create a ULM ID card. An official State form of picture identification must be presented. If you are not a ULM student, click here to learn how to get a card as a visitor.If you're a ULM student who wants to check out books directly from other libraries, a LALINC card can allow you to borrow materials from academic libraries other than ULM's. The details will vary depending on which library you are borrowing from. To get one, fill out this LALINC card application. After you print it and fill it out, you may fax it to 318-342-1075 or mail it to this address:
Susan Allen, Circulation Dept.
University of Louisiana at Monroe, University Library
700 University Avenue
Monroe, LA 71209-0720
Where do I check out books?
To check materials out of the library, take the items you wish to check out to the Circulation Counter along with your ULM ID card.How many books can I take & for how long?
What are the overdue fees?
That depends on your status:Students
Loan period is 28 days (may be shortened because of ID privilege expiration date)
Maximum of 20 items may be checked out
Maximum of 5 renewals per item
May place holds/recalls
Recalls change due date to 7 days; recall notice is mailed
Recalled items not returned result in blocked privileges
Overdue charges:
$ .10/day with maximum of $50/item for general collection item
$ .20/day for recalled item
$ .60/hour or portion of hour for 2hr. Reserve item
$5.00/day for 1, 3 & 7 Day Reserve item
$ .60/hour or portion of hour for Study Room key
$5.00/day for overdue Interlibrary Loan item
One overdue item will block borrowing privileges
May not renew Library Science & McNaughton books
ULM Employees:
Loan period is one year from date of check out
Maximum of 100 items may be checked out
Maximum of 1 renewal per item
May place holds/recalls
Recalls change due date to 7 days; recall notice is mailed
Recalled items not returned result in block privileges
No fines for overdue ULM items; charged replacement cost for lost item
Five overdue items will block privileges
Loan period for Library Science & McNaughton is 28 days
May not renew Library Science & McNaughton books
Courtesy users (Friends of the Library, Retired Faculty, Alumni Courtesy card, LALINC card):
Loan period is 28 days (may be shortened because of ID privilege expiration date)
Maximum of 20 items may be checked out
Maximum of 5 renewals per item
May place holds; may not place recalls
Overdue charges:
$.10/day with a maximum of $50/item for general collection item
$.20/day for recalled item
One overdue item results in blocked privileges
Recalled item not returned results in blocked privileges
May not use Interlibrary Loan services
May not check out Reserve items or study room keys
Remember: If you disobey our rules, you may lose some or all of these privileges!
How to I find an answer to a question about research?
For assistance with general and specific questions, you can:1. Consult this FAQ
2. Visit the Reference desk located on the first floor of the library
3. Telephone a reference librarian at 318.342.1071
4. Email a reference librarian or click on Ask A Reference Librarian from the ULM Library Catalog search screen
5. Visit the reference page here.
How do I find a room in the library?
The first number in the name of the room is the floor, and after that is the room number or letter. There is an online map available here (Flash or Adobe Reader required).Are there computers to access the Internet/type my paper?
The Computer Lab is located on the 1st floor.Is there a place to study?
Study carrels may be found in various locations on each floor. A designated quiet study room is located on the second floor. Group study carrels are located at the rear of floors 2-5. The rooms may be scheduled at the Circulation Counter by ULM students, faculty, and staff only. A currently ULM ID card is required to obtain a room key. A minimum of two (2) people must be present to receive a room key.Retired Faculty also have a study space with computer access, blackboard, and a view available to them in room 326 of the library as part of the President's Club Elite Loyalty Program.
Where are the Photocopiers?
Photocopiers are located at the rear of the first floor and in Media Services on the second floor. The cost to make copies is .10 per page. Copy machines accept coins and bills ($1-$20). All change is returned in coins.The library counters do not provide change.
Where can I find a scanner?
The Computer Lab has a scanner with computer equipment for the visually impaired. The scanner may be used by anyone, but visually impaired users have priority. Using USB external media is highly recommended.Where can I find a fax machine?
There is a fax machines at the ULM bookstore, when it is open.What is the username and PIN or password for remote access?
A USER ID and PIN (Personal Identification Number) are required for remote access. Your USER ID is your CWID without hyphens or spaces. Your PIN is your four-digit birth month and year (MMYY). You cannot change your pin.Have a look at our Off-Campus Access (Remote Access) for an demonstration.
Can I get a new PIN?
Sorry, you cannot change your PIN.Can I print at the computer lab?
Only enrolled students may use computer lab laser printers, as a student password is required. No payment required; Students' STAP fees pay for printing, but it's not infinite. Students may print 150 pages per week.How do I use the library if I have a disability?
Please make your special need(s) know to the Reference Librarian on duty, and s/he will be happy to accommodate your need(s). You may:Can I use the library if I am a visitor?
Persons in the community are welcome to use the resources of the Library.To borrow materials from the University Library collections when you are not a student or employee, you may use the following cards. (Their privileges are listed here) :
How do I use my laptop computer in the library?
The library has wireless. Typically, the best way to connect is to use your browser and enter you email ID (not the address) and your email password. There are 3 networks at the library: Guest, Faculty, and Student. For technical details, see this computing center page.Direct Internet connections are available in the library. Data jacks are located in the floor and on the walls on floors 1-5. All data jacks have not been activated. The outlet covers of active data jacks are painted red. Active wall jacks are marked with an ACTIVE label.
How do I get dissertation or thesis?
A permanent copy of all ULM theses, dissertations, and field studies is kept in the Special Collections department on the 5th floor. A circulating copy is also available on 3rd floor. Search the ULM Library Catalog either by author or title to locate a specific item.The Library also subscribes to the Proquest Dissertations and Theses database. This provides electronic access to some documents.
Where are materials located in the library?
The library's collection is comprised of several collections. When you search for items in the catalog, the catalog will tell you the location of those items. Here is a map of the library floors. The most common locations are:Where are multimedia resources?
Media Services is located on the second floor. This area maintains the microforms (microfilm, microfiche, microcard,etc.) collections of newspapers, books, periodicals, dissertations, theses, and the equipment required to view such materials.Copies can be run from microforms at a cost of .10 a page. Payments must be made in cash (no big bills, please) at the Media Services desk.
How do I get materials placed on reserve?
Reserves are classroom-related books and other materials that professors have placed on a special limited check-out system. The purpose of the ULM Library course reserve system is to provide students access to required supplementary materials assigned by faculty. You may request reserve materials at the Circulation/Reserve counter with you ULM ID card.If you are a faculty member or instructor and would like something placed on reserve for your students, fill out this form and bring it to the circulation desk. If you'd like something to be scanned and made electronically accessible for uploading in Moodle, fill out this form and bring it to the circulation desk.
We no longer have the "E-Reserves" associated with Blackboard.
How do I get a journal or magazine I know the name of?
Search the ULM Library Catalog using the periodical title search option. Type the journal name in the space provided then press Enter.How do I find books and periodicals?
Search the ULM Library Catalog, which you can access at the library homepage. If you need help using it, view this tutorial.How do I find an article or magazine on a specific topic?
The catalog might be a good place to begin, but the databases the library has will be very helpful too. View this tutorial to see how (EBSCO's appearance has changed, but is otherwise the same).We also have a list of our databases arranged by subject.
Where can I find college catalogs for other schools?
If you are on campus, you can use the College Source Online database to view U.S. and international college catalogs in complete cover-to-cover, original page format. Two-year, four-year, graduate, and professional schools are included.Print issues of ULM's catalogs are kept in Library Special collections. Catalogs from other colleges and universities may be on their respective websites.
How do I find a Newspaper?
Search the ULM Library Catalog using the periodical title option. Enter the newspaper title in the space provided then click on search or press the Enter key.How do I open EBSCO eBooks?
You can view EBSCO's eBooks in your web browser by clicking eBook Full Text. The is also a download option for an eBook reader, Download This eBook (Offline).
Adobe® Digital Editions 1.7.1 or higher is required for offline viewing. This free software can be downloaded from this link. You also need an EBSCOhost user account, which you can get by clicking sign in at the upper right of the EBSCOhost page.
See the official EBSCO eBooks support page for more information.
Where is a book that is not checked out but is not on the shelf?
Ask for assistance at the Circulation Counter. Circulation personnel can launch a 'search' for lost/ missing items.Can I get a list of what I’ve checked out?
To review a list of the materials you have borrowed you may choose "My Account" from the ULM Library Catalog search screen, then click on Review My Account. You can use your Campus-wide ID and month and year of birth in four digits (MMYY) to gain access.Can I get a book that is already checked out to someone else?
The library will not recall a book that is checked out to a student, but the library can recall items checked out to employees. To ask if the checked item you want qualifies for a recall, contact Supervisor of Circulation Susan Allen. Do keep in mind that issuing a recall might not return the book right away if the borrowing patron is not in the area, does not want to return the book, is out of contact, or other circumstances.You may instead place a hold on an item that has been checked out and you will be notified when the item is returned. To place a hold on an item:
1. Click on "Place Hold" on the right-hand side of the "Item Details" screen for the item you want.
2. Type in your User ID (CWID) and PIN (birth date, MMYY).
3. Click on the "Place Hold" button.
Again, a hold might not bring the item to you right away if other patrons have already placed holds on it before you or if the borrower will not return the item.
How do I get a book or journal article not available at the ULM Library?
You can possibly get such materials through the Interlibrary Loan Service, or ILL. The service we use for this is called "ILLIAD." Visit the Interlibrary Loan page to learn how to create an ILLIAD account and use ILL.
Per page copying charges and handling fees might apply. If you have questions, please call the Interlibrary Loan Office at 318.342.1067.
How do I get my Interlibrary Loan materials when they come?
You will be notified by telephone or email when requested materials are available. Materials may be picked up at the Circulation Counter, emailed (if electronic text), or sent to your mailing address.How do I renew a book I borrowed?
To renew items you have borrowed you can:1. bring the items to the Circulation Counter along with your ULM ID card, or
2. choose My Account from the ULM Library Catalog search screen, then click on Renew My Materials. You may renew checked-out items only one time online if your account is not blocked or a hold has not been placed on the item(s).
How do I know if a resource is O.K. to use?
You can read a short guide about that by clicking this link.What is the difference between scholarly and popular?
You can read a short guide about that by clicking this link.How do I cite and/or quote materials?
There are several different ways to properly cite resources. It depends on the type of source being cited, the information available for the source, and, most importantly, the style guide by which you must abide.The most common style guides are the Modern Language Association Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (MLA), the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Chicago Manual of Style. Purdue University's The Owl at Purdue is extremely helpful and provides examples and guidelines for many styles. The official authority on the styles are still the print manuals: Copies of these manuals are available in the library:
Is there a cost for the Interlibrary Loan Service?
Many libraries loan books free of charge. In addition, many libraries in Louisiana and other states do not charge for photocopying articles or other materials. When charges apply, you will be notified. The cost(s) may range from .10 per page and up, with a possible $1 or more handling fee, to as much as a flat fee of $10 or more per article regardless of the length of the article.How do I use library resources from somewhere off-campus?
Library services are accessible from home via the library's web page. Have a look at our Off-Campus Access (Remote Access) page for a detailed explanation of this, and to find solutions to connection problems. The databases are only ULM students and employees. Not all databases are available off campus.What do I do if I can't connect to online library resources?
Have a look at our Off-Campus Access (Remote Access) page to see if you are accessing it correctly. There is a list of troubleshooting questions on the page, and contact information if you still need help solving your problem.Where is the Conference Center?
The Conference Center and the Library are not the same places, yet they are the same building. Our elevators will not go there. If you're looking for Floors 6 or 7, those are not the library. To reach them, you must enter through the Conference Center entrance, which is South of the Library's door.Can Graduate Assistants carry out library tasks for faculty?
Yes, GAs can check out materials for faculty members. The professor should send the student to the circulation desk with the professor's ID, and a letter with his/her signature which identifies the student who is authorized to check out materials for the professor. The letter will be kept on file at circulation. The Serials Dept. on the second floor also has a form to be filled out for GA access to print journals. This procedure will need to be repeated if/when the professor changes GAs.GAs may also pick up Interlibrary Loan materials, and can be added as "authorized users" on the professor's ILL account. To learn how, visit the ILL page.
What are the rules and what if I break them?
Here are some general rules that should be followed:If you violate these policies, the first time it will be kept on file. Library privileges will be blocked the second time, and you will not be able to check out materials or use off-campus access of materials. The third time, you will be report to the University for disciplinary action. Users who are not ULM-affiliated may be referred to Campus Police.
Here is a list of all of our library policies. Any ULM campus policies also apply.