Library FAQs
Note: "MIC" denotes the Maryland Interlibrary Consortium, which has daily book-shuttle service between its members. All MIC holdings are included in SHARC, the library catalog. MIC includes Hood, Mt. St. Mary's, Loyola/Notre Dame, Columbia Union College and Villa Julie. "BALC" denotes the Baltimore Area Library Consortium, which has reciprocal borrowing among its members. It includes 14 colleges; see reference for details.
Circulation | Catalog & Location | Interlibrary Loan | Reference| Access | Printing| Facilities
Circulation
How long can materials be checked out?
Books: 4 weeks for students, 4 months for faculty, 3 weeks for BALC, alumni/ae, and community borrowers.
Media: 7 days for faculty, 5 for grad students, 3 for undergrads (4 weeks for audio formats).
I'm an alumnus/alumna. Can I check out materials?
Books: Yes, for 3 weeks.
Media: No.
I've never been a student or faculty of either college. Can I still check out materials?
Books: Only if you live in the immediate vicinity of the library or your institution is a member of BALC or the Maryland Interlibrary Consortium (MIC). If the latter, you may also specifically request our books for fast delivery through the Interlibrary Loan office of your institution.
Media: No.
Can I renew materials over the phone? Online?
Students and faculty may renew books online if they are not overdue. To renew overdue material, call the Circulation Desk, 410-617-6801. Students may renew materials once, faculty twice, and there are no renewals for BALC, Alumni/ae, and community borrowers.
Can I put a book on hold?
Only if it's currently checked out. Students and faculty of Loyola or Notre Dame can ask to be notified when a book is returned, and it will be held at the circulation desk for 5 days.
Catalog/Locating Items
I found the item I needed in the catalog, and it said it was not checked out. Why can't I find it on the shelf?
It could be A) awaiting shelving, B) shelved in the wrong location, C) on reserve, D) in one of the other MIC consortium libraries, or E) missing. Please check with the circulation or reference staff when you cannot locate an item.
Where are the Reserve items?
Paper copies of Reserve holdings are kept behind the Circulation desk. Lists of Electronic Reserves by instructor, department, course and/or section are under "Course Reserves" on the main page and catalog page.
What does "stacks" mean?
Books are referred to as being either in the "stacks" - books available for checkout on the shelves on the 2nd or 3rd floor, or in "reference" - books for library consultation only, kept on the shelves on the first (main) floor.
How do I request an item from another MIC library?
Log on to the library catalog, bring up the item record, and make an online request, or contact a reference librarian for help.
What kinds of items can I request?
If materials are not owned by LNDL, students and faculty can request books from the consortium (MIC) libraries or with an ILL request, and journal articles can be requested through ILL. Faculty can borrow media from other MIC libraries.
Where are the journals?
The library subscribes to well over 14,000 full-text online journals. Print copies of journals and newspapers are on the 1st floor, and the bound journals are on the lower level.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
How do I order an item?
Click on Interlibrary Loan on the Library homepage to initiate your ILL request or log on to the library catalog to make an inter-MIC request
How long does it take for ordered items to get here?
One to three weeks.
I'm taking classes at an off-campus center. Can I have books and articles delivered here?
Yes. ILL and document delivery (MIC) forms have fields at the bottom where you can specify location of delivery. Check for materials at your center's front desk.
Reference
My instructor says I need "primary" research materials. What does that mean?
"Primary" research material means either A) original documents from an historical period, such as newspaper articles, diary entries, or published books, or B) publications, usually articles, that present (for the first time) results of original research such as experiments, surveys or discoveries.
What is a "scholarly" or "peer-reviewed" journal? Is it the same as a "refereed" journal?
These terms all refer to the same thing - a journal devoted to scholarly research, where the articles are reviewed (or "refereed") by a panel of experts prior to publication. Most journals whose content is narrowly focused on an academic subject fit this description. If you are uncertain about a particular journal, please see Reference for help.
What I need isn't here. Can Reference help me find it at another nearby library?
Yes, and we will try to find a BALC member with the item if possible. Please come to the desk or call 410-617-6802 for help.
How do I do a citation in MLA/APA (or other) style?
There are quick links to APA and MLA style sheets on the library main page. If you need further help, please call Reference.
Access
What's my "barcode?"
That's the 14-digit number on your student ID that begins with the numbers 2242.
I can't get into the library databases from home.
There are several reasons this may be happening. If, after attempting to log in, you reach a page that says "that username or password was incorrect," you have either mis-typed your username or barcode or you need to be entered into the system at the Circulation desk (410-617-6801). If you get a different error message or a second login page, please call the reference desk at 410-617-6802.
Can I get into the library databases with my laptop?
Yes. If you have trouble, please see Reference.
Printing
How can I print when I'm in the library?
Before printing or photocopying, you need to set up a print account at the Circulation desk. The cost is 8 cents per page.
When I try to print a PDF file, all I get is a blank page. What's wrong?
Make sure you use the print command from the PDF frame surrounding the document - not the print command from the browser (top) window. If problems continue, see Reference.
Do you have a color printer/copier?
Yes. Printing or copying in color is 50 cents per page.
Facilities
How do I get to the library?
Please see "directions" on the library website.
How do I reserve a study room? Is it necessary?
Study rooms are generally available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations may be necessary at the busiest times of the year, and students and faculty always get first priority. See Circulation for details.
I'm not a Loyola or Notre Dame student. Can I use the computers?
You may use the public computers on the main floor when they are not needed by Loyola or Notre Dame Students. The computers in the labs on other floors are reserved for Loyola and Notre Dame students.
Do you have a fax machine?
Unfortunately, we have none available for student use. There is a fax machine for Loyola student use in room 311 at the Andrew White Student Center, one for Notre Dame students and the public at the Notre Dame Triangle Bookstore in Gibbons Hall, and a public fax at the Staples office supply store, approx. 1 mile north of the library on York Road.
What are the library hours?
Hours vary before finals, between semesters and during holidays. Detailed schedules are available under "hours" on the library website.
Where are the bathrooms?
On the lower level and second floor, on the south side of the building.
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