Library Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I go when I need help doing research?
Ask at the Reference Desk! A Librarian is available to help you most hours the Library is open.
How do I borrow a book?
Any currently enrolled student can borrow books, videotapes and software from the Library. Ten pieces may be charged to your account at any one time. Stop by the Circulation Desk and make sure to have your campus ID card. Books and software circulate for 28 days while videotapes circulate for 24 hours.
My professor tells me that class materials are “on reserve in the Library.” What does this mean?
Some materials used for classes are kept behind the Circulation Desk so that they will be available to all the students in your class. Go to the Circulation Desk and ask for the material. You should have the number of the course and the title of the item. (This is usually found on the course syllabus.) Items on reserve are also listed in BEACON, the online catalog. You can search by the course number, course name, or by the instructor's name.
If Landman Library does not have a book or article I am interested in, where can I get a copy?
Our Interlibrary Loan desk daily asks for materials from other libraries, either local or from across the country. We can borrow a book for you or get a copy of a periodical article. The forms used to make these requests are kept at the Reference Desk. It can take between five days or two weeks to obtain the materials depending on the lending library. If the lending library charges for these materials, we pass that charge onto the student. Otherwise the service is free. But make sure to leave time!
Can I go to libraries in the area and borrow books?
The Library has agreements with forty-five academic libraries in the area allowing our students to visit their libraries and borrow books. You must have a letter of introduction from the Landman Library before you go. Ask for this letter at the Reference Desk.
A list of health sciences collections in this area, including library hours, is available here.
I know that the online databases are available in the Library. Can I use them from home?
The majority of our databases are now available off-campus through search.arcadia.edu. For more information on accessing these databases, please call the Reference Desk at 215-572-2138.
How long does Interlibrary loan take?
We are dependent on how quickly another library picks-up our request and fills the request. Usually a request is filled within five days to two weeks of making the request. But, don't wait until the last minute. Leave yourself plenty of time.
Where are the photocopiers in the Library?
Black and white photocopiers are located in alcoves at the south end of the Library on each floor. Black and white copies costs $.10 per exposure.
A color copier is located in the alcove on the bottom floor. Color copies cost $.50 per 8 1/2 x 11" exposure or $1.00 for a 11 x 17" exposure.
The coin boxes accept nickels, dimes, quarters, dollar bills and older $5 bills. A coin changer is available in the downstairs cafe and gives quarters in exchange for $1, $5, $10 and $20 dollar bills.
Who puts up all the wonderful displays in the display cases?
The wonderful displays you enjoy are the work of the Catalog Technician, Ellen Lefebvre. Ellen gives a lot of time and thought to making the displays eye appealing as well as informative.
How hard is it to use microform?
It is not hard at all. The Library keeps some of the periodical titles in microform in order to preserve the information and make it accessible to all our users. We have three new microform reader/printers, which make reading and copying easy. Please feel free to ask a Librarian at the Reference Desk for help using these readers.
