SIGN UP FOR AN INSTRUCTIONAL WORKSHOP
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SIGN UP FOR AN INSTRUCTIONAL WORKSHOP
Throughout the academic year the Reference Department offers instructional workshops designed to introduce faculty, students, and staff to a variety of electronic resources. These short presentations (usually one hour) are designed to fit the demanding schedules of Northwestern community members. You can find the class schedule for the fall quarter at http://www.library.northwestern.edu/reference/workshops/index.html.
ACCESS ELECTRONIC RESOURCES FROM OFF-CAMPUS
If you are using the Internet from off-campus, you have a few options for accessing electronic indexes, e-books, and e-journals, as well as other electronic resources:
If you connect to the University network via cable modem or DSL or use a wireless connection on campus, you will want to make use of the Virtual Private Network (VPN). You can download VPN software to your PC and receive technical support from Northwestern University Information Technology (NUIT) at http://www.tss.northwestern.edu/vpn/. Note: If you use Mac 10.2, WinXP, Win 2000 Professional, or Win ME, you do not need to download VPN as it is available from your operating system.
If you connect to the University network via phone modem and wish to have Northwestern as your Internet provider, you can download the NUIT Software Installer to your own PC. Go to http://www.tss.northwestern.edu/installer/. For technical assistance, call 847-491-HELP.
If you are not connected to the University network and instead use another Internet provider, you can configure your Web browser for the proxy server. You will then be prompted to enter your University NetID and password. This access method works whether you have a phone modem, cable, or DSL connection. Instructions are available at http://www.library.northwestern.edu/help/proxy/. Some of the Library's electronic resources are also available via direct proxy, which does not require configuration. Click on the "Proxy cgi" link from the Electronic Resources page at http://er.library.northwestern.edu/ and then enter your NetID and password.
If you have questions about accessing online materials, you have four ways to get help from the Library's Reference Department:
In person:
Ask at the Reference Desk on Level 1 of the Main Library. The desk is staffed all hours that the Library is open.
By phone:
Call x1-7656
By e-mail:
refdept@northwestern.edu
Via the Web:
Pose your questions using Answers Online, the Library's interactive chat-based reference service at http://www.library.northwestern.edu/chat.
GET ANSWERS ONLINE
Answers Online is a virtual reference service that allows you to ask a reference question online in real-time. You can chat with a reference librarian without leaving your home or office. Librarians can answer questions, guide you through your research, and even send you Web pages and files electronically. Hours of service vary throughout the year. Go to http://www.library.northwestern.edu/reference/virtual_reference/index.html and log in. There is no special software required to use this service other than a Web browser!
PLACE COURSE MATERIALS ON RESERVE
Reserve supports instructors by setting aside books and articles for class use, or making articles or book excerpts available online. Reserve lists may contain required and/or recommended reading. This reduces student expenses by ensuring free access to books and other materials, and allows students to easily peruse out-of-print or expensive books.
Electronic Reserve staff scans articles and book chapters into digital documents, accessible to NU students through the Library's online catalog 24/7. We also deal with copyright issues when a requested document exceeds Fair Use. Your students can even reach Electronic Reserve items from off campus, using their netids and passwords.
Faculty members may also use their Blackboard sites to post Electronic Reserve documents. (Please note that technical support for Blackboard is handled through Academic Technologies, x7-7046.)
You can reach us at x1-7681 or e-reserve@northwestern.edu. Library staff are generally available to provide assistance between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information and online Reserve submission forms, go to http://www.library.northwestern.edu/reserve/faculty.html.
SHOW A VIDEO IN THE MITCHELL MULTIMEDIA CENTER
The Mitchell Multimedia Center’s non-circulating video collection now includes nearly 16,000 titles covering all areas of the social sciences, the arts, and the humanities. All titles are cataloged and fully represented in NUcat, the Library’s online catalog. Three group-viewing rooms can accommodate classes ranging in size from 16 to 69 students. Faculty who wish to schedule class viewing of titles in the collection or to inquire about our duplication policy should contact staff at x1-7678 or e-mail nulmedia@northwestern.edu. The center's Web page is available at http://www.library.northwestern.edu/media.
The Digital Media Services unit (http://www.library.northwestern.edu/dms), located in the East Tower on Level 2, supports faculty and graduate students who need to create and deliver images, sound, video, and text in digital formats. The latest hardware and software is available to assist faculty who have a broad range of media experience, from novice to very advanced. Professional staff are available for consultation by appointment by calling x7-1080.
CHECK IT OUT
To borrow materials from any of the Northwestern libraries, you will need a current WildCARD. Library books and other materials will not be charged out to a patron with an expired WildCARD. Materials are loaned to faculty for a period of one year. Reference books, periodicals, recordings, and certain other materials do not circulate. Please check with the lending library regarding specific policies.
Library materials are frequently transferred between the Evanston and Chicago campuses. For example, if your office is on the Evanston campus, and you want an item from a Northwestern library located on the Chicago campus, you can contact any circulation desk and request that the item be sent to the library of your choice on the Evanston campus. Items will not be sent from one library to another on the same campus.
Materials housed in the Library Storage Facility can be requested at the Main Library circulation desk or online at http://www.library.northwestern.edu/circulation/lsf_request.html. Archival materials housed in the storage facility may be requested at University Archives.
Renewals:
Books may be renewed in the Library or online at http://www.library.northwestern.edu/circulation/index.html (click on "Renewals" and then "via the Web"). Select the purple box titled “My Account.” You will be prompted to enter the bar code at the bottom of your WildCARD. Books can be renewed twice, each time for one additional year. To renew an item for a third time, go to the lending library with the item in hand. This policy is in place to ensure that items are not lost and continuously renewed.
Cards for research assistants:
Research assistants can be given borrowing cards on behalf of a faculty or staff member for whom they are doing research. Before a card can be issued, the research assistant must have an RA Authorization Form completed by the faculty member. These forms are available directly from the Library Privileges Office or at http://www.library.northwestern.edu/circulation/privileges.html. Guidelines for card use can be found at http://www.library.northwestern.edu/circulation/privileges.html#assistants.
REQUEST MATERIALS FROM OTHER LIBRARIES
If you can't find the material you're looking for in University Library, you can request it through the Interlibrary Loan Department. Requests may be placed in person at the Interlibrary Loan service desk or online via the department's Web page at http://www.library.northwestern.edu/loan/index.html. You may pick up your books at the Interlibrary Loan Department and charge them to your WildCARD. If you have requested articles, they will be accessible online as electronic documents. An e-mail will guide you to the document delivery Web page and instruct you how to view your articles. The articles can be read online or printed using Adobe Acrobat Reader software. Questions or comments on the ILL process can be sent to ill-request@northwestern.edu.
RELAX IN THE PLAZA CAFÉ
University Library has opened a new café for students, faculty, and staff who need a study break or quick cup of coffee. Located on the Main Library's plaza level, the café offers Seattle's Best espresso, coffees, and teas as well as bottled water, juices, and soft drinks. Visitors to the café will also find a selection of goodies including muffins, cookies, sandwiches, and sushi. Over the last several years, academic libraries have been including cafes in new construction and renovation projects. The trend seems to have come from a model established by bookstore chains, which have added coffee shops to attract customers. The Library's café is managed by Sodexho, Inc. Stop by to read, relax, and meet friends and colleagues for coffee and conversation.