Lost in the Libraries?

First Things First: Getting To UM Libraries

• Where is the library?

That is, the libraries (there are seven libraries on the College Park campus and one located in Rockville, MD). Review the map of Library Locations on campus.
• When is the library open?

The hours change every semester. Refer to the UM Libraries' Hours.
• Do you offer Late Night Study at McKeldin Library?

McKeldin Library offers late night study hours which includes quiet study and Course Reserves; however, there is no reference help available during this time. Late Night Study is available only on the 1st and 2nd floors of McKeldin Library, from Sunday to Thursday evenings, 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., during certain periods in the semester. Late night study is not available during the summer months. Note: After 11:00 p.m. all library users must leave all floors above the 2nd floor.

Library users must check the McKeldin Library Hours & McKeldin WAM Lab Hours for details on Late Night Study hours. You must have your UM I.D. card with you in order to enter McKeldin Library between 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.; sorry, no other I.D. cards are accepted.

WAM Lab facilities are available on the 1st floor of McKeldin Library when it is open. See the McKeldin Library Hours.

• Can I bring food and drink into the library?

No. Remnants of food and drink encourage nasty things like bugs and vermin that damage the collection. However, you may bring in water in closed, clear containers. Please be careful, even with water, as you are working with library materials and computer keyboards. Even water can cause serious damage.

Patrons can use the 1st floor Eat-In Study Lounge and the adjoining Footnotes Cafe (check cafe hours), in McKeldin Library to eat or purchase food.

• Can I smoke?

No. All libraries are smoke-free environments.
• Can I bring my children with me into the Library?

Yes. However, please supervise them closely and don't let them disturb others.

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• How do I find where everything is in the libraries?

Floor plans are available in all the campus libraries. Pick one up at the Information Desk of any library.
• My professor has put some readings for our class on reserve. Where are Course Reserves held? What are the policies about using reserve materials? What are the fines for overdue reserve materials?

There is a Reserves Desk on the 1st floor of McKeldin Library next to the Circulation Desk. Consult the McKeldin Library Floor Plan for the specific location. Information about course reserves can be found on the guide Course Reserves in the UM Libraries. For information on borrowing policies, see Borrowing from UM Libraries. Other campus libraries hold reserves materials at the circulation desk. See information about UM's 8 libraries to find out more about their specific reserves policies.
• I am working with a group from my class who want to study together in the library. How do we arrange for group study place?

Group Study rooms are available on the 2nd floor of McKeldin Library, on a first-come first-served basis, therefore they cannot be reserved in advance. Some floors in McKeldin Library are designated as group study floors where studying together in small groups is welcome. Consult the McKeldin Library Floor Plan for specific locations. In the foyer or entrance way of McKeldin Library there is a bulletin board where you can post a notice to the rest of your group so they will know where you are.
• Where can I find a quiet place to study in the Library?

In McKeldin Library there are quiet study areas as well as designated group study rooms (2nd floor); ask a staff member to identify these areas for you on the McKeldin Library Floor Map. All campus libraries have quiet study areas.
• Where is there a WAM lab in the Library?

McKeldin Library contains WAM labs. WAM labs in the library are open when the library is open. For the location and hours for other WAM labs on campus, visit Where To Go to Find a (WAM) Computer.
• What if I lose something in the library?

Please be careful! Thieves are looking for you. Always keep your personal belongings with you as you move around the library. Unattended items may be stolen. The Lost and Found is located at the 1st floor Information Desk, McKeldin Library. Or, contact the Campus Police at: 301-405-3555 (A non-emergency number).
• May I secure my belongings in a locker while using the library?

Undergraduate students may reserve lockers for short-term (two weeks or less) or long-term use (semester). Go the Public Services Office, 4th floor, McKeldin Library, between 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, or call 301-405-9251. Fill out an application form and obtain a key.
• I am in a wheelchair . . . or visually impaired . . . or have another disability. How will I get around the library and use various services and collections?

The Libraries offer special services for persons with disabilities. Also, contact the Coordinator of Library Services for Persons with Disabilities at McKeldin Library: 301-314-7958.
• Where is the library's catalog to look up books by author, title, and subject?

There are public computers available on the 1st floor of McKeldin Library and on every floor close to the main elevators. Access the Libraries' Catalog from your home or dorm room through the Libraries' home page (www.lib.umd.edu). [Have your UM I.D. card handy]. Click on Catalog (books & more).
• How are the books and other materials arranged on the shelves?

Most of the books are arranged by Library of Congress Classification Scheme. Other materials (e.g., rare books, special collections, government documents, University archives, manuscripts, Marylandia) are kept in separate locations.
• How can I tell my friend where to meet me in the library?

In the foyer or entrance to McKeldin Library is a bulletin board on which you can post a message.

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Using Library Materials

• What ID do I need to present in order to check out materials? For how long can I check out books or other items? What are the fines?

Use your UM I.D. card to check out books. Undergraduate Students may check out materials for 56 days. Faculty, staff, and graduate students have extended loan periods. More details about loans, fines, and other policies are listed on the Borrowing From UM Libraries guide.
• What if the book or journal I need is not on the shelf?

If you are using McKeldin Library, check first to be sure you are looking in the right place -- each floor in McKeldin has a STACKS area and a FOLIO area. Always check your call number to determine whether your item is in STACKS or FOLIO.

Perhaps someone has been using the item you are looking for and it has not been re-shelved yet. Ask at the 1st floor Circulation Desk for the location of re-shelving areas. The book may be checked-out to someone else. Using the Catalog, use the Request button to request that a book (that is already checked-out by someone else) be returned and held for you. This process could take up to THREE weeks.

It is also possible that the book is lost somewhere in the Library. When all attempts to access the book have failed, patrons are directed to fill out a Search Request Form; ask for it at the 1st floor Circulation Desk.

• What if the book or journal I need is in OFF-SITE SHELVING or in STORAGE?

When searching the Catalog, if the item you want has an OFF-SITE SHELVING designation, this means that the item is in storage in a non-campus location.

FOR BOOKS (Off-Site):
If you are a UM student, faculty or staff member, you may obtain a "general-collection" book (a book that can be checked out of the library) from the UMCP Off-Site Shelving location. From the book's catalog record, click Availability, then click the Request button. Items requested from Off-Site Shelving are usually available at McKeldin Library within ONE day and at all other USM pick-up libraries in 2-4 days. You can check the status of your request by signing-in (login) to the Libraries' Catalog, then sign in to My Account. See My Account for more information.

FOR JOURNALS (Off-Site):
If you need an article from a journal located in UMCP Off-site Shelving, complete the Off-Site Shelving Request Form. In most cases, a request for an article will be filled with a scanned copy delivered by email. You must provide your email address for this free service. This type of request is usually filled within 2 business days.

If you need a complete volume of a journal or a non-circulating book (a book that must be used within the library), it will usually be delivered the next delivery day to McKeldin Library. It will not be delivered to any other campus library. If you enter an e-mail address on the Off-Site Shelving Request Form, you will be notified when the material is received at McKeldin. All non-circulating and fragile materials must be used inside the McKeldin Library. See Off-Site Shelving Request Form.

• What is Pay-for-Print, and how does this system work?

For complete details, refer to Printing in the Libraries, or contact the 1st floor McKeldin Copy Shop at 301-405-9057.
• How can I make photocopies of articles or newspaper articles?

There are no coin-operated photocopy machines in any of the Libraries. Visitors must purchase a Copy Card, and students can use a Copy Card or UM I.D. card (that has Terrapin Express on it) in order to make copies or print using library computers. The Pay-for-Print system also applies to photocopying. Photocopy machines are located on every floor.

Purchase a library Photocopy Card (or Copy Card) using the 1st floor McKeldin Library Copy Card ATM Machines. Or, instead of purchasing a separate photocopy card, use your UM I.D. card. But, in order to use your UM I.D. card as a Copy Card, you must have Terrapin Express, or the Terrapin Express Program.

• What if the material I need is not in the University of Maryland Libraries?

There are other libraries in the region. You can ask the Interlibrary Loan unit in McKeldin Library to get the book or article from another library. Allow about TWO weeks for this service.
• How can I get the materials I need in a BIG HURRY? My paper is due tomorrow!

It is too late for this paper, but we will remind you anyway: Don't wait until the last minute to do your research! During the semester, the libraries are crowded and many books and journals are checked out or off the shelves. Even though they are re-shelved by library staff as quickly as possible, you probably still will not find what you are looking for in time.

Check the Guides to Information Resources to find guides on your topic. If you need further help, ask a reference librarian for help in locating other materials on your topic.

• Can I use my laptop in the Libraries?

Yes. For complete details on how to use your laptops, refer to: Laptop Connections in McKeldin Library.
• Can I send print jobs from my laptop to the Libraries' printers?
  Yes. You can actually send print jobs from anywhere on campus to the Libraries' printers if you download the print driver. Learn more about this service at Printing from Your Computer .

• How should I take care of the books I borrow?

You can help to preserve books by properly handling them. Find out about care and handling of library materials to help ensure that books in the University of Maryland Libraries will be available for future students and researchers.

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• What if I forget all this and have to start all over?

Ask at the 1st floor Information Desk. The staff answer hundreds of questions and help students all day, every day. They will be very happy to help you. Consider using Chat, E-Mail and Telephone help as well; refer to Ask Us!
• What if I need more guidance to do my research?

Reference Librarians are available for consultation and in-depth assistance. They are experts in searching databases and the Web and in finding information on countless topics. If you wish to talk to a Reference Librarian who is an information expert in a particular subject area, refer to the: Directory of Librarian Subject Specialists.

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