Library Information
for National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC)
Information for Students
Welcome to the University of Maryland Libraries! Library staff are eager to work with you to make your visit and research experience rewarding. The following information has been designed to orient you to the collections, resources and policies associated with the libraries:
The Big Picture
Library Hours
Plan ahead before researching
Finding Books
Finding Articles
Printing & Photocopying
Email? Word? Powerpoint?
Your Laptop and Wireless Access?
Study Spaces
Your Behavior in the Libraries
Lost & Found and Safety of Your Belongings
Emergencies
THE BIG PICTURE:
The University of Maryland Libraries (www.lib.umd.edu) are rich in print, online and non-print resources. This large collection, of over 3 million books and 32,000 journal titles, is housed in 8 libraries:
Art Library
Houses collections in art, art history, history, archaeology, studio arts, including photography and graphic design.Architecture Library
Houses collections in architecture, urban studies & planning, historic preservation.Chemistry Library
Houses collections in chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, enzymology, immunology, microbiology, & molecular genetics.Engineering and Physical Sciences Library
Houses collections for biomedical engineering, physics, mathematics, civil, chemical & environmental engineering, physical sciences, electrical & computer engineering.Hornbake Library
Houses the Maryland Room, University Archives and many special and rare collections.McKeldin Library
Houses collections in the life sciences, humanities, social sciences. The life sciences collection is divided between McKeldin Library and the Chemistry (White Memorial) Library.Performing Arts Library
Houses collections in music, theatre, & dance materials, as well as some special collections.Shady Grove Library (Located in Rockville, MD)
Houses collections to supports the Universities at Shady Grove (USG)
Campus libraries have different opening and closing hours. Check to see when the library you want to visit is open: Summer 2009 Library Hours
PLAN AHEAD BEFORE RESEARCHING:
- Before beginning your research, are you clear on the requirements of the assignment? Are you unsure about what you are expected to do? Ask your Team Advisor for clarification before proceeding.
- Researching and writing a good paper requires time, planning and creativity;
- Research always takes longer than you think; start early to avoid stress;
- Use The Assignment Calculator to help you plan your projects and meet deadlines.
- Don't be surprised if your research takes unexpected twists & turns;
- Stuck? Ask a librarian for help.
- From the start, keep accurate notes of where you are finding information;
- When you find a relevant source, immediately record the complete citation. You will need to cite all sources used in your bibliography. If you don't know how, ask for help.
FINDING ARTICLES:Start at the Libraries home page and click Catalog
The Catalog is your gateway to books and more! It provides access to the holdings of the UM Libraries. Search it to find books, nonprint media, technical reports, government documents, periodical titles, video recordings and more on your topic.
Here's an illustration of a basic and an advanced search:
Start at the Libraries home page and click Research Port
Research Port is your gateway to periodical literature and more! To find articles on your topic, search a database. UM Libraries' 300+ databases are grouped by subject in Research Port. Depending on the database you select, they may contain articles from scholarly publications, popular magazines and newspapers. Some databases also provide access to book reviews, primary source materials, biographies, statistics, maps, legal documents, technical reports, surveys, and more.
Here's an explanation of how to use Research Port's left-side features:
Here's an explanation of how to use Research Port's right-side features:
Since library photocopiers and printers do not take $ bills or coins, you will need to purchase a Visitor’s Card (also called a Photocopy or Copy Card). These cards look like this:
Visitor’s Cards may be purchased in any campus library using a Copy Card ATM Machine (typically found on the main floor). These machines look like this:
It costs $1.00 to buy a Visitor’s Card and when received comes with a balance of only 20 cents; this is enough to print/photocopy 2 pages at 10 cents per page. Add additional money to your card in order to print/copy additional pages.
Copy Card ATM machines accept $5, $10 and $20 bills. There is a Bill-to-Bill Changer machine in McKeldin Library stationed next to the Copy Card ATM Machines.
Library computers come with Microsoft Office installed on them, which means you can use Word, PowerPoint and Excel, as well as get access to the Web to check your e-mail. We advise that you carry a flash drive with your since you cannot store your work on library computers.
Library computers are available to users on a first-come, first-served basis. Users conducting research are given first priority, so doing e-mail and other non-academic online activities must be kept to a minimum.
Abide by the University’s Policy on the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources.
YOUR LAPTOP & WIRELESS ACCESS?
Yes. Bring your laptop to the library, plug it in and go! But, wireless access to the campus' Internet connection may not be available to you, but only to registered UM students, faculty and staff. Your alternative is to use a library computer to access the Web and check your e-mail. Never leave your laptop unattended, not even for a moment. It only takes a moment for a thief to strike!
All campus libraries offer you many quiet individual study areas. In McKeldin Library, Group Study Rooms (that accommodate about 8-10 people) are available on the 2nd floor.
YOUR BEHAVIOR IN THE LIBRARIES:
Your behavior:
Campus libraries are places for work and study. We assume that you possess the appropriate levels of maturity to be productive in a scholarly environment. Abide by the Code of Conduct for Library Users when visiting the libraries.Libraries are No Food/No Drink Zones:
Eating food and drinking liquids (other than water in clear, closed containers) and not permitted in the libraries. Why? Review this guide on why eating and drinking are not permitted. Save our collections!
LOST & FOUND and SAFETY of YOUR BELONGINGS:
Lost & Found:
In McKeldin Library, the Lost & Found is located at the 1st floor Information/Reference Desk. The University Police house the campus' lost and found.Safety of your belongings:
Campus spaces (including libraries) are public spaces. The theft of personal items is sometimes a problem. Keep your personal items with you at all times. Bring as little as possible with you to safeguard losing items or having them stolen
If there is a fire drill or should another another emergency occur that requires you to evacuate the building, please follow the directives given by campus police and library staff without delay.
