2. How do I find out if the Library subscribes to a
particular journal?
The Sprague Library has journals in print, microfilm, and electronic formats.
Currently, the easiest way to determine if the Library has access to a
journal is by checking two lists that are linked to the "Articles &
More" page of the library web site. These lists are available at the
following URL:
http://tokyo.montclair.edu/library/articlesandmore5a.php
The
"Paper & Microfilm" list will let you know what periodicals we
have in the the Periodicals department, or on microfilm in the Multimedia
department. The E-Journals list will have all periodicals that are in an
electronic format, including what electronic database indexes the periodical.
Please ask the reference librarian for help retrieving e-journals.
In addition, the Sprague Library catalog, has
holdings information for most of our journals.
3. How do I know if a journal in the Library's collection
is in hard copy (paper) or microfilm?
Our Periodical Holdings List will indicate if a journal is on
microfilm by inserting the notation "microfilm" in a column
next to the title. Current paper issues are retained until the microfilm is received.
Paper issues of journals are identified by the notation "print".
Microfilm is kept in the Multimedia Resources Department on the lower-level,
while journals in paper form are kept in the Periodicals Department. In
addition, the Sprague Library Catalog has holdings information for most of our journals.
4. If I want journal articles on a specific topic, how do I
go about finding them?
There are a number of different sources that can be used to
find journal articles related to a particular subject. More often than not,
students will start with the electronic databases or periodical indexes available in the
Reference Department. Ask a reference librarian for assistance.
5. How do I go about obtaining a book or journal article
that is not in Sprague Library?
Faculty, staff, and students at Montclair State University are
eligible to participate in the Library's Interlibrary Loan Program (ILL). ILL
allows faculty, staff and students to request materials from other libraries
when they are not available here. Any
questions regarding ILL should be directed to the Reference Department (ext.
4291).
Alternatively, individuals who locate books at a state college or public
library that has reciprocal borrowing privileges with MSU can use their student
ID and one other form of ID to check them out. The colleges and public
libraries that participate in this program include the College of N.J., New Jersey
City University, Kean University, NJIT, Ramapo College, William Paterson
University as well as Clifton Public Library, Little Falls Public Library, and
Montclair Public Library. In addition, our Library has the N.J. Union List of
Serials if researchers want to identify libraries that carry journals not
currently held at MSU. NJULS is also accessible via the Library Home Page
(select "Popular Reference Sources on the Internet" off the home
page).
6. Where do you keep your circulating books?
Circulating books are shelved on the second floor (A-Q) and the
lower level of the Library (R-Z).
7. Who can check out books?
Faculty, staff and students of Montclair State University with
a valid ID can check out books. In addition, residents of Montclair, Montclair , Clifton, and Little Falls with a valid library card from their public library as well as one other form of ID can check out up to 3 books.
Patrons from outside these towns and businesses can participate in our new
"Fee-for-Service" Borrowers program. MSU alumni who belong to the alumni
association as well as researchers from other state colleges with a valid ID are
also eligible. For further information about circulation policies, please call
(973)655-4288
8. How do I check out library materials?
Items may be checked out at the Circulation Desk near the front
entrance. We recently added a new self check out machine to expedite this
process. Only circulating materials may be checked out. Reference books and
periodicals cannot leave the building. Those eligible to check out materials
from the Multimedia department, must do so in the department.
9. Can I renew a book or item by phone?
No, all items must be renewed in-person at the Circulation Desk or online
through the "My Library Card" link in the Sprague Library catalog.
10. Where do you keep the Reference books?
The Library's Reference Collection is located in the Reference
Department on the main floor opposite the entrance. It includes indexes,
abstracts, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference material.
11. Where do you keep Government Documents?
Documents come in many formats - audio and video cassette, CD ROM, maps,
microfiche, and paper. Because they come in so many formats, they are located in
several areas in the library - Government Documents, Reference, Periodicals,
Multimedia Resources, and Circulating Books. The location of your document will
be listed in the holdings information box in the Sprague Library catalog. The
documents in the Reference and Circulating Books areas will have Library of
Congress classification numbers. Those in multimedia formats will have a media
number, e.g. Videotape no. 5643. Microfiche or documents in the Government
Documents area have a SuDocs classification number. Ask a reference librarian
for assistance with locating government documents.
12. How do I find items other than books (e.g. videos,
sound recordings, musical scores, etc.)?
Again, these materials can be looked up in the Sprague Library online
catalog. They can be searched by author, title, subject and keyword in the same
way as books. Furthermore, there are search limiters that can be used to
restrict your search to one type of media (e.g. videotapes, sound recordings,
etc.). Please ask a librarian for help if you have questions on how to search
Sprague Library online catalog.
13. Where do you keep reserve materials?
The actual materials placed on reserve by professors are kept behind
the Circulation Desk. The Circulation Department maintains a list of reserve
items in looseleaf binders on their service counter. A high percentage of
reserve material is available through our electronic reserve system. To access
e-reserves, go to the following URL:
http://ereserves.montclair.edu/
14. Do you carry textbooks?
In general, the Library does not purchase textbooks used in
courses on campus. However, always check the Sprague Library catalog, just to be
certain.
15. Do you have copies of standardized
educational/psychological tests?
No. The Curriculum Resource Center in Chapin Hall (655-5220)
maintains a collection of tests. However, the library does have several
reference sources which evaluate tests (e.g. Mental Measurements Yearbook,
and Test Critiques). ETS Tests on Microfiche, a michofiche collection
of non-standardized tests, is available in the Multimedia Resources Department.
16. Does the library have a color printer for me to use for my class
presentation?
The library has a Student Technology Resource Room, located on the lower
level in the Multimedia Resources Department. This service, a collaboration
between the library and the Information Technology department, provides student
with assistance with multimedia aspects of academic projects. Go to the
following URL for further information and policies:
http://library.montclair.edu/PublicServices/Room029MainPage3.html
17. Do you have annual reports or 10-K reports for
corporations?
Annual and 10-K reports may be retrieved by searching the electronic
databases ABI Inform and Lexis-Nexis. These databases may be searched in the
Reference department. Ask a reference librarian for assistance.
18. Where can I make photocopies?
Photocopy machines are located in the Reference Department and
in copy rooms on the main and upper-levels near the elevator. Microfilm and
microfiche reader/printers are available in the Multimedia Resources Department. All
copies cost $0.10 per page.
19. Can I access the Internet at the Library?
Internet access is provided to students in the Reference department, but
there is no printing available. You may also access and print from the
Internet in any computer lab on
campus, including the computer lab located on the second floor of the Library.
20. Where can I print my term paper saved in Word?
There is a computer lab, managed by the Information Technology department located on the second floor
of the Sprague library. You may use and print from Word and many other computer
applications in the lab.
21.
What's the difference between reference and reserve?
Reference materials include items such as encyclopedias,
indexes, abstracts, and other up to date research materials. They cannot be
checked out of the library, but you are free to make photocopies. Reserve
materials are items held at the circulation desk at the request of the faculty.
The faculty member determines the length of the loan period for each item.
Students need a valid MSU ID card to check out reserve materials.
22.
Where are the restrooms and telephones?
They are located on each of the three levels of the library, near the
elevators.
23.
Do you have a fiction section like my public library?
No, but you can check the Sprague Library catalog for the author or
title.
24.
I only have a $20 bill and some singles. Will I be able to
make copies?
The copy machines will accept single dollar bills. There are
machines in the Periodicals department that will give change
for a five dollar bill, but we cannot guarantee that you will be able
to change larger bills. Plan to carry small change when you come to
the library to make copies.
25.
Where do I find your newest books?
There are display shelves of new books in the Reference area
against the wall.
26.
Where can I find the materials I retrieved after searching
the ERIC database?
If an item has an "EJ" number, it is a journal article.
You can check our Periodicals Holdings List or the Sprague Library
catalog to see if we subscribe to the journal. If it has an
"ED" number, you may access two ways: View and print it from
microfiche available in Multimedia Resources, or go to one of the
special workstations in Multimedia Resources and use "ERIC Full
Text" to bring up the document by entering the "ED"
number. Ask the reference librarian for additional information.
27.
Is a quiet room where we can study?
Yes, there are 4 study rooms on the second floor of the library.
You will need at least 3 people in your group to use a room. Ask
the staff at the circulation desk for details.
Frequently Asked
Questions