Q: What are the Libraries' hours?
A: Click here for the Libraries' hours of operation.
Q: Do the University Libraries have any computer labs?
A: Information on computer lab locations, equipment, software, print options, and laptop loan periods for both Carlson and Suhr Libraries is available here.
Q: Who may use the Libraries' Computer Labs?
A: The Carlson and Suhr Libraries' computer labs and wireless laptop computers may be used by Clarion University students, faculty, and staff. While members of the surrounding community cannot use the wireless laptop computers, they are welcome to come to the Library and use the computer labs. However, community members will need to see a Library Systems employee to set up a free computer user account.
Q: Can groups reserve space in the Libraries for meetings?
A: Campus organizations and groups have the ability to request reserved meeting space in Carlson Library. Preference is given to classes and special events. If your group expects to be noisy, the Library is not the appropriate place for it to meet. Suhr Library does not have any conference rooms available for meetings.
To reserve conference rooms or meeting areas in Carlson Library, go to the University's Events & Scheduling site and click on the "Space Request" link. Then click on the "My Requests" link on the next page. You will then be prompted to log in using your iClarion e-mail username and password. You can use the resulting form to request meeting space in many campus locations, including Carlson Library.
Q: Are any group study rooms available in the Libraries?
A: Carlson Library has seven (7) study rooms available for either individual or group use. Priority for study room space is given to groups of three (3) or more. Individual users may be asked to study elsewhere when the space is requested for group use. In the event that groups need a study space and the room is occupied by fewer than three, group members should check availability of other study rooms. (Rooms are located on Levels A, 1, & 3.) If another room is not available, please request that the Circulation desk staff on Level 1 ask individuals to relinquish the room for group use. Suhr Library does not have any group study rooms.
Q: Where can I check out and return circulating library materials?
A: Library materials may be checked out and returned at the Circulation desk on Level 1 in Carlson Library, or at the Circulation desk located in the lobby of Suhr Library.
Q: How can I find out if the Libraries have any books on my topic?
A: Consult PILOT, the Libraries' online catalog! Want to learn how to use PILOT?
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Click here to view a PowerPoint slide show tutorial.
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Click here for a tutorial in PDF format.
Q: Do I need a library card to check out library materials?
A: Yes. Your student, staff, or faculty ID card is your library card. If you cannot locate your University-issued ID card, a replacement can be obtained from the ID Office in 236 Egbert Hall.
Community members can sign up for a free library card at the Circulation Desk on Level 1 of the Carlson Library or at the Circulation Desk in the lobby of Suhr Library.
Q: Where can I find materials that my professor has placed on reserve?
A: Reserve materials for Clarion campus classes are kept at the Circulation desk on Level 1 in Carlson Library, while those for Clarion University-Venango Campus are kept at the Circulation desk in the lobby of Suhr Library. Be sure to bring your Student ID with you to borrow Reserve materials.
Many professors also use electronic reserves. Select E-Reserves from the Library Services page of the Libraries' homepage to access electronic reserve materials. You will need a password (supplied by your professor) to access the E-Reserve materials.
Q: Where can I find children's books, Kindergarten through grade 12 textbooks, and realia (models, globes, etc.)?
A: Children's books, K-12 textbooks (teacher and student editions), and realia are located on Level A in Carlson Library. Suhr Library's Children's collection is located in the bookcases to the right as you come into the library.
Q: Where can I find audio tapes, CD's, DVD's, and videos?
A: CD's, DVD's, and videos are located on Level A of Carlson Library. Most of the cassette tapes are located behind the Circulation Desk on Level 1. If you find a call number for a cassette tape in PILOT, the Libraries' online catalog, take the call number to the Circulation desk and the staff there will get the cassette for you. For your convenience, the library has a listening and viewing facility set up in room A-18 on Level A. Here you will find a TV, VCR, DVD player, CD player, and cassette player.
In Suhr Library, all media (CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, audio tapes) are kept in the Tech Services Room. You will need to ask for the specific title that is requested, and a staff member will retrieve it for you. In Suhr Library, a listening and viewing station is available in the front corner of the library.
Q: How can I find periodical articles for my research?
A: Consult the Libraries' A-Z Database List (available on the Research Resources page of the Libraries' web site). You may also use relevant print indexes in the Reference area on Level 1 in Carlson Library. In Suhr Library, print indexes are located on the tables in the center of the library.
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Click here to watch a video tutorial about how to find periodical articles.
Q: After I have identified periodical articles that look interesting using an online or paper periodical index, how do I tell if they are available at Clarion?
A: Consult the Journals & Magazines A-Z List and/or PILOT, the Libraries' online catalog.
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Click here to watch a video tutorial about the the Journals & Magazines A-Z List.
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Click here to view a PowerPoint Tutorial about the Journals & Magazines A-Z List.
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Click here for a PDF format tutorial about the Journals & Magazines A-Z List.
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Click here to view a PowerPoint slide tutorial on using PILOT.
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Click here for the PILOT tutorial in PDF format.
Q: If the Journals & Magazines A-Z List or PILOT indicate that my articles are available locally, how do I get them?
A: If your article is in microfilm format, go to the Periodicals area on Level 1 of Carlson Library to utilize the microfilm reader/printers. Suhr Library's microfilm reader is located beside the print station in the library.
If your article is full-text in a database, access the appropriate database to view, download, email, or print the article. (See a reference librarian for assistance with the databases.)
If your article is in paper format and has an issue date within the last nine years, visit the Periodicals area on Level 1 of Carlson library to retrieve the article. If the periodical is held at Suhr Library and you are physically in the library, request a student aide at the Circulation Desk to retrieve that periodical for you.
At Carlson, paper format articles older than nine years are located on Level B. For security reasons, level B has restricted access. To request a journal title housed on Level B, please fill out a journal request form and submit it to the Circulation desk staff. Journal request forms are located in the Periodicals department and at the Reference and Circulation desks.
Q: How can I get books and periodical articles that are not available at Clarion and are not available full-text online?
A: To gain access to books that are not available locally, you may use the E-Z Borrow system, the UBorrow system, or use ILLiad, Clarion University's InterLibrary Loan system.
Q: Where can I go to get help finding useful materials for my research and help using the Libraries' various databases?
A: A Reference librarian will be happy to assist you. Talk, in person, with one of the staff librarians on Level 1 of Carlson library. In Suhr Library, contact the reference librarian at the Reference Desk, Ms. Nancy Clemente's office, or ask the library staff for assistance.
You can also e-mail a question to the reference librarians or use live chat assistance if you wish. Both services are available through Ask A Librarian on the Library Help page of the Libraries' web site.
Q: Do the Libraries have any copy equipment?
A: The Libraries have various copy equipment such as photocopiers (to allow you to make copies of print format journal/periodical articles, reference book articles, etc.), microform scanners (to allow you to make copies of materials available only in microform format), and network printers (to allow you to print out web pages, full-text articles from periodical databases, word processing documents, etc.).
Q: Is there a fee to use the Libraries' copy equipment?
A: Yes. Click here to learn more about Library copy equipment fees.
Q: When I try to use many of the Libraries' online resources, I'm prompted for a Library ID Login. What is it?
A: You will need to use your Clarion ID for off-campus access to the Libraries' electronic resources.
Students: Your Library ID Login is 9+your Clarion ID number.
For example, if your Clarion ID is "12345678", your Library ID Login will be "912345678".
If you don't know your clarion ID, you will be able to find it by following the instructions here.
Faculty and Staff: Your Library ID Login is a nine-digit number consisting of a series of leading zeroes followed by your employee ID number. (Use enough preceding zeroes to create a nine-digit number.)
For example, if your employee number is 98765, your Library Login is 000098765.
Your employee ID number can be found on your current pay stub.
Note: You also have the option to log in using your iClarion username and password.
Q: What level of noise is permitted in the Libraries?
A: While some people have a need or desire to work in groups, others want a quiet place to collect their thoughts and concentrate. Carlson Library strives to balance the styles and needs of both. Levels 2 and 3 are designated as Quiet Zones, while Levels A and 1 permit more interaction and discussion.
Please help us to maintain Levels 2 & 3 as Quiet Zones. If your cellphone rings or a friend stops by, please keep it short or go elsewhere. The group study rooms are not noise proof, so keep the noise level down when using them. If noisy conditions persist in a Quiet Zone, please notify the Circulation Department staff on Level 1.
We ask that you keep in mind that Levels A and 1 are in the Library too. Excessive noise is not appreciated by other users. Loud discussions or group activities should be toned down or held elsewhere. Thank you for being considerate of others.
In Suhr Library, small study groups are allowed. Please talk quietly among yourselves. During finals week, the library is a quiet place to study.
Q: Do the Libraries accept donations of materials or money?
A: Funding is tight on campus and especially so in the Libraries. To help, an increasing number of individuals and organizations are stepping forward with gifts for the collections and donations to help support the purchase of books, journals, and other information resources.
The University Libraries accept gifts of books, journals, videos, CD's, and other items that support the instructional mission of the University. Since there are various one-time and on-going costs associated with accepting gifts, items are evaluated in accordance with the University Libraries' Collection Development Policy. Those that have potential for supporting instruction and research on campus are usually added to appropriate Library collections.
Individuals and organizations are also making financial contributions to the Libraries (usually through the Clarion University Foundation) to support both one-time purchases, as well as on-going costs associated with subscriptions and services. If you identify something that you think should be in Suhr or Carlson Libraries, consider supporting its acquisition through a gift or donation. Contact Connie Gamaluddin, Collection Development Coordinator (phone x2329) to discuss gifts of materials or Terry Latour, Dean of Libraries (phone x1931) to discuss donations of funds.
We encourage all student clubs and organizations to consider supporting the Libraries as part of their commitment of service. We welcome the opportunity to work with you for the betterment of Clarion University.
Last Updated: November, 2009
