About the SUNY Adirondack Library 

Q. Is it OK to ask the librarians questions?
A. Absolutely. That is why we are here. (No, you are not “bothering” us! Answering question is what we like to do!)

Q. Can I bring food and drink into the library?
A. Yes and no. Food and drink are not allowed near the computers. Otherwise, it’s OK as long as you don’t spill anything! But...use common sense: greasy food like hamburgers, fries or pizza will disturb other people with their strong smells. Eat those outside the library. You are responsible for any material damaged by spilled food or drink.

Q. Where are the restrooms?
A. Restrooms are located in the hallway outside the library entrance and at the top of the stairs on the upper level.

Q. Where is everything else?
A. See the ACC Library Virtual Tour.

Q. I can talk on my cell phone in the library, right?
A. Take it to the hallway outside the library, please. Your voice is way louder than you think, really: everyone nearby hears you. Cell phone chatters disturb people who are studying. Outside, please.

Q. WHAT?! Do we have take a vow of silence in the library??
A. Your talking will disturb others who are studying.

• You may talk quietly on the main floor, but try not to disturb others. Indoor voices, please.
• Upstairs is the quiet study area. Keep talking to a minimum, please. Gentle whispers are acceptable.
• Use a Group Study Room upstairs for group discussions.

Q. How do I look up a book?
A. Click this link to go to the online catalog. For more information, see the Library’s Finding Books page.

Q. How many books can I borrow?
A. However many you’re going to bring back. You may borrow books for a month. There are no fines, but we can hold your grades if you don’t return materials. Borrow as many as you can keep track of!

Q. I don’t need a student ID, do I?
A. You can now use any photo ID to borrow books or use reserve material. A a driver's license is fine, as long as you're in the student database. A photo ID shows you're you, so nobody else can borrow items in your name and not return them! It's for your protection. A student ID can come in handy, though. If you don't have a student ID, you can get one at the Student Services Office in the Student Center.  Check at the circulation desk if you have questions.

Q. Can I borrow magazines?
A. No. Magazines, newspapers and scholarly journals must be used in the library. You can access many of them through our online databases, though. Ask a librarian for pointers on how to find articles from specific favorite magazines.

Q. Jeepers! What about videos and DVDs?
A. DVDs and videos may be borrowed by faculty members only. We buy the DVDs and videos for our faculty to use in classes, so they must remain available for those purposes. If you miss a class or want to watch any of the 2000 videos or DVDs on the main floor, just use the one of the three TV/VCR/DVD players right near those shelves. The equipment has headphones.

Q. I can use the library computers until the last second before you close at night, right? Especially if I just want to print something quick?
A. In the Fall 2009 semester, we started a policy in which the computers will be shut down using remote software five minutes before the library closes. That gives you time to pack up and leave and the library staff time to properly close the library. Thanks in advance for not being a "Last Minute Lucy"!

Q. I heard you have a local historuy collection. How can I use it for research?
A. See our Hill Collection Web page!

Q. Can I do research from home?
A. Yes. All of our reference and article databases are available to students from off-campus. You just need your student username and password. Click on this link and follow screen directions exactly (your birthdate with slashes!). Call the library with questions.

Q. Do you have wireless?
A. Yes! We now have Wi-Fi connections in the Library. Bring in your laptop and search the Web from the comfort of a cozy library chair! Stop by the reference desk first to get the Wireless Security Key password.

Q. How do I do research?
A. Check out our interactive tutorials! Of course, you can always talk to a real live librarian when the library is open. We can save you time and effort!

Q. My instructor put extra reading "on reserve at the library." Where do I go?
A. Go to the Circulation Desk. It's listed by your professor's name. It can be photocopied. Reserve material must be used in the library. You'll need a photo ID to borrow reserve items.

Q. How do I cite my sources?
A. A librarian can guide you to the citation booklets written by the Center for Reading and Writing (CRW) and the citation style guide books. You can also visit the CRW, on the bottom floor of Dearlove Hall, for specific assistance. But best of all, they have a terrific CRW Web site with citation information! You can print the citation booklets from there.

Q. Hey, can I rip a page out of a book or magazine?
A. Nope. Resist the temptation and just photocopy it or access it online, please. Library material is considered common public property, so you'd be essentially stealing items owned by everyone in the community.. Theft or destruction of library material is a criminal offense, punishable by jail time and fines up to $10,000. Seriously. If you intentionally mark, write on or otherwise mutilate library materials, you will be responsible for any damage and face fines and be prosecuted under Section 264 of the New York State Education Law, or Section 145.00 (Criminal mischief in the fourth degree) Criminal Mischief, New York State Penal Law. There are additional federal laws against harming library material. It also violates that law to hide or try to take library materials.

Q. Why does the security alarm go off at the entrance?
A. Sometimes, book from other libaries, used books from the bookstore or videos/DVDs from video stores will set off the alarms. The alarm otherwise ensures that only material that has been checked out leaves the library. The library reserves the right to inspect bags for materials if the alarm goes off. Each day, couriers delivering material from other libraries often set off the alarm: if they're carrying a stack of blue nylon bags, they're delivering interlibrary loan item to us for our students!

Q. Can we borrow things from other area libraries?
A. Yes, through interlibrary loan. You may also get a Direct Access Program card through the Capital District Library Council. Ask a librarian for details.

Q. Can other people use the SUNY Adirondack Library?
A. Yes. Community residents can get a Community Borrower Card at the Circulation Desk. They just need to show a photo ID with a local address.

Q. Why should I ask librarians for help?
A. We can save you a lot of time and effort by teaching you research strategies. To be a college librarian, the minimum requirement is a Masters in Library Science. Many librarians at SUNY Adirondack have additional graduate degrees. We all have many years of experience and knowledge in helping our students become successful researchers! Come meet us.

Q. Do librarians specialize in certain subjects?
A. Each librarian knows how to find information on all topics. If needed, you can also set up a research appointment with the librarian who specializes in a specific subject area. Click here.

Q. Wait! I have more questions!!
A. Stop by or call the SUNY Adirondack Library Reference Desk at (518) 743-2200 ext. 2462. Thanks!

Send questions to us here and we'll add the answers to the box on the left! (For a personal reply, send an email to millerja@sunyacc.edu.)

If you're a student at the Plattsburgh Branch campus, click:

• the For Plattsburgh Students tab above, or,
• the Feinberg Library link.

Tribute to Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" by students and faculty from the University of Washington's Information School. Enjoy!

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All academic librarians have earned a master's degree in library and information science. Most SUNY Adirondack librarians have additional advanced degrees and have been professional librarians for a decade or more.

All SUNY Adirondack librarians:

• assist students, faculty and staff at the reference desk for several hours a week, helping them find quality information using books, databases, the Web and other sources;
• evaluate and purchase new material. Each librarian is responsible for purchasing material in particular subjects. See this page for details.
• participate in college-wide committees and programs;
• consult with faculty and staff about campus-wide projects.

Individual librarians specialize in:

• teaching information literacy skills to classes: the library teaches more than 180 sessions each year to 2700 students;
• cataloging the library's material so library users can find items easily;
• producing tutorials, worksheets, handouts, research guides and other teaching material for students and faculty;
• managing the library's Web page;
• managing the library's budget;
• purchasing appropriate multimedia material (DVDs, videos, audiobooks, more) for faculty to use in classes;
• answering questions about copyright law;
• offering presentations and workshops for students, faculty and staff;
• working with specalized software to make the library's books and full-text articles accessible to users;
• representing the library at college-wide, state-wide and national events;
• ...and lots more! The tasks are often changing.

Want to learn more about what librarians stay updated on? See this page with library-related Web sites.