Library Frequently Asked Questions

Hours

When is the library open?
Is the library open to the public?

Checking Out or Returning Items

What do I use for a library card?
How many things can I check out?
How long can I keep the items I check out?
How do I renew items?
What’s the fine for overdue items?
How long can I keep a Reserve item?
Can I return books when the library is closed?

Cell Phones

Can I use my cell phone in the library?

Food and Drink

Can I bring food and drink into the library?

Online Resources and Passwords

Where do I get passwords for the library databases?
Can I use EBSCO and other databases off-campus?
What are e-books?
How do I use e-books?
Can I use NetLibrary books (e-books) off-campus?

Study Rooms

Are there study rooms that I can use?

Technology

Is wireless Internet available in the library?
Can I plug in my laptop in the library?
Who do I talk to about problems logging into my student email account?

Textbooks & Books

Are all my textbooks available in the library?
Can I submit a request for a new library book or video?

Answers

Is the library open to the public?
Yes, we are open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We participate in Iowa's Open Access program and allow the public to check out materials from our library as long as you can show us a picture ID and a library card from your local public library. The printer and copy machines are badge-access only, so you will not be able to use these.

What do I use for a library card?
You need your student badge to check out items from the library.

How many things can I check out?
Students may check out a total of five books or journals. Some high-demand items such as NCLEX videos or books on certain subjects are limited to two so other students have a chance to use them as well.

How long can I keep the items I check out?

• Books – 14 days
• Journals – 7 days
• Videos/DVDs – 7 days (although some may only be checked out by faculty)
• Popular Reading Collection – 4 weeks

How do I renew items?
Come into the library or call us at 643-6613, and we will be glad to renew them as long as no one has placed a hold on them. No more than two renewals to be fair to others.

What’s the fine for overdue items?
We do not charge any fines for overdue books, but we ask that you honor the due date so that other students and faculty can have access to it. We do charge a replacement fee for lost items. See Overdue or Lost Materials for details.

How long can I keep a reserve item?
Most reserve items are available for use in the library for 1 hour.

Can I return books when the library is closed?
Yes! There is a book return box in the Sullivan Center lobby entrance.

Can I use my cell phone in the library?
To keep the library a quiet study place, we ask that you do not use your cell phone in the library. Please turn your phones to silent mode before entering the library and make any phone calls in the hallway outside the library.

Can I bring food and drink into the library?
Yes. We know student schedules are busy. We just ask that you clean up your trash and keep the food and drinks away from the computers.

Where do I get passwords for the library databases?
Students receive password information at orientation. You can also get passwords by coming into the library. Passwords are posted on the student Blackboard course in the Library section under Online Article Resources.

Can I use EBSCO and other databases off-campus?
Yes, you can use EBSCO off-campus. You will need to get the passwords from the Student Blackboard course or the library.

What are e-books?
E-books are books in an electronic format. NetLibrary's e-books are electronic versions of print publications.

How do I use e-books?
You can search for e-books by title, author or subject in the library’s online catalog. Once you've found an e-book of interest, click on the title and look for the Web address link that starts with www.netlibrary.com. On campus computers, you can preview a title for 15 minutes of access, enough time to browse the book or print a few pages. To check a book out you have to create a user name and password (free) and then use it any time you check out an e-book. Checkout lasts for 72 hours and no one else can use the e-book while it is checked out to you.

Can I use NetLibrary books (e-books) off-campus?
Faculty, staff or students of Mercy College can check out NetLibrary books from any computer with Internet access. However, you can only create your user name and password (needed for checkout) on campus. Once your user name and password are created they can be used to check out books with any Internet computer. The Web address is: http://www.netlibrary.com/.

Are there study rooms that I can use?
Yes, we have four study rooms in the library available for students to use. They are all equipped with a white board and a VCR/DVD player. The two on the west side are “first-come, first-served" and the two east side rooms have sign-up sheets on the door. There is a 3-hour-per-day limit on the study rooms. Groups and students wishing to view a video or DVD have preference.

Is wireless Internet available in the library?
Yes, wireless Internet is available in the library and throughout the Mercy College campus. It permits guest access to the Internet but not to the network drives or printers. A wireless laptop is available for checkout to use in the library.

Can I plug in my laptop in the library?
Yes, there are electrical outlets next to the study carrels on the north side of the library. We ask users to limit use of power cords to the study rooms and study carrels for safety reasons.

Who do I talk to about problems logging into my student e-mail account or using wireless Internet with my laptop at the college?
Jason Morgan is the college Technology Specialist. His number is 643-6704 and email is jmorgan@mercydesmoines.org

Are all my textbooks available in the library?
We have many but are not able to purchase every textbook. To be sure that they are available to everyone, textbooks are placed on reserve and must be used in the library.

Can I submit a request for a new library book or video?
Sure, just stop in the library and fill out a Request to Purchase Library Materials form or e-mail your suggestion to Jennifer Thompson.