Mansfield Library FAQ
Q: Why is the price of your copies 15 cents a page?
A: As of the start of Fall Semester, 2004, the cost of Copy Center-Network Print Jobs for library users is 15 cents per single page copy. Double-sided copies are available for 20 cents. Xerographic copies are 10 cents per single page and 15 cents for doublesided copies. For payment the Copy Center accepts cash, checks, credit cards, Griz Card debit, and departmental charge accounts for services that amount to $10 or greater. The price of network print jobs in the library is "mid-range" for the campus; the School of Business computer labs charge 20 cents for network printing http://www.business.umt.edu/currentstudents/labs/Products_Services.asp and CIS labs charge 10 cents http://www.umt.edu/it/cis/facilities/cis_labs/locations.htm but require a pre-purchased punch card. The library offers a very convenient network printing environment, with high quality copies, long hours, and no copy/punch card requirement. We believe our prices are fair. Printing revenues help support and maintain the network printers and copiers available for library users. The library was recently able to add five brand new public copiers, one on every floor, which should greatly improve the service quality available to library users. No one is forced to use library printers for network print jobs. Electronic materials can typically be read online, or downloaded and saved on a disk, or forwarded via email.
Q: What do I do when I have problems with the copy machines located in the lobbies of the different floors of the library?
A: If a copy machine eats your money and does not give you copies, go to the Copy Center and ask for a refund. As soon as that happens, Copy Center wants to know about it, so they can reload paper or get the machine fixed. And we want to give you your money back if you didn't get what you were entitled to get. Our machines ARE checked and reloaded daily, and we have recently purchased new machines. Also, we have added a self-service copier located next to the copy center for your convenience. Remember, you may also use the copy center to make copies for you, which saves you the time in front of a copy machine. The copy center also allows double-sided printing, which saves paper.
Q: Why, under the reserve materials link for "faculty syllabi," is not every department or professor represented?
A: The Provost's Office solicits syllabi from all departments and instructors for placement on the library website. We post everything they send us.
Q: How do I see what books I have checked out, any fines I have accrued and renew materials online?
A: First off, go to the library catalog, which is at http://catalog.lib.umt.edu Once there, click on either MY ACCOUNT or on LOGIN in the row of links at the top of the page. You will need to log in using your last name and university ID number or the barcode located at the bottom of your Griz Card. The top of the screen you reach lists your name, address, and phone, and allows you to customize your search preferences. There is also a permanent Book Bag that lets you save catalog records for a bibliography, and you can permanently save a list of searches that you might want to run again. Below that is the list of all the materials that you have checked out, with their due dates. To renew, just check in the "Renew?" box opposite the title of the material you want to renew. The Request Information section will tell you if you have put hold or recall requests on any items, and at the bottom of the page is a list of any fines or fees you owe. If your checkout privileges have been suspended for any reason, it would be indicated under Patron Blocks.
Q: How do I access reserve materials and why is there not a direct link to ERes?
A: The Course Reserve Materials link on the library home page links directly to ERes. Search by the course number, the department, the instructor's name, or the title and/or author of the item.
Q: What are the different checkout periods for materials for faculty, staff and students and how are they determined?
A: Currently, undergraduate students may check out books, CDs, etc. for 21 days, videos and DVDs for 7 days and bound periodicals for 2 days. Graduate students and staff members may check out books for 120 days, CDs, etc. for 21 days, videos, DVDS and bound periodicals for 7days. Faculty may check out books for one year, bound periodicals for 12 weeks, CDs, etc. for 21 days, videos and DVDs for 7 days (may be extended upon request at checkout) and unbound periodicals for 3 days. UM Alumni may check out books, CDs, etc. for 21 days and videos and DVDs for 7 days. Montana Borrowers may check out books for 21 days. Additional loan policies can be found at http://www.lib.umt.edu/about/policies/circ.htm. Library circulation policies are based on balancing the different research, learning and teaching needs of students, staff, and faculty. These are long-standing policies that were created in consultation with various campus groups. Materials can be renewed online if they are needed for longer than the given checkout period. If a book is checked out and is needed, regardless of when it is due, it can be recalled after three weeks to be returned to the library and put on hold for a patron who requests it.
Q: Does the library have any policies regarding cell phone use?
A: We feel that all users are entitled to a quiet research and study environment, and taking cell phone conversations outside or to the lobbies is the sensible, polite thing to do. Patrons might also consider taking advantage of our designated quiet area on Level 5, which is equipped with wireless access for laptop use.
Any noise complaint is handled on an individual basis at the Information Center Reference Desk, 243-6866, or by contacting Sue Samson, head of the Information & Research Services Division, 243-4335.
Q: Does the library have policies about playing games on the computers or restrictions to certain websites?
A: The library does have both conduct and confidentiality policies posted on its website at http://www.lib.umt.edu/about/policies/default.htm. Following the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights, library faculty and staff respect the right to a patron's privacy concerning any information sought or resources used, including the computers, and, therefore, computer use is NOT monitored. If a patron is uncomfortable with another patron's computer use, they may request assistance in relocating to a different computer. If a patron identifies illegal computer use or harassment, they may report it to library staff, who will assist them.Q: How do I use 360 SEARCH / Databases?
A: You can access this service if you click on the “Databases: Search by Subject” or “Databases: A-Z” links on the library home page. Access each database individually or use the 360 search interface. 360 Search is an example of federated searching.
Q: What is a “federated search?”
A: Federated searching has also been referred to as “metasearching.” Essentially a federated search strives to be a one-stop shop that allows users to search many information resources simultaneously: library catalogs, article databases, and websites. The results of a federated search like 360 Search are a mix of books, articles, government reports, webpages, and other information sources. Google is working toward a federated search-type idea they refer to as “universal search” that will compile items from Google’s various search engines (Web search, Blog Search, Google Scholar, Google Books, etc.) into a single results list. However, 360 Search offers something that Google does not. As helpful as they are, general search engines like Google and Yahoo! do not search the “deep web” (also called the “invisible web” or “hidden web”), which includes library catalogs and much of the peer-reviewed, “premium” content in databases the library subscribes to for university researchers. 360 Search is a quick way to get access to that hidden, scholarly content.Q: How can federated search help researchers?
A: Librarians often hear from users who would like to search all of the library’s materials with one simple search. Federated search is the first step in that direction. 360 Search reduces the number of decisions you need to make at the beginning of a search. Instead of figuring out which database to use first, searchers can try out many databases at once and see which ones have the best resources on their topics. Being able to use multiple sources at once speeds up the search process as it reduces the need to rerun searches a database at a time. For expert searchers, a quick federated search may reveal unexpected articles in sources they hadn’t previously tried or considered. Also, the citation export feature for 360 Search is quite smooth, so researchers that use RefWorks or EndNote can use the federated search engine to quickly grab citations for their preferred bibliographic management system.
Q: How does 360 Search work?
A: The library first selects and pays for a federated search service, and then librarians select the most relevant, high-quality sources for each subject. These subject clusters of databases, catalogs, and websites provide a focused search and enhance relevancy for results. When a searcher enters keywords and clicks on “search,” the query goes to the vendor of the federated search service, the service automatically runs multiple searches in the designated sources simultaneously, and compiles the results. The service then de-dupes the records, automatically generates subject clusters to help the user define relevance, and creates links to the full text (when available).
Q: How do I use the libraries databases from off campus?
A: When connecting to licensed library resources from off-campus, users will be prompted to login using the "standard UM-M computer access user ID" (NetID) and password. This is the same account used by University employees and students for Blackboard, campus wireless, UM portal, and GrizMail (students only) access.NetIDs for students use a format of letters and numbers based on their "first initial", "last initial", and a six-digit randomly assigned number (e.g. "xy123456"). A similar format is used for employees, but with an "e" added at the end to indicate an employee account ( e.g. "xy123456e").
Students and employees can access NetID & password information via OneStop. OneStop allows you to manage your NetID and reset your password.
Q: How do I use the College of Technology Library?
A: The College of Technology Library's collection is accessible on the Mansfield Library's Catalog. The College of Technology library is located at 909 South Avenue West, in the Administrative Building. Use your griz card to check out library material.Library Hours
Monday - Thursday 7:30 am - 7:00 pm
Friday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday CLOSED
Legal Holidays CLOSED
Q: Can I take a bus to the College of Technology Library?
A: Yes, the College of Technology Park-N-Ride starts at the west side of COT and runs down South stopping at the Dornblaser Park-N-Ride, South/Hilda, and South/Arthur. Bus stops are across the street from these stops for the return trip. The bus then circles campus stopping at Miller Hall, Jesse Hall, the Music Building, Law School, Adams Center, the University Center, and Beckwith/Maurice stops. You will get dropped off and picked up at the same bus stop on campus.
College of Technology Route
College of Technology (west door)
Dornblaser Park n Ride
South & Hilda
South & Arthur
Miller Hall
Jesse Hall
Music Building (after steam tunnel project is finished)
Law School
Adams Center
University Center
Beckwith/Mansfield stopService begins at COT at 7:25 am Monday- Friday schedule repeats until 5:36 pm with last pick-up at COT at 5:25 pm.
College of TechnologyUniversity Center
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Last Updated: 3 March 2008.