Kyle Crews ENG 190-37

Greetings!

A few of you had questions which I'll do my best to answer below. If there is anything not clear or if you need further help, please stop by the reference desk or call 977-3103 (7-3103 on campus) or contact me at 977-3083 (7-3083) or crownrw@slu.edu.
Ron Crown

How do I figure out which database to use?

A couple of you asked about this; the number and variety of databases can make determining which one is the right one to use difficult. You can always consult the subject listing of databases; if you're still not sure, ask a reference librarian to suggest an appropriate database.

How long can I borrow book?

The loan period for undergraduates for books from Pius Library is 3 weeks with unlimited renewals. Loan periods and number of renewals can vary depending on which library a book comes from or the type of material (such as a DVD). See the circulation policies for Pius Library for full information.

What hours is a librarian available to help students?

Reference desk hours are as follows.

Monday-Thursday 8:00 am-10:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am-5 pm
Saturday 12:00 pm-6:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm-10:00 pm

The reference librarians are generally available in the library during the daytime Monday through Friday. If you have a question requiring extensive assistance (e.g. help with how to search a database or how to locate sources on a topic), it's best to make an appointment in advance by contacting one of the reference librarians. But even if you don't have an appointment, we'll always be glad to help you.

Where are the study rooms?

Information on the availability of study rooms, audio-visual rooms, and lockers can be found here.

Also, there are three "collaboration stations" located in the reference department on the first floor of Pius Library which are available on a first come, first served basis. These study areas provide a large screen monitor for group study.

How are the books organized and how do I locate one?

Pius Library uses Library of Congress Classification (click here for an overview) in which all the call numbers begin with letters. Once you have determined a book's call number in the library catalog, you can determine where the book is shelved from the location guide (paper copies of these are available at the reference desk and the circulation desk).

In addition to the call number, note the "Location" indicated in the library catalog. "Pius Library" means the book is on one of the upper floors of the library or in Lewis Annex. "Pius Reference" means the book is located in the reference collection on the first floor. "Locust Street Library Facility" means that the book is kept there and you will need to submit a request for the book (by clicking on the "request" link in the library catalog) to have the book delivered to Pius Library.