How do I…? Frequently Asked Questions at the Alma College Library
Find a book?
Find videos or music CDs?
Search for an article?
Find the text of an article from a citation?
Get help with my research?
Contact a librarian?
Find a course reserve?
Find places or materials in the library building?
Get a book or article that I need, which the library doesn't have?
Borrow a laptop computer?
Use the library's research tools from off-campus?
Renew my books?
How long can I keep materials? What are the overdue fines?
What if something I need is already checked out?
Recommend materials for the library to purchase?
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Find a book?
Search the Alma College Library Catalog to access the library’s book collection. You can search by author, title, subject or keyword. Jot down the call number of the book you would like to find. The floor plan will help you locate the part of the building that holds your book.
You can search by the title of a film or music album in the library catalog. You can also do a search that is limited to just the film or music collections. Go to keyword search in the library catalog and in the search options menu “material type” choose “music record” for CDs and “videos & films” for DVDs or tapes.
The videos and CDs are located on the first floor, past the door to the main stairs and just past the librarians’ offices. The CDs are around the corner to the left and you will see the videos and films in front of you. DVDs and CDs are organized on the shelf by call number, not by title or artist. Most of the popular films are in the call number range PN1997.
Librarians are available to help you with any research questions such as how to find articles. Ask a librarian if you would like assistance choosing the best article databases for your subject
Find the text of an article from a citation?
You already know the title, author and the journal name, issue and page numbers. To find out if the library has access to that article click on link called “Search for Full Text by Journal Title” and type in the name of the journal. If it is not available, also check the Library Catalog to see if the library has the printed version of the journal on our shelves.
Get help with my research?
Librarians are available every day to help you with your research. During Fall and Winter term there is usually a librarian available Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm and 7pm-10pm. There is also a librarian in the building on Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 7pm-10pm. The Reference Desk is open 10:30am-noon, 1:30pm-4:00pm & 7:00pm-10:00pm weekdays as well as on the weekends during the hours above, however you are always welcome to stop by a librarian’s office for help.
You can also call us to set up a meeting time if you wish. Your Alma College Librarians are:
Carol Zeile x7342
Steven Vest x7344
Angie Kelleher x7345
Marcus Richter x7409
Contact a librarian?
In person: Librarians are usually available in the building during business hours and in Fall and Winter terms, most evenings from 7:00pm-10:00pm, as well as Saturdays 10:00am-5:00pm and Sundays 7:00pm-10:00pm.
By phone: Library main desk 989.463.7229
By email: Send your questions through the online Ask a Librarian form. We are able to respond to most online questions within 24-48 hours. If you have a more urgent need, it may be faster to visit the library in person.
Find a course reserve?
On the Library Homepage, choose "Reserve by Professor" from the pull-down menu and type in your professor’s last name. (You can also search by course number, for example HST 101). Write down the call number and take it to the circulation desk to ask the library assistant to check it out to you. Most course reserve materials can only be used in the library, and typically circulate for 2 hours.
Find places or materials in the library building?
There are always people in the library who can help you find your way around the library. You may also want to consult the library floor plan. Generally, books are located on the second floor and in “the stacks” and bound periodicals are located on the lower level.
Get a book, article, or visual materials that I need, which the library doesn't have?
If the library doesn’t have a materials that you need you can use MelCat to request books and visual materials or our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) form to request books or copies of articles. You can also fill out a "Suggestion for Purchase" form at the Library's front desk for the item, but usually Interlibrary Loan is faster. Sometimes ILL materials arrive within a few days, but the typical turnaround time is 1-2 weeks. Requested articles may often be digitized and sent via e-mail, resulting in quicker delivery times.
Borrow a laptop computer?
Laptop computers with wireless internet are available to check out at the Circulation Desk. Laptops check out for a period of 4 hours, and can be used in the library building only. The laptop battery may or may not be fully charged, so you may need to check out a power supply as well. The first time you check one out, and also at the beginning of each new school year, you will need to fill out a laptop agreement form.
Use the library’s research tools from off-campus?
You can access the library’s research databases through the “Inside Alma” portal from anywhere off-campus with your Alma College login and password. Just go to the Inside Alma portal, log on, and choose the tab called “Links.” From there, choose "Academics (w/ Library)," then "Library Off Campus Access." If you have any trouble accessing the databases you need through the portal, please contact a librarian for assistance or login/password information.
You can renew materials one time, provided that no one is on a wait list for that item. Renewal can be done at the circulation desk or online by following the link called View / Renew Your Checked-out Items. You will still have to pay any overdue fines accrued if you renew an item after the due date. If you need to keep an item longer than 2 loan periods, please speak with Melissa Hovey, Circulation Manager (x7229), or a librarian.
How long can I keep materials? What are the overdue fines?
Loan Periods:
Most books and all CDs – 3 weeks
Videos – 1 week
Unbound periodicals – 2 days
Reserves – (most) 2 hours
Laptops – 4 hours
Overdue fines:
Most items: $0.25/day
Periodicals: $2.00 + $0.25/day
Laptops: $10.00/hour
Reserves: $0.25/hour
What if something I need is already checked out?
You can place a hold on an item through the library catalog by clicking the button “Request” at the top of the item display. You will need to enter your name and barcode number, and a date past which you no longer want the item. You can also ask at the Circulation Desk and an assistant will place a hold for you. You will be notified when the item is available for pick-up.
Recommend materials for the library to purchase?
The library welcomes recommendations from students, faculty and staff about what the library should purchase. If you come across a book, DVD, CD or other material that you would like the library to own, students should fill out a paper Materials Suggestions form at the Library’s Circulation Desk.
