FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who may use the library?

• UNF students, faculty and staff have priority use.
• Any adult.
• Children must be continuously accompanied by a responsible adult.
• All use is subject to library house rules.

Who may borrow library materials?

• Eligibility requirements.

How do I get a library card?

• Your UNF Osprey 1Card is your library card. You must have an 1Card to check out books or to use research databases from off campus.
• For 1Card problems, get assistance at the 1Card Office - Building 1, Room 1600.
• Other eligible borrows may apply at the Library's main Access Services Desk for a card issued by the Library.

What is my library number?

• Your UNF N number.
• For special borrowers, the number on the barcoded library card issued by the library (begins with " 22107 " ).

What may I borrow?

• General Collection books.
• Most government documents.
• Most curriculum materials.
• Some audiovisual materials.
• Restricted loan materials include Course Reserves and other special permission loans.
• Non-circulating materials include Reference, Periodicals, Microformat, and Special Collection materials.

How do I borrow library materials?

• Present your UNF 1Card at the Access Services checkout desk on the 1st floor.

How long may I keep library materials?

• Students and staff generally may keep books for 21 days.
• Graduate students and faculty generally have extended loan periods.
• Paid subscribers generally may keep books for 14 days.
• Leisure reading books are checked out for 14 days.
• Non-book materials and some collections may have more restrictive loan periods.

Where may I renew library materials?

• You may renew eligible items electronically using the Online Renewal Service.
• You may also renew eligible items at the Access Services Desk.

Where do I return library materials?

• You may return books at the main Access Services Desk.
• When the library is closed, return books in the book drops located near Starbucks and by the library main entrance.
• Non-book or fragile items should be returned to the Access Services Desk.

What are the overdue book fines?

• Regular overdue fines are 25 cents per day per item.
• Overdue reserve fines are $1.00 per hour for hourly loans and $1.00 per day for daily loans.
• After 20 days, the item is assumed lost; the borrower is charged for replacement in addition to any fines.
• Fines and replacement charges are paid at the University Cashier’s Office.
• There is a fine/bill appeal procedure. Please contact the Access Services Department for more information (904) 620-2615.

Where do I go for help?

• You may ask for help at any service desk.
• You may get research help, research instruction, and information at the Reference Desk.
• You may also contact our Reference Desk by telephone (904) 620-2616, by email at libhelp@unf.edu or by this webform.
• You may also contact our other service desks by telephone or email.
• Use the Guides available on the Library's webpage.
• Consider taking the Library research skills credit course LIS1001 or attending Library workshops.

How do I find books in the Library?

• The online Library Catalog is available from any computer connected to the Internet. Here are some catalog FAQs and searching hints.
• The catalog will give you the call number and location of any item in the library.
• Call numbers A thru P are on the 4th floor.  Call numbers Q thru Z are on the 3rd floor.
• Since books and other materials are shelved by call number, be sure to browse the same area for other related materials.

How do I find articles?

• Select Databases by subject under the light green bar on the Library's main webpage.
• Use this online guide to help you get started.
• Try our new Article Quick-Search page.
• Use a general database to begin if you just need a few articles.
• Use specific subject databases for more in-depth research.
• If a link to the full text is not immediately available, click on the Article Linker button to see if the full text is available in another database or in print in the Library.

Why aren't all materials available in fulltext on the Web?

• Publishers tend to publish only profitable titles and services electronically.
• Copyright and licenses govern the scope of availability.
• License fees are expensive and publishers often require that a library purchase both the print and electronic versions.
• While print materials have a one-time purchase price, licenses usually require that a library pay each year for access to a given title.
• Library limited budgets require choices based on careful analysis and prioritization.

What if the Library does not have the book or article I need?

• Check other library catalogs for possible convenient availability.
• Current students, faculty, and staff may use their UNF borrowing privileges at other State University System of Florida or Community College System of Florida libraries.
• Current UNF students, faculty, and staff may use Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Document Delivery services.

What other types of materials can I find in the Catalog?

• In addition to books and periodicals, you may find course reserves, audiovisual materials (audio, video formats), curriculum materials, electronic subscription resources, government documents (federal, state, local), maps, rare books, UNF archives, UNF theses and dissertations, and more.

What are reserve materials?

• They are materials professors set aside in the Library for use by their students.
• Most reserve items are available at the Reserve/Circulation Desk.

How do I find and use reserve items in the Library?

• Get the call number from the library catalog course reserve search page.
• Go to the main check-out desk on the first floor with the item call number and your Osprey1 card.
• Return the item to the same reserve service desk.
• Overdue fines are $1.00 per hour for hourly loans and $1.00 per day for daily loans; replacement charges are billed after 20 hours overdue.

How do I reserve a study carrel?

• Study carrel applications are only accepted during a specific window of time. The libary will begin accepting applications two weeks before the term begins and continue through add/drop. The application will be availailable during that time from this page.

Are there group study rooms in the Library?

• There are 19 group study rooms in the library.
• They are on the southwest end of the building on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors.
• There is one new group study room on the 3rd floor behind the periodicals collection (southeast corner of the building)
• They are on a first come, first served basis -- two or more people.
• Group study rooms are equipped with computers. You may also check out a lap-top computer at the 1st floor Circulation Desk.

May I use the Library's computers?

• Library public computers are for electronic research by any adult.
• Computers are not restricted; children must be continuously supervised by a responsible adult.
• All electronic research services provided by the library are accessed through the Library's webpage.
• Here is a list of software available on library computers.
• These same applications, in addition to more specific and advanced computer programs, are available in campus computer labs.

Can I make Photocopies or Print from the computers?

• Printing/copying in the library requires an electronic card - either a UNF Osprey 1Card or a purchased copy card.
• $1.00 and $5.00 print/copy cards may be purchased.
• Copiers are located in the copy alcoves behind the elevators on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors.
• Printers are also located on the first three floors of the library.

How do I access the Library's electronic services when I am not in the library?

• The Library's online catalog is accessible to everyone from anywhere.
• Research databases are licensed for remote access only by current UNF students, faculty, and staff.
• A current UNF N# is required to log in from off campus.
• You must have a current browser.

How do I learn more about the Library?

• Inquire at the Reference Desk about library orientation or instruction.
• Ask specific questions at any service desk.
• Students and faculty may request special classes or one-on-one instruction.
• Use the Library's online help and guides.