1. Is Gutman Library open to the public?
2. How do I get a library card?
3. Who can I ask for help?
4. How do I get access to the Gutman Library databases when I'm in my dorm room or off-campus?
5. Can I borrow books from other college and university libraries in this region?
6. How do I find a book in Gutman Library?
7. I found a book listed in the library catalog, but I can't find it on the shelf. What should I do?
8. Gutman Library doesn't own the book I want. How can I get the book?  
9 . Where do I find the latest issues of magazines, journals and newspapers in Gutman Library?
10. Where do I find older, back issues of magazines, journals and newspapers in Gutman Library?
11. What if the publication issue I am looking for is missing? What should I do?
12. What if Gutman Library does not offer, in any format, the magazine or journal I need?
13. What is ERes?
14. What does it mean if a book's catalog record says the status is "just received" or "in process"?
15. Does Gutman Library have study rooms? If so, how do I get one?
16. What computer equipment does Gutman Library have for students?
17. How can I tell if Gutman Library is open during winter storms?

1. Is Gutman Library Open to the Public?

    Gutman Library is not open to the public. Only those with a currently valid PhilaU ID card or alumni with official university identification may use our facility. An exception is made for individuals who wish to use specific research materials in our collection for a limited period of time. Permission to use the library for specific research can be provided by any member of the Reference staff but should be requested before visiting. Exceptions to the restrictions on access are made for students and faculty who are members of libraries that participate in the Tri-State College Library Cooperative.

2. How do I get a library card?

    Your PhilaU ID card is your library borrower's card. The first time you use it, it will take a few minutes to activate your account in the library's circulation system.

3. Who can I ask for help?

    Staff at the Circulation/Reserve Desk can help you with reserves, checking out materials, where materials are housed in the library, etc. For research questions, assistance with using library databases, or tracking down answers to complex questions, patrons are encourage to consult with our Reference staff. You will find a complete list of our staff on our Web site - or, if you are in the library, just ask for help at any service desk.

4. How do I get access to the Gutman Library databases when I'm in my dorm room or off-campus?

    All computers on campus that are connected to the PhilaU network will be able to connect to the databases. Those who connect from off-campus using ISPs (internet service provider) such as America Online or MSN will need to log in using their network account information. Once you do that, you will get access to most databases (a few do not allow off campus access). The OIT instruction sheet will explain everything you need to do to access the library databases from off campus.

   If you have questions of problems with logging in, send e-mail to OIT Helpdesk.

5. Can I borrow books in person from other college and university libraries in this region?

    Gutman Library is a member of the Tri-state College Library Cooperative. PhilaU students, faculty and staff may borrow books at any of the college and university libraries that belong to TCLC( list of member institutions). To borrow in person from a TCLC library, you must first obtain a letter of introduction at the Gutman Library Reference Desk.

    Many other area libraries that are not members of TCLC are open to the public for research. PhilaU students may use those libraries in accordance with their access policies, but will not be eligible to obtain borrowing privileges. The Web sites of  local libraries are a good place to start for getting information on access policies.

6. How do I find out whether Gutman Library has a book or subscribes to a magazine/journal ?

  On the library website, use the Library Catalog link to find out what materials are available in Gutman Library .  A list of e-journals that are available full text is also available.

7. I found a book listed in the library catalog, but I can't find it on the shelf. What should I do?

First, re-check the catalog to see if it is checked out.  Ask at the circulation desk to see if it is waiting to be re-shelved.  Since the book may be on a table or a cart somewhere in the library, try again in a day ot two.  If you still don't find it, report it to the staff at the Circulation Desk.

8. Gutman Library doesn't own the book I want. How can I get the book?

You might try to see if a TCLC member library owns the book you want, if you are willing to travel to that library to borrow it. (see question number 5). You can also request to obtain a book we do not own through interlibrary loan. For more information, go to our interlibrary loan information page.

9. Where do I find the latest issues of magazines, journals and newspapers in Gutman Library?

    Gutman Library subscribes to nearly 900 print magazine, journal and newspaper publications. All current issues (usually the current year) are kept on the main level of the Library in the Periodicals Reading Area. The latest issue is kept on a display shelf. To find previous current issues, lift the display shelf to access the storage area behind the display shelf.

IMPORTANT: Current periodicals are cataloged in Gutman Library's online public access catalog. To find out if we currently subscribe to a particular publication, search the catalog using the "Journal Keyword" search. If there is a catalog record for your title, the record will indicate all latest issues received. And remember, periodicals are organized alphabetically by title. Periodicals are NOT assigned call numbers.

  In addition to its print publications, many hundreds of publications are available in electronic databases (e.g., Lexis/Nexis, Proquest, Ebsco) to which Gutman Library subscribes. If you do not find the publication you are looking for in the current periodicals area, or after searching the library catalog, you may search to see if the publication is available in electronic format.

  For more information, please read our web guide How To Locate a Periodical.

10. Where do I find older, back issues of magazines, journals and newspapers in Gutman Library?

    Depending on the publication, a back issue may be bound on the lower level of Gutman Library, available in microfiche or microfilm, or may be available in one of our several full-text online databases or E-journal collections.

11. What if the publication issue I am looking for is missing? What should I do?

    Our periodical collection is heavily used and the issues do get scattered around the library. Issues are collected and reshelved frequently. So look for the issue at least 2 or 3 times within a week before reporting it as  missing. You may also want to check to see if the journal issue you are looking for is available online in one of our databases or E-journal collections.

12. What if Gutman Library does not offer, in any format, the magazine or journal I need?

    If you have confirmed that we do not have the publication you are looking for, in print, in an electronic database or in microform - or if your particular issue has been designated as lost - you can request an interlibrary loan. We will attempt to get a copy of a specific issue from another library. We cannot borrow an entire magazine or journal issue from another library. For more information, see our ILL information web page.

13. What is ERes?

    ERes is the electronic reserve system used by Gutman Library. Many faculty use it to provide course documents for their classes. There is more information available on our ERes Student Guide.

14. What does it mean if a book's catalog record says the status is "just received" or "in process"?

    This status indicator means the book has just arrived or it recently arrived but is still in the process of being prepared for addition to the collection. How do you get the book? Go to the Circulation Desk and ask a supervisor to initiate the process of getting the "in process" expedited for circulation. When the book is available for loan, you will be notified to pick it up at the Circulation Desk.

15. Does Gutman Library have study rooms? If so, how do I get one?

    Gutman Library has 7 study rooms, ranging in size from 2-4 students up to 10 students. One, Rm. 101, is equipped with a large screen monitor for group viewing.  The study rooms are, with the exception of Rm. 101 (which can be reserved) available on a first come, first serve basis. Complete information about the study rooms is available on our facilities web page.

16. What computer equipment does Gutman Library have for students?

    Gutman Library offers multiple computers on every level of the building. On each level students will find both PCs and Macs. There are also multiple scanners on each level. In all, Gutman Library contains over 60 desktop computers. In addition, we offer a number of PC notebook computers that can be borrowed at the Circulation Desk. All notebook computers can connect to the internet through our wireless network. All computers, including notebooks, print to centrally located laser printer stations in the Library.

17. How can I tell if Gutman Library is open during winter storms?

When Philadelphia University announces that it is closed owing to inclement weather, Gutman Library will also be closed. However, on weekends, the University may not make a closing announcement. Even so, if there is significant snow or other weather problems, Gutman Library staff may determine it is necessary to close. When we do, we will notify campus security and will try to post a closing notice on the library webpage.