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 does it mean if a book's catalog record says the status is "just received" or "in process"?
14. Does Gutman Library have study rooms? If so, how do I get one?
15. What computer equipment does Gutman Library have for students?
16. 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,  staff members at the Reference Desk can help you. You will find a complete list of our staff on our Web site

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.  If you have questions of problems with logging in, send e-mail to OIR Help Desk.

If you are connecting from off-campus, you will need to authenticate yourself with your network userid and password. Click here for more information.

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 can be looked up by title, using our Journal List tool. On the library homepage, click on the link in the left frame "Find Journals by Title" to connect to Journal List.

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 and double-check the holdings information to see if it is checked out or if the book is on Reserve.  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, please look around the library (particularly near copiers and scanners).  If you still don't find it after a day or two, please 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 can place a 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 800 print magazine, journal and newspaper publications. All current issues (usually the current year) are kept on the main level of the Library in the Current  Periodicals area, which is to your right as you enter the library. The latest issue is kept on a display shelf. To find previous current issues, lift the display shelf to access the storage area underneath.

IMPORTANT: To find out if we currently subscribe to a particular publication, search the online catalog using the "Title Browse" 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 print publications, many hundreds of publications are available from the online  databases and e-journal collections 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 Journal List to see if the publication is available in electronic format.

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. Again, check Journal List and the online catalog (Title Browse) to see if we hold or have access to the older issues you need. Please ask for help if you are having trouble finding something.

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 re-shelved frequently. Please look for the issue at least 2 or 3 times within a week before reporting it as  missing. You may also want to check in Journal List 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 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.

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

On the main floor, Gutman Library has 5 study rooms, most accomodating 2-4 students. Room101 is equipped with a large screen monitor that can be connected to a laptop. Room 101 can be reserved, but the rest of the rooms are available on a first come, first serve basis. Complete information about the study rooms is available on our facilities web page.

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

 In all, Gutman Library contains over 80 computers, distributed throughout the building.  There are both Macs and PCs, configured the same as the lab computers in Search Hall. There are also multiple scanners connected to various computers on each floor. In addition, we offer a number of PC laptop computers that can be borrowed at the Circulation Desk. All laptops can connect to the internet through our wireless network. All computers, including laptops, print to the 3 networked printers, one on each floor of the library.

16. 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.