Frequently Asked Questions

Finding books and information

I am looking for a famous picture of a ship, a dog, etc. for my research or a graphic design project that I am working on. Where can I find this picture?
The Cornell University Library subscribes to several image databases such as Artstor and Luna Insight. Expert assistance in the use of these resources is available. Please inquire at either the Circulation or Reference Desk.

The catalog says a book is not charged, but I can't find it in the stacks. Where is it?
The book could be in any number of places including being used by a patron in the library. Please ask for assistance at the Circulation Desk.

I looked up a book in the catalog, but it had no call number. Why?
Often the book has been ordered, and the bibliographic record has been created, but the book has not yet arrived. In some cases, a book is no longer in the collection, but only part of the record has been deleted. Please ask a library staff member to look into your inquiry

I know that my friend graduated from Cornell and I am trying to locate his thesis. I have looked under his name but I could not find it.
There are several reasons why a thesis may not be found in the library catalog. The two most common reasons are a) it has not been received or processed yet or b) it was never turned in to the department or library. Please ask for assistance at the reference desk.

I want to design a garden. Where do I find books that can provide me with information about doing this?
A large number of garden design books can be found in both Mann and the Fine Arts library, but you can limit your search results to a specific library by clicking the "search limits" button before doing your search. Nearly 100 titles appear when you type in "garden design" as a phrase using the "guided keyword" option. For additional searching tips, please ask for assistance at the Reference Desk.

How do I search for just the video and DVD collection in the Fine Arts Library?
Searches can be limited to specific formats by first clicking the "search limits" button on the search page and setting your restrictions (ie: visual material and Fine Arts Library).

I am looking for an article in a specific periodical, how can I locate this?
Most periodical databases allow you to do an advanced search. This will allow you to put in a significant key word as well as limit your search to the desired journal title.

I found an article in a database but I can't read it online. How do I find the journal?
Many "articles" are really only citations or abstracts so you need to locate the call number for the hard copy of the journal. This can be done in the library catalog using the Basic Search option and choosing Journal Title from the pull down menu. For additional help locating material ask for assistance at the Reference Desk.

I found an article in the database, but don't know how to find the journal.
Some journals are available electronically but others are only available in paper form. Please refer to the library catalog or ask for assistance at the Reference Desk.

I would like this library to order a title that is not available here. How do I submit a request for an order?
A request for library material can be made online (via our web site) or in person. Order forms can be obtained from the Fine Arts Library handout rack behind the Reference Desk. Please drop your request off at the Circulation or Reference Desk and be sure to include your name and e-mail address if you wish to be notified when the item arrives.

I have never been in this library before, can I get a tour?
Yes, the Fine Arts Library gives individual and/or group tours upon request. Please inquire at the Reference Desk

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Borrowing

What is Borrow Direct and how does it work?
Borrow Direct is a rapid book request and delivery system. It enables Cornell faculty, staff and students to search the combined library catalogs of Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton and Yale, a collection of over 40 million volumes, and directly request expedited delivery of circulating items.

What can be requested through Borrow Direct?
Borrow Direct materials include:

Books and printed music not owned by Cornell libraries.
Books and printed music that are currently unavailable at Cornell, e.g, charged out, lost, missing, at the bindery, etc.
Books and printed music that normally circulate from the Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton and Yale collections

What is the difference between Interlibrary Loan and Borrow Direct?
The Interlibrary Loan department borrows material the Cornell library does not own, whereas Borrow Direct can be used for books (not periodicals) Cornell owns but are currently unavailable (such as material charged to another patron or at the bindery).

I recalled a book. How long do I have to wait for it?
Patrons are notified by e-mail that they have 10 days to return the book. However if they have had the book less than 4 days they are allowed to keep it for a total of 2 weeks.

Can I charge out unbound periodicals, or periodicals in gray boards?
No, unbound periodicals and periodicals in grey boards do not circulate.

Can I check out oversize or flat material?
Oversized material ie: those items denoted with"#", do circulate but there are more restrictions on the FLAT (portfolio) material. Please ask a full time library staff.

Can I return material from other libraries at the Fine Arts Library?
All "normal" books may be returned to any Cornell Library however Reserve material and Videos must be returned to the original lending library. Borrow Direct and Interlibrary Loans must go back to the library where you picked them up (Olin or Mann). Returning special items to a library other than the one they should go to can result in the item not being discharged properly and a replacement charge to your account.

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Reserves

I am not able to access my professor's Blackboard Website. What should I do?
If you are a registered student enrolled in the class, click on this link to the Cornell Blackboard Website:
www.cit.cornell.edu/atc/cst/studentinfo.shtml

When can I check a reserve book out overnight and when is it due?
Reserve material can be checked out for overnight use two hours before the library closes. These materials are then due two hours after the library opens following business day.

Can I renew my reserve book?
Yes, most normal reserves can be renewed if they are not in high demand, but they can only be renewed at the Circulation Desk. You will be required to have the reserve book with you to renew it.

I have a reserve title that I have to read. Where do I find this book?
The link for course reserves can be found on the Library Gateway page. The following page has an additional link for students. In the search box type the title of the book you are interested in reading and hit the search button. The catalogue will then give you a list of books and the necessary call numbers needed to request the material from behind the Circulation Desk.

What class is this title on reserve for?
Sometimes it is not always apparent what class a title is on reserve for. Please ask for assistance at either the Circulation or Reference desks.

I would like submit a reserve list. How do I go about doing that in this library? Can I reactivate the reserve list I used in a course I taught several years ago?
There are two types of reserve: In-Library Reserve (books, DVDs) and Electronic Reserve (scanned articles) via Blackboard. Reserve lists can be submitted by: (1) filling out paper reserve forms, in person at the library, (2) filling out the web based forms (includes both in-library and electronic reserve) which are sent directly to us through e-mail, and (3) filling out the Microsoft Word or PDF files from the CUL Gateway Web Pages which can either be printed out and delivered in-person or saved and sent as an e-mail attachment. Instructors and TAs are advised to submit new reserve lists for each academic semester. (Newly created lists speed up the processing time, are clearer for staff to work with, and assure the accurate status of the library titles). Library staff can photocopy reserve lists used in the past and make these copies available for professors to use for informational purposes.

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Buildings and history

Where can I find the architectural plans for specific buildings on campus and / or how can I learn the history behind of some of the buildings?
There are several books that have been published pertaining to the Cornell Campus and the history of its earliest buildings. Reference (non-circulating) as well as circulating copies can be found in many of the libraries on campus: Click here for a list of suggested titles.

Bishop, Morris: History of Cornell
Kammen, Carol: Cornell: Glorious to View
Parsons, Kermit K.: The Cornell Campus
Parsons, Kermit K.: The History of Campus Planning at Cornell
Ostman, Ronald: Cornell, Then & Now
Young, Charles: Cornell In Pictures: The First Century

Policy guidelines for obtaining building plans through the office of Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) are available at: http://www.pdc.cornell.edu/pdc/eng/FIG/pdc_figprocedures.cfm

Please note: Requests for drawings and plans from the building drawings archive at PDC are accepted from class instructors only. There is a fee for this copying service. If, as a student, you are working on a project that requires plans, please alert your instructor that they must authorize the request and work with the PDC Archivist to obtain the records and arrange the payment. A class list must also be provided to track drawing recipients.

Plan ahead - at least 2 weeks is required to obtain drawings.
Call the Facilities Customer Service Center (5-5322) to obtain a work order and discuss payment.
Make certain that the drawings you are seeking are from the Approved Building List (see below)
Set up an appointment by contacting Rebecca Merritt, PDC Archivist (ram47@cornell.edu)

The faculty member or T.A. will meet the department Archivist at 201 Humphrey Services Building (Hours: 9 am - 4 pm Monday - Friday)

Approved Building List
(Facility number and name)

2009 Barnes Hall
2040 Big Red Barn
1070 Bruckner Lab
1025 Caldwell Hall
2042 Carpenter Hall
2633 Cornell Golf Ctr
1029 Fernow Hall
2015 Foundry
2018 Fuertes Observatory
2013 Goldwin Smith
2048 Graphic Arts Service
1007A ILR Conference Ctr
1007E ILR Extension
1007R ILR Research
1080S Kennedy Hall
2008 Lincoln Hall
2081 Malott Hall
1027 Mann Library
2003 McGraw Hall
2609 Moakley House
2001 Morrill Hall
2007 Olive Tjaden Hall
2022 Plantations Arboretum
1100 Pomology Cold Storage
1101F Pomology Pole Barn
2017 Rand Hall
1040 Rice Hall
1080N Roberts Hall
3002 Sage Graduate Hall
2016 Schwartz Performing Arts Ctr.
2004 Sibley Hall
2011 Stimson Hall
1026 Warren Hall
2002 White Hall

Related Web Sites

http://www.cornell.edu/campus/Infobase
(A thumbnail sketch of some of the buildings)
http://www.pdc.cornell.edu
(Cornell's Planning, Design & Construction web site)
http://www.pdc.cornell.edu/pdc/eng/FIG/pdc_figprocedures.cfm
(Procedures for obtaining building plans)

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General Computing

How do I obtain a Net-Print account?
"Net Print" is CIT's laser printing service. An account can be set up at
http://www.cit.cornell.edu/net-print/getstarted.html

I need to process the images I made from the scanner, but the program on the computer doesn't seem to be able to do what I want it to.
More advanced image processing software, like Photoshop, can be found on the Creation Stations in several of the campus libraries such as Uris, Mann, Engineering, and Physical Science. A chart of various library's computer hardware and software as well as other equipment can be found on the computer services page at:
http://www.library.cornell.edu/services/computing.html

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Carrels and Lockers

Who is eligible to be approved and assigned a Fine Arts Library Study Carrel?
Carrel assignments are made on the basis of need and are given to qualified, and registered Art History, Fine Arts, Architecture, and City & Regional Planning, undergraduate (thesis writers), and Graduate Students.

Is it possible to place bound periodicals at my carrel?
Bound periodicals are three day loan titles that are in high demand, therefore these titles are not allowed to be assigned to the Fine Arts Library Carrels.

I would like to leave my laptop at my carrel while I go to lunch. Is this possible?
Leaving valuable personal items at library carrels is not advised. The library is not responsible for personal items left at carrels.

I have a group of books from other libraries that I would like to leave at my library carrel. Is this permitted?
Other Cornell Library books are not allowed to be left at the Fine Arts Library carrels, when the assigned graduate students are not physically at their carrel. Only Fine Arts Library books and Annex titles can be placed at the carrels.

Does the Fine Arts Library have lockers, and if so, am I eligible to get one?
The Fine Arts library has a limited number of lockers available. The fee is $10 per semester. Please inquire at the Circulation Desk.

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Billing

I have received a fine or bill that I don't think is fair. Can I appeal it?
Fine or bill appeals may be filled out at the library, or downloaded from the web site, then dropped off at the Circulation Desk. The billing coordinator will get in touch with you to let you know the outcome of your appeal.

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Photocopying

Can I make copies without a Venda Card?
Most of our photocopiers will accept cash but it costs a bit more. Change for bills under $20 can be given at the Circulation Desk.

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Other services

Do you have a Lost & Found?
Yes, please inquire at the Circulation Desk.

Do you have a place I can advertise my event?
The Fine Arts Library has a limited amount of bulletin board space, if your poster is appropriate, and we have the space, we will try to display it. Please drop off all requests at the Reference Desk.

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Jobs

I am looking for a work study student assistant job in the Fine Arts Library. How do I apply for a job, here in this library?
The Fine Arts library accepts applications for student employment at the beginning of each semester. Please inquire at the Circulation Desk.

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