FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. I have no idea where to begin my research HELP!
  2. How do I get borrowing privileges?
  3. How do I check out a book?
  4. How long may I borrow a book?
  5. What if the Library does not own the book or article that I want?
  6. What does ILL stand for?
  7. Who is eligible for ILL service?
  8. Do I have to pay for ILL services?
  9. Can I obtain AV materials through ILL?
  10. How long does it take Interlibrary loans to arrive?
  11. How will I know that my Interlibrary Loan item has arrived?
  12. Can I request a book title in print when the Library already owns a copy in electronic format?
  13. If I request an article through ILL, will it always be delivered to me via the web?
  14. What types of materials may I request through ILL?
  15. Can I order textbooks through ILL?
  16. What might delay the arrival of my ILL request?
  17. How can I check on the status of an ILL item?
  18. How do I pick up my Interlibrary/Request materials?
  19. What will happen if I don’t pick up my ILL items?
  20. How long can I keep an ILL item?
  21. I have a book from ILL that is due, how do I renew it?
  22. Are there computers in the Library?
  23. For how long can I borrow a laptop?
  24. How do I save the work that I have done on the laptop?
  25. Can I access the wireless network on my personal computer if I am a guest at the Library?
  26. As a faculty, student, or staff at UC Merced, how do I connect to the wireless network using my own laptop?
  27. How do I access the Library from off-campus?
  28. Why am I having problems accessing the Library's databases?
  29. Can I bring food into the Library?
  30. How can I recommend something for the Library to purchase?
  31. How do I schedule an instruction session for my class?
  32. How can I contact the Library?
  33. How do I find out about digitizing Supplemental Course Resources (SCR)?
  34. How do I find out if anyone has cited an author or study that I am researching?

I have no idea where to begin my research--HELP!

Try our How To ... page or visit our contact page to phone or email us with your questions. You may also set up an appointment with a librarian.

How do I get a borrowing privileges?

If you are a UC Merced student, faculty or staff member, you receive full borrowing privileges. Your CatCard card is used to check out books. To request materials online, you use your UCMnetID -- the first part of your email address. If you are a member of the community and are interested in obtaining a borrowing privileges, please visit the Borrowing page on our website.

How do I check out a book?

You can check out a book at the Library Services Desk on the second floor of the lantern.

How long may I borrow a book?

  UC Merced Faculty, Graduate Students, Staff UCMerced Undergraduate Students Other UC Campus Faculty, Students, and Staff Courtesy Privileges
         
Items Allowed 100 100 25 10
Loan Period* 1 year 6 months 1 month 1 month
Privileges Blocked 7 days overdue 1 day overdue 1 day overdue 1 day overdue
Renewals NO NO NO NO
Recalls YES YES YES YES
Proxy Privileges Faculty only Disabled only NO NO
Replacement Fees Cost of item Cost of item Cost of item Cost of item
* Journals do not circulate; all items are subject to recall. For additional information visit the borrowing webpage.

What if the Library does not own the book or article that I want?

UC Merced Faculty, students and personnel can obtain books from other UC campus libraries and from outside UC by using the Request service. To request articles from journals, use the UC-eLinks form. For more information visit the ILL webpage.

What does ILL stand for?

ILL stands for Interlibrary Loan. This service brings in materials from other libraries that students, faculty and staff request.

Do I have to pay for ILL services?

ILL services are available to you without additional charge if you are a student, faculty, or staff member.

Who is eligible for ILL service?

Students, faculty, or staff member of UC Merced may use the ILL service.

Can I obtain AV materials through ILL?

Libraries rarely send AV materials e.g. CDs, videos, DVDs. Please order well in advance and be prepared that we may not be able to obtain this item for you.

How long does it take Interlibrary loans to arrive?

Usually 3-5 days, if the item is available at another UC campus. Some items may take longer.

How will I know that my Interlibrary Loan item has arrived?

You will be notified through your UCMerced email account when your item has arrived. Please note that even if you have used another email account on the Request form, your notification will still be delivered to your UCMerced email address.

Can I request a book title in print when the Library already owns a copy in electronic format?

Yes, you can request an item in a format that we do not own locally .

If I request an article through ILL, will it always be delivered to me via the web?

Most articles are delivered to you via the web. However, sometimes you will be notified that there is a paper copy available for pick up.

What types of materials may I request through ILL?

You may request most types of materials through ILL; however, it is difficult to obtain newspapers, and non-circulating items such as special collection materials, audio-visual materials and bound journal volumes from the last five years.

Can I order textbooks through ILL?

We are unable to fill textbook orders through ILL since multiple students make requests for limited copies. Please plan on buying the texts required for your courses.

What might delay the arrival of my ILL request?

Your materials may be delayed if the item is already checked out at another campus or is in high demand with many requests e.g. a new title. Remember that items ordered just before the weekend will usually be processed starting after the weekend. Delays also occur when Request forms include incorrect or incomplete information. If you are unsure about a citation, please visit a librarian first.

How can I check on the status of an ILL item?

If your ILL item seems to be delayed, please email library@ucmerced.edu to check the status of your request. Please include the title of the item.

How do I pick up my Interlibrary/Request materials?

In most cases, articles will be sent to you directly via email. Books and other materials will be held at the Library Services Desk, and you will be notified when they are available.

What will happen if I don’t pick up my ILL items?

Though we won’t make a “wanted” poster of you if you don’t pick up your ILL items, we appreciate it if you use the items you request. Please plan to pick up any ILL materials.

How long can I keep an ILL item?

The loan length varies for ILL items depending on the lending library’s policies. Check the ILL form you receive with your item; it will clearly state the due date. Even an item with a long loan period, may be recalled if another user requests the item. Articles do not have to be returned.

I have a book from ILL that is due. How do I renew it?

You can renew books by using the form on the ILL page. Please remember that time is needed to process your request so please renew your titles before the due date. Additionally, not all titles can be renewed.

Are there computers in the library?

Yes, the library has a few stationary computers for general use and laptops available to UC Merced students, faculty and staff. These can be checked out at the Library Services Desk on the second floor.

For how long can I borrow a laptop?

Laptops may be borrowed for 4 hours, and renewed for an additional 4 hours if no one is waiting.

How do I save the work that I have done on the laptop?

We recommend that you save the information to a portable USB/Thumb Drive or to the network. Once the laptop is re-started or shut down, the memory will be cleared. Make sure that you save your work and take it with you.

Can I access the wireless network on my personal computer if I am a guest at the Library?

You have the option of accessing the wireless network by asking at the Library Services Desk for the guest login. An alternative is to bring an ethernet cable to plug into one of the many available network ports.

As a faculty, student, or staff at UC Merced, how do I connect to the wireless network using my own laptop?

Use your UCMnetID and associated password to access the network. You may need to set up your wireless access using these instructions.

How do I access the Library from off-campus?

Download the VPN Client; click here for details.

Why am I having problems accessing the Library’s databases?

If you are off campus, you need to access the subscription databases through the Virtual Private Network (VPN). See offcampus.html for details.

Web accelerators such as Google Web Accelerator or DownThemAll may interfere with your ability to access the Library’s content. Two problems can occur. Your IP address may not be recognized even when you are using the VPN, or you may be flagged for excessive downloading causing your IP to be blocked. Uninstall web accelerators to avoid these potential problems.

Can I bring food into the Library?

Food and drink is permitted in the library. Feel free to come in with your morning coffee or lunch. Please throw away any garbage, and let us know of any spills that need to be cleaned up.

How can I recommend something for the Library to purchase?

Yes, you can recommend a purchase. Please fill out the online form.

How do I schedule an instruction session for my class?

You can schedule class instruction by emailing libinstruction@ucmerced.edu. For more information, visit the instruction web page.

How can I contact the Library?

How do I find out about digitizing Supplemental Course Resources?

For details about the Supplemental Course Resources Service, click here.

How do I find out if anyone has cited an author or study that I am researching?

Authors of articles and books are indexed in Web of Science. Web of Science is a database/search engine that searches; Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Science Citation Index (SCI), and Social Science Citation Index (SSCI). They can be searched separately or together in Web of Science. Searches can be done by author, cited author, cited work, and keywords. For a quick how-to guide, try the Introduction to Cited Reference Searching Tutorial.

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