Penn State Altoona

Library Registration

In order to have full access to library materials and resources, you need to complete a University Libraries Borrower's Registration card. These cards are available at the Circulation Desk and need to be completed in ink and include your signature. Library Registration permits you to check out Library and Course Reserve Materials, as well as, allowing you to request and renew your materials online. If you have already completed a registration card, you can update your address online.

Students who have been awarded a work study grant are notified through University correspondence as to the amount of the grant and what locations on campus have available employment. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the area he/she wishes to work. Those with an interest in the library can contact us at (814) 949-5254 to set up an interview. If we decide to employ the student, he/she must complete a "Federal Work Study Program Employment Agreement", turn in the form to the Financial Aid Office and complete the forms necessary to start employment. Employment will begin with a formal training session, and continues with periodic training sessions. Library employment is a valuable learning experience. Employees are trained:

- to shelve materials according to the Library of Congress Classification System

- in the use of a wide range of research tools

- in the operation of an on-line circulation system

- in customer service

Day to day contact with faculty, students and members of the community is personally enriching. Employment in the library is a time of growth for all.

Who can borrow library materials?

Anyone who is a PSU faculty member, staff member or student can borrow materials as long as they complete a University Libraries registration card and activate their access ID (activation is processed in the computer center). In addition, anyone who is a PA resident may also borrow materials after completing a registration card.

What are loan periods?

Loan periods are the length of time library items can be borrowed. Listed below is the loan period breakdown for all library users.
Loan periods: 28 days for undergraduates

Semester for graduate and honor students

Semester for faculty and staff

28 days for PA residents

How are books renewed?

Borrowed material can be renewed via the Web at http://www.libraries.psu.edu, click on “My Library Account” icon, by telephone at 814-949-5256 or in person at the Circulation desk.

What are the borrowing limitations?

The designated status of a library user determines the loan period and number of items that he or she can borrow.

Charge limit: 100 items for undergraduates

200 items for graduate students

200 items for faculty and staff

20 items for all others (ResidentPA)

Can borrowers return materials to any PSU library?

Yes. Materials borrowed from any University library and returned to Eiche Library (or any University library) will be treated as though they were returned to their owning library on that date.

What if someone wants a book for a longer loan period than they are given?

A borrower may renew all regular loans twice without actually bringing the material into the library. This may be done in person, by phone (949-5254) or through the CAT. If they want to keep the item for a third renewal, they will have to bring the material into the library to be discharged. If there are no holds (someone else wants it) on the material they can check it out again and the two-renewal process will go into effect.

What are the fines for late returned library items?

Fines vary by the type of material borrowed and its loan period. See the Lending Code for a full rundown of possible fines.

Where do I find materials in Eiche library?

Library materials are stored on shelves called stacks, which are arranged in call number order (more on that later). The stacks are sub-divided into six areas, which are listed below in the order they appear on the floor starting with the lower shelves.

Blue: Multimedia Collection – Collection of videos, DVDs, audiocassettes, and CDs.

Purple: Periodicals Shelves - Periodicals include newspapers, magazines and journals and can’t be taken from the library without special permission.

Yellow: Indexes - Indexes are guides, which direct you to other resources such as books and periodical articles. These do not circulate without special permission. Oversize Collection - These are books that are too large to fit in the regular circulating collection. They are labeled with a "Q" and can circulate for regular loan periods.

Lavender: Circulating Collection – Regular circulating collection. Loan periods are designated by the users profile.

Pink: Juvenile Literature Collection - This area houses library materials for young children and are labeled with a "JL” before the call number. These items can be borrowed for regular loan periods.

Green: Reference Collection – This is a collection of research resources such as dictionaries, encyclopedias and subject specific materials. These items do not circulate without special permission.

What other services does Eiche library offer?

We have a variety of equipment that can be borrowed by a library user. These include:

· Audiocassette recorders, CD players, videocassette recorders and DVD players are available on the first floor of the library. Calculators are available at the second floor Circulation Desk and must be checked out with a Penn State ID.

· Microfilm and microfiche readers are available for use in the microfilm room located to the right of the circulation desk on the first floor. Microfilm/fiche copies are available for 10 cents per copy.

· There are two Xerox machines,one located on each floor. The photocopiers require a fee of ten cents per copy. If a student opts to use lion cash, copies are 5 cents per copy.

· A coin machine is available on the second floor. The machine makes change for dollars only. If a patron needs change for larger bills, contact the circulation supervisor.