Presentation to the Non-Traditional Student Association


Presented by Sarah Brick Archer
Assistant Professor of Library Services/
Arts & Letters Resource Coordinator

Welcome to the John Vaughan Library at NSU. Our goal in the Reference Department is to provide you with access to information in a timely fashion. We support the curriculum at NSU and are responsible for doing whatever we can to enhance the lifelong learning process. We also think that research is just good fun.

Overview to the Library

Physical Layout (maps, LC)
Hours
Staff Overview

Collections available in the Library

Overview to Services Provided (Library's Home Page )

Circulation (renew or reserve books over the phone by calling ext. #3235) 
Reference (in person, by phone ext. #3240, or electronically)
Interlibrary Loan (borrow books or photocopies of articles not available at the NSU library)
Photocopiers, microform reader/printers, typewriters, and laser printers
Computer Lab (available when library classes are not in session--includes Microsoft products)
Internet access
Student lounge with vending machines, couch, and tv.
Remote services--the online catalog and indexes are available at home. For the indexes, directions for changing proxy settings can be found under directions for remote users.

Sarah's Helpful Hints:

1. Contact your local Reference Librarian.  The librarian will outline books, electronic indexes, and Web sources tailored to your needs.
2. If bringing children, get a book from the Y Collection to entertain them.
3. Start research early to avail yourself of all services provided.
4. Remember that research can benefit all aspects of your life. It's not just for academics anymore.
5. Interlibrary Loan can be used to acquire materials not available at NSU
6. Take a break and go to the student lounge, browse some periodicals or check out the new books. For commuters, check out our audio books (under the subject talking books).
7. To reduce the cost of photocopying, put money on your id card. Using your card will save you 5 cents per copy. Caveat--sometimes the card readers don't work.
8. Take advantage of all full-text index services available through the library. Faculty members respect bibliographies with scholarly journals listed.
9. When searching for Web sources, use our subject pages and virtual reference desk as starting points. Use academic oriented search engines, such as Google or Northern Lights to increase the likehood of quickly finding what you need.
10. Do not use any source for more than a few hours; if you aren't finding what you need, switch to something else.

Created and maintained by Sarah Brick Archer, March 30, 2001.
Return to Sarah's Instruction Page.