Library workshops have been offered to faculty every year since 2001, and more are being offered in the current academic year. The Library's faculty facilitator (Sally Shelton) notifies members of the faculty about the workshops being offered each semester, and individual faculty members sign up for those that fit their needs. In the fall 2008, workshops on the ScienceDirect database and on the new EBSCOhost interface will be offered as well as refreshers on the use of ejournals and ebooks.

In addition to workshops of general interest, the faculty facilitator also provides workshops designed for individual disciplines. Deans and chairs may arrange a workshop for their own departments or schools with the faculty facilitator. In fact, any member of the faculty who would like either to suggest a workshop topic or attend a workshop is encouraged to call the faculty facilitator at x6902 or email sshelton@oru.edu.  

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In addition to workshops, the Library offers faculty the opportunity to receive individual research assistance. While the workshops offer an introduction to the Library's resources, when faced with an actual research project, many faculty find that they need more in-depth coaching in the effective use of the Library's databases. To set up an appointment either during or between semesters, you may contact the faculty facilitator. Please note that any of the Reference librarians will also gladly assist you with your research projects (see below).

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A reference librarian is generally available at the Reference desk (LRC 4th floor) from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except during chapel. A student reference assistant is available evenings and weekends during the other hours that the library is open. The reference librarians offer information and research services to all library patrons, whether faculty, staff, or student. Peggy Pixley, Jane Malcolm, and Myra Bloom are the reference librarians. Dr. David Dorries, Mark Roberts, and Sally Shelton also have hours at the Reference desk.

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Because of the constant changes to the Library resources, the Library gives regular updates to the University Faculty Assembly (UFA) and other faculty organizations. Also, from time to time, the Library's faculty facilitator sends e-mails to notify faculty about specific resources.

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The Library provides tours, general orientations, subject specific classes, senior paper sessions, in-class presentations, and more to assist and inform the students and to support their learning of research and lifelong information skills. Faculty members may fill out an online request form or contact Myra Bloom, the library instruction librarian, at ext. 7174 to discuss and schedule classes. Additional information is available on the Library Instruction page.

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Before making an ILL request, you will save time if you first check the Journals List and/or the ORU Catalog (WebPac), as appropriate, to be sure the item is not already available. If it is not, fill in the requested information on the online form and submit it. The request goes by e-mail to the ILL office. Our ILL faculty/staff members, Thelma Burden, Lynn Harger, and Jane Malcolm, will be happy to answer any questions you may have about your ILL requests. "Ms. Thelma" will notify you by phone when the material you have requested has been delivered and is ready for pick up. Click here for more on ILL. See also this two-slide PowerPoint handout prepared for the "Interlibrary Loan Please" faculty workshop.

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Like students, faculty need to register with the Library before checking out materials. For your convenience, an online registration form is available here. Simply fill in the requested information and click the submit button. You will also need to present your ORU ID when you check out items. The loan period for faculty is 28 days. If you would like to check books out for a longer time, please ask to speak to Jilda Elk, the Circulation Supervisor, or call her at ext. 6392.

You will receive an emailed reminder before your items come due. To re-check books, go to the online catalog, click the "My Account" tab, and then insert the barcode number from your ORU ID card. Once you are logged into your account, click the "Items Out" link, then mark the items you wish to renew, and click the renew button. You will immediately be able to read the new due date. For more information, please visit the Circulation page.

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Print and other traditional reserve materials are shelved at the Circulation Desk. You may find them in the library catalog (WebPac) by clicking the "Reserves" link and searching by course title, professor, item title, and so on. You may also access electronic reserve items by going to the Library's online catalog (WebPac) and doing a title search for "library e-reserves."

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Purchase Requests

Faculty members are encouraged to suggest titles of books and journals for the Library to acquire. To do so, you may use this online form. Or, you make a list of items in Books in Print, which you can then email to the Library. Please be sure to indicate your name, department, and department chair when making these requests, so that the librarians will know whom to notify when the item has been processed and is ready for circulation. Since it takes time to fill out a request form, we recommend that, before doing so, you check the ORU catalog (WebPac) to make sure the Library does not already own the desired item. Judith Rigsby, our acquisition librarian, will carefully consider your book requests, and Judy Stubbs, head of periodicals, will do the same for journal requests. Either of these librarians will gladly answer your questions about making purchase requests.

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