Penn State University Libraries - Services for Students

The Penn State Abington Library's librarians and staff are available to help with all of your research needs. There are several options for obtaining help:

• Onsite: The reference desk is staffed during all of the library's operating hours.
• Phone: Call the reference desk at 215-881-7424.
• VRS: The university's Virtual Reference Service is available 51 hours per week. Click on the ASK! button anywhere you see it.

Librarians frequently teach course-related instruction sessions. Most of these classes are held in the library. The instructional classroom, room 10, can be found on the library's lower floor. Go down the stairs next to the reference desk. Room 10 is on the left side.

Librarians not only teach course-related sessions, but also offer specialized instruction for individuals and small groups. If you would like help with research for a specific subject, class, or assignment, stop by the reference desk or fill out the online instruction request form to schedule a session.

Found a great resource that is not available at Penn State? You can request it through interlibrary loan. ILLiad allows you to place your own requests for books, articles, dissertations, microforms, or anything else you might need. For help using ILLiad, use any of the methods listed above under Reference.

Course reserves consist of electronic and print resources made available by faculty for their students' use. Access to electronic reserve materials is via the CAT (Online Catalog) and can be downloaded or printed by enrolled students. If any problems occur, review Troubleshooting Electronic Reserves Problems.

To find materials on electronic reserve for courses:

• Go to the CAT.
• When the CAT homepage loads, click on the Course Reserves link near the top of the page.
• Enter your user id and password.
• At the Course Reserves search screen, search for your reserve materials by instructor name, course name, or course number. You can also enter the campus name (e.g., Abington) to see all materials on reserve at that location.
• When the list of materials is displayed, click on the details link for any item to see its campus location.
• If an item is in electronic format, click on the provided link and a new window will open with the electronic item. Physical items, such as books or other printed materials, are available at the Circulation Desk.

There are two photocopiers available for student use. They are located behind the periodicals on the main floor. The charge for copying is $0.10 per page. The copiers are equipped to use either letter- or legal-size paper.

Rooms 6 and 104 are available for student use as the Media Commons. They are located on the library's lower level and main floor. These rooms may be used for video production and editing.

• Use of the rooms is limited to Penn State University students, faculty and staff with a current, valid Penn State ID.
• No food or drink allowed in the Media Commons rooms.
• Please do not leave library materials in the rooms or leave personal items unattended.
• Check out keys to the rooms at the Circulation Desk. Keys may be checked out for two hours at a time. Fees will be incurred for late returns, vandalism, or lost key.
• Fines will accumulate at the rate of $1.00 per hour for each hour that the key is late, reaching a maximum of $100.00.
• Missing or damaged items in the Media Commons room (lights, backdrops, tripods, and HD video camera in Room 6; Macs in Room 104) are the responsibility of the person checking out the room key. Replacement costs may be charged to that person.
• Missing or damaged items checked out from the Circulation Desk are the responsibility of the person checking out that particular item. Replacement costs may be charged to that person.
• Students, faculty, and staff wishing to use the Media Commons facilities for class- or work-related projects have priority over those using equipment for personal reasons.
• The rooms must be reserved in advance. They can be reserved by calling 215-881-7424 or in-person at the reference or circulation desks.

Rooms 4 and 5 are available for student use as group study rooms. They are located on the library's lower level. These rooms may be used for group projects or studying.

• Use of the rooms is limited to Penn State University students, faculty and staff with a current valid Penn State ID.
• Please do not leave library materials in the group study rooms or leave personal items unattended.
• Rooms must be used by a minimum of two, but no more than four people.
• Keys may be checked out at the Circulation Desk for two hours at a time. Fees will be incurred for late returns, vandalism, or lost key.
• Fines will accumulate at the rate of $1.00 per hour for each hour that the key is late, reaching a maximum of $100.00.
• Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Students may listen to sound recordings in the library's audio room, located on the lower floor. To the left of the entrance to the lower level is a room with two listening stations.

• Use of the rooms is limited to Penn State University students, faculty and staff with a current valid Penn State ID.
• This equipment may be used to listen to cassette tapes and compact discs that are on reserve at the Circulation Desk. Headphones are also available at the Circulation Desk.
• No food or drink allowed in the listening room.
• Each station may be used by no more than one person at a time.
• Please do not leave library materials at the listening stations or leave personal items unattended.
• Fines will accumulate at the rate of $1.00 per hour for each hour that headphones and reserve items are late, reaching a maximum of $100.00.
• Listening stations are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Students may view recordings on VHS and DVD in Room 102 on the main level of the library. The viewing room may only be used for viewing materials assigned by instructors.

• Use of the room is limited to Penn State University students, faculty and staff with a current valid Penn State ID.
• Please do not leave library materials in the viewing room or leave personal items unattended.
• The key may be checked out at the Circulation Desk for two hours at a time. Fees will be incurred for late returns, vandalism, or lost key.
• Fines will accumulate at the rate of $1.00 per hour for each hour that the key is late, reaching a maximum of $100.00.
• The room is available on a first-come, first-served basis.