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Library FAQs

Does the Library have copies of textbooks?
As a general rule, the Library does not collect textbooks for courses offered at the College. This is not because we are trying to make students' financial situations more challenging.

The Facts:
During a typical academic year, there are approximately 2800 undergraduate and 450 graduate courses taught at IC. Using 3 texts as the average required for each course, this equals approximately 9750 books. In recent academic years, the Library budget has allowed for the purchase approximately 5,800 new books and ebooks to support the current research needs of all departments and programs on campus. We  do not have the funds to purchase current textbooks, while at the same time supporting student and faculty research needs.

Please note: 

Faculty sometimes place copies of textbooks on reserve in the Library.  Search the Reserves site to see what is available.

The Ithaca College Bookstore rents and sells textbooks.  Additional rental/purchase sites:

Chegg

CampusBookRentals.com

CengageBrain

BookRenter

Half.com

How do I access the Ithaca Journal newspaper?
Click here to see the library's holdings of the Ithaca Journal. The library has a subscription to the print edition (the Newspaper shelf is at the back 2nd floor of the Gannett Center near the vending machines). When the microfilm edition is in receipt, the paper copies are recycled.

Microfilm call number: AN2 .I8
Jan. 02, 1914 - Nov. 29, 1919.
Jan. 01, 1920 - Dec. 30, 1933
1934 -

For help with using Microfilm, watch this video or stop by the Reference Desk.

IthacaJournal.com offers an online citation search for issues from November 2002 to the present. After finding the citation, you can then view the article on microfilm or in print. Recent articles (last 30 days) are freely available.
How do I get into my Novell account for the first time? How do I change my Novell password?
Go to any networked computer. Enter your Netpass user name and the last 6 digits of your College ID as the password. If the Novell log in fails, you will need to contact the ITS Help Desk at (607) 274-1000 or helpdesk@ithaca.edu.
How do I get permission to film or take photographs in the Library?
Please fill out the Library Filming and Photography Request Form (pdf) and return it to the Library Administrative Office on the 3rd floor.
How do I request a search for an item that should be available but is not on the shelf?
How long does it take to receive a journal article or book on interlibrary loan from another library?

Articles take anywhere from 1 day to 3 weeks depending on how obscure the item is and how many libraries own the journal title.

Books take anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks, for the same reasons.

For an idea of how many libraries own an item, do a search in the Worldcat database and click on the "Libraries world wide that own item" link. You may also ask for assistance from interlibrary loan staff, at the Circulation Desk.

I need help with creating citations for my research paper.

 Please see the Writing and Citing guide for help with MLA, APA, and other formats.

I need to do a content analysis for a journal or other information resource.

Start with the Library's Guide on Scholary vs. Popular Journals.  The guide includes a link to a Journal Types Comparison Table (pdf document).  The Library also has a Guide which outlines the differences between Primary and Secondary Sources.   The Annotated Bibliographies Guide includes citation examples with descriptive and evaluative annotations.

 


Is color printing, large format printing, and laminating available on campus?

The Library has a color printer / copier, located to the right of the Ciruclation Desk. It prints PDF, JPG, and TIFF files - the charge is 30 cents per copy. If you need to print a Word or Powerpoint file, convert it to PDF first. The color printer is not networked, so please save your file to a flash drive and bring that to the printer.

General Administrative Services, in the Public Safety/General Services Building (open M-F 8am-4 pm) provides large format printing and laminating. You can bring your file on a CD or flash drive, or e-mail the file to copyit@ithaca.edu. The files can also be printed while you wait. Charges for these services are listed on their web site.

What software is available on the library PCs and laptops?
ITS maintains a list of software, many of which are available on the Library's public computers.
Why does the College not use 100% recycled paper for copying and printing?
At the present time, 30% recycled paper is the standard paper used on campus.  General Services has had some experience with 100% recycled paper - they found that the increased amount of paper dust led to a high number of service calls and increased downtime for the printing/copying machines while they were being serviced.   General Services continues to work with the supplier and expects to migrate to 50% recycled paper in the near future.   As production technology improves, we expect that the issues with 100% recycled paper will be resolved and it will eventually become the College's standard paper.
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