This page will address some basic questions about services at Gutman Library.

How do I get help with my assignment?
For reference questions, help using online databases, access to items from Special Collections, or any research-related questions, ask for help at the information desk on the main floor. Reference Librarians are available Monday - Thursday 9 AM to 6:00 PM and Friday 9 AM to 5:00 PM. The information desk is staffed by Reference Assistants those hours of operation when a professional Reference Librarian is unavailable.

To get in-depth help, contacting a librarian via email to set up a one-on-one appointment is usually best. Consult the Staff listing page for the librarians' email addresses.

How do I check out a book?
To obtain items on Reserve, check out or return books, or to get a CD-RW, please go to the Circulation Desk.

How do I borrow materials from other libraries?
EZ Borrow is the most efficient way to obtain books from other libraries. EZ Borrow is an interlibrary loan service (ILL) just for books--you directly search the catalogs of several PA and NJ academic libraries and place the request yourself. You need to know your student ID number in order to access EZ Borrow. Go to https://www.philau.edu/security/checkid/ if you need to find your ID number. Drop the initial two zeroes from the ID number when you enter it.

Traditional ILL is another option to books and articles from other libraries. This service is free for students. If you have confirmed that we do not have the publication you are looking for, in print, in an electronic database or in microformat - or if your particular issue has been designated as lost - you can request an interlibrary loan. We cannot borrow an entire magazine or journal issue from another library. View the  ILL information pages to learn more about how to use ILL services.

How do I scan or make color copies? 
Gutman Library has scanners located on each floor of the library. If someone is using a machine connected to a scanner, please ask them politely if they could switch to another machine. The copier room adjacent to the Circulation / Reserve Desk has 2 black & white and one color copier. An additional black & white copier is on the Lower Level of the library, where the bound periodicals (bound back-issues of magazines and journals) are located.

For more information...

Please refer to our FAQ page. 
You can also contact a librarian listed on our Staff page.

 Return to Research Guide Start Page.