Library FAQs
Click a question below to see the answer.
General Questions
- What are the library hours?
The library is open Monday – Friday: 7:30 am – 10:30 pm; Saturday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm; and Sunday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm.
- Does the library have private study rooms?
The library's four study rooms are available on a first come, first-served basis and are for individual as well as group study. There is no time limit on study room usage but if left unoccupied for 15 minutes, items will be removed to allow others access to the room.
- If all the study rooms are full, can I use the classroom?
You will need to inquire at the Reference desk about the room's availability.
- Is there a refreshment area?
Yes, it is located near the building's main entrance. It contains hot and cold beverage machines, snack machine, microwave, and tables and chairs.
- Can I get change?
Change will be made at the library staff's discretion and will not be made for amounts over $10.00.
- Can cell phones be used?
The library has two designated areas for cell phone use: the library entry way and the northern hallway. Cell phones need to be either turned off or on vibrate within the Library. Please do not use cell phones in the quiet reading area, the refreshment area, or in the study rooms.
- Is there a bulletin board?
Yes, you may post material on the bulletin board after getting approval from the library director. Inquire at the Reference desk for assistance.
- Is there a Lost and Found?
Items left in the library are kept at the Reference desk for one month before being sent to the campus mailroom. The library is not responsible for items that are left unattended, and the library staff reserves the right to move belongings that appear abandoned for fifteen minutes or more to the Reference desk.
- What level of noise is acceptable in the Library?
Quiet talking and group study is permitted throughout the library as long as it does not disturb others. Doors to the study rooms should be closed when in use. Cell phones and all similar devices are to be turned off or set on "vibrate" or "silent" mode. Headphones should be used at all times when using media and should always be set to low volumes. Users determined by the library staff to be disruptive to a quiet atmosphere may be asked to lower their voices or to leave the library.
- Are children welcome?
If it is necessary to bring a child to the Library, the responsible adult should note that:
- Library staff do not provide childcare.
- Parents or guardians are responsible for their child's conduct and noise level.
- If your child becomes distracting to others and their behavior does not quickly improve, you and your family could be asked to leave.
- Please keep your child with you. The Library is not childproof.
Children's books can be found on a bookshelf near the refreshment area. These books are not to leave the library.
- Are the moving shelves dangerous?
No. There are numerous safety precautions built into the shelving for your protection.
Borrowing Services
- Do I need my student ID to check out materials?
Students must have a current student ID card or a temporary ID card the first time they check out material and they must also currently be enrolled. The library staff can provide you instructions for printing a temporary ID if necessary. In addition to being enrolled in classes, students will need to present a current student ID or driver's license to check out material once they have a library account.
BU student ID cards can be made free of charge by the Welcome Center staff in the Administrative Services Building. New ID cards can also be ordered by students via New BRUIN.
- How long can library materials be kept?
The Bellevue University Library has information in many formats. Some may be borrowed (checked out) while others are for in-library use only.
- In-Library Use Only: Reference books, magazines, journals, newspapers, microform, and children's books.
- 2 Hour Loan Period (in-Library Use Only): Print items on reserve (including solution manuals), dry-erase markers, and remote controls.
- 4 Hour Loan Period (in-Library Use Only): Laptops and headphones.
- 7 Days (limit of 3 Total): Videotapes, DVDs, and audio books.
- 21 Days (limit of 15 titles): Print materials (books) and CD-ROMs from the general collection. This loan period is for: Students attending classes on the Bellevue campus, Lozier campus students, Alumni, Community Users, and Reciprocal Borrowers.
- 28 Days (limit of 15 titles): Items from the general collection. This loan period is for: Online students and those who attend classes in communities outside the Omaha area.
- 60 Days: Items from the general collection. This loan period is for: Bellevue University faculty and staff.
- Can patrons renew items?
Books can be renewed twice for 21 days at a time if a hold has not been placed on the item. Audiovisual material cannot be renewed.
- Does the library charge overdue fines?
Students are charged overdue fines of $.10 per day for books and $1.00 per day for audiovisual material. In-library use only materials like laptops, headphones, and reserve materials accumulate a $1.00 fine if they become overdue, and will accumulate an additional $1.00 fine for every hour they are overdue after that.
- Can a hold be placed on an item that is checked out?
You can ask to place a hold via the Circulation desk, either in person or by calling 402-557-7314. The library staff will notify you when the item is available.
- What are the restrictions on Reserve Items?
Items put on Reserve by an instructor typically must be returned within 2 hours and should not leave the library. Individual instructors may make exceptions to these rules.
- Does the library have a self check machine?
The self check machine is located near the reference section, by the library staff offices, and requires a library barcode and an active Library account to check out material.
- Where can library materials be returned?
Materials may be returned at the Circulation desk or in the book drops. Book drops are located at the main and west entrances of the Library and to the right of the front door at the Lozier Professional building. Book drops remain available after the buildings have closed.
- Can DVDs and videos be placed in the bookdrop?
- Is there a list for the catalogs of other academic libraries in Nebraska?
Links to other library catalogs are available.
- Can Bellevue University students check out books from other libraries?
You will need to present the other library with your current Bellevue University student ID card and a picture ID. In addition, your library account must be in good standing. Inquire about "reciprocal borrowing privileges" at the circulation desk of the academic library you are visiting. Check here for a list of academic libraries with which you can make use of reciprocal borrowing privileges.
- Can college students from Nebraska colleges or universities use the library?
Current students from reciprocal schools may borrow materials and use the library's computers for research purposes. To check out material, reciprocal students need to present a valid student ID. Reciprocal students are expected to pay 10 cents per page for printing.
- Can people not affiliated with Bellevue University use the library?
By paying a $40.00 Community User fee, inactive students who have not yet completed their degree, applicants who have not yet begun class, and other members of the community may have borrowing privileges for one year. Inactive and prospective Bellevue University students will have the $40.00 fee credited to their account if they register for classes within a year of paying the fee and present the library receipt to the Assistant Director of Student Accounts in the Business Office.
Library Materials
Library Services
- If Bellevue University does not own an item, can it be borrowed from somewhere else?
The library provides interlibrary loan service to Bellevue University students, faculty, staff, alumni and community users. You can request material using our online form. You can also initiate the interlibrary loan request yourself by using Interlibrary Loan Direct Request through FirstSearch databases.
- What is the charge for Interlibrary Loan?
Articles mailed or faxed locally cost $2.00 per article plus $.10 per printed page; articles mailed or faxed long distance cost $3.00 per article plus $.10 per printed page; articles picked up on campus cost $1.00 per article plus $.10 per printed page; books mailed cost $2.00 per item; books picked up on campus cost $1.00 per item; emailed articles cost $1.00 per article.
- Does the Library Provide Faxing Services?
The Library provides faxing service for students. Local faxes cost $1.00 per page; long distance faxes are $3.00 per page. International faxes are not permitted. Faculty and staff may fax their own material. Incoming faxes for students are not accepted.
- Is there a phone in the library for patron use?
A telephone for local or toll-free calls is available in the Refreshment Area.
- Are DVD and VCR players available in the library?
There is one DVD and one VCR player available in the quiet reading area, by the newspapers. These players are for in-library use only and cannot be reserved in advance. Remote controls can be checked out for 2 hours with a 2 hour renewal possible.
- Is there a typewriter available for patron use?
Computers, Printing, and Copies
- Are there computers in the library for student use?
The library has 18 public desktop computers; in addition, 12 laptop computers are available for in-library check-out only. Each machine is equipped with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel as well as Internet Explorer.
- What is involved in checking out a laptop computer?
You will need to have a student ID, a credit card or driver's license, and a library account. You may check out a laptop computer for 4 hours with the option of renewing once.
- Is there a charge for printing?
We do not charge those affiliated with Bellevue University for printing, but we ask that you limit printing to 25 pages per day. Other patrons, including reciprocal or community users, are asked to pay $.10 per page at the Circulation desk.
- Does the Library provide color printing?
Library staff can print assignments, research papers, charts, graphs, PowerPoint, and database articles for patrons in color. Patrons wishing to print in color should notify the library staff of their intentions before emailing the document as an attachment to library@bellevue.edu. Patrons can also save their document to their flash drive to give to the library staff for printing. Only material that is related to classwork will be printed in color. Printing requests will not be granted within 15 minutes of closing.
- Does the library have a photocopy machine?
There are two photocopiers in the library located near the periodical collection (main entrance). Copies cost $.10 each. Each copier has the ability to make 8 ½ x 11, 11 x 14, or 11 x 17 copies.
- Are scanners available for use?
Three scanners are available and attached to computers #6, #12 and #18. These are available on a first come-first served basis for up to one hour. Scanners are not to be used for photocopying purposes and copyright law prohibits pages from copyrighted materials to be scanned and saved electronically. The Library is not responsible for ensuring the privacy of scanned personal information left on library computers.
- Can I make copies from microfilm/microfiche?
To make microform copies, you will need to obtain a prepaid card from the Circulation desk. Copies cost $.20 each.
Research Databases and Online Library Resources
- How can library databases and services be accessed from off-campus?
If you try to access any library databases and services that require off-campus authentication, you will be presented with a pop-up window that will prompt you for your campus username and password.
- How can I learn more about the databases available to me?
The Database Services page contains detailed information about databases, including a description, links to guides and tutorials related to specific databases, and vendor information.
- Where can I find the Adobe Digital Editions Installer link?
- How do I download titles from the Ebrary databases?
- Patrons first need to install Adobe Digital Editions (Link to http://www.adobe.com/products/digitaleditions/) (free online).
- Up to 10 Ebrary documents can be downloaded at a time per patron account.
- Full-document downloading is available for multi-user documents, which can be downloaded for 14 days.
- Titles will be accessible on most computers and devices, but not the Kindle.
- Not all titles are available for download due to publisher restriction. Those not available for download may be viewed online only.
- Additional information is available from: http://support.ebrary.com/?p=687
- How do I download eBooks on EBSCOhost to portable devices?
- Download an eBook title from EBSCOhost by clicking on the "Download" link on the search result page or from within the detailed record.
- Select your preferred checkout period and click "Checkout & Download."
- Drag and drop the title icon to your portable device.
- Read your eBook on your portable device.*
- You will need to have a "My EBSCOhost" account created and be signed in to view the titles.
*In order for a portable device to be used with eBooks on EBSCOhost, it must be compatible with Adobe® Digital Editions.
- How to view eBooks on EBSCOhost on your computer through a web-based Interface?
- Download an eBook title from EBSCOhost by clicking on the "Download" link on the search result page or from within the detailed record.
- Select your preferred checkout period and click "Checkout & Download."
- eBook is downloaded and viewable via Adobe® Digital Editions* on your computer.
- Read your eBook on your portable device.*
- You will need to have a "My EBSCOhost" account created and be signed in to view the titles.
*This free software can be installed from the Adobe® website, if not already on your computer or device.
- What is the name of the Bellevue University Library catalog?
Our online catalog is called eCatalog.
- How can I access ERes?
From the library homepage, click on "Eres-Electronic Reserves," located on the left, in the purple 'Library' menu. If you are off campus, you will be presented with a pop-up window that will prompt you for your campus username and password.
- What is the ERes password for my course?
The password is assigned and will be given to you by your instructor. It may be listed on your syllabus. Library staff do not know what the password is for any course.
Assistance
- What help is available for doing research or finding materials?
The staff at the Reference desk can help with a variety of questions, including helping you find appropriate databases, locating statistics, selecting search terms, interpreting records, searching the internet, evaluating web sites and finding materials. You can contact the Reference staff by any of the ways listed on the Ask-a-Librarian Services page.
- How do I get help when the library is not open?
We offer assistance through our 24/7 Library Chat service, available through the chat boxes found throughout our webpages. We will also reply to messages left via phone and emails. We will normally respond within 24 hours.
- Are there tutorials or guides with information about databases, resources, and services?
The Bellevue University Library has an interactive tutorial called BUILD-IT available from its website. BUILD-IT provides a comprehensive overview of how to research and find materials. The tutorial is divided into five modules, each with an interactive quiz.
There are also numerous tutorials listed in the Tutorials section of the Library webpage, guides available under the heading LibGuides, and database details given on the Database Services page.
- Where is information available on how to cite online sources in APA or MLA style?
Detailed information is available through our Citing Sources LibGuide. Help can also be found in the online tool Noodlebib, available from the library homepage. APA or MLA style manuals are available in the reference section of the library. Also throughout the academic year, 45 minute citation workshops are available at no charge.
