SVC Redwings: Library Information: FAQ

How do I get a library barcode?

If you are an SVC or WWU student, bring your student ID card to the library circulation desk to get a library barcode. If you are a Distance Education student, or are attending classes at either San Juan Center or South Whidbey Center, contact the library circulation desk to request a library barcode.

SVC employees may obtain a library card and barcode at the library circulation desk. If you are an SVC employee at San Juan Center or South Whidbey Center, contact the library circulation desk to request a library barcode.

We also provide library service to all residents of Skagit, San Juan and Island counties. You may obtain a community borrower library barcode at the library circulation desk.

Additional information is available in the Library Services: Circulation section of our web site.

How do I request an item from the library?

Once you have located an item in the library catalog, click on the "Request" button.

Enter your name and library barcode, select a pickup location from the list, and click Submit above information. Detailed location and availability information for the item requested will display. If there is more than one item available, you may need to select the appropriate copy and/or volume you want to request.

Click Request selected item to complete your request. If the system is able to complete your request, the message, "Your request has been sent to the library," will be displayed.

Click Regular display to return to the record display in the library catalog. You will receive notification from the library when the item is available for you to pick up.

How do I renew my library materials online?

You may now renew library materials online, providing no fine would be assessed, and no overdue or recall notice has been sent to the you for this item.

To access this feature, scroll down to Library Information and click on View patron information.

Enter your name and library barcode, then click Display Record for Person Named Above.

Click on the button labeled Items Currently Checked Out to display all the items you have checked out from the library. You can renew individual items by checking the box(es) in the RENEW column next to the particular item and then selecting the RENEW SELECTED ITEMS button.

To renew all currently checked out items, select RENEW ALL. The system will renew all items that can be renewed and display the new due date(s) in the STATUS column. If have problems renewing any of your materials online, please contact the library circulation desk during library hours for assistance.

How do I get my library notices by email?

You may now choose to receive your library notices online by email. To access this feature, scroll down to Library Information, then click View patron information.

Enter your name and library barcode and click Display Record for Person Named Above." Click Modify Personal Information to display the options for receiving library notices.

To receive your library notices by email, select the Email option, enter your full email address (e.g. yourname@yourdomain.com) and click SUBMIT to update your patron information. If the system is able to update your patron information the message, "Patron Information Updated," will be displayed.

Please note: your email address only displays at the time you are entering it. It does not display at any other time you are viewing your patron information.

How do I find videos or DVDs in the library catalog?

There are several ways to locate audiovisual materials in the library catalog.

If you are looking for a specific video, enter the first few words of the title using a title search. If the title starts with a word like "A", "An",or "The," start the search with the next word in the title. If the library owns the video, and you have entered the title correctly, the title should appear in the browse list.

You can browse through an alphabetical list title list of all the videos owned by the library by clicking on the special collection heading "videocassette" on the subject search page, or by entering "videocassette|" using a subject search.

You can browse through an alphabetical list title list of all DVDs owned by the library by clicking on the special collection heading "DVD" on the subject search page, or by entering "DVD" using a subject search.

You can also browse through various genres by using a subject search such as feature films, short films, western films, foreign films, science fiction films, etc.

Once you are in the title browse list, you can jump around in the list by scrolling down to the bottom of the screen, changing the number in the box next to the "Jump to an entry" button, and clicking on the "Jump to an entry" button.When you locate a video or DVD in the catalog, verify that it is located at the appropriate library, write down the complete call number, and request it at the circulation desk.

For additional information on searching special collections in the SVC library database, see Webtips: Searching Special Collections.

Does the library have popular films?

Yes, there are several ways to locate popular films in the library catalog.

If you are looking for a specific video, enter the first few words of the title using a title search. If the title starts with a word like "A", "An", or "The," start the search with the next word in the title. If the library owns the video, and you have entered the title correctly, the title should appear within the browse list.

You can browse through an alphabetical list title list of all the DVDs owned by the library by clicking on the special collection heading "DVD" on the subject search page, or by entering "DVD" using a subject search

You can also browse through various genres by using a subject search such as feature films, short films, western films, foreign films, science fiction films, etc.

Once you are in the title browse list, you can jump around in the list by scrolling down to the bottom of the screen, changing the number in the box next to the "Jump to an entry" button, and clicking on the "Jump to an entry" button. When you locate a video or DVD in the catalog, verify that it is located at the appropriate library, write down the complete call number and request it at the circulation desk.

For additional information on searching special collections in the SVC library database, see Webtips: Searching Special Collections.

Does the library have popular fiction books?

We have a collection of paperback fiction that is arranged alphabetically by the author's last name. It is located in Norwood Cole Library (Mount Vernon campus) on the first shelf to the left as you walk into the library. This collection was established and is maintained entirely through donations. If you would like to donate paperback books for this collection, please contact the library.

You can browse an alphabetical list by author last name by clicking on the special collection heading "Paperback" on the Searching Special Collections page, or by entering "PBK" using a call number search. For additional information on searching special collections in the SVC library database, see Webtips: Searching Special Collections.

We also have other fiction books in our regular collection. If you are looking for a particular book, enter the first few words of the title using a title search. If the title starts with a word like "A", "An", or "The," start the search with the next word in the title. If you are looking for books by a particular author, use an author search and enter the author's last name first. You can also browse through the collection by continuing past the paperback collection to the shelves along the west wall of the library.

How do I find compact discs in the library catalog?

If you are looking for a particular compact disc, enter the first few words of the title using a title search. If the title starts with a word like "A", "An", or "The," start the search with the next word in the title. If you are looking for compact discs by a particular composer, use an author search and enter the author's last name first. If you are looking for compact discs by a particular music group, use an author search and enter the group's name. If the group's name begins with "The," start the search with the next word in the name.

You can also browse through all the compact discs owned by the library by clicking on the special collection heading "compact disc" on the subject search page, or by entering "compact disc|" using a subject search.

Once you are in the title browse list, you can jump around in the list by scrolling down to the bottom of the screen, changing the number in the box next to the "Jump to an entry" button, and clicking on the "Jump to an entry" button. When you locate a video or DVD in the catalog, verify that it is located at the appropriate library, write down the complete call number, and request it at the circulation desk.

For additional information on searching special collections in the SVC library database, see Webtips: Searching Special Collections.

How do I find audio tapes in the library catalog?

Most of our audio cassette tapes are recordings of presentations, rather than musical recordings.

If you are looking for a particular audio cassette, enter the first few words of the title using a title search. If the title starts with a word like "A", "An", or "The," start the search with the next word in the title. If you are looking for audio cassettes by a particular author or composer, use an author search and enter the author's last name first. If you are looking for compact discs by a group, use an author search and enter the group's name. If the group's name begins with "The" start the search with the next word in the name.

You can browse through all the audio tapes owned by the library by clicking on the special collection heading "audiocassette" on the subject search page, or by entering "audiocassette|" using a subject search.

Once you are in the title browse list, you can jump around in the list by scrolling down to the bottom of the screen, changing the number in the box next to the "Jump to an entry" button, and clicking on the "Jump to an entry" button. When you locate a video or DVD in the catalog, verify that it is located at the appropriate library, write down the complete call number, and request it at the circulation desk.

For additional information on searching special collections in the SVC library database, see Webtips: Searching Special Collections.

How do I find materials for my class in the library?

Reserve course materials are available at the circulation desk. To search for these materials in the library catalog, select either the Course name or Instructor search.

Does the library own any DVDs?

We are gradually adding DVDs to our collection as we acquire new audiovisual titles. You can browse through an alphabetical list title list of all DVDs owned by the library by clicking on the special collection heading "DVD" on the subject search page, or by entering "DVD" using a subject search.

Once you are in the title browse list, you can jump around in the list by scrolling down to the bottom of the screen, changing the number in the box next to the "Jump to an entry" button, and clicking on the "Jump to an entry" button. When you locate a video or DVD in the catalog, verify that it is located at the appropriate library, write down the complete call number, and request it at the circulation desk.

For additional information on searching special collections in the SVC library database, see Webtips: Searching Special Collections. For additional information on searching for videos, or popular films, see How do I find videos in the library catalog? and Does the library have popular films?

How do I install Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files?

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF files, which is one of the full text formats used in both the EBSCOhost and ProQuest Direct article databases. You can download it for free from the Adobe Systems web site. Downloading and installation instructions are available on the Adobe Systems web site, and a troubleshooting guide is available on the Adobe Reader Support page.

I have more questions...

For additional assistance, contact SVC Reference Services or SVC Library Technical Services.