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Prepared by:
The RUL Task Force
on International Student Guides
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About the Libraries:
User Services:
Library Guide for International Students
Welcome
Welcome to the Rutgers University Libraries. The librarians and staff in the library
system are here to help you.
Besides offering various services and resources to support academic course work and research,
the Libraries serve an international student body of approximately 3,500 who come from more than
120 countries around the world.
As a foreign student studying in another culture and educational system, you may have some difficulties conducting library research because our library system and its services are somewhat different from those in your own country. This guide will introduce you to our library system. We hope that you will find the guide useful in your library research and that you have an enjoyable experience using the Libraries.
American Library Systems
Most American academic libraries use an "open stack" system. This means that access to the books and periodicals is not restricted. Librarians can assist you in choosing what to look for, but you will go to the shelves yourself to find what you want. You need, therefore, to learn how to use
IRIS, the Libraries' online information system and catalog, to find call numbers and other location information. Because books on the same subject are usually shelved together, you may also browse through the shelves for items you need. For journal articles, you also need to learn how to use subject indexes and abstracts to find article citations and full-text articles.
In today's American libraries, electronic resources are a very important part of research. More
and more indexes, abstracts, and journal articles are available in electronic format and are accessible remotely. You need to learn how to use the Internet, CD-ROMs, and other electronic tools.
If you have questions or need assistance in using the library, please do not hesitate to ask at
the reference desk. Reference librarians are available to help you identify information and can show
you, step by step, how to find books and other materials. If the librarian has a problem understanding you, please write your request on a piece of paper and show it to him or her.
The United States is an information-oriented society, and the American education system
encourages its students to study independently. If you really want to succeed in an American University, it is important for you to become familiar with American library systems.
Campus Libraries
There are twenty-six libraries, centers, and reading rooms on the Rutgers campuses. Below is a
list of the locations along with the abbreviations used in IRIS and in the law library catalogs. You need to become familiar with the libraries in your major field of study. For their hours, phone numbers, and addresses, see
Hours & Directions and the list of
Libraries and Centers.
| Campus / Library Name |
Abbreviation |
| University-Wide: |
| RU-Online: The Rutgers Digital Library |
RU-ONLINE |
| New Brunswick/Piscataway Area: |
| Alexander Library |
ALEXANDER |
| Annex |
ANNEX |
| Art Library |
ART |
| Center of Alcohol Studies Library |
ALCOHOL |
| Chang Science Library |
CHANG |
| Chemistry Library |
CHEMISTRY |
| Douglass Library |
DOUGLASS |
| East Asian Library |
ALEXANDER EAL |
| Kilmer Library |
KILMER |
| Library of Science & Medicine |
LSM |
| Margery Somers Foster Center |
DOUGLASS |
| Mathematical Sciences Library |
MATH |
| Media Center |
MEDIA |
| Music Library |
MUSIC |
| Physics Library |
PHYSICS |
| SERC Reading Room |
SERC |
| Scholarly Communication Center |
ALEXANDER SCC |
School of Management &
Labor Relations Library |
SMLR |
Special Collections &
University Archives |
SPCOL/UA |
| Newark Area: |
| Criminal Justice Library |
CRIMINAL JUSTICE |
| Dana Library |
DANA |
| Institute of Jazz Studies |
JAZZ |
| Law Library |
NEWARK LAW |
| Camden Area: |
| Law Library |
CAMDEN LAW |
| Robeson Library |
CAMDEN |
Library Policies
| It is important to be aware of the following library conditions and procedures:
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Loan Period:
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For graduate students, it is one semester; for undergraduates, it is four weeks. If no one else needs the materials, you can continue to renew the loan. If someone else wants the material, you will receive a recall notice and will have two weeks to return the materials or have to pay a fine.
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| Library Hours: |
These vary for different libraries. During the fall and spring semesters, the Libraries are normally open longer. During holidays, semester breaks, and summer sessions, hours are shortened. For detailed information, refer to library handouts, call the
reference desk, or see the Libraries'
Hours and Directions web page.
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| Checking Out Books: |
You will need to register at the circulation desk to get a library barcode and a PIN (personal identification number). With the barcode and PIN, you may check out books and other materials at the circulation desk. You may request a barcode and PIN in person at any Rutgers library circulation desk or online through the Registering with the Rutgers Libraries form.
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| Eating & Smoking: |
There is no smoking allowed in the libraries. Food and drink are forbidden.
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Reference Services
The first place you should stop for help with your research is the reference desk. You are invited
and encouraged to ask a librarian for help with your assignments, research, and information needs at any one of the reference desks in the Libraries. This service is provided through one-on-one
consultation, tutorials, and library instruction. You may also write to
Ask A Librarian, the Libraries' online reference service.
- The Libraries' Website
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You can search IRIS, the Libraries' information system and online catalog, and other information resources through the Libraries' website at
http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/.
From this address you can access catalogs (including IRIS), indexes and databases, full-text electronic journals, subject research guides, and library services.
You can access the Libraries' website from campus computer labs, your home, or your office. To use some resources from off campus you will need to follow the Connect from Off-campus instructions provided on the Libraries' website, and login using your Rutgers NetID and password.
- IRIS
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IRIS, which stands for Integrated Rutgers Information System, is the Libraries' online information system and catalog. Use IRIS to find books, periodicals (journals or magazines), and other materials. IRIS contains records for items held by the Rutgers University Libraries, including those held on reserve for specific courses and circulation records for all borrowers. IRIS provides information on which Rutgers libraries own a title as well as call number, journal holdings, and whether each copy of the title is currently checked out or is on the shelf.
For some libraries, items acquired prior to 1972 were not automatically included in IRIS, but are being progressively added to the database. Many government documents published prior to 2002 are not included. If you cannot locate the materials you need in IRIS, ask a reference librarian for assistance.
- My Account
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Select the My Account feature in IRIS, and with the use of your library barcode and PIN (Personal
Identification Number), you can review your library record, including checkouts, IRIS requests, media bookings, bills, E-ZBorrow requests, and Interlibrary Loan requests. You can also renew materials you have checked out or change your PIN. You may request a barcode and PIN in person at any Rutgers library circulation desk or online through the Registering with the Rutgers Libraries form.
- Online Databases (Indexes and Abstracts)
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There are many electronic indexes and
databases available on the Libraries' website. These databases can help you locate bibliographic
information about journal articles, dissertations, government publications, conference papers,
and technical reports on specific subjects. Some databases contain or link to full-text
materials. Search IRIS to
locate materials that are cited in an index, but for which the full text is not provided.
- Electronic Journals (E-Journals)
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More and more journals are available in electronic format and can be accessed on the Internet. You can access the full-text of many e-journals from IRIS using a TITLE begins with or a PERIODICAL TITLE begins with search. You can also click on Electronic Journal Lists or Subject Research Guides
on the Libraries' website.
- Internet
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The Internet is the largest network of computer networks in the world. This information superhighway connects millions of campus, state, regional, national, and international networks. On the Internet, you can have access to library catalogs, archives, specialized databases, electronic journals, conferences, newsgroups, software, multimedia, electronic mail, and many other resources and tools.
The World Wide Web (WWW) is a hypertext-based navigation system that lets you browse through a variety of linked Internet resources.
- CD-ROMs (Compact-Disc Read Only Memory)
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There are hundreds of CD-ROM titles located throughout the libraries. Some CD-ROM databases are available on stand-alone or locally networked workstations. These CD-ROM databases include the same types information as printed periodicals and abstracts and online databases. In some cases they include the full-text of journal articles, books, and government reports.
- Library Orientations and Classes
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Orientation is a brief introduction to the Libraries for new students. Library instruction classes are requested by faculty members to assist students with their research.
- Rutgers Delivery Service (RDS), E-ZBorrow, and Interlibrary Loan Service (ILS)
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You may request library materials from a Rutgers library at another campus through the Rutgers Delivery Service using the "Deliver/Recall" and the "Request Article/Other" functions in IRIS. Use E-ZBorrow to request delivery of a book that is either not owned, is checked out, or that is otherwise not available in the Rutgers University Libraries.
Use the Interlibrary Loan option to request delivery of a book or article that is not available in the Rutgers Libraries, or that is only at the Camden Law Library, Law Library - Newark, or the Criminal Justice Library. Both E-ZBorrow and Interlibrary Loan are available through the "Delivery and Interlibrary Loan" link on the Libraries' website.
- Reserves
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The Reserves section of IRIS lists books, articles, and other course materials put aside at the request of instructors for students taking specified courses. Reserve materials may be in paper or electronic format. Many reserve collections are located behind the circulation desk; others are located in areas designated specially for reserve materials. These materials are for use only in the library and for limited periods. Electronic reserve materials can be accessed from campus computer labs, your home, or your office. To use electronic reserves from off campus you will need to follow the Connect from Off-campus instructions provided on the Libraries' website, and login using your Rutgers NetID and password.
How to Find Books
To find books in the library, you may search
IRIS, the online catalog, by author, title, subject, or keyword.
For detailed information on searching IRIS, see the IRIS Guide available within IRIS.
- If you already know the title of the book you are looking for, use the TITLE begins with search, and type the entire title or the first few words of the title. Articles such as "a" and "the" at the beginning of a title should be left off.
- If you only know the author's name, use the AUTHOR begins with search, and type all or part of the author's name. When searching personal names, type the last name first. An author can be a person, corporation, association, or a conference sponsor.
- When you want books about a particular subject, use one of the SUBJECT search options. If you have an exact subject heading from the Library of Congress Subject Headings, use a SUBJECT begins with search. Otherwise use a SUBJECT keyword search or ask for
assistance at the reference desk.
- If you do not know the exact author's name, title, or subject heading, use the WORDS anywhere search, or try an Advanced Search. Either option will allow you to combine search terms, for instance, an author's last name and a keyword in a title.
- After you display the full record for the book, write down the owning library, the complete call number, the sub-location, and the status, then go to the shelves to get the book.
- If you want to borrow a book, take it to the circulation desk in the library.
- If IRIS shows that all copies of the book you want are in other Rutgers libraries, you may request the book using the Deliver/Recall function in IRIS. If all copies of a book are checked out by other users, you may use the E-ZBorrow service to request another copy of the book.
- If the Rutgers Libraries do not own the book you want, you may request the book using the E-ZBorrow service. If the book is not available through E-ZBorrow, you can fill out an interlibrary loan form. For either service, go the the Libraries' homepage and click on the Delivery and Interlibrary Loan link in the left menu.
How to Find Journal Articles
If you already know which journal you are looking for, do a PERIODICAL TITLE begins with search in IRIS. If you only have the subject and need to find articles, use the following instructions.
- Ask a reference librarian to recommend the most appropriate index for your topic or select an index from the list of Indexes and Databases. The Rutgers Libraries have a variety of indexes and abstracts accessible in both electronic and paper format. The best way to search indexes and abstracts is by subject.
- When you find a useful article, write down the complete article citation, which includes the author's name, article title, journal title, volume number, issue number (if there is any), date, and page numbers. If the index is electronic, you can also email or download the citations. Some electronic indexes may also include full-text articles or links to full-text.
- Not all periodicals listed in indexes and abstracts are owned by the Rutgers Libraries. To find out if the Libraries own a specific journal, search IRIS by entering the entire journal title or the first few words of the title in a PERIODICAL TITLE begins with
search. Articles (a, an, the, le, la) at the beginning of a title should be left off.
- If the library owns the journal in paper format, you can go directly to the shelves and get it. Journals in most Rutgers libraries are arranged alphabetically by title. If the libraries own the journal in electronic format, you will see an Electronic Access link in IRIS or may be able to link directly to the full-text from within an electronic index.
- You cannot borrow journals, but you may make photocopies of articles.
- If the journal is in another Rutgers library that is not on your home campus (Camden, New Brunswick/Piscataway, or Newark), you may request a photocopy of the article through the Rutgers Delivery Service using the Request Article/Other function in IRIS.
- If the Rutgers Libraries do not own the journal you want, you can fill out an interlibrary loan form. Go the the library homepage and click on the Delivery and Interlibrary Loan link in the left menu.
Helpful Tips for Library Research
- Apply for your computer account as soon as you register at Rutgers. If you have questions, contact computing services on your campus.
- Make sure you understand your assignment or project. If you do not, ask your instructor to explain it to you.
- Start your library research early because library materials you need may already be checked out by another user. Allow extra time if you need materials that that are not owned by the Rutgers University Libraries.
- Use the most appropriate indexes and reference materials in your research.
- Keep careful and complete notes for your reference citations including author, title, place of publication, publisher, date of publication, volume, and page numbers. You will need this information for your bibliography.
- Remember that you can access various library resources on the Internet from your home, office, and campus computer labs. To use some resources from off campus you will need to follow the Connect from Off-campus instructions provided on the Libraries' website, and login using your Rutgers NetID and password.
- Feel free to ask a reference librarian for assistance, or use use the
Ask a Librarian service.
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