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Spencer
Library Services and Policies
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| Catalog & Databases |
| Use the Spencer Library catalog to search for book or journal titles and AV materials held in the library collection. When the record shows that an item is checked out, patrons may place a hold or recall request (use the “Request” button at the top of the screen). You may also search the catalogs of Luther Seminary Library or the CLIC catalog (which includes the holdings of Bethel Seminary Library and the library of Saint Paul Seminary). Access to citations for periodical articles (including some full text) and essays in edited books is available through the FirstSearch databases. Patrons may access these databases on the catalog workstations in the library. |
| Borrowing Materials |
While current students, faculty, and staff have priority in using our library resources, we welcome other patrons as well and will do our best to help you find the resources you need.
Permanent faculty and staff have one-year check-out privileges.
Current M.A. and M.Div. students (except when on leave), anyone taking a course during an academic term, and adjunct faculty (when teaching a course in the current term) have academic term check-out privileges (limit 25 items at a time).
D.Min. students have 60 days check-out privileges (except when taking a fall or spring term course on campus, when they have academic term check-out).
Extension borrowers have six week check-out privileges (limit 15 items at a time). Extension borrowers include students from Bethel, Luther, or Saint Paul Seminaries, United alums, church, and community members (minimum age 18).
AUDIO-VISUAL ITEMS CIRCULATE FOR TWO WEEKS (for all patrons).
REFERENCE MATERIALS AND PERIODICALS DO NOT CIRCULATE.
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE IN RETURNING LIBRARY MATERIALS, A BOOK DROP IS AVAILABLE NEAR THE 5TH STREET ENTRANCE TO THE SEMINARY. |
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| Library
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| Patron Records |
| Patrons may access their record through the
catalog to see which materials they have out and when they are due.
They may also renew materials (when permitted). Click on the “Patron” button
and log on with your name and library card barcode number. |
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| Renewals |
| The number and length of renewals vary, depending on your patron group. If a renewal is permitted, it can be done from your patron record as well as in person. |
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| Overdue Books/Charges |
| Please return books on or before the due date. We do not charge fines, but a standard charge of $35.00 is applied for each lost or unreturned book. Library users who fail to observe due dates may have their borrowing privileges suspended until all books are returned or paid for. |
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| Reserve Collection |
Reserve materials for courses currently being taught are located on the shelves by the circulation desk and must be requested from a member of the library staff. Only faculty and currently-enrolled students may use reserve materials. Reserve materials must be checked out and returned to the circulation desk whether used in or out of the library. Students are limited to two reserve items at a time for up to four hours. In cases where the demand for a particular item is great, a professor may limit it to a two hour reserve. Extended time for use of reserve items is given only with permission of the professor assigning the material.
Reserve materials may be checked out overnight during the following hours:
- Monday - Thursday 7:00 PM - 9:00 AM
- Friday 4:30 PM - 10:00 AM Saturday
- Saturday 1:30 PM - 9:00 AM Monday
Items marked “LIBRARY USE ONLY” may not be taken from the library at any time. |
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| Inter-library Loan |
Minnesota Consortium of Theological Schools
With a United identification card (available from the registrar), United students, staff, and faculty may borrow materials directly from the libraries of the Twin Cities members of the MTLA (Minnesota Theological Library Association): Bethel, Luther, and Saint Paul Seminary. They may also request materials via the daily courier. To request these materials, print the record (e.g., from a FirstSearch database such as WorldCat), including the listing of the libraries that hold the item being requested. Write your name on the top of the record and the library staff will request the item. Delivery time is usually two to three days.
MINITEX (Minnesota Interlibrary Telecommunications Exchange):
This regional network provides access to materials held at many libraries through the region. To request these materials, print the record (e.g., from a FirstSearch database such as WorldCat), including the listing of regional libraries that hold the item being requested. Write your name on the top of the record and the library staff will request the item. Delivery time ranges from two days to two weeks, depending on the location of the materials.
Borrowing from libraries outside the region:
If materials are not available at United, or through the Consortium or MINITEX, the library can arrange for an Inter-library loan from a more distant library. Turnaround time for these requests can range from several days to several weeks, depending on the location and availability of the materials. There will likely be a charge for Inter-library loans. At the time you make the request you can indicate the maximum amount you are willing to pay. |
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| Mailing of Resources (no faxing) |
| We will mail materials on an occasional basis directly to alums and D.Min. students. All others need to use the Inter-library loan process of their local library. Because our staff is very small and the library does not have its own fax machine, we are not able to copy and fax materials to any of our patrons. |
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| Reference |
| The library staff is happy to assist patrons in learning to use our Reference collection, catalog, and databases to identify and locate materials they need. It is our policy not to conduct bibliographic or resource searches for patrons (e.g., ‘Please find five journal articles and three books on this topic.’). We will, however, do all we can to help you find those resources. In most cases, our current Reference assistance must take place on site. |
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| Computer Lab |
| A small computer lab is located in the library. Patrons may sign up at the circulation desk to use the lab for a two hour block of time. The lab offers Internet access, electronic reference resources, and word-processing capability. Patrons are asked to use the lab for these functions, reserving the catalog workstations exclusively for bibliographic searching. The library staff are not able to provide training or extensive trouble-shooting on lab computers. Please let us know of equipment or software problems so that we can report them to the appropriate staff person. |
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| Copiers |
| Two photocopiers are available in the library. Copies are $.10 per page. Change is available at the library desk. For patron convenience, copy cards (100 copies) can be purchased for $10.00. |
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| AV/Media |
| The seminary’s audiovisual studio is located in Room D of the classroom wing. Audiovisual equipment is for on-campus use only. A calendar for reserving equipment is located on the studio door. The studio key must be signed out at the library circulation desk. Please return the key as soon as you have obtained the equipment. In addition, two media carts with projector and laptop are kept in the library director’s office. They are dedicated to classroom and event presentations and must be used on campus. If you need help in operating AV/media equipment, please contact the audiovisual coordinator or the director of information services. |
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