Information for Faculty

 

Instructional Support | Course Reserves | Copyright | Collection Development

Faculty Borrowing | Collections and Features | Contacts | Technical Assistance

 

 

INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT

Library Instruction and Information Literacy

Library instruction sessions take many forms, but often are tailored to a specific research project. Librarians can recommend particular resources, demonstrate search techniques, discuss resource evaluation methods, consider how items can properly be incorporated into research, and more, all in our hands-on classroom. Working in partnership with the faculty, librarians help define assignments to enhance your information and literacy course goals. A session can be schedule for part of a class period, an entire class period, or even span multiple class periods.

Library instruction can be scheduled in a variety of ways:

Note: Please allow at least one week for class preparation.

Student Referrals

Subject librarians are available to work one-on-one with students on a referral or drop-in basis. Contact the subject specialists listed above.

Other Instructional Support

Librarians are available to assist with:

Contact the Library Instruction Coordinator, Jen Jarson (jarson@muhlenberg.edu / 484-664-3552) or your Subject Specialist Librarian to discuss other opportunities.

 

 

COURSE RESERVES

You may place items from the library, or your personal collection, on reserve. Items on reserve include:

Requests can be submitted in a variety of ways:

Reserve periods are for 2 or 4 hours, and 1, 3, or 7 days. Students may take out one AV item or 2 printed materials at one time. Requests to place items on reserve should be made 3-5 days in advance of class assignments to ensure access for your students. During the first two weeks of a semester there is usually a backlog of requests which will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Please submit your requests as early as possible.

If an item has already been placed on reserve for another course, we ask that you obtain permission from the faculty member who has placed the item on reserve before using it for your own class.

Materials placed on reserve must comply with copyright laws. In general:

The above copyright guidelines all operate within the concept of fair use, described in detail in the Copyright section below.

Electronic reserves is now available. For more information, contact Chris Brady, Public Services Assistant, at cbrady@muhlenberg.edu / 484-664-3606.

 

 

COPYRIGHT

For information on copyright at Muhlenberg College, see the Copyright Policy and related information.

 

 

COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT

Trexler Library is responsible for the collection and stewardship of scholarly and general interest materials which support the College's liberal arts education and lifelong learning mission. The collections are developed to serve the current students, faculty, and staff of the College Community. The Library selects resources for its collections primarily in support of the current and anticipated curriculum of the College, and secondarily in support of current and anticipated research needs as determined by available funding. Faculty members are encouraged to participate in the development of the library's collections by recommending new and out-of-print materials.

Departmental Allocations

 

A portion of the library’s allocation forbooks & monographs is distributed on an annual basis to each academic department. These funds are managed by your departmental liaison, in conversation with the librarian liaison, to purchase:

It is important to note that half of the distributed funds must be spent on books. The remainder may be spent on other formats such as audio-visual. Departmentally apportioned funds may not be spent on

Departments are encouraged to suggest items outside this policy when matching funds can be provided. Please read the Collection Development Policy and Textbook and Course Lecture Materials Collecting Guideline for more information about the library's collection development program.

Parent’s Fund

Additional funding is available from the Parent’s Fund. This money is available to any faculty member for purchasing materials in support of teaching a particular course, especially a new course. Application forms are distributed once a year, with allocation of funds determined by the Library Committee.

Helpful Selection Tools

Trexler Library subscribes to a number of tools that can assist you in selecting items for purchase. Your Librarian Liaison is available to answer questions, provide suggested materials, or help you to use any of these tools:

How to Place an Order for Books or AV Materials

Requests to purchase materials should be sent to your Departmental Liaison who reviews the requests and forwards those approved to the Librarian Liaison.

Requests can be sent in any of several forms:

Any requests of particularly urgent instructional need can be labeled as a “rush” order. Please note if items are for Course Reserves.

Questions about collection development and purchase requests can be directed to your Departmental Liaison, your Librarian Liaison, or the Acquisitions Manager, Karen Gruber (gruber@muhlenberg.edu / 484-664-3570).

Checking the Status of Orders

You can monitor the progress of an order online. To do this, search for the title in the library catalog. The status of the title will indicate the item’s progress.

 

 

FACULTY BORROWING

Proxy Borrowers

Faculty may appoint students who assist them as proxy borrowers. These students need a “deputy card,” which can be arranged for by calling the Circulation Desk (484-664-3500). The faculty member is responsible for proxy borrowing.

Recalls

Please contact the Circulation Desk (484-664-3500) if you need to request recall of an item currently in circulation.

Obtaining Materials Not Owned by Muhlenberg College

Materials at other libraries can be efficiently searched using WorldCat or EZ Borrow, accessible from the Trexler Library home page.

 

 

COLLECTIONS AND FEATURES

Collections

General Collection

In its general collection, Trexler Library:

Specialty Collections

Trexler Library also provides several specialty collections that can enhance the learning experience. Samples include:

Features

Building Hours

See Trexler Library Hours or call 484-664-3500.

 

 

CONTACTS

 

 

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Accessing Online Resources from Off-Campus

Off-campus access to library databases is available to Muhlenberg College faculty, staff and students. See Accessing Databases Off-Campus for more information. For additional help, please contact your librarian liaison.

Computers & Software

Trexler Library features three computer labs (B-01, B lab, and the Information Commons), as well as a number of computers throughout the building. These computers provide access to the College's standard software offerings.

The computers in the Information Commons on Level A feature additional specialty tools. A list of these tools, as well as suggestions for how to use them for assignments in the classroom, is available.

Contact your subject specialist with questions about computers or software in the Library.