Frequently Asked Questions & Circulation Policies: Physics-Astronomy Library, UC Berkeley

Circulation Policies & FAQ

	Borrowing \| Interlibrary Borrowing	Course and Permanent Reserves
	Library Services for Alumni & Visitors	NRLF / Storage
	Loan periods	Journals: where are they? articles?
	Renewals & Inventories	Copying, Printing & Computer Labs & Services (Map)
	Recalls, Searches & Holds	DVDs, CDs, Videos
	Returning Library Materials & Receipts	Exams, Prelims, Physics 111, Course Evaluations
	Replacement Bills & Overdue Fines	Lost & Found , Assistance
	Lost Library Materials	Library notifications by email

How to Borrow Library Materials

All borrowers must have a valid UC Berkeley student, faculty or staff photo CalNet ID card, a UCB/Stanford faculty library card, or a current UCB library card issued by the Library Privileges Desk.
Present your library card and books to be borrowed at the circulation desk. Presentation of your library borrowing card when checking out materials signals an agreement on your part to abide by library rules and procedures for using and returning items. You will be held responsible for all materials until they have been returned to the library where they were borrowed. Library materials must be checked out at least 15 minutes prior to closing time.

UC Berkeley Patrons and Others: Go to the Library Privileges Desk website or location in Doe Library for more information.
Non-UC Berkeley

Borrowing from other Libraries

UCB faculty, staff, students, and patrons with a current library card can request items that are not available in any of the campus libraries. Requests can be made through OskiCat, Melvyl, UC-eLinks, or Interlibrary Borrowing, depending on how you located the item.
OSKICAT : for items stored at NRLF
	If your item is located at NRLF, the item record will show a *REQUEST* link. Click on the REQUEST link Enter your name, UCB ID number, and PIN (birth month/birth day). Fill out the form completely; be sure to include your pickup location. You will receive a successful notification. [Requested books will normally be available for pickup at your entered location in 24-48 hours.]
MELVYL CLASSIC : for items that are available at another UC campus. Request is available from the Melvyl Catalog and from many UC-licensed databases (via UC-eLinks).
	Click on the button, fill in the information and click submit. [Requested items will normally be available for pickup in Room 133 Doe Library in three to ten days.]
In Melvyl NEXT GEN , use the UC-eLinks Request button, click on "Request from another Library" enter your information and submit. (This feature may change in late 2009).
UC-eLinks Request: Use to request a journal article or conference paper not available at UCB, from an article database. [Requested documents will be delivered electronically (web delivery) in three to ten days. Paper copies will be sent to the requester.]
INTERLIBRARY BORROWING: for items not owned by UCB Use the interlibrary borrowing request form to request any books, journal articles, conference papers, or theses not owned at UCB. [Requested books will normally be available for pickup in Room 133 Doe Library in two weeks on average; requested journal articles and conference papers will be sent directly to the requester.]
	Need help?

How do I obtain material not owned by UC Berkeley? (InterLibrary Borrowing)

Berkeley faculty, students, and staff can obtain materials from other libraries through the Interlibrary Borrowing Service (IBS). The Physics-Astronomy Library maintains polices regarding interlibrary loan. See the UC Berkeley Library - Borrowing from other Libraries for further information.
Requests can be made through Melvyl: from the item record, use the Details/Locations link, click on the

button, and fill out the form that appears. Requests can also be made by filling out a print form available at the Interlibrary Services Office in 133 Doe. Non-UC Berkeley patrons are encouraged to use their public library's interlibrary loan service.

Library Services for Alumni & Visitors

Go to: The UC Berkeley Library Information for Alumni and Visitors, UC Berkeley Library.
Library cards permit access to the Gardner (MAIN) Stacks and Moffitt Library, as well as open-stack subject specialty libraries. A library card allows you to have a maximum of 20 books charged out at any one time.

Alumni of any University of California campus who have a paid membership in any of the ten campus alumni associations may obtain a UC Berkeley library card. All applicants must provide proof of California residence and a current government-issued ID such as a driver's license or passport. Please bring your alumni association membership card and required identification to the Library Privileges Desk. The library borrowing card is good for the length of your annual membership. Lifetime alumni association members will receive a card good for one year from the date of its issue. Cards must be renewed on an annual basis.

Visitors who are California residents may purchase a borrowing card, currently priced at $100 for one year. All applicants must provide proof of California residence and a current government-issued ID such as a driver's license or passport. Payment may be made by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, bank debit card, personal check or money order, made payable to The Regents of the University of California. Please purchase your borrowing card at the Library Privileges Desk. Visitors who are registered with the Visiting Scholars and Postdoc Affairs (VSPA) Program are considered visiting scholars, and should consult our Library Services for Visiting Scholars page for more information.

Loan Periods

Type of Material

Loan Period

Books

Undergraduates	1 month
Graduate students	1 month
Faculty	1 month (new summer 2009)
Others	1 month

Course Reserves

Items may be 2 hours library use only, 2 hours out of library, overnight, 1 day, or 1 week

Bound Periodicals

2 hours or closing time, whichever comes first

Reference

Library use only

CD & DVD Media

1 week, with some exceptions

Special Collection

Requested during open hours for use at the reference desk.

Renewals & Inventories

Online:
	Go to My OskiCat (link opens new window). Log in using your name, UCB ID number or Library card number, and your library PIN (birth month birth day). Check the boxes in the RENEW column for the items you wish to renew. Click Renew Selected. Check the STATUS column for the new due date, or for the reason the item was not renewed. Note: Library items will not be renewed past the expiration date of your library card.
By Telephone: call the Library Circulation Desk: 510-642-3122
	Note: journals and Reserve items cannot be renewed. Consult the renewals phone number list for libraries offering renewals by telephone.
In person: Bring the material and your library card with you to the circulation desk.
Exceptions: You may not renew items that are:
	blocked recalled billed for replacement Some short-term loan items may not be renewable.
Renewal Limits:
	One-year loans - 3 renewals All other loan periods - 11 renewals
	Once the renewal limit has been reached, you must return the item to the lending library to have it cleared from your Library account. For continued use, you may re-check out the item, restarting the renewal cycle.
When to renew: Items may be renewed no sooner than:
	75 days for 6-month and 1-year loans 14 days for 2-month and 3-month loans 7 days for 1-month loans Items with a loan period less than 1 month, including items on reserve (if renewable) may be renewed anytime after the initial check out.
	f you have further questions about library privileges and accounts, email the Privileges Desk.

Recalls, Searches & Holds

Recalls: All library materials are subject to recall after 7 days, for course reserves or for another borrower. Recalled materials not returned by the requested date may incur a fine or an auto-block.

Searches: If material wanted is not on the shelf, check with the circulation desk. If material is checked out, it can be recalled and held for library card holders. If material is not checked out, a search may be requested. When material is available, borrower will be notified and the item held for 10 days. Searches must be requested in person.

Holds: items will be held for 10 days on the holds shelf, under patron name. Pickups, recall and overdue notices, bill warnings, and search notices will only be sent via e-mail. Go to the online form to sign up for, or cancel e-mail notification, or to change your email address. More information about the e-mail notification service.

Course & Permanent Reserves

How do I look up course reserves and where are they located?

Go to My OskiCAT (http://oskicat.berkeley.edu)

Click on the Course Reserves tab.

*To find material by course:
Select: Department & Course Number

Enter: PHYS [course] for physics

Enter: ASTR [course} for astronomy

*To find materials by instructor's name:
Select "Instructor Name" Enter: Hellman

Note the call number and ask for the item at the CIRCULATION Desk, reserves items are checked out with a valid ID or library card (no exceptions). Most reserves circulate for 2 hours and cannot be renewed. Permanent reserves are shelved behind the circulation desk.
Permanent reserves are noted as "on reserve" in the OskiCat catalog. Overdue reserve material will incur a fine. Loan periods for reserves are determined by the faculty who place them on reserve. There is a limit of 2 reserve items per borrower.

*To place materials on reserve - see Course Reserves (separate page with online forms and links).

Returning Library Materials & Receipts

Where do I return books?
Please return all items (including reserves) to the Physics-Astronomy Library during open hours.
When the Library is closed, use the after-hours book return located outside the south entrance to LeConte Hall, between Le Conte & Birge. All borrowers are responsible for Library materials until the items are returned to the Physics-Astronomy Library. Books borrowed for home use should be returned to the library during open hours or in the BOOK DROP during closed hours. Borrowers are responsible for library materials charged out to them until they are returned to the library from which they were borrowed. Please return materials borrowed from other libraries directly to the library from which they were borrowed.

Receipts for returned Physics-Astronomy Library materials will be issued on request at the time the materials are returned.

Replacement Bills & Overdue Fines

Unheeded overdue notices are followed by automatic blocking of library privileges, and a bill for replacement. The minimum standard replacement fee of $150 (more if the actual replacement cost is higher) is charged for each item, plus a non-refundable $10 processing charge for each item billed. Autoblocking prevents the borrower from borrowing materials from any library on campus. Library fines are added to replacement bills for recalled items. Overdue accounts are charged interest.

Patrons with overdue reserve or recalled materials will have borrowing privileges blocked until the items are returned. Overdue 2-hour loan items incur a fine of $10 per day up to a maximum of $50. Any overdue 2-hour, library use, 1-day, or recalled item which is billed for replacement incurs a fine of $50, plus a non-refundable $10 processing charge for each item billed.

Lost Library Materials

Immediately report lost materials and problems with overdue fines or replacement bills to the Physics-Astronomy Library Circulation Supervisor. You must contact the Library Privileges Desk for billing, fines and material replacement management.

Library Notifications by Email ONLY

Keep your patron record up-to-date with your current email address, and you will receive library notifications by email ONLY, not US Post.

Go to this link to update your email address: https://sunsite2.berkeley.edu:8394/patronupdate/index.htm

NRLF / Northern Regional Library Facility

NRLF is the Northern Regional Library Facility, an off-campus storage facility in Richmond, CA. Many older books and journals in the Physics-Astronomy Library collection are in NRLF storage due to lack of space and infrequent use. Request material from storage/NRLF online via Pathfinder or Melvyl or in person at the circulation desk. Retrieval usually takes 1-2 days, excluding weekends. Holders of valid UC library borrower's cards may visit NRLF in person. A shuttle bus service is available.
For more information, see: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/NRLF/

Journals

Where are the journals shelved?
Our journals are shelved alphabetically by title in the Journals section of the library (see floorplan). All bound journals can be charged out for 2 hours.

How do I access journals online?
For titles go to the Physics-Astronomy Library journals with electronic access to full-text articles.
To search by title keyword go to: CDL eJournals.
To print out an article, see Is printing available at the Physics-Astronomy Library? below. Electronic journals can be accessed from any computer on the UC Berkeley campus. For off-campus access, a Proxy Server Service is available for current UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff.

How do I search for journal articles?
Use the Physics-Astronomy Library's Article Indexes page for a selected list of useful article databases: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/PHYS/cal.html.

Key databases for physics and astronomy include:
ADS/Astrophysics Data System (NASA) 1975-present, with older full-text access.
INSPEC (via Web of Knowledge) : 1898--present, with direct links to full-text articles.
Web of Science: Science Citation Index 1900-present,for both general and cited searches.

To search for older articles use Inspec and many other indexes contain journal files from volume 1. Inspec includes Physics Abstracts (Science Abstracts) — its author and subject indexes go back to 1898. The collection is shelved in the Article Indexes section of the Physics-Astronomy Library.

Once you have found the citation, access the journal electronically (see How do I access online journals? above) or from our print collection (see Where are journals shelved? above).

Exams, Prelims, Phys111 and Teaching Evaluations: ask at the Circulation Desk

Do you have old Physics exams?
We have old exams for the Physics 7 & 8 course series at the Circulation Desk. They circulate for 2-hours, in-library use only. The Society of Physics Students also has a number of midterms and finals from previous years' Physics classes, apply at 275 LeConte Hall.

Prelim Exams and Solutions are shelved in the Reserves section at the Circulation Desk .
They circulate for 2 hours, in-library use only: Written Prelim Exams and Solutions, Classical and Modern.
Prelims are made available by the Physics Department and are only available in print and are Library Use Only.

Where can I find PHYS 111 Laboratory Experiments reprints?
PHYS 111 reprints and CD-ROM's are reserve items available at the Circulation Desk. Reprints are charged out for 7 days, and DVDs, CD-ROM's are charged out for 1 day. Reprints will be online fall 2008.
They are online via the Physics 111- Laboratory Advanced Experiments website.

What about current Teaching Evaluations?
Teaching Evaluations for Fall, Spring and Summer semester Physics courses are in Reserves, ask for them at the circulation desk. You can search in Pathfinder for Teaching Evaluations.

DVDs, CDs and Videos

Where are DVDs, CDs and videos shelved?
DVDs, CDs and Videos, including the Physics Department Colloquia, are shelved in the Reserves area and can be checked out at the Circulation Desk. A list of videos can be found at the Physics-Astronomy Library Homepage under Video Collection. Some older colloquia are streamed, search under title in Pathfinder. Webcasts of recent Physics Colloquia,from 2005 are online.

There are many DVDs and videos available through the UC Berkeley Library. They can be found in Pathfinder by title, author or subject, you can limit to format DVD. Visit the Media Resources Center in Moffitt to watch a DVD or listen to a CD.

Copying, Printing & Computer Labs on campus

Where is the copier located?
The copier is located in the library reading room. It only accepts Canon copy cards.

Where can I purchase a copy card?
You can also purchase cards from the card dispenser next to the copier (only accepts bills). Copy cards can be purchased from the Library Copy Service at The Library Copy Service, 321 Moffitt Library, 238 Boalt Hall, and 2101 VLSB. Discount cards for students are available at these locations.

How much do copies cost?
Copies are 15 cents for 8.5"x11" paper. No other size paper is available at the Physics-Astronomy Library.

Is printing available at the Physics-Astronomy Library?
Printing is available from the seven public workstations in the library — just follow the instructions posted at each monitor. Cost is 15 cents per page (8.5"x11" only), and you will need a Canon copy card to retrieve your print job. Printing is only available from web-based applications such as IE or Firefox and Adobe Acrobat Reader. To print from other applications (word processing, spreadsheet, etc.) please apply at the Evans Microcomputing Facility in the basement of Evans Hall.

COMPUTER FACILITIES on CAMPUS: This map shows computer labs where you can use software and print your own documents.

Useful Links

Where can I find online books, proceedings, reports and dissertations?
Our Online Publications page contains links to electronic versions of popular publications such as Encyclopædia Britannic, CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Landolt-Börnstein, and Numerical Recipes in C, as well as dissertation databases. We are adding electronic books and articles every day, check with the Circulating Desk or the staff.

Where can I find more online resources?
A good place to start is the Useful Links page, which contains links to useful sites such as Nobel Prize Winners, PACS Numbers, WebElements (first periodic table on the WWW), etc. Also, the Physics-Astronomy Library Homepage contains many useful links, including most of the sites mentioned in this FAQ's page.

Lost and Found

Where is the Lost and Found?
The Physics-Astronomy Library lost and found is located at the Circulation Desk please inquire with staff about lost item .
Lost items are logged in the record book. They are taken to the UCPD Lost and Found at the end of each semester.
Please note which items are accepted at UCPD.
http://police.berkeley.edu/programsandservices/lost-and-found/index.html

Where can I go for further assistance?

You can email or echat, call or the Librarian Susan Koskinen.
Staff at the Circulation Desk will try to answer any questions you may have.

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