FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
BORROWING MATERIALS
Who can borrow items from the library?
»Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ students, alumni, employees, »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ or Oswego County residents, and students attending other SUNY institutions may borrow materials. Students from certain colleges in New York State which are not part of the SUNY system may also qualify. For more information, ask a library staff member about borrowing privileges.
Do you need a library card?
Current »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ students can use their student ID as their library card after a one-time account activation. The student ID is required to borrow materials. Students at Empire State College, other SUNY institutions, Keuka College, Wells College and residents of »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ and Oswego counties may obtain a library card at the Circulation Desk. Students must show ID from the college where they are enrolled. Others must show photo ID and proof of permanent address.
How do you open a library account?
Library accounts can be opened at the Library Circulation Desk. »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ students need to show a current student ID or class schedule. Students at other SUNY schools, or who may qualify otherwise, must show ID from the college where they are enrolled. For all other categories, a photo ID and proof of permanent address is required.
What kinds of materials can you borrow?
Books, audiobooks, audio CDs, and DVDs may be borrowed by anyone with a valid »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ library account. Current »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ students may also borrow periodicals and course reserves.
How long can you keep items?
Books, Audio Books, music CDs – 3 weeks
DVDs, VHS tapes – 1 week
Periodicals – 2 days
Loan periods for reserve items are determined by the course instructor.
What if you forget to bring your library card with you?
The first time you forget to bring your student ID or library card, you be asked to provide a photo ID, and library staff will look up your account number. After that, you will be expected to present your library card for each transaction.
What if you lose your library card?
If you lose your library card, inform library staff so they can issue you a new card and set your old card as lost to prevent anyone else from using it. There is a $3 fee to replace a library card. If you lose your student ID, you should obtain a new one from Campus Security.
What if you lose an item that you have borrowed?
If the lost item is still in print, you must either replace it with a copy of the same edition of the item, or pay the list price plus a processing fee. If the lost item is out of print, you must pay the cost to replace the item plus a processing fee. Replacement charges and processing fees vary for periodicals, books and media items. See the Library’s Circulation Policies for more information.
What if the item you want to borrow is checked out to someone else?
You may place a hold on the item by using CAYLIB, the Library Catalog. You will be notified when the item is available for you to borrow.
What if you need items that the Library doesn’t own?
Interlibrary loan (ILL) services are available to students, faculty, staff, alumni of »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ, and to Empire State College students. See the Library’s Inter-library Loan Policy for more information.
You will need to establish an ILLiad account to place requests through the Library website. See
Materials borrowed through ILL are borrowed and returned at the Library Circulation Desk.
COMPUTER SERVICES
Do you need to log in to use computers?
Students log in to library computers using their
username and password.
See
Student Accounts from Campus IT Services for more information.
Library users who are not current »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ students will be logged-in by library staff.
Is there wireless Internet access in the Library?
Yes, there is wireless access throughout the Library. If you are using your own computer, you will need to access the Open»Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ network.
Can you use laptops or tablets in the Library?
The Library has laptops and tablets that can be signed out for use in the Library, or you may use your own device.
EQUIPMENT
Is there a copy machine for public use?
Yes, black and white copies can be made for $0.10 a page. In Auburn, a copy machine is located on the Library Main Floor. In Fulton, a copy machine is located in the main hallway of the building.
Is there a fax machine for public use?
There is not a fax machine for public use in the Library.
Are printers available?
Library computers are networked to black and white printers, and there is no charge for printing. Color printing is available for a small fee. Printers are also available for laptops.
REFERENCE AND RESEARCH ASSISTANCE
Where do you go for help with reference questions or research assignments?
If you are on campus, go to the Reference Desk for help from a librarian. You can also go to the Circulation Desk and staff will find a librarian to help you.
Is help available if you are off-campus?
Yes, if you are off campus, help is available by phone, by email, or by chat service.
During open hours, call the Library:
Auburn: 315-294-8596
Fulton: 315-593-9319
You can email the Library at cay_ref@cayuga-cc.edu. E-mail will be answered within 24 hours on weekdays when the Library is open.
A 24 hour chat service is available to »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ students year round.
How do you find books and media in the Library collections?
How do you find materials such as ebooks, and articles in journals, magazines and newspapers?
Through the library website, you can search library databases for full-text ebooks, video files, and articles in periodicals, magazines, journals, and newspapers from any computer on campus. Off campus, students can search these databases by logging in with their username and password.
INTERLIBRARY LOAN SERVICES
If you are in Auburn, can you borrow materials that are on the Fulton campus (and vice versa)?
Materials can be requested from either campus by using the ILLiad Interlibrary loan service. You will need to establish an ILLiad account to place requests. For more information, see .
Materials borrowed through ILL are borrowed and returned at the Library Circulation Desk.
Can you request to borrow materials that are not owned by the Library?
Interlibrary loan (ILL) services are available to students, faculty, staff, alumni of »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ, and to Empire State College students. You will need to establish an ILLiad account to place requests. For more information, see .
Materials borrowed through ILL are borrowed and returned at the Library Circulation Desk.
Once requested, how long does it take for materials to arrive?
Materials requested from either the Auburn or Fulton campus usually arrive within a few business days of placing the request. Books requested from other libraries may take up to 10 business days to arrive. Articles from periodicals often arrive as electronic files within a day of placing the request, but may take up to 10 business days to arrive.