Faculty/Staff Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out what resources are available at the Mantor Library?
The Mantor Library homepage is the gateway to all of the library resources. From the homepage, you can access the online catalog, search the online databases, take a virtual tour of the library, and find out about library staff, services, and policies. The URL for the Mantor Library homepage is http://library.umf.maine.edu/. 

What is URSUS?
URSUS is the shared online catalog of the libraries in the University of Maine System, the Maine State Library, the Maine State Law and Legislative Library, and the Bangor Public Library. You can use URSUS to:

• search for books, journals, and other materials in the URSUS libraries.
• request items from other URSUS libraries online using the Request button option.
• search the MaineCat libraries for items not found in URSUS and request them online using the Request button option.
• see a list of materials on reserve for your classes.
• access electronic reserves (with the password).
• check your library record (with your library barcode).
• renew your books online (with your library barcode).

What is MaineCat?
MaineCat is a network of linked library catalogs from Maine public, academic, and state libraries. In addition to the URSUS libraries, MaineCat includes the library catalogs of Colby, Bates, Bowdoin, Maine Maritime Academy, University of New England, Portland Public Library, Maine College of Art, and several technical college and public libraries. You can search MaineCat for items not found in URSUS by using the Search MaineCat button while in URSUS. You can also request items not available at any of the URSUS libraries using the Request button option. You will need a library barcode to place any requests.

How can I check out library materials?
You need a UMF ID card with a library barcode to check out books. The ARAMARK office in the Student Center does the ID cards for UMF faculty, staff, and students. To get a barcode, bring your ID card to the library's Access Services desk and they can set up your record and give you a barcode while you wait.

How long is the borrowing period?
Faculty may borrow books from Mantor Library and other URSUS libraries (the UMaine system libraries, Maine State Library, Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library, and the Bangor Public Library) for an entire semester. Renewals may be allowed on Mantor Library items borrowed for a semester; items borrowed for a semester from other URSUS libraries are not renewable. In addition, these items may be subject to recall by the lending library.

Items borrowed from MaineCat libraries have a loan period of 4 weeks with one two-week renewal, and those obtained through interlibrary loan may have different borrowing periods depending on the policies of the lending libraries, so check with the Mantor Library staff when picking up those items.

Exceptions include: Only ten (10) juvenile or young adult books and five (5) compact discs, videos, or DVDs can be borrowed at a time. Videos and DVDs circulate for two weeks with no renewals. Reference materials and periodicals do not circulate.

What databases are available to UMF faculty?
The Databases search option on the library’s homepage provides access to all of the electronic resources and online databases available to Univeristy of Maine at Farmington faculty, staff and sttudents. To find the complete alphabetical list of the databases available to UMF faculty, staff, and students, click on the A to Z Listing of Databases.
 
To check subject coverage, dates of journal coverage, and the availability of full-text for a database, click on the blue i icon to the left of the database’s name in the list.

Can I use databases available at other University of Maine campuses?
Due to licensing agreements and subscription restrictions, UMF faculty have access to the databases that are shared by all campuses or available exclusively at UMF. UMF faculty and students do not have access to databases only available at other campuses. The A to Z Listing of Databases is the complete list of the electronic resources currently available to UMF faculty and students.
 
How do I access databases remotely?
The databases can be accessed through the Web by going to the library’s homepage. You will need your UMF library barcode. Click on the database you want and, when asked for a user name and password, enter your name and library barcode number (all 14 digits with no spaces) for access. If you do not have a barcode, you can get one at the Access Services desk (see above).
 
How can I tell if the Mantor Library has a journal I need?
You can use the Journal/Newspaper search option on the library's homepage to see if the library has access to a specific title. The search results will include a link to "in Mantor Library" for any print or microformat holdings, along with links to any full text access in the Mantor Libray's online resources.
 
If you are searching in a database and want to locate the full text of an article, you can use the ArticleLinker button to see if it is available in another database. If there is no full-text available electronically and if the library does not have the journal, the article could be requested through interlibrary loan using the online form.

If you are working in the library, there is also a print “Blue Book” available in the library’s reference area that lists all of the journals in the library’s collection.
 
What full-text journals are available online?
There are many journals available in full-text through the electronic databases, although dates of full-text coverage vary by journal. If you have questions about the availability of full-text access to a journal or if you would like to find out which full-text journals are available for your subject area, contact the Reference Librarian for assistance. Interlibrary loan is also available for requesting copies of articles not available in print or electronically through the Mantor Library.
 
Where are the journals located in the Mantor Library?
The current three years of print journal issues are shelved alphabetically by title in the stacks next to the Reference Desk on the first floor of the library. Older issues are in the Periodical Basement and the oldest back issues of some journals are in Dead Storage. Journals on microfilm or microfiche are also located on the first floor near the Reference area.
 
To retrieve items from storage, you will need to fill out a Journal Back Issue Request form at the Reference Desk. Reference staff will retrieve the requested item within 3 business days and it will be held at the Reference Desk for you. Items not used within two weeks will be returned to storage. Ask the Reference staff if you need assistance.
 
How can I recommend a book/journal/DVD for purchase by the library?
There is an online Acquisition Request Form for recommending a new item for the library’s collection. The form is required for all acquisition recommendations. To access the form, go to the User Services section of the library’s homepage and choose Forms. Acquisition requests are subject to available funds and the approval of the library director.
 
How do I place an interlibrary loan request?
If the item you need is not available in Mantor Library, any of the URSUS libraries, or through MaineCat, you can request it through interlibrary loan. For journal articles, you can submit arequest for any item not in the Mantor collection or not available in full-text in an electronic database. There are paper forms available at Access Services or the Reference Desk, or you can use the electronic form available through the User Services section of the library’s homepage. You need to complete a separate form for each item being requested.
 
Please note that most libraries will not lend an entire journal issue, microfilm, or microfiche through interlibrary loan. Also, some may not allow borrowing of non-print materials such as DVDs or videos. If you have questions about interlibrary loan or making a request, contact the Access Services staff.
 
How long does interlibrary loan take?
Items requested online through the URSUS Requestor function generally arrive in three to five business days. Items requested online through MaineCat generally take a week to ten business days. All other interlibrary loan items generally take from three business days to three weeks to arrive depending on the lending institution.
 
How do I know when my interlibrary loan has arrived and where do I pick it up?
Faculty are notified by Access Services when requested items arrive. You can pick up requested items at the Access Services desk. You must have your ID card with a Mantor Library barcode attached to check out any items, including interlibrary loans.
 
How do I put something on reserve for a class?
Reserve requests must be accompanied by (1) a completed submission form, (2) list of items to be placed on reserve, and (3) a copy of the course syllabus. Paper forms are available from Access Services and electronic forms that can be downloaded and printed are available from the Course Reserves section of the library's homepage. If you have questions about reserves, contact Janet Brackett (x7211 or janetb@maine.edu) or Sarah Otley (x8130 or sotley@maine.edu).
 
What helpful resources are available for my students?
There are a number of guides and tutorials under the Research Tools section of the library’s homepage.
 
The Library also offers Mantor CARES (Consult a Research Expert Service) for students. Contact Laurie MacWhinnie, Head of Reference Services, for more information about this service: macwhinn@maine.edu or x7219.
 
How do I schedule a library session for my class?
If you are interested in integrating an assigned librarian in your class, would like library resources added to your course Blackboard, or would like to schedule a session in the library's Peter MIlls Electronic Classroom, contact Laurie MacWhinnie at x 7219 or macwhinn@maine.edu.

Last Updated: 5/27/09 (lm)