Library Services

RMU Library faculty and staff strive for excellence in meeting the diverse information needs of the RMU community.

Textbook Reserve Program

This program is offered through RMU Library, in cooperation with the Center for Student Success, the Office of Academic Affairs, and the Barnes & Noble Bookstore.

Search the library catalog for items on Textbook Reserve - you can also see if a textbook is currently checked out to someone.

Request a Chapter

In light of the Covid-19 crisis, Textbook Reserves has moved partially online to better support online classes and social distancing precautions.

If you do not have a copy of a book currently on Textbook Reserves and it is not available as an eBook through the library,  you may *Request an individual chapter, section, or select page range to be scanned*

You may only request ONE CHAPTER or ONE SECTION PER BOOK, PER DAY.
(You are welcome to submit additional scanning requests in subsequent 24-hour increments).

We must keep in line with U.S. Copyright Law Fair Use Guidelines and cannot scan a large portion of any individual book.

Borrowing a Textbook

Only valid RMU ID cards can be used to borrow materials from the Textbook Reserve Program. Textbooks can be checked out for three hours, but they must remain in the Library during that time period. A late fee of $5 per hour will be charged for books returned late. A non-refundable fee equal to the cost of the book plus $100 will be charged for books that are borrowed but not returned.

Textbooks are maintained in the Library's Reserve section -- just ask at the Library Help Desk for more information.

 

Library Instruction Sessions

Requesting a library instruction session

Faculty are invited to request library instruction sessions for their courses. To request a library instruction session, contact librarians Jackie Klentzin, Chloe Mills, or Christopher Devine. 

If you are a student and you are interested in individualized library research instruction, contact a research librarian.

About library instruction sessions

For more information about the rationale for library instruction sessions, refer to: Information Literacy Guide.

Information Literacy

What is Information Literacy?

Information Literacy is the term used to refer to the skills needed to find, retrieve, analyze, and use information effectively.  For more information about information literacy, refer to the Association of College and Research Libraries.

Information Literacy Philosophy

Support for information literacy among the RMU community constitutes a fundamental principle for all RMU Library activities. In providing for the community's information needs, and fostering the thoughtful use, evaluation, and organization of information throughout the research process, the RMU Library facilitates the analytical thinking and integrative reasoning critical to the intellectual development of students and the professional achievement of faculty and staff.

Incorporating Information Literacy into the Curriculum

Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education (ALA - Association of College and Research Libraries) https://alair.ala.org/handle/11213/8657

Information Literacy Competency Standard for Higher Education
https://alair.ala.org/handle/11213/7668

Information Literacy and Library Instruction

RMU Librarians are available to collaborate with you in the development of course-integrated information literacy assignments or information literacy-based library instruction sessions.

Please contact an RMU Research Librarian for additional information.

Computers, Printers, Copiers, Wireless

Computers

In the Library's 24-7 Zone, there are several different spots between the Nicholson Center elevator/stairwell area and the area just past the Library's Help Desk with Windows computers. There are also two small tables of other PCs within the Library's Research Room.

Subscription-based library databases can also be accessed via Sentry secured authentication from any PC, laptop, tablet, or smartphone utilizing a campus wireless network, your home wireless network, wifi, local internet service provider, etc.

For further information, contact a research librarian or refer to our help guides.

Printers/Copiers

The Pharos Print Station and two new printers/copiers are available in the Library Circulation Area. The printers are MoonLibrary (standard black and white printer/copier) and MoonLibraryCLR (color printing; remember color printing deducts .$75 per page from your print account); if you specify black & white printing, MoonLibraryCLR will also print non-color pages and charge for non-color pages.

Both printers can also scan to your server space or scan and save to a flash drive.

To make photocopies using a departmental copy code, ask at the Reference Desk.

Wireless

As with most other areas on the RMU campus, the library provides wireless internet services for laptop users. There are a large number of new study tables that are equipped with outlets for recharging laptops or keeping them charged. For more information about the available wireless networks, or to report a problem with wireless access, contact the IT Help Desk.

If the problem involves accessing the eLibrary, contact a librarian.

Printing to a library printer from a laptop connected to an RMU wireless network is also possible. To download a PHAROS printing client to your laptop, go to RMU WiFi Printing

Device Charging

You can check out mobile device charging cables for up to 3 hours for in-library use only. RMU ID Cards/ Borrower ID cards will be retained until the checked out charging cables are returned (just like textbook reserves, laptops, DVD players). A device charging station is also maintained across from the Library Help Desk, next to the printers & copiers.

RMU Library assumes no responsibility for any damage to mobile devices that may occur with the use of these cables. Borrowers are fully responsible for the security of their devices at all times. Library staff will not handle, store, or watch over any devices.

While these cables will fit a vast majority of mobile devices, there may be some exceptions since there are multiple manufacturers and several generations of connectors.

Borrowing a Laptop

Several Dell laptop computers are available for students, faculty, and staff for use in the Library. Users may borrow laptops for 3 hours and wirelessly access the Internet (Gmail, Blackboard, library databases, Facebook, etc.) and Microsoft Office (Word, Powerpoint, etc.) applications.

A complete description of the policies and procedures for using this service is available at the Circulation Desk.

Additional questions? Contact Chloe Mills, Department Head - Library Operations

Purchase Requests

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to submit purchase requests or recommendations to library@rmu.edu. 

For questions, requests, or recommendations concerning databases or online subscriptions for other continuing resources, contact Emily Paladino, Web Services and Electronic Resources Librarian.

Services for Distance Education Graduate Students

Book Delivery for Online-Only Students 

If you are a student in an online-only program or you are enrolled in a doctoral executive-style program, you may find you need additional library services due to your remote location or very infrequent visits to RMU.

Book Delivery

We will mail books to you if you are at RMU less than once a week, this would include both books owned by Robert Morris Libraries and books borrowed via Interlibrary Loan.

NOTE: We CANNOT mail textbooks, nor can they be requested through EZ-Borrow to be mailed to you.

Shipping Information

Please remember to allow plenty of time for these additional services. Keep in mind that library rate shipping can take close to one week (each way). We cannot ship items to you through FedEx or UPS. We cannot pay for return shipping on books that we mail to you.

Books can only be mailed to US domestic addresses. Return address labels to RMU will accompany each item in the book pocket found in the back inside cover. For your protection, it is recommended that returned books be insured for a minimum of $50.00 per item. Materials obtained through Interlibrary Loan are subject to any restrictions placed on them by the lending library.

Questions? Email: interlibraryloan@rmu.edu