See a map of the Jane Bancroft Cook Library

The Jane Bancroft Cook Library offers a wealth of resources and services to support the teaching and research activities of the campus. Both the teaching faculty and the library faculty participate in collection development for the library, whose collection is now at approximately 267,000 volumes. The library subscribes to more than 800 serial titles, including 700 magazines and journals and several state, national and international newspapers. In addition, through computer networks and other cooperative programs, USF/New College is capable of accessing hundreds of online databases and electronic journals and newspapers, as well as several online document delivery services. Our collection is organized by Library of Congress classification system, with an "open stack" arrangement which allows free access to most materials.

The Library has twenty-five public computer workstations that offer automated resources including the catalog, the statewide online catalog of the State University System. It can be used to find out what books and journals are owned, not only by the USF libraries, but by all of the State Universities in Florida. It also indicates whether an item is checked out or available on the shelf. catalog is simple and flexible to use, allowing you to search by author, title, subject heading, keyword or library call number.

The USF Libraries, a cooperative project of all of the USF libraries provides access to hundreds of databases that provide subject access to journal articles (often with detailed abstracts) and full text resources both in the form of complete journal articles, statistical information, encyclopedias, and health care. The Virtual Library subscribes to over 8,000 journal that are available in full text. There are also service forms available that permit patrons to ask reference questions, request interlibrary loan books and articles, renew books and see what they currently have checked out,

The library's public workstations also provides access to Internet resources via the World Wide Web. Workstations with audio and video components are available on the first floor adjacent to the Reference Desk.

Cook Library is staffed by 6 library faculty members and a support staff consisting of 10.5 full time employees. In addition, varying numbers of part-time and student employees assist us throughout the year in carrying out our duties. Our experienced and dedicated staff emphasizes service to the user. Each staff member has a specific area of expertise, but is also capable of being able to answer most of your questions or of directing you to someone who can. Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance.

All print materials are shelved by Library of Congress or government document call number in their specific area:

First Floor
Reference
Government Documents (US & Florida)
New College Thesis Collection
College Archives
Serials/Periodicals
Microforms

Second Floor
Circulating Collection
Media Center
Juvenile Collection
Writing Resource Center
Oversized Collection

INDEXES and ABSTRACTS are available through the Virtual Library. Paper indexes to periodicals and newspapers are also available on the Index Tables in Reference; paper editions of abstracts are similarly available. The Reference staff can assist you with the location and use of these materials.

MICROFILM, MICOFICHE, and MICROCARDS are available for some books, periodicals and newspapers. The microform collection is located in Room 141, along with microform reader/printers. Copies cost $.15 per page for cash copies and $.11 for vend card or USF I.D. copies.

SENIOR THESES: Copies of New College Senior Theses are available in Room 134. Admittance to this room is possible only during hours when the Reference Desk is staffed (Sunday-Thursday until 10:00 pm; Friday-Saturday until 5:00 pm). Senior Theses may not be removed from this room; Senior Theses may not be copied without the written permission of the author.

SERVICES

UNIVERSITY ID Photo ID's, which are issued to all tuition-paying students, are coded for use as your library card, and are produced in the Business Office (Palmer Building D) on the West Campus. Senior Citizens who are auditing classes free-of-charge should obtain a Library Courtesy Card (no charge) from the Library Administrative Office (Room 201) to use for borrowing materials. Library Courtesy Cards issued to auditing students are valid only for the semester issued and proof of audit is necessary before the card can be issued. If a photo ID is also desired, it may be obtained from the Business office for a fee, but the Library Courtesy Card is the only one that auditing students may use to check out materials.

CIRCULATION all books are checked out at the circulation desk. Media items are checked out at the Media Circulation desk. Periodicals, reference books, microforms, CD-Rom products, senior theses, special collections, and college archives DO NOT CIRCULATE and cannot be removed from the building.

RESERVE BOOKS/CD-ROMS are available at the Circulation Desk for very limited borrowing periods. Reserve Books must be checked-out for use. The Circulation Staff can assist you in identifying the Reserve Items you need. CD-Roms are broken into two groups. The government CD's are under the staircase. The multimedia CD's are available at the Reference Desk.

MISSING ITEMS The Cook Library catalog indicates if a book is checked out or on the shelf. If the Cook Library Catalog shows that a book is on the shelf, but you are unable to find the book, please report the missing item to the Circulation Desk. You may place a "hold" on a book that is checked-out or missing so that you will be notified when the missing volume returns.

REFERENCE The Reference Desk is staffed a total of 84 hours each week. It is the responsibility of the Reference Staff to assist you in locating the research materials you require to support your scholarship. They will help you to identify the appropriate sources and assist you in using them. The Reference staff also offers instruction in the use of the Cook Library Catalog, the USF Libraries, the various CD-ROM products, and the internet. They also provide the library tours and specialized reference guidance for specific courses.

Virtual Library databases and document delivery services are extensive and growing at a rapid rate. Access to the Internet and myriad of resources that it offers is now available to our students and faculty. Basic Internet and bibliographic instruction is provided to individuals and small groups. Please inquire at the Reference Desk.

INTERLIBRARY LOAN When our Library does not own a book or journal article you require, we are usually able to obtain it for you from another library through our online interlibrary loan system called ILLiad. There is no charge to USF/New College students, faculty or staff for this service, but when we have to obtain a book or article from outside the state system, substantial charges may be incurred by the library. Please learn to make interlibrary loan requests in a responsible manner. Students who habitually abuse interlibrary loan privileges will put themselves at risk of having their privileges revoked. Interlibrary loan is not available to Courtesy Card holders or to the general public. Go to the ILLiad web site or inquire at the Reference Desk for more information and how to set up an ILLiad account.

RESEARCH GUIDES are a series of information and instruction sheets located in the tower in front of the Reference Desk and deal with various library resources and services available to assist you in acquainting yourself with our library. Please inquire at the Reference Desk.

INTERNET ACCESS is available through this web-site. The Cook Library homepage provides answers to your questions about library personnel, services, and collections. It also furnishes links to a great many Internet resources to assist you with your scholarship and research. Public-use computers are available in the library and the Reference staff will be happy to get you started with "surfing the net" if you are a first time user.

MEDIA CENTER. The Media Center, located in the library is part of the Computing Center. The Media Center provides a variety of services to the USF/New College community, including maintenance of the Language Lab and of the audio/visual collections; delivery of A/V equipment to classrooms; assisting students/faculty with preparation of classroom media presentations; providing instruction for use of media equipment; lamination of materials; maintaining MET/NET; videotaping campus events; circulation of A/V materials, etc. Please consult with the staff of the Media Center for ideas for class projects, or for assistance with equipment.

Language Lab The Language Lab is located inside the Media Center on the second floor of the Library. Faculty can reserve the 15-seat lab for classroom use.

Writing Resources Center The Writing Resources Center is also located inside the Media Center in the Library.

For Your Information

CHANGE MACHINES are located in the vending machine area of the Student Center, directly across the street from the Library on the West Campus. No cash is kept in the library. Please do not ask the staff to make change.

COPY MACHINES. There are four public use machines in the library located on the first floor in room 141. Machines are both coin and card operated.  Your ID card will also serve as your copy card, or Vend Cards may be purchased from the Vend Card vending machine in Room 141.

PRINTING FROM PUBLIC WORKSTATIONS.  There are two printers available for printing from the public workstations.  Prints are $.10 per page/side.  USF ID cards or Vend Cards are required to pay for printing.

MICROFORM READER/PRINTERS. The library maintains coin and card-operated microfilm and microfiche reader/printers for use in copying from fiche and film. The Reference staff can assist you in the use of these machines.

COPY MACHINE / VENDCARD PROBLEMS. Please report copy machine problems to the Reference Staff. The Reference Staff can usually resolve simple problems.  Since we keep no cash in the building, we cannot refund money lost to a malfunctioning machine. Please report loss of money to the Reference staff. Arrangements will be made with the copy machine vendor to obtain reimbursement for your loss.

GROUP STUDY ROOMS. Two Group Study Rooms (located on the first floor) are available to students who need to work together as a group. The rooms are assigned on a "first come/first serve" basis, have a 3-hour use limit and may be used by a minimum of three people. These rooms will comfortably accommodate six people. Please keep in mind that the group study rooms are not soundproof. No food or drink is permitted. The reference staff can answer any questions you may have about the Group Study Rooms.

STUDENT LIBRARY CARRELS are assigned to doctoral, masters, and thesis students who are actively in the process of writing dissertations and these. Students requesting carrels are required to have the written approval of their College/Division advisor before a carrel can be assigned. Library carrel application forms are available in the Library Administration Office, Room 201, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. A limited number of assigned student carrels are available each year. Because carrels are at a premium, we ask that you not request a carrel unless you fully intend to use it. Food and drink are not permitted in the carrels and, if found, will automatically result in revocation or carrel privileges. Moving, damaging, renumbering, defacing, or otherwise changing carrels may result in having carrel privileges revoked.

FACULTY LIBRARY CARRELS are assigned to full-time Sarasota campus faculty. These locked carrels are few in number and are in high demand making a waiting list an unfortunate necessity. The faculty member to whom the carrel is assigned is responsible for the proper use of the carrel and must comply with the fire safety regulations.

LIBRARY LOCKERS A limited number of library lockers are available to be assigned to currently enrolled students. Students should be prepared to present a validated University ID at the time the request is placed. Lockers are assigned through the Library Administration office, Room 201.

TELEPHONES 1) An EMERGENCY BLUE LIGHT TELEPHONE is located outside the library at the northwest corner of the building. 2) A Courtesy Telephone is located on the counter opposite the Circulation desk for use in conducting University business, including toll-free calling to all USF campuses.  Instructions for using this telephone and a campus telephone directory are kept beside the phone. Reference and Circulation telephones are business phones and may not be used for personal calls. 3) A pay telephone is located by exiting the library, turn left and go to the end of the corridor.

PARKING LOTS are located on the on the north and south sides of the library. A current USF parking permit is required to use these lots, except for five designated Visitor parking spaces in the north lot. When all "Visitor" places are filled, a temporary parking permit may be obtained from Parking Services in the University Police office, Viking 121 on the West Campus. Parking in marked reserved "Library Staff Only" spaces, even with a valid USF parking permit, will result in a parking fine.

LOST AND FOUND is located at the Circulation Desk. Unclaimed articles are sent to University Police for safekeeping.

POLICIES

NOISE. Please attempt to keep noise to a minimum both inside and outside the library building. Loud talk or laughter, radios, cell phones and all excessively audible sounds can be particularly irritating to people who are attempting to work. If you are creating a disturbance, you will be asked to desist or to leave the area. Please be courteous and considerate of others.

NO FOOD OR DRINK IS PERMITTED IN THE LIBRARY AT ANY TIME. NO EXCEPTIONS! No food or drink is permitted in library classrooms. The library has a serious problem with rodents and insects that can only be improved by your full cooperation. Please help us. If you are observed with either food or drink in your possession, you will be asked to either dispose of it in an appropriate manner or to exit the building. University Police will assist us in enforcing the NO FOOD/NO DRINK policy, if necessary.

SIGNS AND NOTICES. Please DO NOT post any signs or notices on the walls, doors, windows, ground, or furniture either inside or outside the library building. Offending items will be removed immediately. Bulletin boards for posting signs/notices are available in the porticos at the entrance/exit. Please remove dated material in a timely manner to provide space for others. Small-size notices of university-related activities will be posted on interior library bulletin boards, space permitting. Please present notices you would like to have posted to the interior bulletin boards to the Reference Office. Items that are posted to interior bulletin boards without permission will be removed.