Michigan State University Libraries

Frequently Asked Questions about MSU Libraries

• How many libraries does MSU have?
  
  Michigan State University has a number of different libraries on campus, including the Main Library and branch libraries such as the Business Library and the Engineering Library. You should also be aware that within the Main Library there are a number of special libraries and collections for particular subjects, such as the Fine Arts Library and the Map Library.
• What are the Main Libraries' hours? Branch Libraries?
  
  During the Fall and Spring semesters, when MSU classes are in session, the Main Library building is open 24 hours a day from Sunday at 10 a.m. to Friday at 10 p.m. Saturdays we are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

  Library hours vary during the summer, holidays and between terms; call 432-6123 ext. 4 for a recording of current Library hours. Or, check the MSU Libraries website. The Hours page lists locations and hours for Library departments and branches, including special hours for break periods.

  To see a list of library branches visit our branch page.
• How many books do the MSU Libraries own?
  
  The Libraries have books and much, much more! Our collection includes over 4,500,000 volumes, 33,000 magazine and journal subscriptions, 200,000 maps, 40,000 sound recordings, plus access to hundreds of electronic resources.
• What is Remote Storage?
  
  Remote Storage is an off-site storage facility. Requested materials are picked up Sunday-Thursday by library staff. Books and Government Documents with the location of Remote Storage in the library catalog (MAGIC) can be requested by filling out the online request form or at the Circulation Desk. Items will be held for pickup at the Main Library Circulation Desk or the MSU Branch Library you select.
• Can I get a tour of the Main Library?
  
  Take a virtual tour or audio tour of the library on our Library Tours page. Specialized class tours may be scheduled in advance by contacting the Library Instruction Coordinator (432-6123 ext. 186). Branch Libraries and other locations within the Main Library also provide tours upon request.
• Where can I park when I come to the Main Library?
  
  Public parking is available in the lot next to Spartan Stadium south of the Library on Red Cedar Drive. From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, the parking lots and spaces near the Library off the Circle Drive are reserved for vehicles with faculty/staff parking permits.

• How do I access electronic resources from off campus?
  
  To do this you'll use EZ proxy which only requires you to enter your NetID and password when prompted. For more information on this service see our Off Campus Access website.
• How do I access MSU Library resources when using Google Scholar?
  
  If you are using Google Scholar here are a few instructions to provide better access to MSU Library resources: If you are accessing resources through Google Scholar, and not one of our many indexes/databases available through the library, and want to ensure your access to MSU resources is seamless, do the following:
  
  • Go to Google Scholar - http://scholar.google.com/
  • Click on “Scholar Preferences” to the right of the search box.
  • In the "Library Links" field search for Michigan State University.
  • Select Michigan State University – MSU Access
  • Do your search in Google Scholar
  • Click on the link for “MSU Access” that will appear to the right of the title of the resource and you’ll be prompted for your NetID and password to access that resource. Please Note – if you click on the title and not the “MSU Access” link you won’t be taken to the resource.

• What type of ID do I need to get a library card? Check out a book ?
  
  All Michigan residents 18 and older are eligible for community library cards to check out books for two weeks. A Michigan driver's license should be presented at Circulation, located in the main lobby. MSU identification cards also serve as library cards. MSU students, faculty, and staff who have not activated their MSU e-mail accounts must stop at Circulation before checking out material to have their barcode numbers entered into the system.

• Where is the CyberCafé?
  
  The CyberCafé is located on 1 West. Its menu includes coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches, and cold drinks. Net access for laptop computer use is also available, as are a limited number of computers.

• How do I reserve a Collaborative Technology Lab?
  
  You can reserve one of the Collaborative Technology Labs at http://reservations.lib.msu.edu.
• Does the library have any typewriters available for public use?
  
  Four typewriters are available for use in the Digital & Multimedia Center on the 4th floor of the West Wing of the Main Library. There is no charge for their use.

• Where are the Elevators? Restrooms?
  
  Public elevators are located in both East and West wings. Restrooms are located on all floors throughout the building. For assistance locating either, please ask at a service desk.

• Does the library have current/daily newspapers that I can read?
  
  Current newspapers from a selected number of Michigan, U.S., and foreign cities are available in Current Periodicals/Microfilms on 2-West.
• Where can I make a suggestion to the library?
  
  A suggestion box is located by the bulletin board across from the Circulation desk in the lobby. The box is opened weekly. Suggestions and responses to them are posted on the bulletin board nearby. Signed suggestions receive individual responses. Suggestions can also be submitted at the General Library Suggestions Web site.

• Can I have my exam proctored at the Libraries?
  
  The MSU Libraries do not offer proctoring services. Please arrange for proctoring through the MSU Testing Office. More information is available at http://testingoffice.msu.edu/distance.php

• Does the library have computers that I can use to access the Library Catalog and Electronic Resources? Surf the World Wide Web? To type a paper?
  
  Yes. There are 2 types of computers, Macintosh and Windows-based, located throughout the Main Library.
  1. Selected Resources: computers that provide access to the Web version of the catalog and the Electronic Resources that the Libraries' subscribe to which the Libraries subscribes.
  2. Full Set Of Applications: available with word processing and internet software. These machines also require authentication by the use of your valid MSUNet ID and password.

  Please ask at the Reference Desk for the location of these machines.

• What software programs are available on Full Application computers?
  
  For a complete list of the software available on the Full Application computers in the Main Library or elsewhere on campus, go to https://attend.acns.msu.edu/pcsoftwarelist.php.
• Do any of the libraries on campus offer wireless network access?
  
  The Main Library currently offers wireless network access to MSU students, staff, and faculty throughout the building. For information on how to use wireless in the library please go to the following page: Wireless Network Instructions.

  The Gast Business Library (Room 50 Law College Building) also offers wireless network access for MSU students, staff, and faculty. The Engineering Library has wireless access available as well.

  For more information on computer facilities in the Main Library, please see http://www2.lib.msu.edu/computer/computers.jsp.

• Does the library own videos and other multimedia materials?
  
  The Digital & Multimedia Center on 4-West houses audio and video tape players, slide projectors, microfiche readers, campus cable television, and one of the campus Microcomputing Labs (Macintosh & PC). Taped class lectures and assigned listening/viewing materials are provided. The G. Robert Vincent Voice Library holdings and the MSU Libraries' Software Collection are also located in the Digital & Multimedia Center.

• Does the Library have Groups Study Rooms available to reserve?
  
  The Main Library has many group study rooms most of which are first come first serve. There are also Collaborative Technology Labs that can be reserved. These rooms have technology and software to facilitate collaborative work and enhance your experience at MSU. For more information or to reserve a lab see the Collaborative Technology Lab page.
• Where is the Lost and Found?
  
  Personal items found in the Library are held at the Circulation Desk and are turned in daily to the Campus Lost and Found, which is located at the Post Office in the Union Building. Lost MSU ID cards are taken to the ID Office, Room 50 of the Administration Bldg.
• Does the library have any calculators I can use?
  
  Calculators may be checked out for two hours from the main Circulation Desk in the lobby. There is no charge for their use.
• Does the library have book carts to help me carry large quantities of books?
  
  Book carts, for moving books within the building or to your car, may be checked out at the Circulation Desk.
• Does the library have any lockers I can use?
  
  A limited number of lockers are available to support academic needs of MSU students and faculty, who may apply at Circulation for one-semester lockers. Graduate students may apply at Circulation for year-long lockers. Graduate students may also request a key to our three quiet graduate student study rooms. Also ask at Circulation for day-use lockers and check out a padlock. Library materials that have not been checked out may not be stored in lockers.
• Are there any supplies available for sale in the library?
  
  Pens, pencils, paper, notebooks, blank and formatted diskettes, folders, and other supplies are available for sale at the Copy Center on 2-West. To view a full list click here.
• Where do I get materials on Reserve for a course?
  
  In the Main Library, Reserve Reading is located on 2-West. Most items circulate for only two hours, although some may be checked out for longer periods. Many branch libraries also provide Reserve Reading facilities. A current student ID, faculty/staff ID, or an MSU community library card and pictured ID is required when checking out materials. In the online MSU Libraries Catalog, MAGIC, the location for Reserve Reading materials is noted as: RESERVE - 2 WEST.

• Does the Main Library have GMAT or GRE practice exams?
  
  Practice copies of the exams are also available at the Reserves Desk on 2-West. Free online practice tests for the GRE, GMAT, and more are provided by the Library of Michigan. Individuals must be residents of the State of Michigan and will need to register to use this service. Free GRE General Practice Test (Powerprep) software is available from the Educational Testing Service website. Please see the Online Test Prep Resources section of the Test Preparation Materials guide for details. Also consult the MSU Test Preparation Consortium website for other resources around campus.
• Does the Main Library have TOEFL practice exams?
  
  Practice copies of the exams are also available at the Reserves Desk on 2-West. Free online practice tests for the TOEFL and more are provided by the Library of Michigan. Individuals must be residents of the State of Michigan and will need to register to use this service. Please see the Online Test Prep Resources section of the Test Preparation Materials guide for details. Also consult the MSU Test Preparation Consortium.
• Does the Main Library have LSAT practice exams?
  
  Practice copies of the exams are available at the Reserves Desk on 2-West. Free online practice tests for the LSAT and more are provided by the Library of Michigan. Individuals must be residents of the State of Michigan and will need to register to use this service. Please see the Online Test Prep Resources section of the Test Preparation Materials guide for details. Also consult the MSU Test Preparation Consortium.
• Does the Main Library have MCAT practice exams?
  
  Practice copies of the exams are available at the Reserves Desk on 2-West. Free online practice tests for the MCAT and more are provided by the Library of Michigan. Individuals must be residents of the State of Michigan and will need to register to use this service. Please see the Online Test Prep Resources section of the Test Preparation Materials guide for details. Also consult the MSU Test Preparation Consortium.
• Does the library have telephone books for other cities in the United States?
  
  Several online directories covering U.S. business and residential listings can be accessed through the Libraries' Ready Reference pages: see Fast Facts and choose 'Directories.' A limited collection of telephone books in paper for selected Michigan cities is available in Main Library Reference, 1-East.
• What is the Assistive Technology Center?
  
  The Assistive Technology Center has been established to provide assistive and adaptive technology designed to provide patrons with various disabilities access to the library and its services. It is located in room W124 of the Main Library. This room can be found on the first floor near the Red Cedar entrance which is ramp accessible, and has power assisted doors. Please visit the Assistive Technology Center web site at http://www2.lib.msu.edu/about/atc/index.jsp for more information.

• Where are the copy machines?
  
  Self Service, key operated copy machines are located in the Copy Center on 2-West. Coin/bill-operated copiers are located in the Newspaper area on 2-West, on 1-4 East, in the West Wing Basement, in Fine Arts, and in Maps. Digital microreaders are available in the Copy Center on 2 West. These reader/scanners allow users to save scanned images to a CD or removable drive at no charge. Printing from microform is also available for 10 cents a page. Microfilm and microfiche reader-printers, a fiche-to-fiche duplicator, and a color copier are located in the Copy Center on 2-West. For more information on using the copy center see the webpage How to use the Copy Center.
• How much does it cost to make a copy? How do I pay for my copies?
  
  The cost for key-operated machines in the Copy Center is 8 cents per page. The cost for coin-operated machines is 10 cents per copy, with bill/coin and eight cents with prepaid copy card. Copy cards must be purchased from the vending machine near Circulation on the first floor of the Main Library.
  Film and fiche printers cost 10 cents per exposure and the fiche duplicator costs 25 cents per fiche.

  Copies made at the Copy Center can be paid for with cash, personal check (with picture ID), Visa or Mastercard, or for those authorized to do so, charge to a University Departmental Account.

• Where can I get change for the copy machines or telephones?
  
  Change and refunds for coin-operated copy machines is available at the Copy Center. Change also is available for telephones. (Coin-operated copiers do accept $1 and $5 bills.)
• Where do I pick up printouts from Main Library computers?
  
  Two print options (E-token and/or Copy Center Laser) are available in the Main Library. Please read the instructions posted on the computer you are working on. If you choose to print to the Copy Center, you will need to identify your print job by your MSUNetID or the name and number posted on the system case of the computer from which you printed. See the Netprint@MSU page for more information about E-tokens and E-token printing. For more information on Library printing see our printing page.

• Where is the Main Library located?
  
  The Main Library is located on West Circle Drive, south of Grand River Avenue in East Lansing. The Library has two entrances, the Beaumont Entrance on West Circle Drive and the Red Cedar Entrance on the south side of the building facing the Red Cedar River.

  Please visit the Directions to MSU's Main Library and Kellogg Center page for more in-depth driving directions. Also consult the map. For more information see also the Address & Visiting page.

• Where can I park when I come to the Main Library?
  
  Public parking is available in the lot next to Spartan Stadium south of the Library on Red Cedar Drive. From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, the parking lots and spaces near the Library off the Circle Drive are reserved for vehicles with faculty/staff parking permits.