Using the Library   |   Hours   |    Books / Circulation   |    Reserve Materials

OhioLINK Borrowing / Interlibrary Loan   |    Articles / Databases   |    Miscellaneous / Help

Using the Library

Q.  I'm not a YSU student. Am I permitted to use the library?

A.  Maag Library is open to the public, with the exception of the computer lab which is restricted to current YSU students, faculty and staff. (See Policies Governing Use of Computing Facilities for more information about the computer lab). We ask that you comply with library and university policies and regulations.

You must be registered to borrow materials from the circulating collection. The following categories of individuals may register to receive a barcode and borrow materials from Maag Library:

• Current YSU students, faculty, and staff
• Current members of Friends of Maag Library
• Current members of the YSU Alumni Association
• Current students, faculty and staff of participating OhioLINK institutions
• See Borrowing and Requesting Materials from Maag Library for additional information.

Q.  How do I get a library barcode?

A.  Current YSU students, faculty and staff:

• Take your YSU ID (with validation sticker attached) to the Circulation Desk (main floor lobby) and register.

Other borrowers:

• You must be a member of Friends of Maag Library, the YSU Alumni Association or a current student, faculty member or staff member of an OhioLINK institution. Current members of these organizations may request a courtesy card at the Circulation Desk, main floor lobby. See What do I need to borrow books? for more information.

Q.  Can I use the library's online resources from off campus?

A.  Anyone may search our library catalog, MaagNet, or the OhioLINK Central Catalog from anywhere.
Access to some services is restricted due to licensing agreements to current students, faculty and staff of OhioLINK Institutions.
Examples of restricted services:

• services provided through the catalogs (such as requesting books or connecting to electronically-subscribed journals) or
• remote access to subscription databases.

See Connecting from Home for additional information.

Hours

Q.  What are the library's hours?

A.  Current hours for the library are listed on the Hours page.

Q.  How late is the computer lab open?

A.  The computer lab closes 15 minutes before the library building closes. For exact hours, see the listing for computer lab hours on the Hours page.

Books / Circulation

Q.  Where do I look to find out if the library has the books I need?

A.  All materials owned by Youngstown State's library may be located using our online catalog, MaagNet. See Using MaagNet for tips on how to search the catalog.

Q.  Does the library have textbooks for YSU classes?

A.  Most academic libraries such as Youngstown State University's Maag Library do not generally buy textbooks. Occasionally, older editions of some textbooks are donated to the library. Do a search (by the title of the book, by the author's name, or by author/title) in the online catalog, MaagNet, to find out if we own the book. If the book is not listed, you may also try searching in the OhioLINK Central Catalog to see if another OhioLINK institution owns a copy of the book.

Q.  Is it possible to get a copy of a book that the library does not own?

A.  If the book you need is checked out, missing, or not owned by YSU, you may search the OhioLINK Central Catalog, [the combined catalogs of the OhioLINK consortium colleges and universities]. You may request books online through the Central Catalog as long as they are available at an OhioLINK institution. (Please note that current textbooks are not often available). While viewing the record for an individual book, click on Request this item and follow the directions. You will be prompted to enter the name of your institution (Youngstown State University) and then your name and your library barcode.

However, if the the book is not available at Maag Library nor at OhioLINK institutions, ask for an Interlibrary Loan Request Form from a Reference Librarian, complete it, and return it to the Reference Desk on the main floor of Maag Library. If you prefer, you may instead fill out and submit an online form. The Interlibrary Loan staff will attempt to locate a copy of the book for you. (Please note that this service is intended for scholarly research and may take several weeks. It is not intended for requesting textbooks).

Q.  How do I find out if my OhioLINK book is in?

A.  You must check Your Circulation Record (at http://jupiter.ysu.edu/patroninfo) by submitting your name and library barcode. Look for and click on the link that says: Request (hold) oustanding. You should see the information for the book you have requested in the bottom frame. Look at the status column.

• If the status says Requested the other library is still working on your request.
• If the status says In Transit the book is on its way.
• If the status says OhioLink Rec'd the book is ready to pick up at the Circulation Desk in Maag Library.
• If your request disappears, the book is not available at this time from any OhioLINK institution. You will receive written confirmation of this after a few days. You may wish to retry your request at a later date.

Q.  How long can I keep a book I have checked out?

A.  That depends on where the book is from.

• For books owned by Maag Library:
  • the loan periods vary according to the category of the borrower (undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and courtesy borrowers).
  • Consult Maag Library Circulation for details.
• For books from other OhioLINK institutions:
  • the checkout period is three weeks (21 days).
• For books received (through Interlibrary Loan) from other libraries not in OhioLINK:
  • the time limit varies by institution, although two weeks is typical. You must return items by the due date stamped on the band.

Q.  Can I renew the books I have checked out?

A.  Generally, yes, if there isn't a hold on them, if they're not already overdue, or if you don't owe any fines.

• Maag Library books may be renewed three times (exception: when borrowers are from other OhioLINK institutions). See Maag Library Circulation for details.
• OhioLINK books may be renewed once. See OhioLINK Online Borrowing for details.

You may renew Maag Library or OhioLINK books in person, by telephone (330-941-3678) or online.
To renew books online:

• Click on View your Circulation Record.
• Enter your name and barcode.
• Click Items checked out.
• Put a check in the boxes beside the books you wish to renew.
• Click Renew selected items
• When you are finished, click Start Over then Logout to exit.

For books received (through Interlibrary Loan) from other libraries not in OhioLINK, contact the Interlibrary Loan/OhioLINK staff at (330) 941-3702 three days before the book is due to request a renewal. One renewal may be allowed; length varies, although 2 weeks is typical. If the band on your book has the message: No Renewals, the lending library does not allow renewals.
See Interlibrary Loan for additional details.

Q.  How much are library fines?

A.  Fines vary depending on who owns the books.

For books borrowed from YSU's Maag Library or the CRC by YSU students:

• Fines for overdue materials are 10 cents per day (including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays). Maximum fine is $11 per book.
• Non-returned or lost books are charged at the price of the book plus the overdue fine (up to $11 per book) plus $10 processing fee.
• Unpaid fines result in losing library privileges as well as being reported to the Bursar's Office. Once reported to the Bursar, other university privileges may be suspended until payment is received.
• Consult Maag Library Circulation for details.

For books borrowed by YSU patrons from other OhioLINK institutions (or Maag Library books borrowed by patrons of Other OhioLINK institutions):

• Fines for overdue OhioLINK books are 50¢ per day with a maximum of $15 per book.
• Lost or non-returned books are charged at $100 per item plus the $15 maximum fine.
• Unpaid fines result in losing library privileges as well as being reported to the Bursar's Office. Once reported to the Bursar, other university privileges may be suspended until payment is received.

Reserve Materials

Q.  How do I find books or other items my instructor put on reserve?

A.  Reserve materials for Maag Library are kept behind the Circulation Desk on the Main Floor. Additionally, some materials kept on reserve at the Multimedia Center in Maag Library and at the Curriculum Resource Center in the Beeghly College of Education.
See the guide to the Reserve Collection for additional information.

OhioLINK Borrowing / Interlibrary Loan

Q.  Is it possible to get a copy of a book that the library does not own?

A.  If the book you need is checked out, missing, or not owned by YSU, you may search the OhioLINK Central Catalog, [the combined catalogs of the OhioLINK consortium colleges and universities]. You may request books online through the Central Catalog as long as they are available at an OhioLINK institution. (Please note that current textbooks are not often available). While viewing the record for an individual book, click on Request this item and follow the directions. You will be prompted to enter the name of your institution (Youngstown State University), your name and your library barcode.

However, if the the book is unavailable either at Maag Library or at OhioLINK institutions, ask for an Interlibrary Loan Request Form from a Reference Librarian, complete it, and return it to the Reference Desk on the main floor of Maag Library. If you prefer, you may instead fill out and submit an online form. The Interlibrary Loan staff will attempt to locate a copy of the book for you. (Please note that this service is intended for scholarly research and may take several weeks. It is not intended for requesting textbooks).

Q.  How do I find out if my OhioLINK book is in?

A.  You must check Your Circulation Record (at http://jupiter.ysu.edu/patroninfo) by submitting your name and library barcode. Look for and click on the link that says: Request (hold) oustanding. You should see the information for the book you have requested in the bottom frame. Look at the status column.

• If the status says Requested the other library is still working on your request.
• If the status says In Transit the book is on its way.
• If the status says OhioLink Rec'd the book is ready to pick up at the Circulation Desk in Maag Library.
• If your request disappears, the book is not available at this time from any OhioLINK institution. You will receive written confirmation of this after a few days. You may wish to retry your request at a later date.

Q.  How long can I keep an OhioLINK book I have checked out?

A.  For books from other OhioLINK institutions: the checkout period is three weeks (21 days).

Q.  Can I renew the OhioLINK books I have checked out?

A.  You may renew OhioLINK books once if there isn't a hold on them, if they're not already overdue, or if you don't owe any fines. See OhioLINK Online Borrowing for details.

You may renew OhioLINK books in person, by telephone (330-941-3678) or online.
To renew books online:

• Click on View your Circulation Record.
• Enter your name and barcode.
• Click Items checked out.
• Put a check in the boxes beside the books you wish to renew.
• Click Renew selected items
• When you are finished, click Start Over then Logout to exit.

Q.  How much are OhioLINK fines?

A.  For OhioLINK Books:

• Fines for overdue OhioLINK books are 50¢ per day with a maximum of $15 per book.
• Lost or non-returned books are charged at $100 per item plus the $15 maximum fine.
• Unpaid fines result in losing library privileges as well as being reported to the Bursar's Office. Once reported to the Bursar, other university privileges may be suspended until payment is received.

Articles / Databases

Q.  Where can I find journal articles on my topic?

A.  The easiest way to find journal articles is to search a Research Database and find article citations. Maag Library, in conjunction with OhioLINK subscribes to over 100 databases in various disciplines. Consult a Subject Guide for recommended databases for your area. There is also a list of Databases by Subject at http://www.ohiolink.edu/resources.cgi?by=subject. Most references in OhioLINK databases have a link entitled Find A Copy that shows you if an article is available online or available at Maag or at another OhioLINK institution.

For assistance in searching for articles, contact library staff (see Ask a Librarian for contact information).

Q.  Can I get to the article databases from home?

A.  Access to most of these resources is restricted to current students, faculty and staff of OhioLINK Institutions due to licensing agreements. Courtesy Card holders (i.e. Friends of Maag Library or Alumni Association members) do not have off-campus access to licensed databases.

See Connecting from Home for additional information.

Miscellaneous / Help

Q.  Where can I find information on how to cite my resources?

A.  Consult the Citing Resources page for information on style manuals.

Q.  Where can I get help in using the library or its resources?

A.  Consult How to Find the Information You Need for a listing of helpful Web pages or find out how to get assistance from library staff on the Ask-A-Librarian page.