Library Services

Collection  |  Computers  |  Databases  |  Distance Learners  |  Interlibrary Loan

Collection
Library materials circulate to staff, faculty, and currently registered students.  Items in the general collection circulate for three weeks. Videos and items on reserve for classes circulate for one week at a time.  Theses circulate for two weeks. All materials may be renewed multiple times provided there are no holds on them. The catalog of our collection may be searched from any of the library workstations, or on the Internet.  If an item is checked out, call the library to place a hold on it to block renewal ; click here for details. Journals do not circulate but there is a copier available in the library.  Copying is 10 cents per page.

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Computers
The library has ten IBM-compatible PCs available for student use.  Each has a CDROM drive, Internet access and Microsoft Office 2000 (which includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access).  These machines are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Printing from full text databases, the Internet, or word processors is free in the Library Computer Lab.

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Databases 
In addition to the library's catalog, we also offer access to many databases, some with full text (see the Online Research Tools page).  Authorization and password are required, and those currently registered may obtain both by calling or sending an email to library (please include your full name and student identification number).

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Distance Learners
Students who do not regularly attend classes in Pasadena, but instead do so online or at sites such as Palm Spings, Visalia, etc., have access to all of the same library services as Pasadena-based students, with the following exceptions/modifications:  

• Materials owned by Pacific Oaks Library will be shipped to students free of charge, but the student is resposible for paying to ship the materials back.  We recommend UPS or insured mail, to cover the cost of the item in case it is lost or damaged.
• Materials checked out and sent to distance learners have a three week loan period, but can be renewed by phone or email, so long as no one else has a hold on the item.
• Articles requested through interlibrary loan will be sent to the student by fax, mail or email (student must specify).  Books cannot be requested through interlibrary loan.  However, Pacific Oaks Library's FirstSearch Worldcat may be used to identify materials needed available for interlibrary loan. The full citation may then be printed and taken to the student's local library where the interlibrary loan transaction can take place conveniently for the student and the local library.

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Interlibrary Loan
Books and journal articles not owned by Pacific Oaks Library may usually be obtained by placing an interlibrary loan (ILL) request through FIRSTSEARCH. Call or come in for instruction on how to place a request. This costs $1.00 per request, and takes one to two weeks.  Books obtained through ILL are usually checked out for 2-3 weeks. Copies of articles are for the student to keep.

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