University Libraries | Borrowing | Printing and Photocopying | Locating Library Material | Donations and Additions to the Library Collection | Computer Facilities in the University Libraries | Access to Library Collections from Outside the Library | Still Need Answers?

THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Where are the main library and branch library buildings?
The McWherter Library building is in the northeast quadrant of the main campus, on Norriswood (closed to traffic) near Central and Zach Curlin Street.
Chemistry: Room 316 of J. M. Smith Hall
Earth Sciences: Center for Earthquake Research & Information, 3890 Central Avenue
Mathematical Sciences: Room 341 of Dunn Hall
Music: Room 115 of the Music Building
Audiology & Speech Language Pathology: 807 Jefferson Avenue, Room 110, in the mid-town Medical Center area.
For more details, check the University of Memphis campus map.

Where can I park when I visit the McWherter Library?
According to U of M Parking Services, there are 9100 parking spaces at the University. Investigate the Campus Parking Map to find out which lot will best suit your needs.

What is the mailing address of the University Libraries?
University of Memphis
126 Ned R. McWherter Library
Memphis TN 38152-3250

Are brochures on the University Libraries available?
Yes. Brochures can be found at the McWherter Library Circulation and Reference desks and at each of the branch library locations.

Do you offer tours of the Ned R. McWherter Library building?
Yes. You may schedule a tour with Stephanie Cage.

Are there classes offered on use of the library?
Yes. Classes in library use instruction are offered through a course-integrated approach. If you feel that your class would benefit from a library instruction, please ask your instructor to request a session. If you would like individualized assistance, you may visit the Reference Desk or request a personal consultation with a reference librarian.

May I eat and/or drink in the library?
Food is prohibited in The University Libraries. You may bring a drink if it is in a container with a secure top. Please see the Food, Drink, and Tobacco Policy for more information.

Where are rest rooms located in the McWherter Library?
West of the elevators in the center of the building on each floor, there are men's (north) and women's (south) rest rooms.

Are there public phones in the library?
A public telephone is located near the mens' restroom on floors 2 through 4 and near the photocopy room on the 1st floor of McWherter Library. These phones provide free calls to local and on-campus phone numbers.

May I use my cell phone in the University Libraries?
Cellphone conversations can be very disruptive to the libraries' study environment; therefore cell phone use is restricted to designated areas. Cell phone use is allowed in the elevator lobby on each floor of McWherter Library. As a courtesy to other library users, please silence your cell phone while in the libraries.

Does the library have space for exhibits?
There are three exhibit areas in the McWherter Library building. On the 1st floor near the elevators, Government Publications has a flat exhibit case where documents on various subjects, holidays, or agencies are displayed. On the 2nd floor exhibits are mounted that highlight University Libraries collections and resources as well as displays that revolve around Libraries, University, or educational programs or events, such as Banned Books Week and National Library Week. These exhibits are coordinated with computer programs running in the 1st floor kiosks and also with lecture programs when possible. On the 4th floor outside Special Collections, a wall case is used to highlight interesting books, photographs, maps, archival holdings, or objects from departmental collections on the Mississippi Valley, local and regional history, and other specialty areas.

May my group put up an exhibit in the library?
The Display Policy/Procedures Statement features the guidelines for use of all three library exhibit areas.

What are the schedules of service in the main and branch libraries?
Please check Hours and Locations for library service details.

May I read my e-mail on the University Libraries' computers?
Yes, you may log into your email account using your UUID and ph password. However, the computers in the public service departments (Circulation, Reserve Room, Reference) are primarily for the use of persons who need to use the University Libraries catalog or the various electronic databases. Students, faculty, and staff of the University of Memphis may use computers in the several TigerLAN labs around campus, including the one near the entrance to the McWherter Library building.

Is there any assistance for library users with disabilities?
Yes. On the first floor, just inside the west door to the Reference Room, the Adaptive Technology Lab has computer workstations and assistive devices for persons with disabilities. The Lab is maintained and staffed by the University's Office of Disability Services. Students must register with the Office of Disability Services and receive training prior to using this lab.

Is the Law Library a part of the University Libraries?
No. The Law Library is operated by University of Memphis Law School. The University Libraries does, however, host the Law Library's holdings in tomCat.

Is the Learning Resource Center in the College of Education a branch library?
No. The LRC, which contains textbooks and teaching materials, is operated independently by the College of Education in E. C. Ball Hall.

Is the Planning Library a branch of the University Libraries?
No. The Planning Library is operated by the City & Regional Planning Office and located in 226 Johnson Hall.

May I use electronic journals and databases if I am not enrolled at the University of Memphis?
Yes. However, electronic library resources access for patrons not affiliated with the University is restricted to on-campus use. Remote access to these resources in only available to faculty, students, and staff of the University.

BORROWING

Who may borrow library material?
Borrowers include U of M students, faculty, and staff; area residents; students, faculty, or staff from area universities with whom the U of M has a reciprocal borrowing agreement; Memphis-area high school students---all non-U of M borrowers, however, must register with the Circulation desk.

Is a library card necessary?
Yes. U of M borrowers use their university ID; reciprocal borrowers use their university ID; area residents and area high school students use the card issued by Circulation to borrow books.

Is all library material available for loan?
No. Books from the Circulation stacks (3rd and 4th floor) may be checked out for a minimum of 30 days; material from other areas (such as Reserves, the video collection, and Government Publications) has a more limited circulation time. Journals, magazines, and newspapers do not circulate, nor do Reference books.

How many items can I borrow and for how long?
U of M faculty: up to 100 items for one academic year (August-June)
U of M staff: up to 100 items for one semester
Graduate student: up to 50 items for one semester
Undergraduate student: up to 35 items for 30 days
Alumni: up to 10 items for 30 days
Citizen: up to 10 items for 30 days
Reciprocal faculty: up to 10 items for 30 days
Reciprocal student: up to 10 items for 30 days
High school student: up to 5 items for 14 days

May I borrow magazines and journals?
No. These items do not circulate.

May I borrow videocassettes?
Yes. Those on Reserve may be checked out for either 2 hours or 24 hours, at the professor's discretion. Those found on the 2nd floor circulate for either 3 or 7 days. Only U of M borrowers may check out videocassettes or Reserve items.

How do I renew my materials?
Books and videocassettes from the 2nd floor may be renewed by telephone (678-2205) if not overdue. Callers must have their ID bar code number and all bar codes of books or videos to be renewed at hand. Reserve items may not be renewed. They must stay in the library 24 hours before being checked out by the same borrower.

Are there book drops outside the library where material can be returned?
Yes. Book drops are located at the front southwest corner of McWherter, on Central Avenue near the crosswalk, and on Alumni Avenue between Mitchell Hall and the Administration building. However, videos and Reserve materials should not be returned in a book drop.

Can I borrow books or articles from other libraries?
Yes. The Interlibrary Loan office fulfills requests for items unavailable in McWherter. Also, U of M borrowers may use and borrow material from reciprocal schools' libraries.

PRINTING AND PHOTOCOPYING

Where can I make photocopies?
Photocopiers are located in Copy Rooms on floors one and two adjacent to the elevators and in the Copy Center, room 104 near the first floor elevators.

How much do copies cost?
The cost for photocopying is $.10 per page.

In the main library or branch libraries can I download and print from Internet sites?
Public printing is available for 10 cents a page in McWherter Library. Students may put money on their university ID cards; guests will want to first purchase a copy card for $1.00 in McWherter and then put money on that card. PLEASE bring change, as the University Libraries cannot provide change. You may also save to floppy disks, zip disks, or USB keys. Faculty, staff and students have the option of saving items to their UM Drive space and printing later in an office, a lab, or at home.
Public printing is not available in the branch libraries. You may use a variety of methods to save information for printing elsewhere: email to yourself, download to a disc, place a file on the UM drive.

LOCATING LIBRARY MATERIALS

Why is the library catalog called "tomCat"?
As the University of Memphis' athletic teams have as their mascot a tiger named Tom, "tomCat" became a quick way to refer to the University Libraries' online public access catalog.

How do I find a book?
Please see How To Find Books.

How do I find a journal or newspaper article?
Please see How To Find Periodicals.

Can I find out what other libraries own?
There are links to several Memphis-area libraries as well as state, national, and international listings at Other Libraries' Catalogs.

Can I search the catalog of one specific branch library?
On the web version of tomCat, you may use the drop down menu to limit your search to a specific holding location, such as the Music library.

How and where do I find material my professor put "on reserve"?
The Reserve Room is the area where instructors place supplemental materials (recommended books, audiocassettes, textbooks, videos sample papers and photocopies). The library catalog indicates that an item is in the Reserve Room or you may visit the Reserve Room, located on the first floor of McWherter Library right next to the Circulation Desk.

Is everything owned by the University Libraries listed in the catalog?
No. Right now, there are titles from Government Publications and Special Collections not yet in tomCat, and the netLibrary e-books can only be searched from their own web site. Cataloging is constantly working to improve access, however, and it provides regular updates on database quality.

What is the call number?
Except for Government Publications, the University of Memphis Libraries use the LC classification system, which organizes items by subject. Each book is assigned a unique call number. In McWherter Library, the call number also tells you on what floor the book is located. Unless noted otherwise (e.g., Reference), the books are in the general circulating collection (the "stacks") on the 3rd and 4th floors.

How do I locate material that I find listed in the catalog?
Locating materials listed in the Libraries’ catalog takes three steps:
1) Check the make sure that the status says that the item is “available.”
2) Check the location. Is it at McWherter Library, a branch, or at Jackson State Community College, Dyersburg State Community College, or LeMoyne-Owen? Also, is it in a particular department - for example Reference, Special Collections, or Government Publications?
3) Once you have determined which library it is in, you should copy the call number and go to the appropriate area of the library.

How do I find material that the catalog says is "available" but is not on the shelf?
You may fill out a search request card and turn it in at the Circulation desk. The Circulation staff will search for the book and notify you either that it is found or has been declared missing.

Does the library buy another copy when the catalog record says a title is missing? Yes, and most likely a new copy is already in the works. To make sure, though, alert Collection Development that this item needs to be replaced.

If the catalog record says "on order," how can I find out when it will be available?
Check with Collection Development.

If the catalog record says "order received," how can I find out when it will be available?
If you need the item right away, you may request that it be "rush cataloged." Normally, Cataloging can provide the book within 48 hours.

Why doesn't the library have a title that is on my assigned reading list?
Textbooks, workbooks, and laboratory manuals are not purchased by the library. If they are in the library, textbooks are most likely on reserve (courtesy of your instructor). Otherwise, you may wish to check with other libraries in Memphis.

Do you have classes to teach me how to use the library?
Yes. Please check with Instructional Services for the next available class time(s).

What about recordings of recitals at The U of M? Are they in the library?
The Music Library receives recordings of all recitals presented in Harris Auditorium. There is no strict timetable for receipt of the recordings, so they may be received a few days after the recital or 2-3 weeks. Check at the Music Library. Recital recordings must be used in the library; they may not be checked out, except to Music faculty members.

Instructional Services for the next available class time(s).

DONATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY COLLECTIONS

How can I donate books or journals to the library?
The U of M Libraries are delighted to accept donations under the conditions of the Gift Policy.

Can you tell me how much my donation is worth?
No. Evaluations or appraisals can not be given by University Libraries personnel to any donor for any gift. Donors must contract with an independent appraiser for this service. Please see the Gift Policy for more information.

How can I make suggestions for new purchases?
Collection Development welcomes your purchase suggestions. If you are a faculty member, you will be assigned to work your department's Faculty Representative to the library, who in turn will consider your suggestion with the Library Liaison attached to that department.

How do I contact a Library Liaison?
The Library Liaisons are accessible by email; further questions may be directed to Collection Development.

COMPUTER FACILITIES IN THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Are there computers in the main library and branches for students, staff, and faculty to use? If so, where are they located?
Yes, there are 63 Dell OptiPlex 260s for general use in the libraries: 35 in Reference, 10 in Government Publications, 8 in Periodicals, 1 in Special Collections, 2 in the Chemistry Library, 4 in the Music Library, 2 in the Speech and Hearing Library, and 1 in the Math Library. There are 6 OptiPlex 150s dedicated for scanning documents in microforms and periodicals. There are 10 OptiPlex GX1s scattered throughout the stacks and dedicated specifically to Telnet catalog searches. There are 2 OptiPlex GX1s in the Reserve Reading Room and 2 special purpose GX1s in Government Publications.

Can the general public use the computers in the University Libraries?
Adult library users are able to use the computer resources of the libraries. Some resources may be limited to U of M students, faculty, and staff. Users under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

On the University Libraries public computers, are there word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and e-mail programs?
Although faculty, staff and students can access their postoffice mail, or even Hotmail and Yahoo mail by authenticating with their UUID and PH password from the public computers, guests without these University identities cannot. On the public machines there are Microsoft Office viewers with which the user can view WORD, EXCEL and POWERPOINT files. Editing for Microsoft Office programs is only available to students in the third floor TigerLan branch lab with 18 computers or on 52 of the 54 machines in the TigerLAN superlab on the first floor of McWherter. In order to use these, individuals must login with their UUID and TigerLan password.

Can I connect to the University network if I bring my laptop or my PC to my study carrel in the McWherter Library?
Only faculty and graduate students with reserved study carrels can plug their network cables into active jacks provided in the carrels. At the present time, because of the slowness of these connections, wireless presents a better alternative, even in the carrels. Either way, the faculty/staff/student machine must be registered in NetReg and fully patched with up-to-date virus protection in order to connect with either a wired or a wireless connection.
Wired connections are not provided to the public or to students except those graduate students who have reserved study carrels. Campus-wide wireless connections are offered to any faculty/staff/students with a UUID and PH password. Visitors without UUIDs and PH passwords may not connect to the Internet through either the wired or wireless University networks.

How can I register my computer in NetReg?
Users must register their machines at the University's Network Registration webpage using their UUID and PH password. If the NetReg page does not come up automatically when the browser is opened, try manually typing in the URL http://netreg.memphis.edu/. If the user still cannot access NetReg, help can be found at the Client Services office in Room 124 of the Administration Building.

Do the main library and branch libraries have wireless Internet connections?
All academic buildings on campus (except Mitchell Hall) now have wireless access, and no locations on campus require the old Aegis Client (i.e., users no longer have to login to the wireless network after the machine is registered in NETREG). Both 802.11b and the 802.11g (which will work with both a and b) cards will work in the McWherter Library. All wireless (as well as wired) connections on campus require that the computer be registered at http://netreg.memphis.edu/ with the user's UUID and PH password.

Can I use a USB key to save files on a public machine in the library?
A chassis design flaw on the Dell OptiPlex 260s and 270s prevents some third-party USB keys from making a good connection with the connectors on the front of the case. However, the USB connectors on the back seem to work with the shorter shank keys just fine. For the Biblab machines, it is not convenient to plug into the back of the cases mounted under the desks, so extension cables have been ordered. The most important thing to remember is that a USB key is installed on the machine and must be stopped (by right clicking on the icon in the task tray) in order to remove it safely without risking loss of data.

ACCESS TO LIBRARY COLLECTIONS FROM OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY

How do I access library online resources from off campus?
Access to online resources is available from the U of M Libraries' home page. Many resources are available only to U of M students, staff, and faculty. For these, you must login using your Universal User Identification (UUID) and ph password, which are available from the Information Technology Division or by swiping your University of Memphis ID card in a TigerLAN lab.

How can I use electronic journals and databases if I dial in from my home computer?
There are two options and both require having a valid University of Memphis UUID and PH password. The first option is by using the U of M dial-up. The second is for users with a third party Internet Service Provider, such as RoadRunner, BellSouth, AOL, et al. These users access the U of M Libraries' home page and authenticate using their UUID and PH password to use the licensed databases.

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