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Reference Department Policies and Procedures
 
Additional policies and procedures exist that might be applicable.
 
Purpose
 
To provide informational resources in support of the academic and research programs of UL Lafayette and to provide professional and expert reference assistance and instruction to the university's students, faculty, staff, and to the general public in their research or information-seeking processes.
 
Patrons
 
The primary patrons are the university's students, faculty, and staff. Some services and facilities are offered to the general public. Current members of the university may be given priority in the use of any service or reference tool. Users of federal government information resources and services will be provided services comparable to those for primary patrons.
 
Circulation of Materials
 
No Reference materials are circulated.
 
Any questions regarding these policies should be referred to the Reference Department.
 
Services
 
Services are provided in person at the Reference Desk, by telephone, and via email, instant messaging, and Skype. The Reference Department provides the Reference Online Center, Individual Research Consultations, Ask a Librarian, U.S. Government Information, and Instructional Services. The Reference Department also manages study carrel assignments.
 
Reference Online Center
The Reference Department provides computers for research: searching of reference online databases, the library's online catalog, and U.S. government information resources. Student Technology Enhancement fees provide printing availability to UL Lafayette-affiliated users. The limit is 50 pages per day per person.
 
Reference Online Center Use Policy
Acceptable Use
Preference for use of computers in the Reference Online Center is given to researchers accessing the library's online catalog and databases and government information resources. Those engaged in other activities may be asked to leave if a computer is needed for research.
 
Unacceptable Use
Unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Users must limit sessions to 30 minutes if others are waiting.
  • Beverages and food are prohibited at all computer workstations.
  • Users may not change any windows, DOS, or Explorer configurations or options.
  • Users may not move, disconnect, or reconfigure equipment.
  • Users are limited to 50 pages of printing per day per person.
  • Users are encouraged to download large files to personal memory devices rather than printing them.
  • Users may not download to hard drives or server drives. Download to personal memory devices only.
  • Users must abide by the UL Lafayette Computer & Network Policy.
 
Reference Online Database Access for Off-Campus Use
Those who access the Web through an ISP (Internet Service Provider) will need to supply a UCS CLID (campus logon ID) and UCS password, when prompted, in order to reach a database. Faculty, staff, and students can obtain a UCS CLID and password by visiting the Help Desk (Stephens Hall 201, 482-5516, helpdesk@louisiana.edu).
 
Reference Online Center Computer Reservations
UL Lafayette instructors who wish to use the Reference Online Center computers for class instruction in use of the library's resources may contact the Reference Desk (482-6030) at least two hours prior to the requested reservation time. A specific time and the number of students attending are also required when submitting a reservation request. The Reference Online Center computers may be reserved a maximum of three times per section during each semester.
 
Individual Reference Consultations
Individual consultations are offered by appointment to assist researchers with in-depth projects.
 
Ask a Librarian
Real-Time Reference Service and Email
Requests for brief, factual information may be submitted to the Reference Department via Skype, instant messaging, or email. These services are intended for the students, faculty, and staff of UL Lafayette. Others will be assisted if the question concerns UL Lafayette or some unique resource of the Edith Garland Dupré Library.
 
Types of appropriate questions include:
  • The availability and locations of materials in the UL Lafayette Libraries.
  • Inquiries about services of the UL Lafayette Libraries.
  • Request for brief statistical data.
  • Verification of bibliographic citations.
  • Addresses for corporations, institutions, and publishers.
  • Request for brief biographical information.
  • Assistance with the use of the online catalog, or the online databases.
 
The questions are answered by the Reference Department librarians. If a question is best answered by another library department, the question will be forwarded and a librarian from that department will respond.
 
Email replies are normally sent within 48 hours, excluding holidays. Check the Ask a Librarian web page for hours of operation and more information concerning instant messaging and Skype.
 
 
Reference Department
(337.482.6030; reference@louisiana.edu)
 
 
UL Lafayette   
 
 

Document last revised Tuesday, August 21, 2012 10:43 AM hcp
 
© Copyright 2007 by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Edith Garland Dupré Library, PO Box 40199, Lafayette LA 70504
Circulation Desk: 337/482-6025 · Reference Desk: 337/482-6030
Location: 400 E Saint Mary Blvd · E-Mail: reference@louisiana.edu