When classes are in session, Burke Library is open until 2 am from Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Hours vary at the beginning and end of each semester and during break periods. See full schedule.
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Reference librarians can help you develop a research strategy for locating information on your topic, find answers to specific questions, assist you with finding print and electronic resources, and answer questions about library services. Visit our Ask a Librarian page for information on the different ways you can reach us.
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The HILLgroup's Copyright @ Hamilton is a good place to start. You may also wish to consult the college's copyright policy page.
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Individuals living within 25 miles of the campus may check out up to 20 books for a period of 28 days. Visit the circulation desk for information on how to get a borrowing card.
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The library is one of Hamilton's largest student employers. For applications and a list of currently open positions, go to the Student Employment Office web pages.
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Books are due the last day of the semester, in December and May. You can renew books online by logging into your library account.
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That depends on who you are. Faculty and staff may check out up to 300 books at a time. Students may check out up to 200 books at a time. But remember, you have to bring them all back! Books may also be recalled after being checked out for two weeks. Consult the Circulation and Reserves Department page for more details on borrowing books.
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A list of course reserves for each class is available in ALEX and BlackBoard. Books and other materials that can't be scanned may be checked out for two hours at the circulation desks of Burke Library and the Music Library. Links to articles are included in the catalog record found in ALEX.
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Textbooks may be placed on reserve by faculty members, but the library does not routinely purchase textbooks for the collection.
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The fastest way to get a book that has already been checked out is to borrow it from another library. In addition, all books (with the exception of course reserves) can be recalled after they have been checked out for at least two weeks. Look for the “Request Item” link in the catalog record for the item you would wish to obtain.
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Reference materials and journals may not be checked out from the library.
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The library can usually get materials we don't own for you through interlibrary loan. Books typically take from 6 to 12 days to arrive. Articles typically take from 1 to 5 days and are delivered as PDFs. In either case, you will get an email from AskILL@hamilton.edu when the materials you ordered arrive. Don't hesitate to ask a librarian if you need help.
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Hamilton faculty and students may check out library materials from the following institutions by presenting their Hamilton ID: Colgate University, the Kirkland Town Library, the Mid-York Library System, Mohawk Valley Community College, SUNY Insitute of Technology, and Utica College. Links to the catalogs for each library is available on our interlibary loan requests page.
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To renew your books, log in to your library account in ALEX using the 7-digit number located on the front of your Hill Card.
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The library's DVD collection is located on the second floor behind the stairs leading up to the third floor. The VHS collection is located in storage, but individual tapes will be retrieved while you wait if you provide a title and call number to someone working at the circulation desk. You can find videos in ALEX by limiting your search to Videos/DVDs. Students may check out items for 3 days. Faculty and staff may check out items for a week.
Most materials owned by the library are licensed for personal and classroom use only. If you intend to show a film to a wider audience, you will need to contact the Audiovisual Services Department to purchase a public performance license at least two weeks in advance of the proposed screening. See the Media Use and Rentals Policy section of the Audiovisual Services web page for more information.
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The library has a small selection of computer games that may be checked out for use in the library by Hamilton students, faculty, and staff. A Wii, Play Station, Play Station 3, and XBOX 360 are available for use in the basement. You can view list of available games in ALEX.
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You can access almost all the library's electronic resources from off campus. When you click on a subscription resource from the library's website, you will be prompted for the name and ID number from your Hill Card before you can access the resource. If you can't access a resource using your Hill Card information, contact a reference librarian at 315-859-4735 or askref@hamilton.edu for assistance.
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Instructions for connecting to the secure wireless network are available in the ITS documenation system. Guests should stop at the information commons help desk or the circulation desk for a user name and password.
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All public printers on campus use the PaperCut print management system is tracking printer usage. To print in the library, you will need to use your username and password (your network password if you don't have your passwords synchronized).
Instructions for printing from your laptap may be found at the ITS print management in the public labs page.
Photocopiers are located on the first floor against the wall furthest from the entrance. Swipe your Hill Card to pay for copies, or purchase a card at the circulation desk.
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Scanning is available in the MPC from the Macintosh computers on the first floor of Burke Library.
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Color printing is available for course related documents in the MPC from the Macintosh computers on the first floor of Burke Library.
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There is not a public fax machine in Burke Library. The college bookstore, located in the Sadove Student Center, has a fax machine available for public use.
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Ask for help with microfilm at the reference desk. You might also want to consult the microforms FAQ page.
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Rooms 209, 211, 213, and 215 may be reserved for study and meeting purposes Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. until closing, and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until closing. Visit the study rooms reservation page for more information.
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The third floor of Burke Library is generally considered to be a quiet study space. The carrels on the perimeter of the second floor and to the rear of the first floor are also quiet areas.
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If someone is distracting you from your work, please let the staff on duty at either the circulation or reference desk know.
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Food and drink are allowed in the library within certain guidelines. Visit the library's food and drink policy page for more information.
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Yes, but please be respectful of others in the library. Keep your cell phone on vibrate, and move to a secluded area if you must take a call.
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Anyone is welcome to recommend items for purchase by the library. Visit the library's recommend a purchase page for more information.
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The circulation department's placing materials on reserve page outlines library procedures and policies.
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Faculty may request materials be delivered to department offices. Use the online request form or contact the circulation department at askcirc@hamilton.edu or 315-859-4479 for more information.
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The reference librarians provide course-integrated instruction in information resources. Typically, classes are taught by reference librarians assigned to the particular discipline. Please contact your department’s library liaison to schedule a class.
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You may borrow DVDs and VHS tapes from Burke Library to show in class. If the title you need is checked out, we will recall it for you and ask the borrower to return it to the library within 24 hours. The library also owns a collection of 16mm films and laserdiscs. It's always best to place a hold on any film you plan to show by contacting the library's circulation department (x4479) at least two weeks in advance of a screening.
Contact Claire Skjellerup (cskjelle@hamilton.edu or x4120) in audiovisual services for assistance showing films. If you are unfamiliar with the DVD or VHS playback equipment in your classroom, you may schedule a brief personal training session. Audiovisual Services will provide a projectionist if the media item is a 16mm film or another unusual format.
Most materials owned by the library are licensed for personal and classroom use only. If you intend to show a film to a wider audience, you will need to contact the Audiovisual Services Department to purchase a public performance license at least two weeks in advance of the proposed screening. See the Media Use and Rentals Policy section of the Audiovisual Services web page for more information.
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