Frequently Asked Questions

What are the library hours?

The library is open Monday – Friday: 7:30 am – 10:30 pm; Saturday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm; and Sunday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm.

Does the library have private study rooms?

The library’s four study rooms are available on a reservation system. Study rooms can be reserved online at this link, over the phone, or at the Circulation and Reference desks. More information about the study rooms can be found here.

If all the study rooms are full, can I use the classroom?

You will need to inquire at the Reference desk about the room’s availability. Please consult the Classroom 460 / Study Room Procedure for more information.

Is there a refreshment area?

Yes, it is located near the building’s main entrance. It contains cold beverage machines, a coffee bar, snack machine, microwave, and tables and chairs.

Can I get change?

Change will be made at the library staff’s discretion and will not be made for amounts over $5.00.

Can cell phones be used?

The library has two designated areas for cell phone use: the library entry way and the northern hallway. Cell phones need to be either turned off or on vibrate within the Library. Please do not use cell phones in the quiet reading area, the refreshment area, or in the study rooms. Please consult the Telephone/Cell Phone Procedure for more information.

Is there a bulletin board?

Yes, it is located by the North entrance of the Library. Please inquire at the Circulation/Reference Desk and if approval is given, we will post the information for you.

Is there a Lost and Found?

High value items, such as smartphones or laptops, are turned in to security on a daily basis. Other items left in the library are kept at the Reference desk for one month before being sent to the campus mailroom. The library is not responsible for items that are left unattended, and the library staff reserves the right to move belongings that appear abandoned for fifteen minutes or more to the Reference desk.

What level of noise is acceptable in the Library?

Quiet talking and group study is permitted throughout the library as long as it does not disturb others. Doors to the study rooms should be closed when in use. Cell phones and all similar devices are to be turned off or set on “vibrate” or “silent” mode. Headphones should be used at all times when using media and should always be set to low volumes. Users determined by the library staff to be disruptive to a quiet atmosphere may be asked to lower their voices or to leave the library. Please consult the Noise Control/Disturbance Procedure for more information.

Are children welcome?

If it is necessary to bring a child to the Library, the responsible adult should note that:

• Library staff do not provide childcare.
• Parents or guardians are responsible for their child’s conduct and noise level.
• If your child becomes distracting to others and their behavior does not quickly improve, you and your family could be asked to leave.
• Please keep your child with you. The Library is not childproof.

Are the moving shelves dangerous?

No. There are numerous safety precautions built into the shelving for your protection.

Do I need my student ID to check out Materials?

Students must have a current student ID card the first time they check out material and they must also currently be enrolled. In addition to being enrolled in classes, students will need to present a current student ID or driver’s license to check out material once they have a library account.

How long can library materials be kept?

The Bellevue University Library has information in many formats. Some may be borrowed (checked out) while others are for in-library use only.

• In-Library Use Only: Periodicals
• 2 Hour Loan Period (in-Library Use Only): Print items on reserve (including solution manuals)
• 4 Hour Loan Period (in-Library Use Only): Laptops, headphones, computer mice, webcams, dry-erase markers, and remote controls.
• 7 Days (limit of 3 Total): DVDs
• 21 Days (limit of 15 titles): Print materials (books) and audio books. This loan period is for: Students attending classes on the Bellevue campus, Lozier campus students, Alumni, Community Users, and Reciprocal Borrowers.
• 28 Days (limit of 15 titles): Items from the general collection. This loan period is for: Online students and those who attend classes in communities outside the Omaha area.
• 60 Days: Items from the general collection. This loan period is for: Bellevue University faculty and staff.

Can patrons renew items?

Books can be renewed twice for 21 days at a time if a hold has not been placed on the item. Audiovisual material may be renewed once for an additional 7 days.

Does the library charge overdue fines?

Fines are not assessed for overdue items. If a patron has an overdue item, they will not be able to checkout any more items until the item is returned or renewed. If items are more than one month overdue, the patron will be charged a replacement fee for the item and a hold will be put on their account until the fee is paid or the item is returned.

Can a hold be placed on an item that is checked out?

You can ask to place a hold via the Circulation desk, either in person or by calling 1.402.557.7314. The library staff will notify you when the item is available.

What are the restrictions on Reserve items?

Items put on Reserve by an instructor typically must be returned within 2 hours and should not leave the library. Individual instructors may make exceptions to these rules.

Where can library materials be returned?

Materials may be returned at the Circulation desk or in the book drops. Book drops are located at the main and west entrances of the Library and to the right of the front door at the Lozier Professional building. Book drops remain available after the buildings have closed.

Can DVDs and audiobooks be placed in the bookdrop?

Yes.

Is there a list for the catalogs of other academic libraries in Nebraska?

A list of other Nebraska Libraries for whom we have a Reciprocal Borrowing agreement with can be found here.

Can Bellevue University students check out books from other libraries?

You will need to present the other library with your current Bellevue University student ID card and a picture ID. In addition, your library account must be in good standing. Inquire about “reciprocal borrowing privileges” at the circulation desk of the academic library you are visiting. Check here for a list of academic libraries with which you can make use of reciprocal borrowing privileges.

Can college students from Nebraska colleges or universities use the library?

Current students from reciprocal schools may borrow materials and use the library’s computers for research purposes. To check out material, reciprocal students need to present a valid student ID. Reciprocal students are expected to pay 10 cents per page for printing.

Can people not affiliated with Bellevue University use the library?

By paying for a Community User fee, inactive students who have not yet completed their degree, applicants who have not yet begun class, and other members of the community may have borrowing privileges for one year. Those who are able to provide proof of residence can purchase library access at two tiers:

• Community User Basic (Household or Individual): $50.00 annual fee
  • Allows users to check out physical materials, including books and media. Excludes Kindles.
• Community User Plus Online (Household or Individual): $100.00 annual fee
  • Allows users access to Community User benefits, plus full online database access and interlibrary loan services. Excludes Kindles and Gartner database access.

Inactive and prospective Bellevue University students will have the $50.00 or $100.00 fee credited to their account if they register for classes within a year of paying the fee and present the library receipt to the Associate Director, Student Accounts in the Business Office. Both Inactive and prospective Bellevue University students are eligible for individual cards only. Other community members may use the Library and the computers after inquiring at the Circulation/Reference Desks for a guest login at no charge and for an unlimited amount of time. However, Bellevue University students do have priority over non-paying community members. Please consult the Community User Procedure for more information.

Does the Library have books to help prepare for CLEP and DSST tests?

Yes, the Library owns multiple copies of study materials and practice tests which are helpful when studying for CLEP and DSST tests. Because of high demand, they may not be immediately available and renewals may not be possible. Students can only have 2 CLEP and DSST books checked out at a time.

Do you have the current edition of my textbook for class?

Because textbooks can change frequently and the Library has a limited budget, it is unlikely that you will find a copy of your textbook in our collection. To obtain a copy of your current textbook, contact the BU bookstore at 1.402.557.7070.

Where are the reference materials? Can they be checked out?

The reference collection has been integrated into the library’s general collection. These items may now be checked out.

Does the library have daily newspapers and/or periodicals?

Daily newspapers and periodicals are located near the main entrance.

Are there audiovisual (DVD or Audiobook) materials in your collection?

Yes. The audiovisual collection is located near the refreshment area and main entrance for the library.

Can I buy or rent textbooks from the Library?

No. You will need to contact the Bookstore or call 1.402.557.5050 to acquire textbooks.

If Bellevue University does not own an item, can it be borrowed from somewhere else?

The library provides interlibrary loan service to Bellevue University students, faculty, staff, alumni and community users. You can request material using our online form. You can also initiate the interlibrary loan request yourself by using Interlibrary Loan Direct Request through the WorldCat database.

What is the charge for Interlibrary Loan?

Library patrons are allowed up to 4 interlibrary loan requests per academic term at no charge. Additional requests will incur a fee of $1.00 each. When material is picked up on campus payment is due in full at the time of pickup. When material is sent to the Lozier center or mailed by UPS, payment is due in full within one week of receiving the material. Faculty and staff have no request limit.

Patrons may request only one currently used textbook within a six month period. No textbook renewals will be granted.

Does the Library Provide Faxing Services?

The Library provides faxing service for students. Local faxes can be sent for no charge; long distance faxes are $.50 per page. International faxes are $1.00 per page. Faculty and staff may fax their own material. Incoming faxes for students are not accepted.

Is there a phone in the library for patron use?

A telephone for local or toll-free calls is available in the Refreshment Area.

Are DVD players available in the library?

There is one DVD player available in the quiet reading area. The DVD player can only be used in the library and cannot be reserved in advance. A remote control can be checked out for 2 hours with a 2 hour renewal.

Are there computers in the library for student use?

The library has 22 public desktop computers; in addition, 12 laptop computers are available for in-library check-out only. Each machine is equipped with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel as well as multiple web browsers. Please consult the Computer Use Internal Procedure for more information.

What is involved in checking out a laptop computer?

You will need to have a student ID, a credit card or driver’s license, and a library account. You may check out a laptop computer for 4 hours with the option of renewing once. Please consult the Laptop Usage Procedure for more information.

Is there a charge for printing?

We do not charge those affiliated with Bellevue University for printing, but we ask that you limit printing to 25 pages per day. Other patrons, including reciprocal or community users, are asked to pay $.10 per page at the Circulation desk.

Does the Library provide color printing?

Library staff can print assignments, research papers, charts, graphs, PowerPoint, and database articles for patrons in color. Patrons wishing to print in color should notify the library staff of their intentions before emailing the document as an attachment to library@bellevue.edu. Patrons can also save their document to their flash drive to give to the library staff for printing. Only material that is related to classwork will be printed in color. Printing requests will not be granted within 15 minutes of closing. Please consult the Color Printer Usage Procedure for more information.

Are scanners available for use?

One scanning station is available in the printing area, near the Library Staff Offices door. This station is available on a first-come first-serve basis for up to 15 minutes. Scanners are not to be used for photocopying purposes and copyright law prohibits pages from copyrighted materials to be scanned and saved electronically. The Library is not responsible for ensuring the privacy of scanned personal information.

How can library databases and services be accessed from off-campus?

If you try to access any library databases and services that require off-campus authentication, you will be presented with a pop-up window for BRUIN Connect that will prompt you for your campus username and password.

How can I learn more about the databases available to me?

The A-Z Database List contains detailed information about databases, including a description, links to guides and tutorials related to specific databases, and vendor information.

What is the name of the Bellevue University Library catalog?

Our online catalog is called eCatalog.

What is Discovery Search and how can I access it?

Discovery Search is the best place to start your research, and you will find it at the top of the library homepage. This convenient single-search interface is your link to books, journal articles, eBooks, and more.

What is NoodleTools and how can I access it

NoodleTools is a tool to help you manage references and citations. You may also use NoodleTools to create a bibliography in APA, MLA, or Chicago style. You can access it here.

What is BUILD IT and how can I access it?

BUILD IT is an interactive tutorial that provides a comprehensive overview of how to research and find materials. The tutorial is divided into five informative modules, each with an interactive quiz. You can access BUILD IT here.

What is Turnitin and how can I access it?

Turnitin is a tool you can use to check your paper for plagiarism and originality before ‘turning it in’. If Turnitin is required for your course, your instructor will provide you with an access code. You can access Turnitin here.

What is Gartner and how can I access it?

Gartner is a research and professional development opportunity database that focuses on information technology and its relation to business management; use this database if you are researching IT in a business environment. Bellevue University students, faculty, staff, and alumni can access it here.

What settings on my computer should I check if I am having problems connecting to Library resources?

Make sure that all your pop-up blockers are off and cookies are allowed. You may need to clear your cookies and cache/history. Check to see if you have the most current versions of programs such as Adobe Reader and Java. If you are still having connection issues, be sure to contact the Reference desk. Please consult the Troubleshooting Libguide for more information.

What help is available for doing research or finding materials?

The staff at the Reference desk can help with a variety of questions, including helping you find appropriate databases, locating statistics, selecting search terms, interpreting records, searching the internet, evaluating web sites and finding materials. You can contact the Reference staff by any of the ways listed on the the Ask a Librarian page.

What is the Research Assistance Program and how can I access it?

The Research Assistance Program is a resource offered to Bellevue University students that provides support on a one-on-one basis throughout the student’s academic career. The Reference Librarian assigned to you can answer questions regarding database navigation, library resources, citations, and more. If interested please see our Research Assistance Program page.

How do I get help when the library is not open?

We offer assistance through our 24/7 Library Chat service, available through the chat boxes found throughout our webpages. We will also reply to messages left via phone and emails. We will normally respond within 24 hours.

Are there tutorials or guides with information about databases, resources, and services?

The Bellevue University Library has an interactive tutorial called BUILD-IT available from its website. BUILD-IT provides a comprehensive overview of how to research and find materials. The tutorial is divided into five modules, each with an interactive quiz.

There are also numerous tutorials listed in the Tutorials section of the Library webpage, guides available under the heading LibGuides, and database details given on the A-Z Database List page.

Where is information available on how to cite online sources in APA or MLA style?

Detailed information is available through our Citing Sources LibGuide. Help can also be found in the online tool NoodleTools available from the library homepage. APA or MLA style manuals are available in the library’s general collection. Also throughout the academic year, 45 minute citation workshops are available at no charge.