Neumann University Library Services and Policies

Welcome to Neumann University Library's page on our services and policies. Below you will find a full list of all our services and policies. If you are looking for information about a specific service or policy you can navigate directly to it from the list to the left.

If you have any questions or concerns you can contact us by emailing library@neumann.edu or calling 610-558-5545.

Acquisitions Service

The Neumann University Library makes a concerted effort to develop a balanced and substantial collection that reflects the Catholic Franciscan mission and identity of the University, supports the curriculum, and represents best current practices.  The collection is developed to meet the academic information and research needs of Neumann University students, faculty and staff, with the primary focus on students’ information and research needs as a foundation for lifelong learning.  The Library Collection Development Policy can be viewed in its entirety in the Academic Administration Policy and Procedure Manual, number LB 1.00 under the subheading “Library.”

As part of maintaining a vital collection, the library welcomes title recommendations from Faculty, Administration, and Staff.  Title recommendations can be made using our Acquisitions Form (Faculty, Administration, and Staff use only). If you have any questions, please contact Guillermo Gómez, (610) 558-5557, gomezg@neumann.edu 

Donations Policy

The Library accepts and appreciates donations of good condition (bindings intact, no underlining or highlighting) materials related to the University's history or curriculum, as identified by Library staff in accordance with the Library Collection Development Policy.  Donated items become the property of the Library and may be used or disposed of, as deemed appropriate by Library staff.

The Neumann University Library does not evaluate gifts for tax purposes in accordance with Internal Revenue Service regulations.  Donors seeking to have books of great monetary value or collections recorded as formal gifts to the University will be referred to the Office of Institutional Advancement and University Relations and to all relevant policies and procedures.

Archives

The University Archives are housed in the Rocco A. Abessinio Building.  Call the Archivist at 610-361-5206 for more information.

For genealogists, Delaware County's Tax Assessment Dockets from 1791 to 1903 are housed in the Archives.

Circulation

Loan Periods and Fines

Patrons must have a current Neumann ID card or library card to check out items. Books from the General Circulating collection are loaned for 28 days and Popular Reading books for 14 days.  Films circulate for 7 days. Compact discs circulate 3 days. Items may be renewed twice (in person, via email library@neumann.edu, or by telephone, ext. 5545).

There are no overdue fines associated with library materials; however, the library reserves the right to put an Academic Hold on student records if they have outstanding materials. Patrons are notified of outstanding materials by email.   After four notices have been sent, an Academic Hold is placed.  Academic Holds are removed once the materials are returned and the patron makes a direct request to a member of the library staff.  Call the Circulation Desk at 610-558-5545 for more information.

Note: All items circulate to faculty members until the end of the current semester.

ILL Late Fees and Lost Book Charges

Interlibrary Loan books may have overdue fines associated with them.  See ILL policy for further information.  Any lost items are assessed at their replacement value.  Patrons who have lost materials should contact library staff about the best method for replacing the lost material: 610-558-5543.  Patrons who have lost materials will have an Academic Hold put on their account until a new copy of the material or its replacement cost have been collected.

Library Privileges for Alumni, Visitors, and Consortia Guests

(SEPCHE/ TCLC)

Community members, Neumann University alumni, and consortia guests (SPECHE/ TCLC) can obtain borrowing privileges by presenting current ID, such as a valid driver's license or Neumann University Alumni ID, and providing some personal contact information at the Circulation Desk. TCLC Guests will need to bring a completed letter of intent signed by a librarian from their home institution. This letter can be obtained from the TCLC website: http://tclclibs.org/

Registered guests may borrow up to five print books (Renewals for these materials will not be available). Interlibrary loan service will only be provided for current students, faculty, and staff.

Guests are asked to sign the Guest Registration book upon entering and may ask for assistance from staff for logging into university computers. Printing for guests is prohibited. Call the Circulation Desk at 610-558-5545 for more information.

Computers

There are 33 computers available in the Reference area for Neumann University students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Computers provide access to the internet, online databases, and Microsoft Office, and are not subject to timed-use restrictions. Computing support provided by Information Technology & Resources .

All users of Library computers are expected to comply with the University's Declaration of Computing and Information Rights and Responsibilities .

Art Exhibits

The Office of Cultural Programming hosts exhibits by emerging artists from the surrounding area that take place in the Library Gallery. The exhibits typically run for one month and are in congruence with the mission of Neumann University. For a schedule of upcoming art exhibits or for information regarding exhibit proposals, please contact the Office of Cultural Programming: 610-558-5626, dimarinn@neumann.edu.

Interlibrary Loan

Books and journal articles that are not part of the Neumann University Library holdings are available to Neumann University students, faculty, and staff through the Interlibrary Loan service, named ILLiad.  Only items that are not part of the library collection or openly available on the web are eligible, so please check Francis (the Library catalog) and the web for your item before making a request.   To set up your ILLiad account or to make a request, click HERE . 

LibChat

Chat is a service that allows Neumann University’s reference librarians to answer your questions in an instant messaging format. The following is Neumann University Library’s policy regarding the use of Chat.

• Chat is only to be used to answer questions regarding Neumann University Library.
• Questions regarding other departments at Neumann University will be answered with the contact information for that department.
• Chat will only be active during reference hours.*
• Students currently in the library are the priority of the reference librarian.
• Students with more complex questions may be referred to another librarian or asked to schedule a reference interview.
• The reference librarian will not answer homework questions or proofread papers or citations/bibliographies.
• Librarians cannot send links to database articles via Chat or Email.
• The librarian has the right to terminate a Chat session at any time.

*Subject to change

Library Instruction

Members of the Library instructional staff have deep understandings of diverse learning styles and pedagogical best practices that they apply when teaching students the critical methods and strategies necessary to conduct meaningful research. Known as Information Literacy, learning outcomes relating to critical thinking and research are embedded into the Core, and library instructional staff aid in their instruction and assessment. Faculty may contact the Coordinator of Information Literacy to schedule librarian-led classes based on Core outcomes, or to collaborate on other specific assignments. Faculty may also take advantage of a myriad of information literacy related assignments and activities developed by librarians for Faculty use in the classroom. These activities and more can be found in the Information Literacy Toolbox for Faculty .

For more information, contact the Coordinator of Information Literacy at

(610) 558-5541, williamm@neumann.edu

Reference & Information Desk

Librarians are available to assist students, faculty, and visitors to the library with any research and information needs. Visit the Research Desk staff in person, over the phone, or by email when you need assistance finding, using, citing, and presenting research and information. Stop by or make an appointment; skilled, friendly librarians are usually available any time the library is open. Set up an appointment or ask a question today at (610) 558-5545 or library@neumann.edu.  

Have a quick question? Be sure to check out our FAQ database today or use our Chat service.

Reserves

Faculty may place books and audiovisual materials on reserve in the Library for their current students’ use. These items may be the instructor’s or the Library's copies, and may be maintained as a Reserve item for the duration of ONE semester. Faculty should review the Faculty Reserves Policy webpage for more information.

Call the Reserves Desk at 610-361-5216 for more information.

Student Reserves Policy

Access to reserves materials will be denied to anyone without a valid student ID.

Materials on reserve are for in-Library use only! Materials are placed on Reserve by the faculty in order to provide equal access for ALL students enrolled in their classes.

Failure to return Reserve materials will result in a fine of $3.00 per day per item, an Academic Hold, and/ or replacement cost of the material.

For more information call the Reserves Desk at 610-361-5216.

Please feel free to contact the Library at any time by calling 610-558-5545 or via e-mail at library@neumann.edu.