Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, any person age 18 or older may register with the Circulation Desk to borrow books and other materials; use library services and research tools in-house, with the exception of Interlibrary Loans and laptop checkout; and gain access to the public computers. A current state ID is required for registration; in-person registration only. Circulation policies are available here.

Yes, but you must be a current UA student, faculty, or staff. The libraries use a proxy server for off-campus access to subscribed (as opposed to free or open access) content and requires authentication with UANet ID and password. 

Yes, UA alumni may use library research tools in-house, with the exception of Interlibrary Loans and laptop checkout. Upon registering with the Circulation Desk, alumni may also borrow materials and gain access to the public computers. A current state-issued ID is required for registration; in-person registration only. Circulation policies can be viewed  here.

Yes, most government documents can be borrowed. Items that do not circulate are typically stamped or labeled "Does Not Circulate." Non-circulating documents include journals and other serials, statistical resources, and heavily-used or rare materials. Please contact the Government Documents Librarian if you require these materials for classroom or departmental use.

Yes. A link to "My Library Account" appears at the top of all UA Libraries Web pages. View "My Library Account".

Yes.  You can save, work on, and open files from your ZipSpace at home using Internet Explorer and Microsoft Windows.  Setup instructions can be found at:
http://www.uakron.edu/its/learning/training/OnlineStorage.php

The majority of journals do not circulate.  However there are some journals, those found with the circulating books, can be checked out.

Yes, but your laptop has to be configured for the University’s wireless system.  Visit the MediaTech Services for more information, located in Bierce Library, first floor or online at http://www.uakron.edu/support-desk/index.dot. 

Yes. All machines are connected to a printer. Copies made on microfilm and microfiche are free of charge.

Yes, with the exception media course reserves.

Yes, media items may be renewed 1 time. View My Library Account.

Yes, OhioLINK items may be renewed up to 4 times, unless a hold has been placed on the item at the owning institution. View My Library Account.

Yes, the 3rd floor of Bierce Library is designated for quiet study. Private study rooms on the 3rd floor are reserved for quiet, individual study and are available on a first come, first served basis unless a prior booking exists. Current UA students, faculty, and staff may book study rooms online.

Yes. First and second floors of Bierce Library are designated for group study. Numerous group study tables are located on the first and second floors. Additionally, group study rooms are located along the perimeter of the 2nd and 3rd floors. Study rooms are available on a first come, first served basis unless a prior booking exists. Current U of Akron students, faculty, and staff may book study rooms online.

All articles received through Interlibrary Loan are delivered electronically to your UA e-mail address.  Articles are in .PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader to open and view the file.

Circulating books are organized by Library of Congress call numbers:

           A-H: 2nd Floor
           J-Z:  3rd Floor, Thesis & Dissertation: 3rd Floor, & Oversized: 3rd Floor

Please consult our jobs page here: http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/bierce_scitech/about/employment/

If books or other materials are not available through the UA Libraries Catalog, then your next option is to check the OhioLINK Catalog. Items with a status of "available" can be requested and sent to you in as little as 3-5 business days. If the item you are seeking is not available through OhioLINK, then your next available option is to request the item through ILLiad. Articles not available full-text online may be requested through ILLiad.

https://uakron.illiad.oclc.org/illiad/AKR/logon.html

You need to have a compatible  wireless network card for your laptop to access the internet on campus.  For a list of compatible internet cards visit: http://support.uakron.edu for wireless setup for internet, printers, and e-mail. For installation assistance contact the MediaTech Services desk in person at Bierce Library, first floor or by phone (330) 972-6888 - campus extension 6888

1. From the File tab, select Print to display the print box.

2. From the Settings options, click on the arrow located at the right side of the Full Page Slides options to display the Print Layout options.

3. Select your choice and click Print.

The first step in accessing ICPSR data sets is to locate an appropriate study. You can do this by clicking on Find & Analyze Data (http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/access/index.jsp), where there are options to search Everywhere, inTitle only, in Author/Investigator only, or in Summary only.  

 The next step is to look at the abstract of the study. Information contained in the summary, time period, data source, sampling, and universe fields will help you to determine whether the study will meet your research objectives. Information contained in the data format field will help you to determine whether the data files can be used with your statistical software program. The collection notes field contains further information about the data set. Restrictions on use of the data are noted in the restrictions field.

If you choose to download the data set, you will first be prompted with information concerning authorization. If you already have a free ICPSR account, type in your email address and password, then click on the "Login" button. New users can select the option to Create an Account. Be sure that you are connecting to ICPSR from the UA network. The download page should acknowledge that you are from the University of Akron.

Your next step is to download the appropriate elements of the data set. The basic elements of a data set are codebooks and data files. Codebooks provide information on the structure, contents, and layout of a data file. Generally, codebooks include a title page, bibliographic citation, data collection description, and codebook body. The codebook body describes the content of the data file and provides information on each variable contained in the data file. Codebooks are available for downloading in compressed and uncompressed PDF format files.

Print copies of some codebooks may also be found in Bierce Library's Reference Collection. To determine whether the library has a print copy of a particular codebook, do a title search for the study title in the UA Library Catalog, the library's online catalog. To see a listing of codebooks held in the library's reference collection, do an author search for Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research in the UA Library Catalog.

Most data files are ASCII fixed-format files. These files consist of rows and columns of alphanumeric characters. Some older data files are in ASCII format but were created for use with OSIRIS statistical software. OSIRIS data files must be used in conjunction with OSIRIS dictionary files. Data files are available for downloading in compressed and uncompressed formats.

Many data sets also contain data definition statements for specific software programs (e.g., SPSS, SAS). Data definition statements (also known as control cards) contain the syntax or program code needed to read raw data into a statistical package, such as SPSS or SAS. Data definition statements link the columns of alphanumeric data contained in the ASCII data files to the variables described in the codebook. It makes sense to download these data definition statements whenever available. Data definition statements are available for downloading in compressed and uncompressed formats.

Some data sets also contain SPSS portable (export) files or SAS transport files. SPSS portable files are not specific to a particular SPSS version or computer platform. These files can be opened directly in SPSS statistical software without the use of data definition statements. SAS transport files are also not specific to a particular computer platform, and can be opened directly in SAS statistical software without the use of data definition statements. In both cases, it is not necessary to download either the data definition statements or the data file; however, it is still necessary to download or refer to the codebook in order to make sense of the data. SPSS export files and SAS transport files are available for downloading in compressed and uncompressed formats.

Once you have downloaded the appropriate files of the data set, you can begin using these with your statistical software package.

Electronic course reserves are searchable by course name/number, department, or instructor name. Course pages are password protected; contact your instructor for the password. Adobe Acrobat is needed to view documents in PDF format. Visit the Docutek EReserves Web page at: http://eres.avs.uakron.edu/eres/default.aspx.

Debit/credit card funds may be added to your Zip Card anytime at the Online Zip Card Office. Cash only may be added using one of the black VTS machines, located on the 1st floor near the User Support Services desk (former Reference Desk), and on the ground floor near the main stairs.

To view the status your request(s), login to the ILLiad Web page and then select the "Review Your Requests" link. You will then be able to view articles received electronically, as well as track or cancel pending requests. https://uakron.illiad.oclc.org/illiad/AKR/logon.html.

Books in storage must be requested online via the UA Libraries Catalog. Whole journal volumes and articles not available full-text online may be requested via ILLiad https://uakron.illiad.oclc.org/illiad/AKR/logon.html

Driving directions to Bierce Library are available here.

All the machines on the ground floor can read both Microfilm and Microfiche. Please ask for assistance at Media Services.

Your Springboard username and password is the same as your UAnet ID and password.

Guest cards may be purchased at the black VTS ZipCard Stations located on the 1st and ground floors near the stairs. Card cost is $1.00 plus additional money ($.7 per page) for copying and printing in black and white, and $.20 for color copying.

Photocopiers at the library require the use of a Zip Card or copy card. You must first swipe your Zip Card and leave it in for the duration of your copying. Once you have swiped your Zip Card you can then begin copying.

When printing .PDF files use the print icon located on the article or file. Do not go to “File” and “Print” from the top of the page, this will only print blank pages.

There are four print release stations (three stations for black and white printing and one for color printing) at Bierce Library, near the User Support Services desk.

Print Instructions:

1. Send your document to print.
2. Then go to a nearby print station and swipe your Zip Card
3. Select and print your document.
4. The charge is instantly deducted from your account.
5. Your document will then be printed immediately from the same print station.
6. All documents are printed on standard 8 ½” x 11” paper.

In order to print the certificate for Speech Classes you have to press:
Ctrl + P
This command will print out the certificate.

Borrowers may renew their materials 3 different ways: in person at any UA Libraries Circulation Desk; by phone @ 330-972-5355 or 330-972-8323; or online @ My Library Account.

The “My Documents” folder on the library workstation computers are directly linked to your ZipSpace.

ICPSR codebooks, data files, data definition statements, and export files can be downloaded in either compressed or uncompressed formats. Compressed files allow for faster downloading, but these will need to be decompressed on your computer or disk before they can be used. Follow these steps to decompress your files after you have saved them to your computer or local disk:

1. Use a decompression or unzip program that can handle .gz files. Both WinZip, a shareware program, and PowerArchiver, a freeware program, can handle these types of files.
2. Using your decompression program, locate the file that you wish to unzip by selecting "Open" from the toolbar, then looking in the directory to which you saved the file. Select the file, then click on "Open."
3. Click on the filename for the file that you wish to unzip, then select "Extract" from the toolbar. The program will prompt you to choose a directory in which to place the extracted file. You may want to choose c:\temp. Click on extract.
4. The file has now been decompressed or unzipped. Use SPSS, SAS or another statistical software program to use the data file.

Each federal publication is given a SuDoc (Superintendent of Documents) classification number. This SuDoc number allows publications by the same agency or department to be located together. The letter at the beginning of the call number indicates the originating agency. Numbers are treated in all cases as whole numbers. The colon - : - divides the stem, indicating the bureau or office, from the rest of the number, indicating the specific series or publication.

Generally, ILL requests are received within 10-14 days.

ILL requests are free of charge for current UA students, faculty, and staff.

Black and white printing and copying cost $.07 per page. Color photocopying cost $.20 per page. Printers and photocopiers accept Zip Cards or courtesy print cards only.

Contact the Bierce Library Circulation Desk at (330)972-5355 for staff assistance.

If you can’t easily access the library you can call, e-mail, or chat online with a librarian. The Bierce Library Reference Desk can be reached at (330) 972-8161 or the Science and Technology Library Reference Desk at (330) 972-7195. You may also contact a librarian via Ask A Librarian

If the library is closed you can either e-mail your question to a librarian or you can chat live with a librarian. Hours for virtual reference chat and e-mail responses may vary but check out this website for more information: http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/info/ask/

Yes, there is a color photocopying machine on the first floor of Bierce library.

Color copy cost: $ .20 cents per page.

Not currently. Color printing service is available at both DocuZIP locations, in the Student Union and Polsky Building.

Not currently. Fax service is available at both DocuZIP locations, in the Student Union and Polsky Building.

The University of Akron’s library typically does not purchase textbooks, although some may be available. You can search the library catalog by a book’s title for more information.

See link to tutorial: Looking for your Textbook in the Library

Yes, there are three scanners in the Bierce Library Learning Commons area. Patrons may scan and save their documents to a USB Flash Drive. If you have questions about scanning please find assistance at the User Support Services desk.

For help with your UAnet ID and password, call Media Tec Services at (330) 972-6888 or stop by the first floor of Bierce Library. For help via e-mail, go here.

Course reserves are books, media, or other materials that an instructor designates for use for a particular course. Visit the Circulation Desk at any UA Libraries location to access course reserves. Reserve lists can be located in the catalog by searching under the course number or the instructor's name. If you know the call number of the item, check with the Circulation Desk. Electronic course reserves may include links to Websites, course notes, practice exams, readings, and other materials. Electronic reserves are password protected; check with your instructor if you do not know the password.

See this answer from the U.S. government website for regulations, Regulations.gov:

"After Congressional bills become laws, Federal Departments and Agencies are responsible for enforcing those laws through regulations. Departments and Agencies develop regulations through the Federal rulemaking process, most commonly through a notice-and-comment process. In general, Departments and Agencies publish proposed rules that are open for public comment, and after a specified timeframe, the Department or Agency publishes a final rule based on public comments and other information. Regulations.gov users can find Federal proposed and final rules published every business day by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in the U.S. government's Federal Register, and submit comments through the web site to the Agencies on proposed rules that are open for public comment.

The Regulations.gov web site also houses other types of federal information. In addition to Federal regulations, many Departments and Agencies use Regulations.gov to post other types of documents open for public comment, such as Agency significant guidance. Certain Federal agencies also allow the public to initiate an action by filing a submission via Regulations.gov.

Each Department or Agency determines what information is made available on the site. Therefore, the information displayed on Regulations.gov docket and document details screens and comment forms is unique for each Department and Agency and conforms to each Department or Agency's internal policy. For additional information on a specific Department or Agency, visit www.usa.gov." from Regulations.gov

Hours of operation vary throughout the year. For current hours, please visit:
http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/bierce_scitech/about/hours_directions.dot.

Specific information regarding loan periods is available here:
http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/bierce_scitech/about/policies/policies_detail.dot?inode=371024.

Stop by the Circulation Desk and the staff there will help locate the book or assist with requesting another copy.

If you forget your UAnet password you can call Media Tec Services at (330) 972-6888 or you can visit in person at first floor of Bierce Library.

Are you Faculty, Staff, or a Student? Click Ask a Librarian and ask about document delivery.

Cleveland Public Library has access to many standards. Call and ask for Science and Technology. They will confirm that they have the standard.

If you do not currently subscribe to an IM service, just click on one of the Web Client links above and download IM software. If you already have a screen name from one of the above services, but are using a computer other than your own, you may IM with us using Meebo, a web portal that allows users of various IM services to connect and chat without requiring a client to be installed on the local workstation.

The University of Akron is an institutional member of the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), located at the University of Michigan. ICPSR maintains and provides access to an archive of social science data in electronic format. Its holdings include data sets relevant to the study of political science, sociology, demography, history, economics, international relations, gerontology, public health, criminal justice, education and many other fields.

ILLiad is a resource whereby current students, faculty, and staff may request books and other materials that are not available through OhioLINK and articles that are not available online in full-text format. Borrowers can login to their ILLiad account 24/7 to manage requests and view articles delivered electronically https://uakron.illiad.oclc.org/illiad/AKR/logon.html

Your "barcode" is library lingo for your employee or student ID number. This number is printed on the back of your Zip Card, preceded by several zeros. If you do not know your barcode, login to ZipLine and select "Student Center" & then "Account Inquiry" to view your ID number.

Your UAnet ID is used to access ZipLine, Springboard, and the UA email system; create your personalized Web page; log on to the campus wireless network; and request books and access library resources online.

OhioLINK is comprised of 80+ colleges, universities, book depositories, and public libraries across the State of Ohio. In consortium, OhioLINK offers users access to millions of books and other materials. Items are requested electronically through the OhioLINK Central Catalog and and then delivered within 3-5 business days (on average). Search the OhioLINK catalog here: http://www.ohiolink.edu/.

It is a dynamic, collaborative learning environment on campus that brings together the function of libraries, labs, lounges, and study areas in a single community gathering place. It is also a place where students can meet, talk, study, and use all sorts of technology to enhance learning. Its main purpose is to make student learning easier and more successful.

Call (330) 972-7234 for general inquiries. To reach a specific person, view our Staff Directory. For help with a search query, go to Ask a Librarian.

https://uakron.illiad.oclc.org/illiad/AKR/logon.html

Springboard can be accessed from:
https://springboard.uakron.edu/.

Zipspace is 50MB of storage. It can be used to save computer files, like Word and Excel documents.

The following items can be purchased at the Circulation Desk: 4GB USB drives ($7.00); CD-Rs ($0.15); CD-RWs ($1.00); Headphones ($2.00); University Libraries tote bags ($1.50); and Envelopes (free of charge)

Many older issues of journals, magazines, and newspapers are found in the Microform area. These items are found on either Microfiche orMicrofilm. There are three Microfilm reader/printer machines that allow paper copies of these materials. There is also a Microfilm scanner that will allow  patrons to save scanned material to a USB flash drive.

Virtually every subject and topic is of interest to the United States government. Federal agencies are responsible for executing the laws of the United States, which concern every field from energy, health, and the sciences, to justice, defense, and the arts. The Congress of the United States holds hearings on legislative topics, both past and present, including civil rights, ethics, and business.

The government is the primary collector of detailed demographic and statistical information that is relevant to disciplines including economics, business, and public health. Government information also leads to resources for e-government and tools for every citizen.

IM is best used for brief, factual questions, but can also be used for more in-depth research assistance as long as the response or explanation isn’t too complex. IM is not a good format to conduct an extensive search for articles. For in-depth information we may suggest that you come into the library or contact the appropriate Subject Librarian via e-mail. The subject librarian will provide timely responses and may suggest an appointment for one-on-one research consultation. Suggested uses of IM include:

• To determine which article database is most appropriate for your research
• To locate books or articles on a topic
• To obtain help in locating something on our web pages
• To find out whether or not we have a book or journal
• To get suggestions for keywords to use in your article search

Materials located in the Curriculum Center support courses in the College of Education and are intended to prepare students for teaching children. The Curriculum Center has four main types of resources: juvenile literature, textbooks, teaching guides, and teaching devices (flash cards, games, etc.).

• Monday thru Thursday: 8 am to 8 pm
• Friday: 8 am to 4 pm
• Saturday: closed
• Sunday: 12 pm to 6 pm

Photocopiers are located on the first floor of the library and on the ground floor near the stairs.

Men’s and Women’s restrooms are located in the alcove near the main stairs on every floor of the library.

There are four floors to The University of Akron’s Bierce Library. A detailed list of services by floor can be viewed here.

Current periodicals and journals are kept on the ground floor near the stairs. Back issues of periodicals and journals can also be found on the ground floor of library, these are listed alphabetically by title.

For assistance with locating appropriate studies and downloading data sets, please contact Dr. Steve Aby, ICPSR's official representative at the University of Akron.

For technical assistance (e.g., unzipping files, creating data definition statements, reading data into statistical software programs, converting OSIRIS data files, using SPSS), please contact Al Herbert, Software Training Specialist. You may also consult ICPSR’s Data Use Tutorial.

For help with statistical analysis, please consult with your instructor. ICPSR also offers at

http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/sumprog/

For help with citing data sets, please refer to ICPSR's "FAQs: Citing I C P S R Data" at:

http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/support/faqs?label=citations

Student Academic Success offers tutoring for these areas in Bierce Library 68. Get more information at:

http://www.uakron.edu/tutoring/

If you have never setup or requested a UAnet ID you may request one online at https://gozips.uakron.edu/zid/app/.

Bierce Media Services staff and student assistants are available during library hours to answer questions about microforms and assist with microform readers. Media Services is located on the ground floor of the library, near the elevators.

The Laptop Lending Desk is located beside the main entrance to the lobby of Bierce Library, adjacent to the Circulation Desk. The library has same day and 7-day laptops available for current students, faculty, and staff to borrow. Laptops are available on a first come, first served basis and may be renewed if at least 2 other laptops are available for checkout. Circulation policy requires that you present a valid Zip Card and a second picture ID at the time of checkout.

Stop by the Circulation Desk to pay or inquire about library fines. For information on fine amounts, go here.

Bierce Media Services, located on the ground floor of the library, has 5 individual viewing stations, as well a viewing room that can accomodate up to 6 persons. For more information, call (330)972-7707.

OhioLINK requests are held at the Circulation Desk of your designated pick-up location.

Audio-Visual Services is located on the ground floor of Bierce Library, directly behind the elevators. For more information, visit the AVS Web site at: http://www.uakron.edu/it/instructional_services/avs/.

The lost & found is located at the Circulation Desk. Found items may be dropped off at any Bierce library service desk or turned over to any library employee.

The Bierce Coffee Shop is now Eisnstein Bagel Bros. and it is located on the first floor of Bierce Library. As you come in to Bierce Library the Coffee Shop is off to the left of the elevators.

Books with a UA Libraries Catalog location of “Bierce Reserve Room” are located at the Circulation Desk. Reserve books are searchable by class name/number or instructor name.

The Curriculum Center is located on the ground floor of Bierce Library.

Government documents are located on the ground floor of Bierce Library, past the Curriculum Center Collection. See the collection description for information on locating specific formats.

Scores, oversized scores, and books about music are located on the third floor of Bierce Library beside and behind the elevators.  CDs and DVDs are located in Media Services on the Ground Floor.  Please contact Performing Arts Librarian Lisa Lazar (x8424, llazar@uakron.edu), with any questions you may have.

visitor parking

Students, faculty and staff at The University of Akron are welcome to use ICPSR data sets for their research projects. You must agree to the terms outlined in ICPSR's Responsible Use Statement before downloading any data sets. Some data sets are freely available to both members and non-members of ICPSR. Other data sets are restricted from use due to reasons of confidentiality; please consult ICPSR's information on Restricted Data if you wish to access a restricted data set.

Your computer needs to have a valid University of Akron IP (Internet) address in order to download ICPSR data sets. You can obtain a valid address by connecting from on-campus, or connecting through the UA VPN (Virtual Private Network). The guide to VPN Setup provides more information on UA VPN.

Only you can access your Zipspace. Information saved on your Zipspace is associated only with your UAnet ID and password.

This service is intended primarily for University of Akron students, faculty, and staff, but questions from other users are welcome. Non-UA library users within the local community are encouraged to use the ASCPL Ask-a-Librarian service at the Akron-Summit County Public Library or the KnowItNow statewide 24/7 live online reference service.

Every University of Akron student, faculty and staff member with a valid UAnet ID and Password has personal Zipspace.

Current UA students, faculty, and staff are permitted to request books and other materials using ILLiad. Requests for items that are available from the UA Libraries Catalog, OhioLINK, or online resources will not be processed.