How Do I...?How do I use the library's online databases at home?You must be a currently registered CSUSB student, currently employed CSUSB faculty or staff member, or CSUSB faculty emeritus. You will need your Coyote ID number. Go to the library's web site and click on the resource you want to access. You will be asked to log-in with your Coyote ID number (student or employee ID number) and last name in lower-case letters. If you have any problems logging in, contact the Reference Desk, (909) 537-5091. How do I find an article from a scholarly (peer-reviewed) journal?To find an article on your research topic, choose a library database from the Find Articles and Journals page. A Good choice for most topics are EBSCOhost (Academic Search Premier). On the main search screen for either database, look for a check box labeled "Peer Reviewed" or "Scholarly Journals." Mark this box to limit your search to only scholarly journals. For a quick demonstration of how to use EBSCOhost, see the library tutorial Find Articles in a Database See also the printable handout, Finding an Article About Your Topic (PDF). How do I check out a book?If you are a current CSUSB student, faculty, or staff member, your library card is your Coyote OneCard (campus ID card). Just bring your Coyote OneCard and the books you want to the Circulation Desk, first floor, to check out.
How do I check the due dates for my books, or find out if I have overdue fines?Log-in to the My Account section of the Pfau Library Catalog. How do I renew my books?To renew in person, bring your items to the Circulation Desk on the first floor along with your library card. To renew online, log-in to the My Account section of the Pfau Library Catalog. If you renew your items online, it is your responsibility to verify that they have been renewed. (To verify, log out of your account, then log back and in and view the new due dates on your items checked out.)
How do I pay overdue fines?Pay overdue fines in person at the Circulation Desk on the first floor of the library. Payment is by cash or check. How do I check out a book from another library?If you need a book Pfau Library does not own, consider using our Interlibrary Loan service first. However, if you want to check out books from an area library, you have these options:
Other libraries may allow outside users to purchase library cards for a fee. Contact the library that interests you to find out their policies. Don't automatically assume that a particular library has the book you want; check that library's online catalog before you make a special trip. How do I find items my instructor placed in the library (Course Reserves)?To view the list of all items on Reserve, use the Course Reserves section of the Pfau Library Catalog. Search by instructor or course name. Write down the call numbers of the items you need. You must come to the Reserves Desk on the library first floor to check out paper Reserves items. You will need your Coyote OneCard. If a Reserve item indicates "ELECTRONIC COPY AVAILABLE ," it is available online. Click on the item to download it in PDF format. You will be asked to log-in to your library account, and you will also need a special password from your instructor for access to the online documents. You may print or save copies of electronic Reserves documents. How do I make photocopies?The library has seven black-and-white photocopy machines available for your use. Six are located on the 1st floor, in the Copy Room (PL-111A) and Microform Viewing Room (PL-111), near the Circulation Desk. One is on the 3rd floor, opposite the new elevators. Copies are 15 cents each with your Coyote OneCard or copy/print card; machines do not accept cash. You may also scan the black-and-white images onto your USB drive. Follow instructions posted near each machine. All requests for refunds due to photocopier malfunctions must be addressed to the CSUSB Foundation business office, FB-109, ph. 909 537 5918, during regular business hours. Two microfilm/microfiche copiers are also located on the first floor; copies are 25 cents each, exact change only. An additional microfilm/microfiche scanner allows emailing, saving, or printing of scanned files. How do I print on the library's printers?One set of printers (located at the Reference Desk) serves all of the computers on the first floor. Your job will be identified by your terminal number. Computers in the 2nd floor library instruction room and on the 3rd floor also print to these printers. A printer outside the 4th floor computer lab (PL-416) serves the lab as well as other computers on the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors. You must have a Coyote ID or Pfau Library copy/print card to retrieve your jobs from the print server. Printing costs 11 cents per page. One color printer is available near the Reference Desk; color printing costs 60 cents per page. If you need a refund due to a printing malfunction, please fill out one of the yellow refund slips next to the printer and return it to the Reference Desk, or to the Circulation Desk when the Reference Desk is closed. The amount of money lost will be credited to your Coyote Card or Print/Copy Card within 2 weeks. How do I get a print/copy card?Coyote OneCards (CSUSB ID cards) can be used as print/copy cards. You can add value to your card at the card vending machine next to the Reference Desk; choose the option "Cash to Account." The machine accepts paper money only, no coins or ATM/credit cards, and does not give change.If you don't have a OneCard, you can buy a "cash value" copy/print card from the card vending machine next to the Reference Desk. The card costs $1 to purchase and starts with 11 cents of credit; more money can be added to it as needed. To purchase a card, choose the option "Purchase Card" and insert a $1 bill into the card vending machine. You will receive a card with 11 cents worth of copy credit on it. How do I add money to my card for copying or printing?To add value to your Coyote OneCard or copy/print card, go to a "ValuePort" machine. One is next to the Reference Desk and another is in the Copy Room on the first floor. Press any key to bring up the menu. Then select "Cash to account" and swipe your card. Feed the desired amount of money into the machine, then select "End."The machine accepts paper money only, no coins or ATM/credit cards, and does not give change. You may add larger amounts of this "Flex Cash" money (minimum $25) to your card at the Foundation Cashier's office (FB-109) or the Commons main office (CO-209) during their regular business hours. The offices accept cash, American Express, MasterCard, or VISA. Money added to Coyote OneCards or print/copy cards can be spent at other campus locations such as the Coyote Bookstore and dining services. Money added to a card cannot be removed except by spending it; no cash refunds are given for unused balances. How do I get change?One change machine is available inside the library's Copy Room (PL-111A). When the change machine is unavailable, a limited amount of change is available at the Circulation Desk. How do I find out if the library has a specific book?Look up the title or the author of the book in the Pfau Library Catalog. For further instructions, see the OLLIE tutorials, Find a book by author and Find a book by title. You can also print this brief handout: Finding Books in the Pfau Library (PDF). How do I find out if the library has a specific article?Try our Citation Finder search form. Or, look up the journal manually. Determine the title of the journal or magazine that contains the article, then look up that journal in the Pfau Library Catalog. You can also look up the journal in the > Online Journals List. For full instructions, see this brief handout: Finding a Copy of an Article When You Have the Citation (PDF). How do I cite my sources?For instructions, see our APA Citation Guide or MLA Citation Guide. See also our Citation Styles. How do I get a book or article the library doesn't own or is checked out?Use Pfau Library's "Interlibrary Loan" service. Current CSUSB students, faculty, and staff can login and use the online ILLiad Request Form. Articles can be delivered to you electronically. Books must be picked up at the Circulation Desk, on the first floor. If you provide a valid email address, you will be notified when your requests arrive. Please allow 5-10 working days for delivery of Interlibrary Loan items. There is usually no charge for this service. If your web browser
warns you about accepting ILLiad's security certificate, please install the CSU
San Bernardino Root Certificate. How do I get help using the library?Just contact the Reference Desk. In person, just stop by the Reference Desk on the library's first floor. By phone, call 909 537 5091 (please note that in-person inquiries are handled before phone calls). By email, use our Ask a Librarian form. If you think your question will require more than a brief consultation, you can schedule an appointment with a Reference Librarian. Contact Brent Singleton, Coordinator of Reference. How do I use my wireless computer in the library?Wireless Internet access is available in the library and most campus buildings. CSUSB users should log-in with their MyCoyote username and password. Non-CSUSB users can get limited wireless access by providing their email address. Depending on your operating system, you might need to configure your wireless card for the campus network. For details, see the Wireless FAQ's from CSUSB's Telecommunications Services.Most of the library's study carrels also have electrical outlets for plugging in your laptop or other computer devices. How do I type a paper?Microsoft Office software is available on most library terminals when you log-in with your MyCoyote ID and password. More about library computer use. Two areas in the library have computers reserved for student use only (MyCoyote log-in required):
Both areas are self-service and open all hours the library is open; PL-416 is sometimes reserved for campus training sessions. See Hours. More campus computing resources (CSUSB ID card required): ACM "Wedge" Computer Lab, PL-1109 (west wing of the library building, on the 1st floor). Info: 537-5067. Jack Brown Hall Lab, JB-123. Info: 537-7126. These labs and the library's research terminals use the same printing system. See How do I print on the library's printers? and How do I add money to my card for copying or printing? More information about campus computer labs. How do I get a group study room?Group study rooms are located on the third, fourth, and fifth floors of the library, in the original wing of the building. Group Study Room locations & info. Most rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All have chalkboards or whiteboards for writing; ask for chalk or dry-erase markers at the Reference Desk. Close the door to keep your discussions from bothering others who are studying.Two study rooms on the 3rd floor (PL-321 and 323, to your left as you exit the old elevators) are available by reservation only. Make reservations and check out keys at the Circulation Desk, first floor, with your Coyote OneCard. Study room reservation details. Please note that study rooms are for group use, not for individuals. We ask that individuals use the study carrels available throughout the library. How do I find a typewriter on campus?A typewriter is available in the InfoDen and Music Listening Facility in room PL-5005 on the 5th floor of the library. It can only be used during the hours the InfoDen is open. There is no charge to use the typewriter, however users must supply their own paper. How do I send a fax?A self-service fax machine is available in the library's Copy Room on the first floor. Follow the operating instructions posted on the machine. Cost is $1.50 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page for faxes to domestic (U.S.) numbers, or $4.95 for the first page and $3.45 for each additional page for faxes to international numbers. Use your Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card to pay; the machine does not accept cash or print/copy cards. The self-service fax machine only sends faxes; it cannot receive faxes. How do I get office supplies?The library has a vending machine with selected office supplies on the first floor, PL-111 (the microfilm reader/copier room, to your right as you come in the library's front entrance). Offerings include scantrons, bluebooks, USB drives, writing utensils, notecards, and more. The machine accepts cash only. A wider selection of supplies is available at the Coyote Bookstore. |
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