How many resources are available through the Jerry Falwell Library (JFL)?
The library has over 3 million resources in physical and electronic formats. These include books, e-books, journals, DVDs, CDs, streaming video, and more. The library also has approximately 400 databases with millions of additional resources.
Can I place items on reserve for my classes?
You can place materials on reserve for either three hours, one day, or three days. Contact borrowingservices@liberty.edu or stop by the Customer Service Center to place items on reserve.
How many items can I check out, and how long can I keep them?
You can check out up to 50 items from the general collections for a period of 60 days, and items can be renewed online. You can make delivery requests by completing an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) form on the library website. Learn more at www.Liberty.edu/Library/Faculty.
Can I send my graduate assistant to check out materials for me?
You may create proxy patrons to check out materials on your behalf by emailing borrowingservices@liberty.edu or by visiting the Customer Service Center. Only those listed as an official proxy patron on your library account will be allowed to check out materials for you.
How can I access items stored in the robot?
You can request materials stored in the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) directly from the library website. The materials are typically ready for pickup at the Customer Service Center in about 10 minutes.
How can I access electronic resources?
You can access electronic library resources at www.Liberty.edu/Library. When off campus, you will be prompted to log in before accessing full content.
What can I do if I need something that the library doesn’t own?
The JFL is often able to obtain materials that the library does not own through Interlibrary Loan services. Visit www.Liberty.edu/Library/ Interlibrary-Loan for more information and to submit requests. Additionally, as a member of the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), you can borrow materials from that collection through ILL. You can explore CRL collections at CRL.edu.
Can I request that the library purchase materials to be added to the collection?
Anyone can make personal suggestions for items to be added to the collection. Additionally, each academic department has its own set of procedures for making requests to support academic programs. Please check with your department chair about their preferred procedure for those requests.
How can the library help me find Open Educational Resources?
Open Educational Resources (OER) are free educational tools with a Creative Commons license that can be used for educational purposes. Examples include course assignments, projects, syllabi, handouts, textbooks, and tutorials. The JFL assists with finding OER and hosting faculty-created or adapted OER in the institutional repository. Email scholarlycommunications@liberty.edu for more information.
How can my students get research assistance?
Research assistance and instruction are available in person as well as by phone, email, or chat. Visit www.Liberty.edu/Library/Contact-Us for information and hours. Students can also explore librarian-created research guides on the library website.
Do you have resources to help my students improve their research skills?
The JFL offers live research webinars. A complete listing of upcoming and previously recorded workshops is available at www.Liberty.edu/Library/ Events. Students can also watch research tutorials and videos created for specific assignments or for general research skills by visiting Watch. Liberty.edu/JFL . To request a custom tutorial, workshop, or webinar on a specific topic for your students, please complete the Instruction Request Form at www.Liberty.edu/Library/Faculty or email research@liberty.edu.
Can a librarian teach my class about using the library and how to conduct research?
Library faculty are available to teach information literacy skill sessions to your classes. To discuss your needs or arrange a presentation for your class, please submit an Instruction Request Form found at www.Liberty.edu/Library/Faculty or email research@liberty.edu.
Does the library have any special collections?
The JFL has several special collections to meet unique needs:
• Archives & Special Collections — Historical materials related to the university and associated entities, special collections such as hymnal and Sunday School collections, and rare books
• Curriculum Library — Pre-K through grade 12 textbooks, teaching resources, juvenile literature, and English as a Second Language materials
• Scholars Crossing — Institutional repository of scholarly works created by Liberty University students and faculty
How can the library help me showcase my research?
The JFL can assist you with publishing your scholarly works in our online open access institutional repository, Scholars Crossing. Scholars Crossing hosts faculty scholarship such as book chapters, conference presentations, journal articles, and course materials which are all highly discoverable through popular search engines. Additionally, librarians can provide guidance on copyright questions and submission to other scholarly publications. Contact scholarlycommunications@liberty.edu for more information.
Is the library quiet?
Recognizing that there are many different learning styles and preferences, there are three different levels of quiet in the library. Areas are marked with zone icons.
Deep Quiet spaces are designated with this symbol and are completely silent. This means no talking, no eating, and devices on silent. These are found in the Pou Learning Commons, the Scholars Commons, and the Scholars Lounge on the third floor and in the Archives Reading Room on the Terrace Level.
Quiet spaces are designated with this symbol and are appropriate for whispering and devices on vibrate. These are located in the Caudell Reading Room (2nd & 3rd floors), Gwin Learning Commons (2nd floor), and the Terrace Learning Commons (Terrace Level).
Collaborative spaces are all spaces not otherwise designated. These are appropriate for normal conversations. These areas include the Dodak Technology Commons (1st floor), Carter Learning Commons (1st floor), Gallagher Learning Commons (2nd floor), and Curriculum Library (Terrace Level).
Can I reserve a space?
Faculty, staff, and students can reserve a group study room in person, online at www.Liberty.edu/Library/Rooms, or by calling (434) 582-2220. All group study rooms have writable walls and projection equipment. Faculty and staff who have special needs or wish to reserve event spaces within the library can contact libraryevents@liberty.edu. Anyone not currently affiliated with the university who wishes to reserve a space will need to contact events@liberty.edu
Are food vendors available in the library?
The Tinney Café houses several food vendors. There are also vending machines on all floors. Food and covered beverages are welcome in the library, except in the Deep Quiet Zones (no eating) and the Archives (no food or beverages).
Are there any special spaces in the JFL?
There are a number of special spaces in the library:
• Active Learning Classroom — Virtual meeting technologies in an interactive classroom setting (Room 171)
• Automated Storage & Retrieval System (ASRS) — Viewing windows for the robotic system, which houses the majority of the physical collection (Terrace Level)
• Media Wall — Interactive 22-foot by 12.5-foot visual display, featuring news, weather, university social media, and faculty and student scholarship (Esbenshade Atrium)
• Osborne Assistive Learning Technology Center — Equipment and software to help those with disabilities (Room 262)
Library Hours
Sunday 1-11:45 p.m.
Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Closed During Convocation
(434) 582-2220
research@liberty.edu
www.Liberty.edu/Library/Contact-Us
Watch.Liberty.edu/JFL
@LibertyULibrary
www.Liberty.edu/Library