Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a copy machine?
Yes, our copy machine is located in the corner near the entrance.
How much are copies?
$0.10 per 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper copied when using cash; $0.06 per copy when using a copy card.
Where can I get change?
The copy machine vend unit accepts $1 and $5 bills as well as coins. If you have a larger bill, the Bursar’s Office is located in Lucina Hall. The Science-Health Science Library (SHSL) cannot give change- we have no means to keep money on hand. The vending machines upstairs will render change. On rare occasions, department offices will give change.
Is there a stapler/hole punch/tape dispenser I can use?
Yes. A stapler, tape despenser, and three-hole punch are located next to the printer release station. If you need a larger stapler, ask at the counter. A large paper cutter, rulers, scissors, a scientific calculator, and headphones are also available for in-library use.
What about office supplies?
The Libraries do not sell office supplies. If you’ve forgotten a
pen or pencil, ask at the circulation desk to see if we have extras to lend you. The
Ball State Bookstore located in the Arts and Journalism Building just
across from Bracken Library does sell a variety of office supplies.
Do you have a pencil sharpener?
Yes. It is mounted on the north wall near the end of the circulating collection of books.
Why do I have to have my ID/check this out- i’m just going to make a few copies?
We track usage (ie how many and when people use which items) and monitor access so that we can better meet the needs of our users and keep materials available for as many people as possible. In addition, most of the items on reserve are privately owned by course instructors who provide very specific instructions on how their materials are to be used.
Can I use your phone?
The SHSL phone is restricted to University business. This includes: facilities workers needing to call their co-workers or supervisors, faculty needing assistance getting in a room to teach, etc. This does not include: calling your professor upstairs to ask a question or set up an appointment, calling someone about a job interview, arranging for a ride home, etc. People with disabilities may use the phone to arrange for transportation.
Can I return/renew this here?
The SHSL is a full-service circulation point: we can return and renew any Ball State University Libraries materials from any location. We can return Interlibrary Loan (ILL) books but not renew them.
Can I use my guest account pass here?
Unfortunately, no. The University limits guest account pass usage in the Libraries to Bracken Library. You may obtain a computer access card at Bracken Library. However, wireless access via the bsuguest network does not require a username and password but your available resources will be limited (eg bsuguest network does not allow laptop printing).
You have DVDs here. Can I book them?
Yes, we do allow booking of our videos. The request is taken and entered here but processed in the Educational Resources Collections due to their expanded access to software modules that allow booking.
Do you have textbooks?
Due to the extreme rate of turnover and variability of instructors, courses offered, and textbook editions from semester to semester, the Libraries do not as a matter of course purchase current textbooks. Textbooks may be donated or placed on reserve.
How do I access electronic reserves?
You must login to CardCat in order to see any course reserve. Once there, follow the steps listed on the "How to access electronic reserves" SHSL blog entry.
Can you give me permission to take out this course reserve that is supposed to remain in here (ie is on “closed” reserve)?
Most of the materials on reserve are personal property of course instructors or are library-owned materials that have been placed on reserve to ensure fair and equal access to those materials by all of their students. Only the instructor may give permission to disregard their own reserve rules. Only the instructor may give express consent to remove a “closed” reserve item from the library. Library personnel have no authority to do so.
Do you have a FAX machine?
Neither the SHSL nor Bracken have FAX machines for public use. The Printing Services and Ball State Bookstore both have FAX machines that the public can use for a fee.
Do you have a color printer?
The nearest color printer resides in the UTS graphics lab in CL469. Print jobs may also be sent to two color printers in Bracken for $0.25 per page. Large-format color printing can be found in the GIS Research and Map Collection area located on the 2nd floor of Bracken Library.
I can do double-sided printing?
Yes. The printer in the SHSL allows double-sided printing.
How can i print from my laptop?
Laptop printing service.
Where is CN 67 and other rooms in Cooper Science Complex?
See the floorplans/maps of Cooper (PDF).
How do I print this PowerPoint lecture from BlackBoard?
When you click on a link to a file in Blackboard (especially when using Internet Explorer), that file opens within the browser. This severely limits the control you have over manipulating the document. The best thing to do is to download the PPT file to the desktop, open in PowerPoint, and then print rather than trying to print from the browser.
1) right click on the link for the file in questions and select “save target as…”
2) save it to the Desktop by clicking the large button on the left side of the window NOT the desktop folder that automatically opens during a download,
3) open the PPT by double-clicking on it,
4) go to FILE then PRINT,
5) select print output options on the left hand side of the screen
Why do libraries not want people reshelving books?
A misshelved book is a lost book.
First and foremost, we want to make sure we know when people use our collections. When books are checked out, we know about it. When they are used in the stacks away from the counter, we do not know. This can affect what we keep and what we get rid of as well as letting us know that people are using the library at all.
Second, we want to make sure that books are returned to their proper place. Library staff are trained to make sure materials are in order so that people can find the book they are looking for. A misshelved book is a lost book. If something is not in call number order, there is no way to find it except by a book to book search of all the shelves- a vastly impractical and nearly insurmountable task!