Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions we get in the library. Select a category:

Q: How do I get access to the library catalog?
A: Roll your mouse over the Electronic Resources menu at the top of the page and click on "NovaCat Library Catalog". The catalog is open to all patrons. You can search for items owned bt the NSU libraries by title, keyword, author, call number, subject heading, and more.

Q: How do I get access to the databases?
A: Roll your mouse over the Electronic Resources menu at the top of the page and click on "Databases". Depending on your affiliation with the library, click on "NSU Patron", "Broward Patron", or "Walk-in Visitor". At the authentication screen, type in your last name and ID number. At the next screen, use the drop-down menus to select a list of databases by subject or alphabetically. See More details.

Q: What do I do if my University ID doesn't work for getting me into the databases?
A: In the Database & Technology Help section, see "How to troubleshoot problems with databases". If you are still having problems, Ask A Librarian.

Q: How do I renew items borrowed from the library?
A: You may renew items online through NovaCat (click on the "View Your Circulation Record" link), or by contacting the Circulation Desk.

Q: How do I get an item that shows a "due date" in NovaCat?
A: This means that the item has been checked out by another patron. However, you can put a hold on an item from either the Sherman Library or a Broward County Library location so that when it is returned you can be the next in line to check it out. For more detailed instructions, see the Put a Hold on Materials section of the Borrowing & Circulation pages.

Q: How do I get a library card?
A: See Library Card application in NovaCat.

Q: How many books or other items can I check out?
A: See specific Borrowing privileges information, which varies by your patron type.

Q: What is a "peer reviewed" or "refereed" article...how do I find these?
A: Peer-reviewed or refereed articles are articles that have gone through a screening process by knowledgeable peers in the field. Some databases such as Wilson, ProQuest, and Expanded Academic will let you limit your search to this type of publication. Look for a check box that says peer-reviewed, refereed, or scholarly.
You can also use the Ulrich's Guide to Periodicals database to verify whether or not a journal is refereed or peer-reviewed. For more details, see Distinguishing Sources. Contact a reference librarian through Ask A Librarian if you need help with this.

Q: I need to find journal articles about a certain topic. Where do I start?
A: You should go to the Electronic Resources > Databases page, select the link that corresponds to your patron type, log in for authentication, and use the drop down menu to get a list of databases based on the subject you need (Ex.: Psychology). From the resulting list of databases, select one and perform a search using key terms related to your topic (Ex.: "ADHD"). Not all results may be in full text, but you should take note of the abstracts that seem like a good fit for what you are looking for, since they may be found full-text in other databases. Getting to these is made easy by using the Journal Finder.

Q: I am looking for a specific full-text article. How do I find it?
A: If you already have a citation, go to the Electronic Resources > Journal Finder, log in for authentication, and enter the name of the journal in which your article appears. If the library has a subscription to that journal through any of the databases, you will receive results linking directly to that database where you can search for the journal article. Note that you may get more than one result because we may get access to that journal in more than one database.

Q: I have already checked the Journal Finder and/or NovaCat, but the NSU libraries do not own the item I am looking for, in print nor via the databases. What do I do now?
A: You need to request the document/article/book from the Document Delivery/Interlibrary Loan department by submitting an online request form.

Q: For journals NSU Libraries have full text electronic access to, why aren't the most recent issues available?
A: Because there may be an embargo on that journal issue. An embargo can be explained as follows:

"A publisher agrees to let an aggregator offer full-text after holding the material for a pre-established period of time. Typically, the vendor provides indexing when the material is first published and adds the text after the holding period has elapsed. Embargoes allow the publisher to protect revenue from newsstand sales and subscriptions."
Source: Thomson Gale

If you find a citation in one database to a recent article that you would like to have in full text, conduct a search for that journal title in the Journal Finder, because it's possible that another database may already have the full text available. Always look at the coverage periods that accompany the results of the search and compare them to the date of your article.
If full text is not available in any database, it's possible that there is a global embargo on that particular journal issue. Your next step would then be to request the journal article from the Document Delivery/Interlibrary Loan Department.

Q: Where is the library located?
A: See Hours, Parking, Directions. You will find the address, driving directions, and map to get to the library, as well as our hours.

Q: I need to contact the library, but am unsure of whom to address/call/email.
A: See Contact Information to identify which department you need to contact with regards to library services, systems, or Web site. Otherwise, you can see the Staff Directory for contact information of specific library staff members.

Q: How do I print from the computers in the library?
A: NSU Students, Faculty, and Staff Each registered NSU full-time and part-time student will receive a Pay-for-Print allocation of 750 print pages ($75 value) per academic year (July 1 through June 30). To use this credit for printing, enter the Lib# (the top number) on your NSU ID when you print. Retrieve your document(s) at the appropriate printer by entering your Lib# at the appropriate print station. Staff can help you with this process if you need assistance. Outside of this credit, the cost of printing is $0.10/page, which you can pay for using your NSU ID (if you have added value). You can add money to your NSU ID at a cash card station on the first or second floor.

Public Users Choose "Guest" when you print, and when requested, enter your name (or something that you can easily remember) for the print job. Retrieve your document(s) at the appropriate printer by entering your name (or whatever you typed into the system) at the appropriate print station. Staff can help you with this process if you need assistance. The cost of printing is $0.10/page, which you can pay for using your NSU Library card. You can add money to your NSU Library card at a cash card station on the first or second floor. If you do not have the NSU Library card please ask a librarian about how to get a cash card.

Q: Does the printing credit for NSU students work for photocopying as well as printing from the computers?
A: No. You must use either a cash card or add money to your NSU ID to use the photocopiers in the library. The cost for printing is $0.10/page.

Q: Whom do I call if I have questions about my NSU printing credit?
A: Call the NSU Card Office at 954-262-8929.

Q: How do I print materials in microfiche or microfilm formats?
A: A microforms reader/printer is located on the west side of the second floor. A digital microfilm and a digital microfiche reader/printer are also available on the west side of the second floor. You can download images to a flash drive from the digital machines. You cannot print from the digital machines.

Q: How do I reserve a conference room at the library?
A: Located on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors of the library, conference rooms are available for use to NSU groups and outside organizations. For more information on these spaces, see Other Services.

Q: How do I reserve a study room at the library?
A: Group study rooms are available on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors of the Library. They can be checked out only from the Circulation Desk. For more information on these spaces, see Check Out a Study Room.