Information for Faculty & Staff
Library Information | Media Services | Teaching/Learning Center
Library FAQ's
Staff
Gerald Mackay, Dean (X-3551) (Office 1212)
Susan Bayer, Librarian (X-3556) (Office 1218)
Suzanne Dubsky, Librarian (X-2949) (Office 1218)
Jack Mosher, Electronic Resource Support Technician (X-7833)
Location/Hours
Where is the library and when is it open?
The library is on the main level of the college and is accessible from the north side of the atrium.
Regular Hours
Monday-Thursday 7:30am - 9:00pm
Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 3:00pm
Summer Hours
Monday - Thursday 7:30am - 9:00pm
Reserve Materials
How can I put materials on reserve in the library for the course(s) that I teach?
The Circulation Technician can help make reserves available for you and your students. If the items are here in the library (or are your own personal materials) please contact Kim Ranlett at 708-709-3564. If the item on reserve was brought in from another library (ILL), we are subject to the due date of the lending library. Books and videos often have different lending durations, so the item(s) can only remain on reserve for the specified amount of time.
Interlibrary Loans
Can I get books or materials from other libraries if PSC does not have the information I need?
Yes. Items can be obtained from other libraries; please contact the Acquisition/Interlibrary Loan Technician. Susan Braasch at 708-709-3559 can assist you with the inter-library loan (ILL). Please keep in mind that the ILL process usually takes 1-2 weeks, so please allow at least one week to get your materials. You will need your 14-digit Prairie State Barcode ID number to order ILL or to checkout materials.
On rare occasions, we have to go outside of our library system or the state to obtain an item, which could result in a service charge from the lending library. The staff/faculty member is responsible for this charge.
Library Orientation
How can the library help to familiarize my students with procedures and skills they will need to complete class assignments?
The Reference Librarians can help you and your students use the library resources. If you are giving an assignment that will require students to use the library or do research we encourage you to bring your class to our computer classroom. If this is not possible, then please forward information about the assignment so that we can be more helpful to the students. Class orientations in the library computer classroom (Room 1220) must be scheduled at least one week in advance. The material covered can be customized to the class/instructor. To schedule an orientation, please contact Suzanne Dubsky at 708-709-2949 or Susan Bayer at 708-709-3556.
Faculty and students can attend workshops on evaluating resources and websites and search techniques for PSC's Databases. Hands-On research assistance is also available in the computer classroom. A general information booklet called "Student Guide to the Library" is updated annually and distributed at class orientations. The booklets are also available to anyone at anytime in the library.
Electronic Databases
What electronic databases are available for classrooms?
All of our online resources can be accessed from any Internet machine on campus, including the Matteson Area Center. All of these resources could be used in a smart or enhanced classroom. A list of our electronic resources for on-campus use can be viewed on the library's website.
Can I use the electronic resources when I am off campus? Yes, many of our electronic resources can be used from off campus. All you will need is your 14-digit Prairie State College ID number. Instructions for remote access are available in the library, on the website (PDF) or you can call us for the information.
Matteson Area Center (MAC) Library
What library resources are available at the MAC?
The Matteson Area Center (MAC) - All online resources can be accessed at the MAC.
Additional Resources
What resources other than books are available for classroom use?
In addition to AV and electronic resources, we have just added a CD-ROM Reference Station. It is located by the reference desk in the library. A list of the CD-ROMs available for use will be posted on our website in the Fall or you can come into the library to see the material
Acquisitions
Can I recommend materials to be purchased?
Yes, we encourage faculty requests. We also invite you to take a look at our collection (books, magazines, and electronic resources) and advise us on what material may no longer be relevant to your program. For books and AV material, please contact Susan Bayer at 708-709-3556. For electronic resources, please contact Suzanne Dubsky at 708-709-2949.
Subscriptions
Who do I contact for serials/magazine subscriptions?
For new subscriptions, please contact Susan Bayer at 708-709-3556.
Please call the Circulation/Serials Technician, April Madden at 708-709-3554 for routing or subscription queries.
Copyright Laws
What do I need to know about copyright laws?
Copyright regulations are complicated, especially when related to the Internet or other forms of distance education. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 changed many parts of the law. Your questions may be answered by going to the website: http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/.
If not, contact a College Librarian and they will assist you.
Susan Bayer at 708-709-3556.
Media Services
Staff
Dennis Pilotto, Coordinator (X-3561) (Office 4250)
Tim Kearney, Media Services Technician (X-3563) (Office 1216)
Wanda Merritt, Media Services/Circulation Technician, Evening (X-3956) (Office 1216)
1216 is in the back of the Library, please go to the circulation desk and ask for the person you need to see.
Location/Hours
Where is Media Services and what hours is equipment available?
Media Services requests may be made at the Library Circulation desk. During the academic year, equipment is available: Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Reserving Equipment
How can I reserve the audio-visual equipment I might need for class?
A request must be made 24 hours in advance. You can either call Media Services (Extensions 3561, 3563, or 3956) or fill out the form which is available at the Library Circulation desk.
Equipment/Services
What kinds of equipment and services are available?
You can have computer projection equipment, an overhead projector, and a VHS VCR/monitor delivered to your classroom.Digital photography, multimedia presentations, sound reinforcement (microphones, speakers, etc.), and videography are also available with at least a 72-hour notice.
What if a piece of equipment is not functioning properly?
In case of any kind of malfunction, contact the Media Services personnel at Extension 3561, 3563, or 3956; if immediate assistance is needed, call the PSC operator and have the operator page Media Services for you.
Specialized Classrooms
What types of specialized classrooms are available?
Prairie State has classrooms with state-of-the-art technology, including computer and video projection equipment, video monitors, monitors for video and computer viewing. Room 3250 has computers with internet access.
Reserving Specialized Classrooms
How do I schedule a class session into a specialized classroom?
Media Services schedules Room 3250 (computer lab with internet access). The calendar for Room 3250 can be viewed and scheduled online at http://lab3250.prairiestate.edu. See your department chair to schedule other specialized classrooms. Rooms with computer and video projection equipment are scheduled during the class scheduling process. Those arrangements can be made through your department chair.
Training
Is there training and/or technical assistance available for equipment?
Yes. Contact the personnel in Media Services to set up a convenient time for training. Teaching/Learning Center
Teaching/Learning Center
Contact
Shelly L. Hokanson, Facilitator (X-7775)
Location/Hours
Where is the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) located and when is it open?
The center is located in Room 3190. For hours and schedules, see the TLC website at http://www.prairiestate.edu/tlc/.
Services
What services and resources are available through the TLC?
Instructional and technical support is available for instructors teaching both classroom and online courses. Workshops and individual assistance are offered throughout the academic year as well as in the summer. Books from the Faculty Development library are also available for checkout.
Workshops
How do I sign up for workshops on instructional technology?
You will receive flyers in your mailbox. You can also look at the current schedule on the TLC website.
Copyright
Can I make copies of software used in the TLC?
Because of strict copyright laws regarding the copying of software, it is not possible to make unauthorized duplicates of oncampus software. Visit Copyright on Campus