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Students, Faculty, Staff

Any registered Ohio Wesleyan student, faculty or staff member may borrow materials from Beeghly Library, the Media Center, or either of the two branch libraries.

Community Members

Borrowing privileges for books and government publications are extended to Delaware County residents, Ohio Wesleyan University family and alumni, approved high school students in Advanced Placement classes or with a parent's permission, Friends of the Libraries, and, by reciprocal agreement, to students, faculty, and staff of designated institutions. Registration takes place at any of the circulation desks within the Ohio Wesleyan Libraries.

The Ohio Wesleyan University Libraries consist of the L. A. Beeghly Library, the Hobson Science Library (Schimmel•Conrades Science Center), and the Kinnison Music Library (Sanborn Hall). The libraries have a collection of more than 550,000 items. Holdings include a strong rare book collection, a solid representation of nineteenth century periodicals, and print and electronic subscriptions to thousands of periodicals. Housed in Beeghly is one of the country's oldest government publications depositories. All libraries are linked by an integrated online catalog and circulation system, CONSORT.

The Ohio Wesleyan University Libraries are teaching libraries, actively supporting and promoting the curriculum, student and faculty research, and co-curricular activities.

Special Collections

The Ohio Wesleyan University Historical Collection, Archives of Ohio United Methodism, and Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Artifacts, located on the second floor of Beeghly, contain archives and memorabilia of the university, historical records of The United Methodist Church, and rare materials. Access to these collections is provided during times when Special Collections staff are present. Interested persons are encouraged to make an appointment by calling 368-3285 (AOUM), 368-3233 ( OWU Historical Collections) or 368-3288 (Rare Books).

Browsing Collection

Newly released fiction and non-fiction books are housed in this collection located in the Bashford Lounge on the first floor of Beeghly Library.

Government Publications

Located on the first floor of Beeghly Library, government publications contain a wide range of information including the U.S. census and accounts of Congressional proceedings. A Web index to government publications simplifies access to print and microfiche material.

Periodicals

Newspapers and periodicals are located on the lower level of Beeghly Library and in the branch libraries. Periodical holdings are listed on CONSORT, the online catalog.

Reference

Reference collections can be found in each branch library and on the first floor of Beeghly Library. The Beeghly Reference collection contains almanacs, atlases, bibliographies, dictionaries, directories, encyclopedias, and other ready-reference sources providing background and factual information.

Media Center

The Media Center is located on the lower level of Beeghly Library. Facilities include AV-equipped classrooms, private viewing and listening rooms, and a room equipped for video conferencing. Video editing workstations are also available for special projects. The collection includes DVDs, CD-ROMs, videotapes, audiotapes, 16mm film, and audiovisual equipment. Resources are listed online in CONSORT. For additional information, call the Media Service Desk at 368-3265.

Interlibrary Loan

Books and articles from periodicals not owned by the Ohio Wesleyan University Libraries can be borrowed from other libraries for students, faculty, and staff. For more information, call the Interlibrary Loan office at 368-3234 or use ILLiad online.

Library Instruction

Specialized presentations are given to help students become familiar with library resources. For more information, contact your librarian liaison.

Online Searching

More than 160 databases are searchable from any on campus location. Students, faculty and staff can search almost all of these databases off campus by authenticating with their names and library bar code numbers. The online catalog, CONSORT, can also be searched.  For more information, contact the Beeghly Reference Desk at 368-3242.

Reference Services

Librarians will assist in identification, location and use of materials, suggest appropriate resources, help with research problems and answer questions. The Beeghly Reference Desk can be reached at 368-3242, or e-mail through the ASK-A-LIBRARIAN service.

Reserves

Reserves are items required or suggested for courses and may include books, chapters from books, journal articles, lecture notes, class assignments, and other relevant information to support classroom instruction. The OWU Libraries makes print course reserves available at its various library locations, though most are in Beeghly. An online reserve system is also available. Visit our Reserve Guide for more information.

Suggestions and Concerns

Library patrons are encouraged to voice their concerns and offer suggestions, and should do so first by contacting the department head of the particular area of the library involved. Forms are located in all Ohio Wesleyan University libraries.  Responses are posted where they are turned in.

 

Wireless

Those with campus e-mail accounts can use wireless in Beeghly Library and the Hobson Science Library.

 

Computers

Print-only workstations located inside the main entrance of Beeghly library are available to search books or government documents in the OWU Libraries. These require no log-ons, but will require the assistance of library staff to print from.  Use of other computers in the building is allowed if needed for legitimate library research or campus-related events.  Users must present a photo ID to library staff before logging on.  Computers for checking personal emails, etc. are available at the Delaware County District Library a few blocks from campus. 

Copying, Printing and Scanning

MFD all-in-one printing, copying and scanning machines are available on the first and lower floors of Beeghly Library as well as in the branch libraries for those doing research or other campus related business. Those wishing to print will need to bring cash and see a library staff person for assistance.  Copying can be done by purchasing a copy card for a dollar or using cash in the machine; however, using cash doubles the cost. Scanning is free and easiest if sent to email. Public faxing services are not available. 

Check Out Materials

Any Delaware resident can sign up for a community member library card, which allows them to check out books for the OWU Libraries only. To sign up the resident must present a valid photo ID with their address on it. Those under 18 will need a guardian’s signature and ID.  For a complete list of loan rules, fines, and fees, please visit OWU’s Circulation Policy .

For greater access to CONSORT and OhioLINK resources community members are encouraged to sign up for a library card at the Delaware County District Library, which provides Search Ohio access. Contact the Delaware County District Library for more information.

Meeting Rooms

Meeting rooms for outside events are scheduled in Beeghly Library’s Bayley Room from time to time; however, priority is given to campus-related events. Please contact the Assistant to the Director at 740-368-3247 for details. The Delaware County District Library also has public meeting spaces available for reservations.

Restrooms

Restrooms are located on the lower level and second floor of Beeghly Library and in all buildings that contain branch libraries.

Elevator/Ramps or Handicap Accessibility

Beeghly Library has a ramp available for use at the front entrance of the building. It also has an elevator located behind the circulation desk.

Safety

Emergency phones are found on each floor of Beeghly Library. They will immediately dial public safety when the receiver is picked up. An Emergency call box is located in the front entry of Beeghly Library.

Lost and Found

Personal items lost in the OWU Libraries and subsequently found by members of the staff or other persons are held at the circulation desks.

* Only Ohio Wesleyan University faculty, staff and students may check out these items.
** Items must be returned to the library where borrowed.

Maximum Number of Checkouts:

Fines:

To insure maximum access to all materials, fines and fees are charged for overdue, lost, and damaged materials.

Overdue Notices:

As a courtesy to borrowers, the library sends notices for overdue books. Regardless of whether or not an overdue notice is received, it is the borrower's responsibility to return materials on time or to pay the fines.

Recalls:

Materials needed by an Ohio Wesleyan University patron can be recalled from the person using it at any time, even before the due date. This service is available at any circulation desk. It is often faster to request the items through CONSORT or OhioLINK when available.

Holds:

Materials currently checked out to another patron can have a hold placed on them by any Ohio Wesleyan University patron. When the item is returned, the patron who placed the hold is notified that the item is now available. This service is available at any circulation desk. Hold requests can be placed online.

Renewals:

Renewals are allowed a limited number of times on most materials (except Interlibrary Loan, Browsing Collection items and Reserves) and can be done online by using View Your Own Record on CONSORT or requested by phone at 368-3225, for medial material at 368-3265.

Lost & Unreturned Materials Charges:

All categories of users pay replacement fees and on occasion a processing fee for items lost or not returned. Following OhioLINK policy, we bill $125 for the replacement of each OhioLINK item that is more than 30 days overdue. Following SearchOhio policy, we bill $25 for the replacement of each SearchOhio item that is more than 30 days overdue.

Ohio Wesleyan University Libraries offer many employment and learning opportunities. We are one of the largest student employers on campus. We hire approximately 30 new students every year for a total of nearly 60. Student assistants are vital to the general operation of the OWU Libraries. Student assistants supplement the work of the library staff, providing them time to work on other projects. Our student assistants perform essential tasks as well as enable us to satisfy the demand for long hours of operation.

The OWU Libraries offer our student assistants flexible work hours to fit around their class/study schedules. Students who work here learn to use the library more effectively in their own studies. They gain valuable experience working with fellow students, faculty and staff, as well as the general public.

Students who receive a work-study grant as part of their financial aid package may be interested in applying for employment with us. For additional information please contact Bonnie Mahle, Student Personnel Coordinator, by phone: (740) 368-3247, or by email at bhmahle@owu.edu.

A Guide for Prospective Donors

The gifts of alumni, faculty, and friends of Ohio Wesleyan University Libraries have strengthened and enriched the collection of more than 550,000 volumes which supports the study and research of the Ohio Wesleyan community.

The Ohio Wesleyan University Libraries is pleased to accept gifts of books, other library materials, or money to support its programs. The Library's ability to accept gifts is limited by the constraints of space, security, and the costs of processing, cataloging, and preserving these gift materials.

Donors should be aware that all gifts are accepted with the understanding that, upon receipt, the Library becomes the owner of the material and reserves the right to determine retention, location in the library, cataloging treatment, and possible exchange or sale of duplicates or materials in poor condition.

Before accepting a proposed gift, the Collection Development Coordinator will consider whether the gift satisfies a current or expected curriculum demand, is essential for overall collection development, enhances an extant special collection, or possesses definite research potential which will encourage independent study projects or use by visiting scholars. Faculty, librarians, and other subject experts will be consulted as necessary.

Appraisal for income tax purposes of a gift to the Library is the responsibility of the donor and is governed by the Tax Reform Act of 1984. To protect both donors and itself, the Library, as an interested party, must not appraise such gifts. The Library may assist by suggesting sources of information for evaluation purposes and names of experienced independent appraisers who might be considered by the donor.

In the case of gifts too small to warrant appraisal costs, the Library can suggest reference books to help determine the value of the gift. A donor may wish to discuss a prospective donation with an accountant or attorney. IRS Publication 561 Determining the Value of Donated Property and Publication 526 Charitable Contributions may be helpful to the donor and can be consulted at the Library.

Appropriate acknowledgment of all gifts is made by the Library and will include a count of the items, but not an appraisal. Donated books, like those purchased on gift, memorial or endowed funds are identified by the Library's gift bookplate in each volume added to the collection. To identify large collections, a special bookplate may be designed.

The Ohio Wesleyan University Libraries may also receive tax-deductible gifts, donations, endowments, bequests and trusts arranged through the Development Office. Gifts of money may be designated for a particular subject area, as a memorial, or for other purposes such as purchase of equipment or furnishings. Endowed funds can be established with gifts of $10,000 or more.

Questions on gifts of books to Ohio Wesleyan University Libraries may be directed to: Deborah Peoples

With the exception of licensed Service Animals, pets/animals are not allowed in the OWU libraries.

Additionally, a service animal must be under the control of its handler at all times. If the service animal has been deemed by library staff to pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others, it may be excluded from the premises regardless of training or certification.

As you may know, Beeghly Library is a popular place to hang flyers and signs for events and other happenings on campus. However you may not know that Beeghly also has certain guidelines it must follow regarding the placement of signs and other advertising materials. Below you will find a list of preferred and designated spots for you to hang and display these items as well as a few other guidelines to help ensure your message will be seen by library visitors.

• Designated places for hanging signs are: 1) the bulletin board in the entrance area of the library, 2) the bulletin boards in the basement outside of the Media Center, 3) the blue bulletin-like boards in the library café
• Signs found anywhere other than these designated spots will be removed
• Signs containing dated information (e.g. event has already happened) are also subject to removal
• Certain subjects might also be cause for sign removal (e.g. the mentioning or advertising of alcohol)
• If you would like to post information in a different spot or have a sign larger than 11x17, we ask that you contact Dee Peterson, Coordinator of User Services, or Bonnie Mahle, Assistant to the Director, to see if another display option might be possible
• The library does not supply materials for displaying signs and flyers like tape or push pins - please be ready to bring your own