• Everything in the Library is yours to use: books, videos, CD-ROMs, computers, magazines, and newspapers. While some of the items are available for use only within the library, most can be loaned to you to use outside of the library, free of charge.
• Everyone in the Library is here to help you--that's our primary job! If you have a question about finding information, how to use a computer or database, or just need to find a pencil sharpener, please ask! The Circulation Desk staff will help you directly or take you to someone else who can.
• The Christopher Center has four full floors of materials. Be sure to check the floorplans or maps when first learning where resources are located. Maps are available in the Main Lobby. Signs posted around the Library are helpful also.
• Library and technical terminology can be like learning another language. The Library Jargon webpage is a good place to look for definitions. You can always ask a staff person too.
• The Christopher Center offers many quiet study areas throughout the building. There are also group study rooms on the third and fourth floors that are nice to use if you need to work on a project as a group.
• To a large degree, the Christopher Center is a "self-service" library. This means that you are allowed to go into the library shelves and retrieve the materials you want to take to the Circulation Desk for borrowing.
• To help you find materials in the Library, they are given "addresses" or " call numbers." This allows materials with the same subject to be placed near one another on the shelves. A user guide, Call Numbers: How to Find Library Materials, can be a good starting point if this system is new to you.
• And last but not least, the Christopher Center Library Services 's web site allows you access to electronic databases, Internet resources, and more information about the Library.

Hours & Parking

Library and building hours vary according to the academic calendar, holidays, and interim breaks. University Archives have different hours as well. After checking the appropriate calendar(s) below, please call the library if you still have questions.    

Parking is available for in Lot 20 that lies to the south of the building. Entrance to the parking area is through the campus' main entrance from Highway 30. Handicapped parking is available in this parking lot as well as in front of the building just across the street. Student commuter parking is also available near the Christopher Center in the Lots 14 & 15.

Lending Policies

Our lending policies are designed to provide maximum use of the University's collection, while simultaneously insuring its availability for all current and future generations of students and faculty. We want you to use the collection, but not lose it. Checking IDs and requiring you to renew and return items helps to prevent loss. The rules also help to ensure that every campus borrower has equal access to individual items and that items not being used by some are on the shelf ready for you to find.

Copiers

There are 4 copiers available in Christopher Center, one on each floor. Cash can be used with all of them. Students, faculty and staff using their VU IDs can now use Crusader cash to purchase copies. By using Crusader cash, you will receive a discount on the cost of copies. Copies are $.07 cents with the card, $.10 cents (for 8.5x11) and $.20 cents (for 11x17) without the card. Approved VU departments and organizations may charge to accounts; inquire at the Circulation Desk for that procedure.

Computers & Printing

Computers throughout the Christopher Center offer the full range of library-related resources as well as most of the campus network. Some of the workstations in the Reference Area (second floor) and Computer Clusters (first floor) will have specialized software loaded on them. Network printing is available with all of these workstations. If you are new to computers, or some time has passed since you last used them, we suggest that you take advantage of the free classes and documentation offered by the IT experts. Printing is also available throughout the building.

These links offer some basic online resources:

Computer Skills

Computer Basics
   http://www.jegsworks.com/Lessons/lessonintro.htm
Essential Computer Skills: Getting Started
   http://adulted.about.com/cs/computerliteracy/a/computerbasics.htm
Technical Terms
   http://www.thirdage.com/features/tech/glossary/
5-Minute Tech Tutorials for PC users
   http://www.thirdage.com/features/tech/booster/

Internet Skills

Spider's Apprentice - Search Engine Tips, Information, Strategies
   http://www.monash.com/spidap.html
BARE BONES 101: A Basic Tutorial on Searching the Web
   http://www.sc.edu/beaufort/library/pages/bones/bones.shtml
YAHOO! Beginner's Guides Directory
   http://dir.yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Internet/Beginner_s_Guides/

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Who Can Help Me?

   Tip: Check your Comfortable with Technology: Guide to Resources for more information on all of these points (pages 3-9).

Ask Us!
http://www.valpo.edu/library/ref/question.html

• If you would like us to respond to you via email, an online form is available for your use.
• If you would prefer to speak to someone in Reference, call us at 219.464.6890 during regular Reference Desk hours.
• We also provide a quick list of contact points for specific questions.
• There are many Library User and Research Guides available for your referral.

Librarian Subject Specific Help
All of our librarians can help you with any area of research, but we also have areas of specialty. While primarily an undergraduate library, the collection, people, and resources reflect their understanding of the needs of graduate and advanced studies. If you would like to consult with a librarian by subject area, please view our subject liaison site for your subject specialist's contact information.

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Information Technology Department (IT)

IT provides resources, service, training, and support of the computing and information technology environment on the VU campus. Their website provides much useful information, such as Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers), Hot Topics, Help, various How-to-Do-It guides, and very useful publications, such as Bits 'n Bytes.

VU Writing Center

http://www.valpo.edu/writingcenter/

The Writing Center, located on the first floor of the Christopher Center, provides one-on-one conferences, guides to a variety of writing tasks, Valpo CORE tutoring, and more. A staff of student consultants and one professional will help you organize your ideas, edit for clarity and flow, and improve your punctuation at any stage of your writing project. Their website also provides many resources and assistance online.

Office of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education Homepage

http://www.valpo.edu/gce/graduate/

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