Library FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click on a question to jump to it:
Q: How do I get a book the library doesn’t own?
Q: How do I renew an ILL item?
Q: How do I find full-text of an article through a citation?
Q: How do I get an article the library doesn’t have?
Q: How do I find scholarly/peer-reviewed articles?
Q: How do I find resources by subject?
Q: How do I find a course reserve?
Q: How do I access the library’s resources off-campus?
Q: How do I find out about other library services?
Q: How do I make an appointment with the writing center or with a tutor?
Questions about Media Services, such as printing, media software, media equipment, etc.? See the Media Services FAQs.
Questions about technology on campus, including mobile devices, computers, printers, Blackboard, logins/passwords, and more? See the IT Help page.
A: Use the library’s online catalog, WorldCat Local, to search for books and other materials in HPU Libraries’ collection. Our catalog also allows you to search for materials held by other libraries in our area, which you can check out through our membership in the Triad Academic Library Association (TALA), and materials held by libraries around the world, which you can borrow through Interlibrary Loan.
A: To renew books that you have checked out from HPU Libraries, you will need to log in to your library account. If you have have not logged in before, click on Set/reset password and enter your HPU username (without @highpoint.edu). You will then receive an email in your HPU email that will allow you to set up your password. Once you are logged in, you can see all the items you have checked out and click on the “Renew” button next to the item(s) you would like to renew.
Q: How do I get a book the library doesn’t own?
A: If you find an item in the library’s online catalog, WorldCat Local, that HPU Libraries doesn’t own, you have a few options for getting the item. First, if the item is held by a library in the Triad Academic Library Association (TALA), you can go directly to that library to check out the book. Just make sure to check that the book is available at that library. You may also want to call ahead, as each library has its own checkout policies.
If you do not want to drive to another library, or if the item is held by a library outside TALA, you can request the item through Interlibrary Loan. In the library catalog, click on the book title, and then click on the button for “Request Item through Interlibrary Loan.” You will be asked to log in to ILLiad, the library’s Interlibrary loan request system. If you do not have an ILLiad account, you can set one up there using your HPU email username and password. (If you are a first-time user, please read “Getting Started with ILLiad” before you place a request.)
You can also place a request manually by clicking on the Interlibrary Loan link from the library’s home page, logging into your ILLiad account, and filling out the information for the book you would like to request. Please see the Interlibrary Loan page for information regarding checkout periods and ILL policies.
Q: How do I renew an ILL item?
A: To renew an ILL item, email ill@highpoint.edu and place a request to renew your item. If the lending library allows renewals, the ILL librarian will contact you with a new due date.
A: To find an article on a specific topic, you can use one of the library’s many online article databases. Our full list of databases is available if you click on “Online Resources & Databases” in the menu on the right-hand side, then click on Resources A-Z. You can also browse Resources by Subject. If you need help with choosing appropriate keywords, navigating the database, and finding full text, please Ask us.
Q: How do I find full-text of an article through a citation?
A: To find the full text of a specific article using a citation, click on Journal Finder in the library website menu (on the right). Enter the title of the journal that the article was published in to see if the library has access to that title. If the library has online access to that title, you will see a computer icon next to the name of the journal. If we have print access, you will see a book icon.
If we have online access, click on the computer icon, and then check to make sure that we have access to that journal for the date that your article was published. If we do not, see the next question, “How do I get an article the library doesn’t have.” If we do, then click on the option that will give you access to that date. Find the specific volume and issue number in which your article was published and then locate your article within that issue. Need help finding full text? Ask us!
Q: How do I get an article the library doesn’t have?
A: If the library does not have access to an article you need, you can place an Interlibrary Loan request for it. To place an Interlibrary Loan request, log into your ILLiad account and provide as much information as possible about the item. For more information on Interlibrary Loan, including checkout periods, wait time, and policies, see the Interlibrary Loan page.
Q: How do I find scholarly/peer-reviewed articles?
A: To find articles that are peer-reviewed, you can search in the library catalog, WorldCat Local, or in one of the library’s online article databases [see "How do I find an article," above, for more information]. Most databases provide an option to limit your search to only those articles that are peer-reviewed. Still need help? Ask us!
Q: How do I find resources by subject?
A: To find out what databases, books, and other resources are available for your particular discipline, click on “Online Resources & Databases in the menu on the right-hand side, then click on Resources by Subject. Still need help finding the right resources? Ask us!
A: To find guides for a particular citation style (such as MLA or APA), click on Citation Guides from the library website menu (on the right). Each guide contains information on how to create in-text and reference list citations for that style, as well as links to other helpful resources. If you need additional help with citation, Ask us.
Q: How do I find a course reserve?
A: To find items that your professor has placed on reserve for your course, click on Course Reserves from the menu on the library website (on the right), then click on Look up materials on reserve. Enter your professor’s name or course number (such as ENG 2200). Click on the course number for your specific course and all the items on reserve will be listed. If the item is on electronic reserve, you should be able to click the link there to access it. All physical reserves are kept behind the circulation desk in Smith Library. Reserves must be kept in the library and typically have a two or four-hour checkout period.
A: Laptops are available for students to checkout at the circulations desks in both Smith Library and the University Center Learning Commons. Both Macs and PCs are available to check out for up to four hours.
Q: How do I access the library’s resources off-campus?
A: When you attempt to access a library resource from off-campus, such as a database, you should be prompted to enter your HPU username and password. Once you enter this information, you should be given access to that resource. Always make sure to use the links located on the library home page, rather than a link from the open web. For more information, please see our Distance Education guide.
Q: How do I find out about other library services?
A: If you have other questions about the HPU Libraries or services we provide, please Contact us.
Q: How do I make an appointment with the writing center or with a tutor?
A: To make an appointment with the writing center, go to https://highpoint.mywconline.com, register as a user, login, choose a location, and choose a time. For information about tutoring, go to the Academic Services website, where you can find the latest walk-in tutoring schedule and the tutor request form.
A: Most of the library policies you may need to know, especially those about late equipment fees and replacement costs, can be found on the Circulation Policies page. That page also has a link to the full Circulation Policies document with more information. To see all of the library’s policies as well as our mission statement and annual reports, please go to the Library Policies page.
HPU on Twitter
HPU on Facebook
HPU on Google+
HPU on LinkedIn