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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click on a question to jump to it:
Q: How do I get a book or article the library does not own?
Q: How do I renew an ILL item?
Q: How do I find scholarly/peer-reviewed articles?
Q: What are ProQuest, JSTOR, Google Scholar…and how do I find them?
Q: How do I find the full text of an article?
Q: How do I find resources by subject?
Q: How do I find an item on Course Reserve?
Q: How do I access the library’s resources off-campus?
Q: How do I find books for leisure reading?
Q: Where can I find a list of new DVDs?
Q: How do I change my password?
Q: What resources does Media Services offer?
Q: How do I find out about other library services?
Q: Where are the color printers?
Q: How do I make an appointment with the writing center or with a tutor?
Q: I’m a student interested in working for the library. How can I apply?
Q: How do I learn more about the library’s policies on late or replacement items and more?
Q: I am a member of the community, may I use your library?
Questions about technology on campus, including mobile devices, computers, Blackboard, and logins/passwords? See the IT Help page.
Also, view our Video Tutorials.
A: Use the library’s online catalog, WorldCat Local, to search for books and other materials in the HPU Libraries collection. Our catalog also allows you to search for materials held by other libraries in our area through the Triad Academic Library Association (TALA), and materials held by libraries around the world, which you can borrow through Interlibrary Loan. For further assistance searching the catalog, see our video tutorial.
A: If you need to check out an item and either cannot get to the library that day or the item is already checked out and you want to have it as soon as it is returned, you may place a hold on it. To place a hold, sign into your library account and then search for the title in our catalog. Once you see we have the title, you may click the blue Place Hold button next to the item and follow the prompts. Please see our video tutorial for more information on placing holds.
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. See our video tutorial for more information on renewing materials.
A: No, we do not purchase textbooks for lending. Your professor may have a textbook on reserve for student use or you may try to borrow one for the short term via Interlibrary Loan; otherwise you may purchase textbooks at the bookstore.
Q: How do I get a book or article the library does not own?
A: To get a book or other item from the library’s online catalog that HPU Libraries does not own, you have a few options. First, if the book/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. Make sure to check that the book is available at that library (you may want to call ahead).
If the book/item is not available through TALA, click on the title, and then click on the button for “Request Item through Interlibrary Loan.” This will take you to ILLiad, the library’s Interlibrary Loan request system. There, you can set up an Illiad account if you don’t have one already by using your HPU email username (without “@highpoint.edu”) and password. Once you are logged into your ILLiad account, you may need to provide some information about yourself if you’re a first-time user, and then you will be able to click on the type of item you want under New Request. Please see our Interlibrary Loan page for additional information.
Q: How do I renew an ILL item?
A: To renew an ILL item, log into your ILLiad account, select the transaction number for the item you wish to renew, and click on “Request Renewal” in red. If this option doesn’t work, or if you have a special request, please email your request to ill@highpoint.edu. If the lending library allows renewals, the ILL librarian will contact you with a new due date.
Q: How do I find scholarly/peer-reviewed articles?
To find an article on a specific topic, you can use one of the library’s many article databases. Our full list of databases is available if you click on Resources A-Z in the left-hand menu on our library page. You can also browse HPU Libraries Research Guides for resources and databases to help with your search.
To find articles that are scholarly and/or peer-reviewed, you can search in the library catalog or in one of the library’s online article databases. Most databases provide an option to limit your search to only those articles that are scholarly and/or peer-reviewed.
If you need help with choosing appropriate keywords, navigating the database, narrowing your searches and finding full text, please contact us by email or phone or use the chat box on the right-hand side.
Q: What are ProQuest, JSTOR, Google Scholar…and how do I find them?
A: ProQuest Central, JSTOR and Google Scholar are a host of many databases available to us at HPU Libraries. These databases are where you will find scholarly and peer-reviewed articles, journals and all sorts of information you will need for your research. JSTOR, Google Scholar and ProQuest Research Library are examples of some of our general databases so you can find information on almost any subject using these. For more in-depth research, please see our A-Z Resource page which lists all of our 192 databases! To search for a particular topic, simply type your subject (ie: English, psychology, medicine, business) into the search bar and the list will narrow to the best databases for you. You can also type the name of the database you need into the search bar for quick access.
A note about saving links to articles in our databases: please don’t save the main link you see in your browser bar. The link will expire in 24 hours, and you will not be able to return to the article. Instead, click on the permalink or Document URL (you will see either the word or an icon of a link) and copy and paste from there. This is a good practice in any database, ProQuest or otherwise.
Q: How do I find the full text of an article?
A: To find the full text of a specific article, click on Journal Finder in the left-hand menu under “Research.” 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 question, Q: How do I get a book or article the library does not own? If we do, 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 more help finding full text? See our video tutorial, contact us by email or phone, or use the chat box on the right-hand side.
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 Resources by Subject in the left-hand menu under “Research.” Still need help? Contact us by email or phone, or use the chat box on the right-hand side.
A: To find guides for a particular citation style (such as MLA or APA), click on Citation Guides in the left-hand menu under “Research.” 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, Contact us by email or phone, see our video tutorial or use the chat box on the right-hand side.
Q: How do I find an item on Course Reserve?
A: To find items that your professor has placed on reserve for your course, click on Course Reserves in the left-hand menu under “Quick Links.” 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 2 or 4-hour checkout period. Also see our video tutorial on how to search the Reserves.
A: Laptops are available for students to check out at the circulations desks in both Smith Library and the Wanek Center Learning Commons. Both Macs and PCs are available to check out for up to 4 hours.
Q: How do I access the library’s resources off-campus?
A: When you attempt to access a library resource, such as a database, from off-campus, you should be prompted to enter your HPU username (without “@highpoint.edu”) 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.
Q: How do I find books for leisure reading?
A: If you know the title of the book you’re looking for, simply search our library catalog. To find a list of new fiction, click here and for a general list of new titles (including nonfiction) click here. We also have a terrific Research Guide to help you find books for leisure reading. Of course, you can always ask a librarian; contact us via chat, phone or email, or come on in and visit us at any of our library spaces, we are happy to make recommendations!
Q: Where can I find a list of new DVDs?
A: You may see a list of our latest DVD releases here or search the library catalog by title.
Q: How do I change my password?
A: If you have forgotten your user name or password, or you need to change your password follow this link .
Q: What resources does Media Services offer?
A: Please see the Media Services page or the Media Services FAQ for more information on available resources and services.
Q: How do I find out about other library services?
A: If you have other questions about HPU Libraries or services we provide, please Contact us.
Q: Where are the color printers?
A: You may print small jobs at Smith Library behind circulation; for larger jobs, go to Roberts Hall or contact Media Services for timing and pricing.
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.
Q: I’m a student interested in working for the library. How can I apply?
Interested in working in the library? Find out how to apply to a job on campus.
Q: How do I learn more about the library’s policies, including fees for late or replacement items?
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 About Us page.
Q: I am a member of the community, may I use your library?
A: No, our library is for the use of students, faculty and alumni only. The High Point Public Library is a great resource for members of the community.
