Library Policies

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  • Conduct: SLIS Library invites groups to meet in the library to work on projects. The quiet corner of the library, where we ask groups avoid, is located behind the general collection stacks on the far Western side of the library. Food is permitted in the library but we encourage people to take advantage of the Commons Area as well.
  • Stand Alone Computer Use: These computers are meant for short-term use of approximately 15 minutes. SLIS students have priority for these computers.
  • Computer Lab Use: Please refer to the weekly computer lab schedule located near the entrance or on the SLIS Computer Lab website before entering to prevent disruption.
  • Drinks or food are not permitted in the lab.

Circulation Policies

General Collection | Children's & Young Adult Collection | Open & Closed Reserves | Journal Collection | Other Collections

  • UW-Madison ID required.
  • The general collection is located on the West side of the library.
  • General collection circulates for 4 weeks with 1 renewal and can be recalled after two weeks.
  • Children's and Young Adult books (except picture books) circulate for 4 weeks with 1 renewal and can be recalled after two weeks. Picture books circulate for 7 days with no renewal. Users cannot recall a picture book charged to the other patron but may place a hold on it in MadCat.
  • Video and theses collections circulate as general collection items. Periodicals, closed reserve materials, reference books, locked case items, and Cataloging Lab (including Cataloging Workstation) materials do not circulate out of the library.
  • New books are displayed on the New Book Shelf just inside the entrance to the library for one week (usually Wednesday to Wednesday) and then put into circulation. Recalls can be placed (to ensure first-come first-serve basis) on the new books by using MadCat while they are on display.

General Collection

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Circulation
The general collection is located on the West side of the library.
General collection circulates for 4 weeks with 1 renewal. Patrons may recall materials after two weeks.
Renewing, Recalling & Returning
You may renew SLIS Lab Library materials by any of the following methods:
  • In person: present the title and/or barcode number for each item you wish to renew. You can bring the books themselves or your overdue notices to the SLIS Laboratory Library Circulation Desk.
  • Telephone: (608) 263-2960 (make sure to have your items readily available)
  • Madcat: My Madcat Account
Any item may be recalled for use by another patron. Each patron is guaranteed at least two weeks use of general circulation items; every patron has the right to acquire an item in general circulation with no more than a two week waiting period. Use MadCat to place a recall request.
SLIS Lab Library is a participant of the UW Libraries Open Return System. Items checked out from SLIS Lab Library can be returned in any of the participating libraries.

Children's & Young Adult Collection

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The children's and young adult collection is located near room 4191F (cataloging lab). The picture books have call numbers that begin with C++ (e.g. C++ B344wa). The fiction chapter books have call numbers that begin with C+ and are followed with a letter (e.g. C+ D85s). The non-fiction children's and young adult books also begin with C+ but are followed with a number (e.g. C+ 398.6).

Circulation
Picture books may circulate for 7 days. with no renewal. Users cannot recall a picture book charged to the other patron but may place a hold on it via MadCat.
The Caldecott, Newbery and Mother Goose collections (located near but separate from the rest of the picture books) do not circulate.
Renewing, Recalling & Returning
Picture books may not be renewed. These are identified as having call numbers that begin with C++.
Patrons cannot recall a picture book charged to the other patron but may place a hold on it via MadCat.
You may renew other children's collection materials by any of the following methods:
  • In person: present the title and/or barcode number for each item you wish to renew. You can bring the books themselves or your overdue notices to the SLIS Laboratory Library Circulation Desk.
  • Telephone: (608) 263-2960 (make sure to have your items readily available)
  • Madcat: My Madcat Account
Any item may be recalled for use by another patron. Each patron is guaranteed at least two weeks use of general circulation items; every patron has the right to acquire an item in general circulation with no more than a two week waiting period. Use MadCat to place a recall request.
SLIS Lab Library is a participant of the UW Libraries Open Return System. Items checked out from SLIS Lab Library can be returned in any of the participating libraries.

Open, Closed & Electronic Reserves

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Open and Closed reserves consist of books or videos that a professor has required and/or recommended for class use. These items are located behind the circulation counter. Reserve materials are shelved by Cutter number (2nd line of call number). A copy of course syllabi of the current term is available at the circulation counter in the red binder or you can access a list for each course through MadCat. To access the search engine, use MyUW and the Library/Reserve link by the individual course, or go directly to MadCat Course Reserve.

Open Reserves

Circulation
These materials are located behind the circulation counter. The loan period allows patron to keep the material until 9:00 AM the following day. If the item is checked out on a Friday or Saturday then the item is due at 12:00 PM the following Saturday or Sunday when the library open.
Renewing, Recalling & Returning
Open reserve materials may not be renewed or recalled.
Materials may be returned to staff at the SLIS desk or in the drop-off location of counter.

Closed Reserves

Circulation
These materials are located behind the circulation counter. In-house use only. Two hour loan period. All closed reserve materials must be charged to patron's account.
Renewing, Recalling & Returning
Closed reserve materials may not be renewed or recalled.
Materials may be returned to staff at the SLIS desk or in the drop-off location of counter.

Electronic Reserves

E-reserves include articles, book chapters, and database links.
To access e-reserves, you may log on through the UW portal MyUW and go to the academic tab. There, if reserves have been posted for that course, in the list of courses for the semester, will be a "Library/Reserve" link.
Most documents are delivered as Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format) files. In order to retrieve these documents the Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed on the user's computer. Adobe Reader is available and loads automatically on all campus library and computer labs' workstations. To view the documents from other locations, users may download the Acrobat Reader for free and install it on any home or office computer.
Larger files may be separated into parts. These are indicated by "Part I," "Part II," etc. next to the reserve title. Sometimes the e-reserve files will be too large for printer spooler memory and will crash your printer. It is a good idea when you choose to print a file to print it 10 pages at a time. If the e-reserve is graphically intensive, you may need to do even fewer pages at a time.
You will need to consult the course syllabus for due dates. Included are electronic copies of the syllabus on the course reserve page. If it is not immediately available check your syllabus.
Materials may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, United States Code). Detailed information about it can be accessed at UW-Madison Library Policy for Electronic Reserve Access to Published Copyrighted Materials. No further electronic distribution of this material is allowed.
Access to e-reserves for a particular course is restricted to students registered for the course to further protect our Fair Use rights.

Journal Collection

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Circulation
Journals do not circulate.
The print periodicals are arranged alphabetically.
The most current issues of often-used periodicals are located on sloping "C" (Current) shelves near the lakeside windows.
Bound volumes and recent issues of less-used periodicals are located in "P" (Periodical) stacks.
Holdings may be located using MadCat.
For electronic journals, visit UW Libraries: Journals, Magazines, and Newspapers. Titles of E-journals are searchable under "Electronic Journal List."
Visit our Networking section for more LIS News and Communications.
Renewing, Recalling & Returning
Journals do not circulate
Shelving carts are located at the end of the stacks where you may place the journal when finished.

Other Collections

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LPs

LPs are located opposite the Children's Picture Books. Holdings may be located using MadCat.

Circulation
All LPs are open to check-out, and the loan period is the same as books. However, they can only be checked out at the SLIS Library due to their fragile nature.
Renewing, Recalling & Returning
You may renew LPs by any of the following methods:
In Person: present the title and/or barcode number for each item you wish to renew. You can bring the records themselves or your overdue notices to the SLIS Laboratory Library Circulation Desk.
Telephone: (608) 263-2960 (make sure to have your items readily available)
MadCat: My Madcat Account
Any item may be recalled for use by another patron. Each patron is guaranteed at least two weeks use of general circulation items; every patron has the right to acquire an item in general circulation with no more than a two week waiting period. Use MadCat to place a recall request.
LPs must be returned to the SLIS Library in person due to their fragile nature. Do not return LPs through the book drop.

Theses, Dissertations & Student Papers

The theses and dissertations of UW-Madison SLIS graduates are located by the Reference stacks and arranged by the Cutter number of the author names. For example, the call number of C. J Pawley's dissertation is "Thesis P289r." Holdings may also be located using MadCat.

Circulation
All theses and dissertations are open to check-out, and the loan period is the same as books.
Renewing, Recalling & Returning
You may renew theses and dissertations by any of the following methods:
In Person: present the title and/or barcode number for each item you wish to renew. You can bring the books themselves or your overdue notices to the SLIS Laboratory Library Circulation Desk.
Telephone: (608) 263-2960 (make sure to have your items readily available)
MadCat: My Madcat Account
Any item may be recalled for use by another patron. Each patron is guaranteed at least two weeks use of general circulation items; every patron has the right to acquire an item in general circulation with no more than a two week waiting period. Use MadCat to place a recall request.
SLIS Lab Library is a participant of the UW Libraries Open Return System. Items checked out from SLIS Lab Library can be returned in any of the participating libraries.

Video Collection

The video collection is on the shelf near the lounge area or the lakeside view of the library, on the back side of the shelf.

Circulation
All videos are open to check-out, and the loan period is the same as books.
Renewing, Recalling & Returning
You may renew videos by any of the following methods:
In Person: present the title and/or barcode number for each item you wish to renew. You can bring the books themselves or your overdue notices to the SLIS Laboratory Library Circulation Desk.
Telephone: (608) 263-2960 (make sure to have your items readily available)
MadCat: My Madcat Account
Any item may be recalled for use by another patron. Each patron is guaranteed at least two weeks use of general circulation items; every patron has the right to acquire an item in general circulation with no more than a two week waiting period. Use MadCat to place a recall request.
SLIS Lab Library is a participant of the UW Libraries Open Return System. Items checked out from SLIS Lab Library can be returned in any of the participating libraries.

Zine Collection

The zine collection is on the shelf near the lounge area or the lakeside view of the library.

Circulation
All zines are non-circulating. In-house use only.
Holdings may be located using MadCat.
The zines are arranged alphabetically.

General Collection | Children's & Young Adult Collection | Open & Closed Reserves | Journal Collection | Other Collections