Services
Robert W. Van Houten Library is committed to providing information services to the NJIT community both onsite and off-campus. Among the services provided are:
Borrowing & Delivery Services
- Borrowing of Materials - borrowing policy for library materials
- Interlibrary Loan - request to borrow books from other institutions; request for article delivery
- Document Delivery - scan and deliver of NJIT own materials to your ILLiad account.
- Equipment Lending - iPads available for circulation to NJIT students and faculty
- VALE Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement - borrow materials from participating NJ academic libraries
Research Help
- Ask A Librarian - email or chat with a librarian; call or visit the Reference Help Desk
- Off-campus Access - access to library resources from off-campus
Building
- Computer Usage - 100+ computers available for use
- Group Study Rooms - places to study in groups, rooms and carrels
- Hours - hours the library is open
- Photocopying, Printing and Scanning - service for students, faculty, staff and visitors
Student Services
- Course Reserves - find print copy and electronic materials on reserves
- Distance Learning - services and procedures to gain access to library resources for off-campus students
- Equipment Lending - iPads available for circulation to NJIT students and faculty
- Getting Started - get started for students at NJIT
- Off-campus Access and Wireless Access - access to library resources from off-campus; wireless access to NJIT network
- Renew My Books Online - renew borrowed books online without visiting the library
- Theses and Dissertations - view NJIT's masters and PhD dissertations online
- View My Library Account - view your library record to find out what have been borrowed
Faculty Services
- Place Items on Course Reserve - submit a request to reserve items for student use
- Equipment Lending - iPads available for circulation to NJIT students and faculty
- Off-campus Access and Wireless Access - access to library resources from off-campus; wireless access to NJIT network
- Renew Books Online - renew borrowed books online without visiting the library
- Theses and Dissertations (ETD) - view NJIT's masters and PhD dissertations online
- View My Library Account - view your library record to find out what have been borrowed
Alumni Services @ NJIT
- Library Services for Alumni - access to quality information resources in support of NJIT's alumni
Guest/Visitor Services @ NJIT
Tabbed Examples
The NJIT library facilitates the circulation of materials owned by NJIT to students, faculty and staff and authorized alumni, courtesy and guests borrowers.
Who may borrow library materials?
- NJIT students, faculty and staff with a current validated NJIT ID card
- NJII staff members
- NJIT Alumni with a valid ID card
- NJIT Enterprise Development Centers members
- NJIT VIP's with letter from appropriate department
- Students from CHEN member libraries in Newark: Essex County College and Rutgers University (Newark Campus Only)
- VALE reciprocal borrowing institutions and NJIT library VALE borrowing policy
- Undergraduate students (participating institutions)
- Faculty/staff (participating institutions)
- Graduate students (participating institutions)
What materials may be borrowed?
- Circulating collection
- 2-hours, 1 day, and 7 day materials in the reserve collection housed at the Circulation Desk
- Humanities/Social Science videotapes
What materials may not be borrowed?
- Reference books
- Periodicals / serials / journals / magazines
- Non-circulating Humanities/Social Science books. These are intershelved with circulating collection on the lower level
- Use in library materials
How long can I keep the materials I borrowed?
Type of materials* | Students (undergraduate & graduate) |
Faculty & Staff | Alumni, Courtesy & Guest |
---|---|---|---|
circulating books: lower level | 28 days | 90 days | 28 days |
2-hours reserve items: circulation desk | 2 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours |
1 day reserve items: cirulation desk | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day |
7 day reserve items: circulation desk | 7 days | 7 days | 7 days |
humanities & social science videotapes | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day |
*All materials are recalled at the end of each semester |
How many items can I borrow?
- Circulating collection: varies by borrowing status
- Reserve collections: 3 items
- Humanities/social science videotapes: 3 items
Is there a limit on how many items in the circulating collection I can borrow simultaneously?
- NJIT undergraduate and graduate students: 25 items
- NJIT faculty and staff: 25 items
- NJIT alumni: 10 items
- Alumni, courtesy & guest borrowers, Rutgers Newark Campus students: 10 items
What is the check-out procedure for circulating materials?
- Borrower must present an ID card, valid for the current semester, to borrow library materials. Only the owner of a library-registered ID is authorized to borrow materials on his or her card. The library is not responsible for unauthorized use of library cards.
What is the check-out procedures for "use in library" materials?
- Borrower must present an ID card, valid for the current semester, or a valid driver's license in order to borrow Use in Library Materials. The ID will be held at the Circulation Desk while the material is being used in the library.
What is the procedure for renewals?
Materials on loan may be renewed twice providing no one has requested them. NJIT graduate students may renew items three times. Renewals may be done in the following ways:
- on the web (My Account)
- by presenting the books at the circulation desk
- via the telephone 973-596-6371 (faculty and staff only)
In the spirit of limiting renewals to two times so that other users have access to material, we also ask that borrowers wait 48 hours before borrowing a book they have just returned. In cases where we know 48 hours have not passed, we will consider such a loan as a renewal for the purpose of this policy.
What are the fines for returning borrowed items late?
Type of materials* | Students (undergraduate & graduate) |
Faculty & Staff | Alumni, Courtesy & Guest |
---|---|---|---|
circulating materials | fines are waived | fines are waived | $0.10 per day/item |
use in library items (not returned to the circulation desk) | $5.00 per item | fines are waived | $5.00 per item |
2-hours reserve items (use in library) | $1.00 per hour/item | fines are waived | $1.00 per hour/item |
1 day reserve items | $1.00 per day/per item | fines are waived | $1.00 per day/item |
7 day reserve items | $1.00 per day/per item | fines are waived | $1.00 per day/item |
* Fines are NOT a mechanism to "rent" a book. Purposefully keeping a book for a longer period of time after it is overdue and then simply paying up the fine does NOT relieve you of your library obligations. Borrowers who are habitually keeping books overdue may may be subject to loss of access and use of library resources and disciplinary action by the university.
How do I place a hold on a borrowed item?
- Holds may be placed on materials that are currently charged out by placing a Hold request using the online catalog system
How do I recall a borrowed item?
- All materials are subject to recall before its original due date when the item is needed by another library borrower.
- The library understands that borrowers need materials for the papers they have to write and exams for which they have to study. However, the library is charged with making sure as many borrowers as possible get access to the materials they need. Sometimes -- when there is great demand and few resources -- that means you get a shorter "turn" with the material.
Is there a recall fine for borrowed materials that are not returned by the recall due date?
- Recall fine is $1.00 per day / per item for materials not returned after 7 days of notice
What are the procedures for lost or damaged materials?
- Patrons are fully responsible for all library materials charged out to them. In the event that an item is lost, the library will charge the cost of the item plus a $10.00 processing fee per item. If a lost item is found and returned within 90 days the cost of the item will be refunded. The processing fee is not refunded.
Does the library send overdue notices for materials that I borrowed?
- Notices are sent at 7, 14, and 21 days after an item is due.
- Notices are emailed to the borrower's official NJIT email addresses. Borrowers are responsible for checking NJIT email account or automatically forwarding email sent there to their off-campus or preferred email account.
The University Libraries welcome NJIT students, faculty, staff and visitors to use our buildings and resources for research and study. The University Libraries are committed to ensuring everyone's safety, to providing quality services and resources, and to maintaining an environment conducive to research, learning and collaboration. Library users are expected to respect the rights and property of others, respectfully use the Library's resources, equipment and facilities, and primarily engage in activities related to the research, learning and collaboration objectives of the University Libraries.
NJIT University Libraries endeavor to provide:
- a library environment that is free of disruptive activities including, but not limited to, rowdiness, noise, and inappropriate behavior
- clean and pleasant surroundings. View the Food and Drink Policy
- access to library materials that are complete and unmarked
- access to equipment and services, including computing, for the purpose of performing research
- privacy and confidentiality in their use of library services and resources.
Each library user must comply with the following set of rules and behaviors:
- The University Libraries follow the NJIT Official University Policies that guide behavior on the campus.
- Treat all library users and staff with respect and courtesy. Comply with staff request and directives.
- Consume food and drink only as permitted and in specified locations. See the Food and Drink Policy for restrictions.
- No outside food orders or deliveries to library patrons are permitted in the library.
- Cell phones and other electronic communications devices must be placed on mute or vibrate mode. Cell phone conversations are allowed only in the building lobby, or in a quiet corner where you will not disturb other users. Be considerate when using cell phones.
- Designated "Quiet Spaces" are located on the 2nd floor (Quiet Study Room) and the entire lower level. Remember to respect others with noise levels, conversation, use of space and resources.
- Reservation of seats or group study rooms is not permitted. Two or more students are required to use a group study room.
- Pets or other animals are not allowed, except for a service animal.
- Personal belongings should not be left unattended. The University Libraries will not be responsible for any loss or damage to personal belongings. Books and other materials left unattended may be removed by the library staff and taken to the circulation desk.
- Proper clothing, shoes or other footwear must be worn at all times in the libraries. Proper hygiene must be maintained; those whose bodily hygiene is offensive to constitute a nuisance to other persons shall be required to leave the building.
- A security system is used to safeguard library materials. If the alarm sounds, return to the circulation desk and a staff will assist you with the materials.
- Check at the Circulation Desk before posting flyers and other print announcements on the designated bulletin board. Those posted elsewhere will be removed.
- Children must be supervised at all times.
The following conduct is not permitted in the University Libraries:
- Smoking, the use of e-cigarettes or other vaping devices, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, and weapons.
- Threatening, harassing, lewd/indecent, disruptive or other behavior not related to the research, learning and collaboration objectives of the University Libraries.
- Damage or theft of library materials, property or facilities, or property of other library users.
- Violating the NJIT's "Acceptable Use Policy for Cyber Resources".
- Bathing, shaving or other grooming activities in the restrooms.
- Panhandling.
- Use of skateboards, skates, scooters, or hoverboards.
- Bicycles are not permitted in the libraries, except the Department of Public Safety bicycles.
Users may be asked to show their NJIT or an acceptable ID card to an NJIT library staff member upon entrance, as well as have their personal items, such as backpacks and purses, inspected. Access to the University Libraries may be limited to those with NJIT ID card late-night and on weekends. Library users who violate this policy may be asked to leave and repeat violators could have their library privileges, including admittance to the Universities Libraries, suspended or revoked. Where appropriate, instances of misconduct may be reported to the Dean of Students and Campus Life or the Department of Public Safety.
Borrowing & Delivery Services
NJIT Library's borrowing policy for materials.
Request to borrow books from other institutions; request for article delivery.
Scan and deliver of NJIT own materials to your ILLiad account.