Introducing The Founders and the Undergraduate Libraries, the main libraries of the…

The Founders Library

The entrance to the Undergraduate Library. You can also reach this library through the basement of The Founders Library.

What’s in the Founders Library?

The Founders Library has Books, Internet access, CD-Rom databases, and other material to support undergraduate programs. Special collections such as the Afro- American Studies Reading Room. A helpful loan services department. An excellent reference staff to help you with your research needs.

Interesting facts about The Founders Library Only building on the campus that has a clock tower. Named after the 17 founders of Howard University. Designed by a black architect, Albert Irvin Cassell. Opened in 1938.

The Circulation area, 2nd floor. Computer workstations in this room are used for searching Sterling – the online catalog.

“How can I find books?” Log on to Sterling, the online catalog ( for books acquired after Most of the books for undergraduate programs are in The Founders Library. They have Library of Congress call numbers. Older books are housed in the Undergraduate Library. Most have Dewey Decimal call numbers. Check the card catalog in The Founders Library for books acquired before Seek assistance at the Reference Desk in Founders Library.

You can search Sterling by author, title, subject, keyword, journal title, or call number

Word processing and printing from your own disc are not available in Founders Library. The Media Center in the Undergraduate Library has a few computers for word processing and printing. For most word processing, , spreadsheets and other programs, use the computers in the I-Lab.

The Circulation Desk is the place to check out and return books. Inquire at this desk if you cannot find a book on the shelf.

Present your validated HU ID card at a loan services desk. The loan period— –Undergraduate students, 3 weeks –Graduate students, 6 weeks –Upward Bound students and others authorized users, 3 weeks Click on Borrowing Materials on the library home page for additional information. “What is the procedure for checking out books? How long can I keep them?”

Your validated HU photo ID card is your library card. Before you can check out books, your id card must have a bar code from the library. Save time by getting a bar code at the Circulation Desk as soon as your id card has been validated.

Basic reference books such as dictionaries, handbooks, directories, and encyclopedias are housed in the Reference Department. Many high-use titles, such as language dictionaries, are kept behind the Reference Desk in the Ready Reference Collection. Reference books are shelved by call number. Each call number is prefixed by the code "Ref."

“How can I find magazine articles?” Go to the library home page and click on Citations, Abstracts, Full Text Articles to search the online indexes. Note that-- – indexes that summarize articles are called abstracts. (i.e. Sociological Abstracts) –Many of these indexes provide the complete article. –If the complete article is not found online, check Sterling for a paper or microfilm copy.

When you need help with finding information for your research, go to the Reference Desk to ask for assistance. The Reference staff will help you carry out searches of the Web, Sterling, (the online library catalog) and full-text databases.

What’s in the Undergraduate Library?

Computers for searching Sterling, the online catalog Reserve books Magazine, journals, newspapers Microfilm and microfiche A loan services desk Group study rooms Reading rooms Student lounge The Media Center Books acquired before 1975 The Undergraduate Library has

Reserves are kept at the Loan Services Desk in the Undergraduate Library. You may check out non-reserve books at this desk, also.

Down the hall from the Loan Services Desk, pass the elevator, are study rooms—available on a first-come, first served basis. Near this area, you will find the Student Lounge where you may purchase beverages or bring your own snacks. Food consumption is limited to the Student Lounge.

No cell phone conversations in the library! No food, except in the Student Lounge!

The Current Periodicals Room is located on the main floor, across the hall from the elevators. Here you will find the latest issues of magazines, journals, and newspapers. This room also houses microfilm, microfiche and periodical indexes. Take the elevator down to Sub-Level 1 and Sub-Level 2.

The Media Center is located on Sub-Level 1.

The Media Center contains collections of audio, video and DVD materials. It has study carrels equipped with headphones for viewing or listening. It also has computer workstations and printers for word processing and the Internet.

“What should I do if I need more information about using the libraries?” Consult with a Reference Librarian. Call (202) or send an to or come to the Reference Department on the 2 nd floor in The Founders Library. Log onto the library home page and click on Contacts to find a subject specialist, or Click on Subject Guides then click on See Also help Guides.

Are there any questions?