Navigating Knowledge: A Comprehensive Guide to Carleton College Library Resources and Services

Carleton College's library system, centered around the Gould Library, offers a wealth of resources and services designed to support the academic pursuits of its students, faculty, staff, and even members of the surrounding community. This article provides a detailed overview of these offerings, ranging from traditional borrowing privileges to cutting-edge digital tools and specialized support services.

Access and Borrowing Privileges

The library extends its resources beyond the immediate Carleton community through several access programs.

Community Access

Individuals who are not affiliated with Carleton or St. Olaf but reside in one of the towns/zip codes may register for a Bridge community card, which provides borrowing privileges at both Carleton and St. Olaf libraries. To register for a Bridge community card come to the circulation desk on the main floor.

Alumni Access

Alumni who live within 100 miles of Carleton can have borrowing privileges. They can either register for a Bridge community card at the circulation desk of the library or apply for an Affiliate card through the OneCard office. Both types of cards provide borrowing privileges at the library. Borrowing privileges only apply to physical items.

Collection Management and Access

The library's resources are meticulously managed to ensure easy access and discoverability.

Read also: Carleton College Affordability

Acquisitions

The Acquisitions unit within RADS focuses on carrying out all tasks related to the actual purchasing, invoicing, and receiving of physical and electronic materials for Gould Library. Coordinates purchasing and tracking of finances for library materials. Manages print and electronic journal subscriptions for the library.

Cataloging

Cataloging Librarians support patron access to our print and electronic collections by updating and maintaining records in the Catalyst database. Catalogers check that the records for individual print books match an item, and add more information as needed to make resources discoverable. Responsible for managing the catalog of materials at the Gould Library with my cataloging colleagues; main areas in Special Collections and Archives. Also supervises our department’s student employees and catalog newly acquired books. Catalogs print books and DVDs, and contributes towards maintaining Catalyst.

Electronic Resources Management

Answers questions regarding access to electronic resources, usage statistics, EZproxy/authentication, and troubleshoots Catalyst links and other access problems. This is a joint position, working both at Carleton and St. Olaf. Electronic resources (eResources) include the wide variety of electronic content available at Gould Library, including everything from databases (i.e. JSTOR) to electronic books and streaming video. Having a problem accessing a database or other library content?

Digital Collections

The Library manages a large number of digital collections across several platforms. These collections include digitized Library materials as well as materials contributed by campus and community partners. Collections in these platforms are managed by the Digital Collections Advisory Team (DCAT). The Cataloging & Digital Services Librarian serves on DCAT in an ex officio capacity. The following are the Library’s most significant digital collections platforms, where digital collections are hosted:

Carleton Archives database: A full record of the physical and digital holdings of the College Archives.
Carleton Archives digital collections: Contains links to a number of digitized collections created from the College Archives.
Carleton Digital Collections (CONTENTdm): Contains a variety of Digital Collections contributed by the College Archives, by Carleton faculty, and by community partners. These include historical documents related to Carleton, Northfield, and Rice County, Carleton academic catalogs, the Voice alumni magazine, alumni scrapbooks, and historical documents.

Physical Resources and Spaces

Beyond its digital offerings, the library provides a variety of physical resources and spaces for study and research.

Read also: Student Directory Information

Periodicals and Newspapers

Gould Library provides access to many periodicals (also known as journals or magazines), as well as newspapers. Print periodicals and newspapers can be found in the Rookery as well as on the 3rd floor. Online periodicals and newspapers can be found through the catalog’s journal list. To request a new periodical subscription, use this suggestion form.

Special Collections

Responsible for managing the catalog of materials at the Gould Library with my cataloging colleagues; main areas in Special Collections and Archives.

Physical Media

Access Services will assist faculty with placing Physical Media on Reserve, and Scheduling in-library screenings of films. Faculty may also place requests through select library streaming platforms. Physical Media Digitization services are not supported by Gould Library.

Study Spaces

Use one of our desktop computers for essay writing, research, etc. The Wellness Desk is a space for students to learn about resources, connect with a Wellness Coordinator.

Digital Tools and Resources

Carleton College Library offers a robust suite of digital tools and resources to enhance research and learning.

Read also: Exploring Carleton College

Databases and Online Resources

Full access to current Economist (magazine and online) content and The Economist App.
ProQuest: Contains scholarly journals, trade publications, and magazines from across the disciplines and from popular culture. Much of the content is available in full text.
NewsBank: A comprehensive current news database, contains hundreds of local, regional, national, and international news sources.
JSTOR: Provides access to more than 12 million journal articles, books, images, and primary sources in 75 disciplines.
Web of Science: A vast index of literature from the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Also offers cited reference searching to see who has cited a particular document.
ArcGIS: Access to ArcGIS Online (including StoryMaps, Business Analyst Web App, Collector, Field Maps, Survey123, etc.) and Esri Academy. ArcGIS Pro software lets you visualize, manage, create, and analyze geographic data. Carleton students, staff, and faculty can get ArcGIS software and online training for free through Carleton's site Esri site license. Use our specialized software to view, collect and organize your geospatial data.

Digital Research and Publishing Support

Data Services: This serves as a set of guidelines for the resources, tools and support the Data Services team can provide for the Carleton University community. Preserve and share your research data. Preserve and share your research data while in the active research stage.
Digital Object Identifier: Get a Digital Object Identifier for your research output.
Open Access Repository: The service behind Carleton's open access repository for academic research and creative work.
Explore setting up your own open access journal, or browse the journals that we host currently. Find out about our repository and publication services, as well as funding for publishing in open access journals. Publishers that offer no charge open access publishing or discounts.

Library Services

The library provides numerous services to support the Carleton community.

Research Support

Get help with your research, assignments, or with using the library. Get help searching our collections and databases, and finding specialized resources.

Teaching Support

Services to help faculty and instructors with their teaching and research needs. Create a course reading list for access by your students. Request a display to support course assignments.

Services for Students

Services for Carleton graduate students. Services for Carleton undergraduate students. Contact for academic support for Carleton University students.

Accessibility Services

Accessibility services for Carleton students, faculty, and staff with disabilities. Information on accessible entrances, washrooms, workstations, etc. Primarily accessible formats for transcription services and reserves, and digitized rare books and archival material.

Alumni Services

Services for Carleton alumni.

Interlibrary Loan and Borrowing

Visit and borrow from libraries across Canada. Borrow from our partner libraries.

Technology Support

Provides computer support to Carleton faculty, staff and students. Printing, photocopying, and scanning in the library using CU on the GO machines. Large format scanning of maps in our collection up to 44" wide.

Account Management

Login to your library account to view items checked out, renew your materials, etc. What is your library card and when does it expire? Login to get access to our subscription databases from anywhere. Request portions of eligible library materials to be scanned.

Initiatives and Projects

The library actively engages in initiatives to improve access and inclusivity.

Collection Updates

During the fall term of 2022-23, Library Intern Sophia Chuen ’23 put together a new collection of books for display in the Rookery on the Libe’s 4th floor. The Young Adult Collection was a selection of YA novels, non-fiction, and graphic novels, with a focus on books with LGBTQ+ main characters.

Inclusive Language

Changed the Nx cutter (“Negro”) to the updated cutter of Bx (“Black”) in the call number of all print materials in the library’s stacks. A cutter is a part of the library call number that is assigned to each book so that it can be found in the stacks, and allows materials with similar content to be shelved together.

GIS Day

Celebrate GIS Day in person at MacOdrum Library!

tags: #Carleton #College #library #resources #and #services