Navigating Knowledge: A Guide to Fairfield University Library Resources and Services

Fairfield University's DiMenna-Nyselius Library stands as a cornerstone of academic life, fostering intellectual exploration and supporting the university's educational mission. Committed to developing lifelong learners, the library offers a wide array of resources and services designed to empower students, faculty, and staff in their pursuit of knowledge.

The DiMenna-Nyselius Library: A Hub for Learning

The DiMenna-Nyselius Library is committed to the educational mission of Fairfield University and the development of lifelong learners through our instruction. The library focuses on the education of the whole person through a student-centered approach to instruction that encourages curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and intellectual exploration. It encourages the development of information literate global citizens through strong partnerships with faculty, its central position within the academic community, and by fostering a caring and supportive learning environment. Instruction focuses on individual student learning, encouraging students to challenge themselves, and fostering an increasing capacity for critical thinking and self-reflection. Through adherence to the ALA Code of Ethics the library promotes academic integrity, social responsibility, and the ethical use of information.

Information Literacy Program

The library's commitment to fostering information literacy is central to its mission. According to the Association of College & Research Libraries’ (ACRL) Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education, “Information literacy is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning.” In other words, to be “information literate” is to be someone who has the ability to recognize when outside information is needed, to locate it, to evaluate it for reliability, and to use it ethically. The ACRL Framework informs all of the instruction librarians do. Instruction librarians work with faculty, staff, and students both in-person and online. Faculty collaboration is welcome and encouraged (and their presence in the classroom during instruction is required, as detailed below in Policies & Procedures). Librarians work with every section of ENGL 1001: Introduction to Rhetoric & Composition each semester. Since ENGL 1001 is a required course for all first-year students, this means that the library is able to reach nearly all first-year students with at least one face-to-face class session. Faculty engagement is essential for student learning.

Faculty Partnership Program

A Librarian is appointed to each academic department and serves as the primary point of contact for information about Library services, collections, events, and policies.

Accessing Library Resources

Fairfield University provides various avenues for accessing library resources, catering to the diverse needs of its community.

Online Access and "My Account"

Students and faculty can use their NetID to logon to My Account. Guest and Community Borrowers can logon to My Account using barcode and last name combination. The "My Account" feature provides a direct link to Alma, which can be logged into using a valid NetID, allowing users to renew materials online.

Alumni Access

Fairfield University alumni are welcome to visit the library in person to access the full range of the Library’s databases and ebooks, archives and special collections, and check out books, movies, and music. Alumni may access all of the databases by visiting the library in-person. Due to contractual agreements, off-campus access to licensed databases is available only to currently affiliated students, faculty, and staff. Alumni can also visit Fairfield University History Online and explore images, student newspapers, yearbooks, and more that may bring back some Fairfield memories.

Community Access

Adjunct Faculty who teach on a semester by semester basis may borrow materials during the semester they are teaching. Guest cards are issued to Fairfield University alumni, adult Fairfield residents (age 18 or older) with a current Fairfield Public Library card, and to Fairfield University faculty and staff family. Application may be made at the Library Services & Information Desk. Guest and Community Borrowers may borrow a total of four items at a time. Renewal privilege is extended to guest card holders one time renewal per item. Fairfield University Students may apply for borrowing privileges at Fairfield Public Library. Out of state students will need their student ID and a driver’s license. Students without a driver’s license can use a government-issue photo ID and proof of residency.

Interlibrary Loan and CCALD Consortium

Fairfield University Faculty and Staff can borrow items from libraries participating in the CCALD Library Consortium. For more information, see CCALD’s borrowing procedures and a list of member institutions. Fairfield University Faculty may also register at their home library for an AJCU Passport to check out physical materials when visiting another AJCU library.

Borrowing and Circulation Policies

The library has specific policies regarding borrowing, renewals, and fines to ensure equitable access to resources.

Read also: Fairfield Career Guide

Requesting and Recalling Materials

Current faculty, staff, and students can use the "Request it" feature in the library catalog to recall items that are checked out, and also request a hold for pickup for on-shelf materials. A request placed for an item listed as available on-shelf will be available for pick up within 36 hours. Recall requests shorten the loan period for the original borrower, who is guaranteed a minimum loan period of 14 days.

Loan Periods and Renewals

Loan periods vary depending on the type of material and the borrower's status (student, faculty, staff, etc.). Renewal policies also vary, with some items eligible for renewal and others not.

Returns and Fines

All items may be returned to the Library Services & Information Desk or the media/book drop. Media and reserve material must be returned directly to the Library Services & Information Desk. Borrowing privileges will be suspended when an unpaid fine limit is reached or when a set number of overdue items have been billed for replacement. Unpaid student accounts are submitted to the University Bursar for direct billing prior to each semester. Replacement charges for books will be waived if the books are returned within one month of the Bursar's billing. Graduate and Continuing Education students will be barred from registering for courses until their accounts have been settled with the Bursar. Charges for lost material include the replacement cost of each item plus any overdue fines. Lost material should be reported immediately to the desk attendant, as fines accrue from the due date to the date the loss is reported. A refund of replacement charges will be made if the item is returned within one month of payment. Print journals do not circulate and cannot leave the Library. This is to ensure continuous access by users during all hours that the library is open, and availability for interlibrary loan copying.

Support Services for Academic Success

Beyond its core collection, Fairfield University Library offers a range of support services designed to enhance students' academic performance.

Writing Center

The Writing Center, located on the lower level of the DiMenna-Nyselius Library, offers writing assistance and resources to all students. Tutors work with students on any writing project and at any stage of the project's development.

Math and Science Center

The Math Center offers free tutoring for core mathematics courses, including Precalculus, Calculus I and II, and Statistics. The Science Center offers tutoring and mentoring for the core sciences (Biology, Chemistry/Biochemistry, Physics).

Academic Computing

The Academic Computing team provides a broad range of software support to the faculty and students of Fairfield University. Assistance is available for individual instructors who wish to explore ways to incorporate technology into their coursework. Software vetting, training, and support, application integration, course management systems, and the use of computers/iPads are some of the services the Academic Computing staff provide. Academic Computing manages and supports the Blackboard Learn course management system which offers a wide range of teaching tools.

ITS Help Desk

The ITS Help Desk provides free technology support for issues like wireless connectivity, warranty-covered hardware replacements (HP and Apple), malware prevention/cleanup, and limited software/hardware support for student-owned computers.

Additional Campus Resources

Fairfield University offers a wide array of resources and services beyond the library to support students' academic, personal, and professional development.

Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. Center

Located on Loyola Drive, the Kelley Center houses the offices of Undergraduate and Graduate Admission, Financial Aid, Registrar, and the Career Center.

Career Center

The Fairfield University Career Center provides opportunities for students to participate in a wide variety of career development experiences to prepare them for careers after college. These offerings work in tandem with and augment their academic development. The Office identifies, cultivates and promotes corporate (profit, not-for-profit) part- and full-time employment and internship opportunities, and provides guidance on further educational opportunities post-Fairfield. Further, both the College of Arts and Sciences and the Dolan School of Business provide career and professional development services for their students via centers within each dean's suite. Services among the various centers include: career exploration programming; professional workshops; employer immersion experiences; developmental resources, recruitment; employer engagement.

Academic Commons

The Fairfield University Academic Commons supports the scholarly success and intellectual growth of our students. 24/7 study space is available in the Weil Café and CAS Fredrickson Family Innovation Lab, and the entire building is open 24 hours during final exam periods.

Early Learning Center

The Center provides an early care and education program based on accepted and researched theories of child development; individualized programs designed to meet the needs of each child; a curriculum that is child-oriented; and teaching staff who have training in child development and developmentally appropriate practices with young children, including health, safety, and nutritional guidelines. The Center is open year-round from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm for children aged 12 weeks to 5 years. Registration takes place on a rolling basis based on availability.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

The Information Technology Services (ITS) department offers networking, wireless and computer technology resources for the entire Fairfield University community. ITS maximizes the use of technological innovations not only in the learning environment but also in all of Fairfield's business processes. ITS is responsible for managing the Workday platform, which securely houses all information on each individual student's academic record as well as financial and human resources data and my.Fairfield, a web-based portal from which most university online resources can be accessed. ITS maintains approximately 150 classrooms across campus, as well as specialized instructional spaces and a few public-use computer labs which are accessible to all students with a valid StagCard. ITS's goal is to consistently furnish cutting-edge technology to support a collaborative teaching and learning environment, and to provide as much compatibility as possible across all platforms and devices that students might own.

Global Fairfield and International Student Support

International students are supported by Global Fairfield located in DiMenna-Nyselius Library lower level, and the Office of Student Engagement (Graduate and International Student Life) located in the Barone Campus Center lower level. Both offices work cooperatively to provide an orientation program exclusively for international students. Global Fairfield provides assistance with visa and immigration matters, and the Office of Student Engagement (Graduate and International Student Life) provides assistance with onboarding along with activities and support during their educational experience.

Arts and Minds Programs

Fairfield University serves as an important hub for students and visitors from the region seeking entertaining and inspiring cultural events and activities. The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts houses the Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. Theatre, the Lawrence A. Wien Experimental Theatre, and Fairfield University Museum's Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery. Fairfield University Art Museum is comprised of the Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery in the Quick Center and the Bellarmine Hall Gallery, located in Bellarmine Hall. A showcase for significant art objects and rotating exhibits, the Fairfield University Museum displays a rich and varied collection of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts objects and serves as a learning laboratory for students and members of the regional community. The Wien Blackbox Theatre in the Quick Center is home base for Theatre Fairfield, the University's performing arts club, and provides another venue for theatre and dance in an intimate setting. In addition, various departments host exhibitions, lectures, and dramatic programs throughout the academic year, including the popular lecture series Open Visions Forum. These events are open to all members of the University community and many are free.

Rudolph F. The Charles E. Culpeper Language Resource Center

The Rudolph F. The Charles E. Culpeper Language Resource Center, located in Canisius 207, is designed to support and promote the study and instruction of foreign languages and their cultures. Students work interactively with computer and web-based materials. This allows them to take ownership of their learning experience and become lifelong learners.

Accessibility Services

Fairfield University is committed to providing qualified students with disabilities an equal opportunity to access the benefits, rights, and privileges of its services, programs and activities in an accessible setting. In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and applicable state law, the University provides reasonable accommodations to reduce the impact of disabilities on academic functioning or upon other major life activities. The Office of Accessibility is responsible for evaluating and coordinating appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities or temporary impairments seeking accommodations because of a disability or temporary impairment must contact the Office as early as possible in the semester to complete the registration process for accommodations. Once a student with a disability has registered and has been approved for accommodations, the student is responsible for providing their accommodation letter to each of their professors. Students with accommodations are encouraged to set up a meeting with their professors at the beginning of the semester to discuss how their accommodations will be implemented. If a student with a disability feels discriminated against on the basis of their disability or feels that they have been denied access or accommodations they are legally entitled to, they are encouraged to review the University’s disability grievance procedure located in the Students with Disabilities section of the Student Handbook.

Faculty Advising

All members of the faculty share personally and actively in the responsibility for providing students with educational, career, and personal guidance. One of the hallmarks of a Jesuit education is the personal interest each professor takes in students; the professor tries to gauge each student's strengths and weaknesses. Students who have a declared major are assigned a faculty advisor in that academic discipline. Undeclared students are also assigned a faculty advisor. However, when these students declare a major, they will be reassigned to an advisor in the academic discipline chosen. Advisors are available to meet regularly with students, monitor progress, advise students at registration time, and discuss courses and programs of study, co-curricular involvement, and high-impact learning opportunities such as study abroad, capstones, and internships. Students’ academic progress is monitored through the Early Alert and Midterm Estimate reporting structures, which provide faculty advisors, deans’ offices, and other campus resources pertinent behavioral and academic performance information to assist students with academic concerns/issues.

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