Exploring the Resources of Fitchburg State University Library

Fitchburg State University Library stands as a central hub for academic exploration, offering a wide array of resources and services tailored to meet the diverse needs of its students, faculty, and staff. From cutting-edge technology to extensive research databases and personalized support, the library empowers its users to excel in their academic pursuits.

Technology and Equipment

The library goes beyond traditional books and journals, providing access to a diverse range of equipment and technology to enhance learning and research experiences. At the Circulation Desk, patrons can check out various items, including Chromebooks for convenient access to digital resources, headphones for focused study, anatomical models of muscles and internal organs for visual learning, cameras for multimedia projects, and phone and laptop chargers to stay connected. Additionally, tripods and microphones are available for presentations and recording purposes.

Most of the library's computers are located on the first floor, either in the open area or in the 35-desk computer lab. These computers are equipped with Microsoft Office and connected to the internet. The main floor computers are “zero clients” which means that they do not have hard drives.

Printing, Copying, Scanning, and Faxing Services

The library offers multi-function devices that provide printing, copying, scanning, and faxing services. All patrons are charged for these services. Enrolled students receive a printing allotment of $20.00 per semester on their OneCards to cover these costs. Guest users will need to purchase a OneCard loaded with sufficient funds to cover the cost of the print job. This can be done on the ground floor of the Hammond building.

Internet Access

The library is connected to the campus Wi-Fi network. Students, faculty and staff may connect to the network in the library using their mobile devices and their Fitchburg State login credentials. Public unsecured internet access is available on the first and second floors.

Digital Resources and Databases

The library provides access to a wealth of digital resources and databases, catering to various academic disciplines and research interests.

Archives Unbound: This resource offers topically-focused digital collections of historical documents, supporting research and study in diverse fields ranging from the Middle Ages to twentieth-century political history.
Gale Collections: Users can cross-search 60 Gale collections of scholarly resources specifically designed for university research, teaching, and learning.
LGBTQ+ Source: This definitive database for LGBTQ+ studies offers full-text scholarly and popular LGBTQ+ publications, along with historically important primary sources like monographs, magazines, newspapers, and videos.
OverDrive Audiobooks: Accessible through the Libby app, this collection offers a wide selection of fiction and nonfiction audiobooks for convenient listening on computers, phones, or tablets.
Social Explorer: This tool provides interactive demographic data, allowing users to visualize data through mapping tools and generate custom reports. Creating a personal account enables users to save their reports and maps.

Troubleshooting Access Issues

Access to databases and most journals is restricted to members of the Fitchburg State University community. There is always a chance that the problem may be on our end. If you encounter issues accessing online resources, the library offers troubleshooting tips:

Verify that you are entering your login credentials correctly.
Ensure that cookies are enabled in your browser, as the proxy server uses them to verify authorized users. Disable any ad-blocking software that may be blocking cookies.
Make sure JavaScript is enabled in your browser, as it is required for some resources to function properly.

Liaison Librarians

Each academic department has a librarian liaison assigned to it. The liaison’s role is to connect you and your students to library services, collections, and resources that support academics on campus.

Information Literacy Instruction

We offer information literacy instruction for faculty and to students.

Suggesting New Materials

All members of the Fitchburg State community may recommend materials to be added to the Library's collection.

Read also: Navigating Blackboard

Loan Periods and Renewals

Fitchburg State faculty can check out most library materials for 180 days. Loans may be renewed up to 4 times unless the item is recalled by another patron. Your OneCard serves as your library card.

Reserves Collection

The Reserves Collection provides access to materials that are required or recommended for courses offered at Fitchburg State.

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