Rensselaer Libraries

Welcome to the Libraries! Rensselaer Libraries on the Troy Campus is comprised of two libraries: Folsom Library which houses the main collection and the Architecture Library located in the Greene building. With an emphasis on the collections and services of the Folsom Library, this survival guide summarizes information needed to use our collections and services successfully. If you are looking for a guide that focuses on the Architecture Library, please visit the Architecture Library Survival Guide.

• Building Hours
  • Circulation Desk Hours (Folsom) 518/276-8310; (Architecture) 518/276-6465
    
    The Architecture and Folsom Circulation Desks are staffed most hours that the Libraries are open. Books and other materials may be checked out or returned until 15 minutes before the library closes or, in the case of Folsom Library, until midnight on days when that library closes at 3:00 AM.
  • Information Desk Hours (Folsom Library) 518/276-8320
    
    Subject to change during holidays, and when classes are not in session.
    Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Architecture Library (Greene Building) 518/276-6465
    
    The Architecture Library was established in 1929 to support the core curriculum of the University's Architecture Program and to supplement the instructional and research activities of the School of Architecture. It houses monographs, periodicals, slides and other multimedia material on architecture and related subjects. The library is located on the third floor of the Greene Building. To reach staff at their service desk, call (518) 276-6465.
  • Institute Archives and Special Collections (Folsom Library) 518/276-8340
    
    Institute Archives and Special Collections is located in the Fixman Room on the third floor of Folsom Library. The department collects and preserves a variety of materials which fall into two major categories: Archives which are the official records of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. They document the administration, curriculum, and programs of the Institute and its schools and departments. Materials include: Records of the presidents and senior administrators; office files; biographical information on faculty and alumni, campus publications; photographs and other media AND Special Collections which are composed of manuscript collections, rare books, and pamphlets focusing on nineteenth and early twentieth century science and technology.
  • Library Café (Folsom Library, Main Floor)
    
    The Library Café offers a signature sandwich program called “Stacks Deli” featuring wraps, subs, grilled and traditional build your own sandwiches, an impressive line of Green Mountain Coffee with the addition of a full espresso program, freshly squeezed lemonade, cookies baked on site and much more…

• Library PIN
  
  Your Library PIN (personal identification number) is a password that permits you to view your library borrowing record and to use certain other library services within the Libraries' information system. Initial Library PINs have been created for anyone who has an RCS sign-on id. For detailed information on your Library PIN - how to find it, reset it, or use it - see the Library PINs & Passwords ( http://library.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=204) .

• Class Reserves
  
  The Libraries’ Reserves system lists materials that faculty have identified for specific courses, both print materials held at either Folsom or Architecture Circulation Desks as well as electronic documents. You can locate a class reserve list either by searching for a course’s or instructor’s name or by browsing a school-department list. Class Reserves is independent of Rensselaer’s other LMS and non-LMS course sites.

• Online Catalog
  
  The Online Catalog lists the books, journals, government publications, Rensselaer theses, CD-ROMs, videos, and archives & manuscript collections owned by the Libraries. It does not provide access to specific articles in journals, magazines, and newspapers. Use one of our many articles-journals databases (http:/library.rpi.edu/update.do?catcenterkey=270) to search for articles.
  
  For assistance, use the online help screens, ask at the Information Desk, call 518/276-8320, or send an e-mail to a reference librarian by clicking on the Ask-A-Librarian ( http://library.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=1731) on the RensSearch homepage. Someone will be happy to assist you.

• Borrowing Library Materials
  
  You need a valid Rensselaer ID card to borrow books. Books are checked out for 16 weeks; sound recordings for 3 weeks; and videos for 3 days. You can borrow up to 75 items at any one time; however, all loans are subject to early recall if needed by another person. Reference books, journals, class reserve items, maps and software are generally not available for loan.

• Find a Book in Folsom Library
  
  Use the Libraries' online catalog (http://opac.lib.rpi.edu/) to search for a book (or e-book) by author, title, subject or keyword. After completing your search, print or write down the Location and the complete Call Number (found in the first two lines of the catalog record and in the highlighted box). Book call numbers will start with capital letters; journal call numbers for the Folsom Library start with a three-digit number. Determine the book’s location using the Folsom Book Stacks link ( http://library.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=339).
  
  If the STATUS is "Available," the book is in the library. If the STATUS for a book gives a due date, another user has checked out the book. You can place a hold on the book at the Circulation Desk or online by clicking the Request button at the top of the book's catalog record webpage. You’ll be prompted for your last name, RIN, and Library PIN ( http://library.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=204).

• Find an Article, Journal, or Newspaper in Folsom Library
  
  Both print and electronic journals are listed in the Libraries’ online catalog; electronic journals are also listed in the e-journals database. Since updates for these two resources are not in sync, you will want to search for journals BOTH in the online catalog (http://opac.lib.rpi.edu/), as well as in the e-journals database (http://sfx-serv.lib.rpi.edu/sfx_troy/az/). Use the catalog to search for newspapers.

• ConnectNY
  
  Connect NY combines the library catalogs of 14 academic libraries in New York State allowing each other’s users to borrow materials. To request a book, you will need your RIN and Library PIN for authentication. Expect delivery within 4 to 6 business days.

• Interlibrary Loan
  
  If the Library does not own a specific item and it’s not available via Connect NY, we will try to borrow it from another library. Most requested materials can be obtained within 10 to 12 days. Request forms are available online through the Libraries” ILLiad system (https://illiad.lib.rpi.edu/illiad/logon.html). For more information, contact the Interlibrary Loan Department (518/276-8330) or visit the ILL Web page ( http://library.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=528).

• Software Applications from Library Workstations
  
  The workstations on the main floor of Folsom Library along with other public machines in Folsom Library include Microsoft Office Suite.

• Printing from Library Workstations
  
  If you are a current RPI faculty, student or staff, you will have access to printing when you log on to a library workstation. The default printer for library workstations is the black and white printer (LI2F1lW) located on the west side (away from the Hudson River) of Folsom Library’s main floor. If you want to send your printout to a printer other than the default, you can select from those listed in the Print box, or add a printer. For more information on printing, see Printing at Rensselaer ( http://helpdesk.rpi.edu/update.do?catcenterkey=16).

• Scanners
  
  Public scanners with Acrobat Professional and Photoshop are available in the Folsom Library, as well as Architecture Library. Some of the scanners have an additional capability for scanning film or slides.

• Remote Access to Library Services
  
  Off-campus access to most electronic library resources is restricted to current Rensselaer faculty, students and staff. If you are accessing RensSearch via an outside Internet Service provider such as RoadRunner, you will be prompted for your RCS userid/password, RIN and Library PIN. For more information about off-campus sign on, see the Library PINs and Passwords ( http://library.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=204) webpage. Please note: The VPN does not provide authentication to library resources. If you have any questions authenticating, please contact Library Support : ( http://j2ee.rpi.edu/swf/setup.do?target=libraries).

• Study and Meeting Rooms
  
  Approximately 20 small study rooms in Folsom Library are available for semester-long assignment to individual Rensselaer faculty, research staff, and graduate students. Room assignments for graduate students are determined by lottery. Applications for the lottery are available near the end of each semester from the Circulation Desk or online ( http://library.rpi.edu/update.do?catcenterkey=294).
  
  About a dozen small group meeting rooms in Folsom Library, are available for up to 3 hours' use each day by any Rensselaer group of 2 or more persons on a first- come, first-assigned basis. Reservations by student groups must be made in person at the Circulation Desk on the day of intended use. Reservations not claimed within the first 10 minutes of a reservation period may be reassigned.

• Library Classes
  
  The Libraries' instructional staff offers one-hour training sessions during the first part of the Fall and Spring semesters. All sessions are free-of-charge and open to Rensselaer faculty, students, and staff. The sessions are usually held in the Fischbach Room or the first-floor PC lab of Folsom Library. Please note that if you do not already have a RCS account, you will need to obtain one at the VCC Help Desk ( http://helpdesk.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=145) before class.
  
  For courses offered by ACS (Academic Computing Services), check the Academic and Research Computing Short Courses ( http://helpdesk.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=294.

• Center for Communication Practices 518/276-8983
  
  The staff of the Center for Communication Practices (formerly The Writing Center) will work with you on ANY kind of writing and ANY type of oral presentation. Every writer and speaker can use kind, constructive feedback!

• ITI-Telecommunications 518/276-6609
  
  The Telecommunications office is located on the lower level of the Folsom Library. You can obtain long distance codes, voicemail for your on campus phone, and discounts on new AT&T mobile phone service.

This web page is maintained by Colette O. Holmes, Management Librarian, Folsom Library, Troy, NY.