FAQ
What
are the library hours?
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The library is generally open Monday to Thursday from 8 am to 5pm,
Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 2 pm to 5 pm. Please consult
the online schedule for
holiday and summer hours. |
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Where
can I get directions to the college?
Where
are the bathrooms?
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Bathrooms are located on each side of the entryway into the library
building before you actually enter the library.
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Do
I need change for the copy machine?
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The library has a photocopy machine that works on the honor system.
Each copy is 5 cents.
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I
know that the bookstore is in this building, but I don't seem to be able
to get to it.
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The bookstore is located in the Student Center, closer to the cafeteria. Their phone number is 863-4490.
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Where
can I find a phone?
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There is a pay phone in the parking lot across the street from the
library next to the track.
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Is
there a book drop?
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Yes, the book drop is located on the side of the Library/Student Center
building at the loading dock near the disabled parking.
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Do
I have to sign up for a study room in the library?
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No. |
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How
many books may I check out?
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At one time, students may check out five books as well as two videos and/or DVDs.
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I'm
a high school student. How many items may I check out and what about videos
and DVDs?
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High school students may check out two items at a time. Videos and
DVDs are only available for RBC students, faculty and staff. High
school students must fill out a registration
form that requires a parent or guardian signature prior to check
out. |
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Do you have tax forms in the library?
What is the Financial Aid School Code Number for Richard Bland College?
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The Richard Bland College Financial Aid School Code (also known as the Title IV Code) is 003707. For more information, please consult the RBC Financial Aid web page. |
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Who
can check out videos and DVDs?
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Videos and DVDs may only be borrowed by RBC students, faculty and staff. |
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I
need to talk to a librarian. How do I contact someone?
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You may call or email any of the librarians for information or assistance
with research. Send an email to library@rbc.edu or telephone a librarian at 804-862-6226/6227/6228. |
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How
can I get help when the library is closed?
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The library does not have 24/7 reference service. However, you can
submit an online form requesting help. You may also find some
help through these FAQs or through the library Tutorial found on the library home page under "About the Library."
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Can
you help me research and write my term paper?
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Consult a librarian for research assistance. We can help you locate
books, articles, reference material and web sites on your topic.
Visit our Research Help page for information
on selecting a topic, understanding the research process, writing
a paper, and avoiding plagiarism. Use our MLA
and APA
online style guides for help with parenthetical documentation and
works cited pages.
For extensive help formulating, writing and editing your term paper,
you should consult
the RBC Writing Lab.
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My
professor wants us to find a newspaper article. How can I do this?
My
professor said I had to have an article from a professional or scholarly
journal. Where do I find that?
Where
can I find reserve books and online reserves?
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Ask for these books at the circulation desk. Depending on the preferences
of individual instructors, reserve items may be borrowed overnight,
for three days, for fourteen days, or for just one day as a library-use-only
item. You can review reserve lists by going to LION and searching under "Reserve Desk." The overdue fine for
late reserve items is $1 per day. Online reserves are available through Blackboard under the course "Library eReserves." For more information
on Reserves, review the library's information
page on Course Reserves. |
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My
professor keeps talking about VIVA. What is VIVA?
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VIVA is a consortium of nonprofit academic libraries in the Commonwealth
of Virginia. Through this consortium, students at RBC have access
to thousands of electronic journals and newspapers. There is a link
to the VIVA resources on the library home page and some shortcut links
to the more popular databases that are part of VIVA. For more information
go to the link "About VIVA" on the
library home page. |
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Why
do I need to use VIVA when I can get information from lots of Web sites?
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VIVA provides access to newspapers, journals and reference tools that
you cannot find through a search engine. The Virginia General Assembly
and member libraries in VIVA pay the companies who compile and digitize
this information in order to make it available to academic users.
This is a real benefit for students who attend RBC. Remember that
the information you find through a search engine is often not very
reliable, and although some journals are available free of charge
on the Web, most are not. It is often possible to find current newspaper
articles free on the Web, but you will have to pay for articles from
back issues. If you use VIVA to find these newspaper articles, you
will not be charged for them.. The information that you find through
VIVA is reliable information that has been published in journals,
newspapers, reference works, and government publications.
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How
do I get an RBC e-mail account?
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As of Fall 2004, RBC students will be automatically assigned Student
Email Accounts. For more information, review information on the RBC Student Email web page. |
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How
do I get to VIVA from home?
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First you will need to make sure that you have an RBC e-mail account.
The RBC Gateway to VIVA Resources page
contains a list of databases available to RBC faculty and students
through the library's VIVA subscription. Off-campus access is available
for most of these databases. When you click on these database links
from off-campus, you will be prompted for your RBC email account username
and password. If you are using AOL, we suggest that you minimize AOL
and open Internet Explorer. Use Internet Explorer to access the databases.
Also, make sure that your browser accepts cookies. |
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What
is Find It Virginia?
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Find It Virginia is similar to VIVA in that it provides access
to online databases like PowerSearch. Whereas VIVA
is designed to be used by college students and faculty, Find It Virginia
is designed to be used by Virginia residents with Virginia public
library cards. Use your Virginia public library card to access Find
It Virginia resources anywhere and at anytime. |
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Can
you get articles or books for me from another library?
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Yes. You can complete an Interlibrary
Loan request form. Please allow time for delivery. |
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Do
I have to pay fines if my books are late?
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Yes. There is a late fee of 25¢ per day for overdue books and a fee of $1 per day for late
reserve items, videos and DVDs. Transcripts
and grades will be withheld if a student has outstanding library obligations.
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What
do I do if the computer says a book isn't checked out, but I can't find
it on the shelf?
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Verify the location of the book within the library to see if you should be looking in the STACKS or in another area of the library. Also, make sure that you are not searching the STACKS for an electronic book. If you are still having trouble, ask a librarian for assistance!
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I
can't get on Blackboard. What do I need to do?
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Students can access Blackboard
from any of the computers in the library by using their student username
and password. Remember that the password is a capital P followed
by the last six digits of your social security number. If you still
can't get on, ask a member of the library staff to help you. Not sure what your username is? You can look it up in Banner, or you can ask a librarian for assistance! |
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How do I get into Banner ?
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Students use Banner to view their course schedule, access grades and register for classes. Logging into Banner requires you to enter your R number (captial R + eight digits) and your PIN. Note that you can log in using your Social Security number. Initially, the PIN is your birthdate in six digits (MMDDYY). After first using the system, you will be required to create a new PIN. To actually register for classes in Banner, you will need to use the six-digit alternate PIN assigned to you by your advisor. The library staff can help you get started in Banner, but detailed questions about registration should be forwarded to the Registrar (862-6206 or registrar@rbc.edu). If you have forgotten your R number and need a reminder, be prepared to present photo ID so that an RBC staff member can assist you. A Banner Help Module is available online! |
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How
do I get on the Internet?
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You can access the Internet from any of the computers in the library.
Open Internet Explorer.
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May
I use the library computers for email or chat?
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Chat is not allowed on any of the computers on campus. You may check
your email on library computers, but you must always keep in mind
that research always comes recreational Internet browsing and email.
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Do
I need to have my disk scanned?
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No, the computer automatically scans your disk when you insert it. |
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How
do I look up a book in the RBC library?
Can
I renew my books without coming to the library?
Can
I renew my videos and DVDs?
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No. We do not renew videos or DVDs for students. |
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What
does the location "Internet" mean when I look up a book?
Can
I view my library account online?
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Yes. You can use the "My Account " component of LION. |
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Can
I use my computer at home to access everything that I can access from
the computers at the library?
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First you will need to make sure that you have an RBC e-mail account.
The RBC Gateway to VIVA Resources page
contains a list of databases available to RBC faculty and students
through the library's VIVA subscription. Off-campus access is available
for most of these databases. When you click on these database links
from off-campus, you will be prompted for your RBC email account username
and password. If you are using AOL, we suggest that you minimize AOL
and open Internet Explorer. Use Internet Explorer to access the databases.
Also, make sure that your browser accepts cookies. |
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Richard
Bland College
11301 Johnson Road
Petersburg, Virginia 23805
(804) 862-6226/6227/6228
FAX (804) 862-6125
http://www.rbc.edu
Page updated
April 18, 2008
Questions or comments contact library@rbc.edu
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