Reference

Reference Collection

Reference Collection

The library maintains a print and electronic reference collection.  There are approximately 3,000 volumes relating to the primary subject areas of the curriculum. Electronic reference sources, complementing and supplementing the print collection, are located on the Library's web page.

Research Assistance

Research assistance is available primarily for members of the Manhattanville College community. Helping students and faculty fulfill the demands of the Manhattanville curriculum is the top priority.  Librarians help students and faculty locate appropriate print or electronic materials in  traditional and nontraditional formats.  Librarians facilitate the students' grasp of the changing nature of information and the amount of material available outside the walls of the library. Students and faculty can contact the library for assistance via email, voicemail or by coming to the library. Appointments for longer in-depth assistance can be made also.  Librarians prepare research guides in subject areas to assist students with research needs. Help with proper citation format (which includes the avoidance of plagiarism) and copyright issues is provided. 

Database Assistance

Librarians help to locate the appropriate electronic databases for an individual search.  Instruction in the varied techniques for searching individual databases is also provided.  Assistance in using  Remote Data Access (RDA), the service which allows eligible students and faculty members to use the subscription databases from an off-campus location, is one of the most important responsibilities.

Computer Assistance

Specific software instruction is given on an individual basis for instructional programs used by the faculty, such as E-Res and Blackboard.  Individual students are introduced to the Manhattanville email system, most often at the beginning of each school year.  Throughout the year, librarians aid students with problems related to more specific computer issues, such as accessing grades.

Library Tours

Prospective students are welcomed to the library by a reference librarian.  The purpose is to explain the most important features of the library and to answer any questions which people may have about services.  A printed brochure about library services is available for each prospective student.

 
Alternative Borrowing 

Purchase College Reciprocal Borrowing allows Manhattanville College students, with a current valid ID, access to the Purchase College circulation collection. Items borrowed from Purchase College Library must be returned to that location.  Borrowers must obtain a note from the Circulation Desk in order to borrow materials at Purchase College. 

WALDO consortia libraries also have an agreement which allow full-time Manhattanville faculty only of member institutions to borrow directly from other member libraries without having to go through Interlibrary Loan. This allows Manhattanville College full-time faculty to borrow directly from other WALDO libraries. WALDO stickers are available for full-time Manhattanville faculty at the Reference Desk.  

METRO cards are used to provide access to specific titles, or special subject areas, not available at Manhattanville College Library or in any local public library.  These cards allow restricted access to other academic libraries for research purposes. METRO cards are available at the Reference Desk. 

Have a question, inquiry or concern for the Reference Department? 
You can contact us by telephone at (914) 323-5282 or by email at library@mville.edu .