Frequently Asked Questions at the CSI Library

1. How do I connect to the databases from off campus?
2. How do I get to my CSI Blackboard /Online Courses?
3. How do I get to my CSI e-mail? How do I login?
4. What's my username & password for accessing computers at the library?
5. How do I cite sources in my paper?
6. I have my list of citations, but how do I get the actual articles?
7. How do I know if a particular journal is available in electronic format?
8. Where are the journals kept?
9. How do I find out if the library owns a certain book?
10. How can I find videos and music in the CSI Library?
11. You do not have this book or journal in the collection. How can I get it?
12. Who can borrow books at CSI Library?
13. How long can I check out a book?
14. How can I renew books?
15. Who can I speak to about my research question or project?
16. There is a link on one of the library pages that does not work. Whom should I contact?
17. If CUNY+ Catalog says a book I want is in the library but I can not find it, what can I do?
18. How do I submit my thesis to the library?

ASK A LIBRARIAN

1. How do I connect to the databases from off campus?
   Connect from off-campus
   
   
2. How do I get to my CSI Blackboard /Online Courses?
   Go to Accessing the CUNY Portal and Blackboard
   
   
3. How do I get to my CSI e-mail? How do I login?
   Go to the Website: http://cix.csi.cuny.edu.
   User ID: firstname.lastname (e.g.: john.smith)
   Password: your date of birth, 6 digits starting with month, day, and year
   (e.g.: 091104)
   The E-mail address for the above student will be: john.smith@cix.csi.cuny.edu
   
   
4. What's my username & password for accessing computers at the library?
   Username: your firstname.lastname (e.g.: john.smith).
   Password: your date of birth using two digits for month, day, year without periods or spaces (e.g.: 051880)
   
   
   
   
5. How do I cite sources in my paper?
   There are MLA, APA and Chicago style manuals in the library. Click the link below to see the library holdings: http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/guides/style.htm
   
   The Library has also compiled online guides for APA, MLA, and Chicago.
   
   
6. I have my list of citations, but how do I get the actual articles?
   To find out if CSI Library has the journal in which the article appears:
   Search our Find Journals database to see if the journal is available online or in print. If it is available online, you will see a direct link to the journal or the database that contains the journal article. If it is availalbe in print, you just click on the "Staten Island Print Titles" link, which will take you to the CUNY+ Catalog. Click the journal title, and you'll see a record that includes the holdings information for that specific journal, and where the journal is located.
   
   
7. How do I know if a particular journal is available in electronic format?
   If you have a particular journal title, search our Find Journals database to see if we own it.
   
   
8. Where are the journals kept?
   Majority of our journals and magazines are located on the 3rd floor of the library. They are arranged alphabetically by title. There is a separate Nursing and Allied Health section.

   There are many current journals and magazines on display on the 2nd floor of the library. They are the latest issues of our current subscriptions.

   Many titles are held in microfilm/microfiche formats. Microform readers/printers are housed in the Microform Room located in 1L-215 (2nd floor of the library).
   
   
   
   

9. How do I find out if the library owns a certain book?
   The CUNY+ Catalog will tell you if CSI Library owns a certain book. Search CUNY+ Catalog now. If you need help using the catalog, use the Online Help.
   
   
10. How can I find videos and music in the CSI Library?
    You can search the CUNY+ Catalog to find videos and music title the CSI library owns. Additional assistance can be obtained from the Media Services, 1L-201, on the 2nd floor of the library.
    
    
11. You do not have this book or journal in the collection. How can I get it?
    Submit an Interlibrary Loan Request to obtain books or journal articles that the library does not have.
    
    
12. Who can borrow books at CSI Library?
    CSI Library Access Policy
    
    
13. How long can I check out a book?
    Loan periods are 3 weeks for students and 8 weeks for faculty.
    
    
14. How can I renew books?
    Patrons with a current validated ID may renew books in person at the Circulation Desk (1st floor of the library) or online in the CUNY+Catalog
    
    Renew Books Online
    1. Click My Account at the top of the screen in the CUNY+ Catalog.
    2. Type your library barcode number into both the barcode and the password box (you can find your library barcode on the back of your ID Card).
    3. Under Activities, click Loans.
    4. Click the number of the book that you want to renew and click Renew.
    
    Note: renewals will not be granted if the item is overdue; renewal limit has been exceeded; there is a block on the borrower's record or the item has been requested by another user (has a hold on it).
    
    
15. Who can I speak to about my research question or project?
    - Ask librarians at the Reference Desk
    - Call Reference Desk at 718-982-4010
    - Email Ask a Librarian Service
    
    
16. There is a link on one of the library pages that doesn't work. Whom should I contact?
    E-mail Web Administrator: Library@mail.csi.cuny.edu
    
    
17. If CUNY+Catalog says a book I want is in the library but I can not find it, what can I do?
    Books are sometimes placed temporarily on the sorting shelves on the 3rd floor or on the trucks in the Circulation Desk area before being reshelved. You can ask a Circulation staff member or a Reference Librarian for assistance in locating a book. If a book still cannot be found, a search can be placed on the book at the Circulation Desk.
    
    
18. How do I submit my thesis to the library?
    Follow the Guidelines for Submission of a Master's Thesis. To find a CSI Master's thesis, you can search our Master's Theses Database.