Accessing the Library & Getting Help
How can I get help from a Librarian?
There are several ways to get help:
Where is the Library building?
The Grand Canyon University Fleming Library is building #23 on the campus map. It is located just east of the main entrance to campus at 33rd Avenue & Camelback Road.
How do I access Library resources online?
From any web browser, go to the Library website at http://library.gcu.edu/. If you are in your Angel classroom, click on the Library tab at the top of the page. If you are in your LoudCloud classroom, a link to the Library website is under Resources at the top of the page.
What is my Library User Name and Password?
Your Library user name and password is the same as your GCU username and password that you use to log in to your courses.
If you have forgotten your username or can't log in, you can reset your password at http://myaccount.gcu.edu/. If you are having difficulty resetting or have other password or login issues contact Technical Support. You can reach them by phone Toll Free at 877.428.8447 or 602.639.7200, via email, or through Chat. See the "Chat With Technical Support" button on the Technical Support website.
I am getting an error message. What do I do?
That depends on a number of factors. Below are some suggestions to help you determine the best course of action to take when you get an error message.
If the message says that your username or password is incorrect, try resetting your password at http://myaccount.gcu.edu/. You can also contact Technical Support. You can reach them by phone Toll Free at 877.428.8447 or 602.639.7200, via email, or through Chat. See the "Chat With Technical Support" button on the Technical Support web page.
If you get an error message when working in the Library databases, please check our Facebook page or the Twitter feed on the Library website at http://library.gcu.edu/ to see if any information has been posted. If you still need assistance, contact the Library.
If you are able to get to the Library website at http://library.gcu.edu/, but cannot get into any of our databases, this could be a firewall, security settings, or a login problem, and you will need to contact Technical Support. You can reach them by phone Toll Free at 877.428.8447 or 602.639.7200, via email, or through Chat. See the "Chat With Technical Support" button on the Technical Support web page.
Here are some additional things you can try:
Searching For Books & More
How do I find books?
Click on the "Find Books & More" button on the Library website at http://library.gcu.edu/. Type your search terms in the Search box at the top of the screen and click on Search. You will have the option to add limiters and search specific collections on the left-hand side of the screen showing the results of your search.
Does the Library have textbooks?
No, the Library does not carry textbooks for your classes. Please contact the GCU Bookstore for textbook information by calling Toll Free 877.866.8917 or by going through their website.
Does the Library have both print and electronic books?
Yes, the Library has both print and electronic books as well as DVDs, streaming videos & music, video games, and other multimedia. You can search for all of these items by clicking on the "Find Books & More" button on the Library website at http://library.gcu.edu/.
To limit your results by the type of item, use the links on the left side of the results page. For example, to limit your results to electronic items, enter your search term in the Search box and click on the "Search" button. Then, select "Electronic" under "Form of Item" on the left side of the screen.
How can I tell if an item I found in the catalog is a print or an electronic book?
Each item has an icon to the left of the title on the search results page. An open book indicates that the item is a print book. An open book with a capital letter E over it indicates that the item is an electronic book. There are a number of different icons - these two are the most common.
To access an electronic book, click on the title of the book, and then click on the "View eResource" link.
How do I find streaming videos or other multimedia?
Click on the "Find Books & More" link on the Library website at http://library.gcu.edu/.
Enter your keywords in the search box and click "Search." On the left-hand side of the results screen use the "Form of Item" or "Electronic Collections" limiters to choose different types of resources.
Alternately, click on "Advanced Search" at the top of the page and select a format in the "Format" box. Holding the Ctrl key down while clicking will allow you to select multiple formats. Some of the available formats are DVD & movies.streaming. Be sure to click on the "Search" button in the middle of the screen, not the one at the top.
Another way to find streaming media is to click on the "Find Journal Articles" link on the Library website at http://library.gcu.edu/, then select "Streaming Media" in the "Find Databases by Subject" area. This will take you to a list of databases that include streaming media. You can then select a database and do a keyword search.
Can I borrow items from the Library?
GCU Affiliates* may use any Library resource, print or electronic.
* GCU Affiliates are defined as: Current GCU students, alumni, faculty, staff, community card holders, and pastors who can present proof of current service at a local church. Students are defined as being currently enrolled in classes. Faculty and staff are defined as being currently employed by the University.
GCU Alumni, community members and pastors only have access to the electronic collection while physically in the Library building.
How do I borrow items?
Most of the Library's resources are electronic and can be accessed directly from your computer via the Library website, http://library.gcu.edu/. These resources do not need to be checked out.
To check out items from the Library's physical collection, GCU Affiliates (see above for definition) should present a valid GCU ID to the Library Help Desk. To learn how to tell if a book is a print book or ebook, see "How can I tell if an item I found in the catalog is a print or an electronic book?"
If you're a current student, faculty, or staff and are attending online or unable to come into the Library, we can send a physical book directly to you. To place a request, please contact us using one of these methods:
How long can I keep items that I have borrowed?
How do I renew items I have checked out?
Contact us using one of these methods:
Books and DVDs can only be renewed once.
How much are late and lost fees?
Late fees:
Lost fees:
Searching for Articles
I can't find any articles on my topic! What should I do?
First, check your spelling. Next, think about the keywords you are using for your search and consider changing them. For help developing a more effective search strategy, watch Part 4 of the Library Walk Through tutorial.
Don't get frustrated! If you aren't finding what you need, contact the Library for help!
How do I know which database to use?
The database you select will depend on the topic or your research and the classes you are taking. If you go to the Library website at http://library.gcu.edu/ and click on "Find Journal Articles", you will find lists of databases arranged by subjects. If your research is general in nature, you may want to try a multidisciplinary database such as Academic Search Complete, ProQuest Central, or Omnifile Full Text Select.
Of course, if you still aren't sure where to start, contact us!
What if I need help using the databases?
Contact the Library for help!
I have a citation for an article. How do I find the full text for it?
If you have the full citation for an article or want to search by journal title, click on "Find Journal Articles" from the Library website at http://library.gcu.edu/, and then scroll down to "Find Journals by Title". Enter the journal title or click on "Citation Linker" to go to a form where you can enter the citation information to see if the Library has the article available in full text.
I can't find full text articles, just abstracts! What should I do?
Note that not all databases have full text of every article listed! To limit your search results to only those items that include full text, look for an option to limit results in the database search page and select it when conducting your search.
If you find a citation, but not the full text, you can request the item through InterLibrary Loan. For more information, see "How do I request an item through InterLibrary Loan?"
What is a scholarly, peer reviewed article and how do I find one?
A scholarly, peer-reviewed article is one that has been reviewed by experts in the subject area to make sure that it contains reliable, authoritative information.
Most databases have an option to limit search results to scholarly or peer reviewed items. Look for a check box with one or both of these options within the database you are searching and select it to limit your results.
Part 5 of the Library Walk Through tutorial includes instructions on how to limit search results.
InterLibrary Loan (ILL)
I found a citation to an article/book that the Library does not own! Can you get it for me?
First, double-check to see if you have access to it throughthe Library.
For books, go to the Library website at http://library.gcu.edu/, click "Find Books and More" and search for the title.
For journal articles, go to the Library website at http://library.gcu.edu/, click on "Find Journal Articles", scroll down and follow the link for "Find Journals by Title". Once there, type the journal title in the search box. If a journal is available in full text through the Library, you will find the information here.
Once you have determined that we do not own the book or journal, you may request it through the Library's InterLibrary Loan (ILL) service. To request an item through ILL, go to the Library website at http://library.gcu.edu/ and click on the InterLibrary Loan link. Fill out the form as completely as possible and submit.
You can also search for the item in WorldCat to find out if a library near you owns the item.
How do I request an item through InterLibrary Loan?
Once you have determined that we do not own the book or journal, you may request it through the Library's InterLibrary Loan (ILL) service. To request an item through ILL, go to the Library website at http://library.gcu.edu/ and click on the InterLibrary Loan link. Fill out the form as completely as possible and submit.
Books can be picked up at the Library or mailed directly to you. Articles can be picked up, emailed, faxed, or mailed to you.
How much does InterLibrary Loan cost?
There are no costs for the InterLibrary Loan service.
How long does the InterLibrary Loan process take?
The process can take a few days up to a few weeks. The Library has many reciprocal sharing agreements with libraries throughout the country. We sometimes have to contact more than one library to locate an available item.
General
Where can I find help with formatting my paper?
There are several places you can go for help. Your first stop should be in the Student Success Center in your online classroom. You may also want to go to the GCU Center for Learning and Advancement (CLA). The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University has some very useful resources as well.
How do I correctly cite an item in my paper?
GCU requires the use of either GCU Style or the American Psychological Association (APA) style for papers, depending on your course level.
Many of the Library's databases have a "Cite" tool that will generate citations for you. Look for a "Cite" icon or link after clicking on an article title. The Library's databases use APA, 6th edition. For GCU Style information, look in the Student Success Center in your online classroom.
RefWorks, a bibliographic management tool, is available to all GCU students. Click on the RefWorks link on the Library website at http://library.gcu.edu/ to access it. RefWorks has a plug-in called Write-N-Cite that works with Microsoft Word to help you format both your in-text citations and your bibliography.
Where can I order my textbooks?
The Library does not carry textbooks. Please contact the Bookstore for textbook information by calling Toll Free 877.866.8917 or by going through their website.
A Librarian is available
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. MST
Grand Canyon University © 2012 - All Rights Reserved. GCU is an accredited university founded in 1949. We are a Christian university and offer online degree programs and campus based classes. As a private university in Arizona, GCU has six colleges offering business degree programs including an Executive MBA, health science degrees, liberal arts degrees, doctorate degrees, nursing programs, and teaching programs. Our Performing Arts College offers fine arts and production degree programs. GCU is a military friendly school and offers military tuition rates.
