| Finding
and Using Reference Materials |
How
to Use the Online Catalog (URSUS)
All materials
owned by the Library are listed in our computer catalog, URSUS.
URSUS is the on-line catalog
for the University of Maine System libraries. URSUS provides
access to the cataloged material in the Library as well as most
of the major libraries in Maine, including the University of
Maine System, Bowdoin, Bates, and Colby Colleges, and the Law
and Legislative Reference Library. (A separate guide to using
URSUS is available at the Reference Desk.) |
How
to Determine the Library's Holdings of Primary Material
Primary material,
such as case reporters, statutes, session laws, and administrative
codes, which the Library currently receives is included in the
on-line catalog, URSUS. (A guide to shelf locations of materials
is available at the circulation desk.) Please ask at the Circulation
or Reference Desks if you need assistance in locating material. |
How
to Determine if the Library Owns a Government Document
Most of the
U.S. Government documents the Library owns are cataloged. However,
some materials have not been cataloged or are cataloged as part
of a series you may not be aware of. Whenever you are seeking
a government document and cannot find it in URSUS you should
ask a Reference Librarian for help. |
How
to Borrow Material from the Library
To borrow
material simply visit the Circulation Desk with the item you
wish to borrow. Please note that most of the materials the Library
owns may not be checked out of the building, although
they can be signed out to a student's carrel or a faculty member's
office. Classified treatises are the only materials that can
leave the building. Members of the general public may borrow
classified treatises provided they first fill out a patron registration
form at the Circulation Desk. Materials shelved behind the Circulation
Desk can be signed out for one day, but must not leave the building.
All materials are subject to recall at any time. |
How
to Have the Library Borrow Material for You from Another Library
If, after
searching URSUS and consulting a reference librarian, you cannot
find the material that you need at the Law Library, you may
obtain it from another library in the University of Maine System
by using the requestor function on URSUS. If material
desired by University of Maine Law School students, faculty,
staff and members of the legal community is not available on
URSUS, we will try to obtain it for you from another library.
Interlibrary loan borrowing transactions
take anywhere from 2-4 weeks to complete. Request forms are
available at the Reference Desk, Circulation Desk, in the Interlibrary
Loan Office (Room 409), or online. A separate form should be
completed for each item requested; an online form is
available for each book and article.
You may also call the Interlibrary Loan Office directly at (207)780-4818,
FAX to (207) 780-4913 or e-mail LawILL@usm.maine.edu. |
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