Frequently Asked Questions about the
Merrill-Cazier Library Information Commons
What is the Information Commons/Reference area?
The Merrill-Cazier Library’s Information Commons integrates a computer lab, library print and online collections, and knowledgeable staff to assist students in finding information for papers, presentations and other projects. Students can use the computers to search databases for articles, locate library materials in the online catalog, and create or edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, or multimedia files. Individual and group workspaces are provided, and instruction is available through one-to-one consultations, formal class sessions, workshops, and online tutorials.
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Information Commons Staff – Student Computer Consultants & Librarians(top)
The Information Commons is a cooperative venture operated by the Utah State University Library and Student Lab Services and funded by both groups. Workstations, software, and online databases for articles and other publications are funded in part by student technology fees.
Librarians and library staff can help you learn about research strategies and find information quickly and effectively. Whether you need to find sources to write a short paper or you want to develop a search strategy for a master’s thesis, librarians can assist.
Student consultants work both in the Information Commons and in labs across campus. They assist users with questions about hardware and software and troubleshooting technical problems.
While both computer consultants and librarians are here to help with computer and information tools provided in the Information Commons, they will not do students’ homework.
Ask for help! Talk to librarians and consultants in person; look for staff at the Information Desk or talk to someone roving through the Commons (name tags identify them). Contact us by phone at 435-797-2678 (Reference) or 797-3556, send e-mail to Library.Help@usu.edu.
Hours(top)
See URL for the latest library hours.
The Information Commons is open the same hours as the Library building; consultants will begin shutting down computers 15 minutes before the library closes.
Normal hours when classes are in session during fall and spring semesters:
Monday – Thursday 7:00am – 12:00am
Friday 7:00am – 7:00pm
Saturday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm – 12:00am
Authentication/Login(top)
Only currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff of Utah State University may use the Information Commons workstations, and users must log in. Funding for hardware and software comes in part from student technology fees, thus currently enrolled students have first priority for use, while current faculty and staff may use available computers.
Kiosks are available near the front door of the Library for quick tasks like checking e-mail. Public PCs are located near the Information Desk because Merrill-Cazier Library wishes to accommodate guests as one aspect of our mission as a public, Land Grant university. These workstations are equipped with web browsers for access to Internet, including the library catalog, databases, and web-based e-mail, but no application software such as Microsoft Word. Software licenses purchased by the university generally restrict use to enrolled students and current employees.
How to Login(top)
A Utah State University e-mail address is required to log into computers in the Information Commons. Currently enrolled students and current faculty and staff are eligible for a USU e-mail account. Sharing your user account will result in denial of access to student computer labs, the campus network, and resources such as university email accounts.
Student registration for e-mail: https://barney.usu.edu/compserv/newuser.html
Be sure to read the Rules for Use on the registration page.
Faculty/Staff email account registration: https://barney.usu.edu/compserv/free_email.html
Assistance and Tutorials(top)
Librarians and computer consultants can assist you in person at the Information Desk or as they rove through the Commons (name tags identify staff).
To request help without leaving your computer, click the green Help button in the lower right corner of the screen on any workstation.
Tutorials and exercises are available online for learning research skills. See the online Guide to Library Research to learn how to find books, articles, and other sources and for tips on citation styles. Additional online tutorials provide further suggestions to help you with research strategies.
To learn more about options for getting assistance, call the Information & Reference desk at 435-797-2678 or send email to Library.Help@usu.edu. Computer consultants may be reached at 797-3556.
Further information about computing help is available from USU’s Network & Computing Services Help Desk. The Help Desk phone number is 797-4358, or send email to helpdesk@usu.edu
How Can I Find Articles in the Library?(top)
One segment of the online Guide to Library Research is devoted to finding articles, helping you choose databases that will be useful for research papers. Visit, call, or email the Information & Reference Desk for personal assistance.
Laptop Check-out(top)
The Library offers several laptop computers for check out to anyone with a current USU i.d.. Borrow these from the Check-out/Circulation desk on the first floor. Laptops may be checked out for three hours. Due to the popularity of this service and limited quantity of computers, the fee for late returns is $0.10/minute.
Wireless & Ethernet(top)
The Internet is accessible via a wireless network on the all floors of the library or via laptop network ports (Ethernet connections). Computers must be registered with Network & Computing Services in order to use the campus network.
Printing(top)
Printouts in the Information Commons cost $0.05 per page. Each enrolled student begins each semester with a 35 page “free laser balance” in a campus-wide database. A valid USU i.d. card is required to obtain the free prints and to pay for subsequent printing.
Two printers are located at the Information desk. Students must swipe their i.d. card at printer stations to release jobs and charge the appropriate fees to their account. Only the USU i.d. may be used to pay for printouts.
Under no circumstances will the Information Commons staff accept any other form of payment besides the USU i.d. Page charges cannot be made to departmental or other university accounts. Cash cannot be accepted. Unused portions of the free allotment are not credited to the user, not carried forward to subsequent semesters, and not transferable.
Visitors who do not have a USU i.d. card may print from public access workstations and collect and pay for printouts at the Check Out/Circulation desk.
Save your work!(top)
Workstations will automatically reset to the login screen after 15 minutes of inactivity. Save your work often! Options for saving files include: saving to a jump drive or floppy disk, sending files as e-mail attachments, or saving to a temporary network drive (Z:\) which is erased by lab staff every Saturday. However, be aware that the network drive (Z:\) is public, and anything saved there can be viewed and possibly erased by anyone using the lab computers.
Jump drives and floppy disks are sold in the bookstore at the Taggart Student Center.
Library User Accounts(top)
You must have an account in the Library’s online catalog to take advantage of many services in the Library. An account is necessary to reserve group study rooms or view a list of library materials you have checked out. Use this online form to register for an account.
Group Study and Project Rooms(top)
Many rooms are available for students to work in groups or practice presentations. Near the Information Commons, 13 rooms with a computer are available, including one equipped with a PC and a projector; 18 additional group study rooms are located throughout the building. Group study rooms may be reserved by students who have an account in the Library’s online catalog.
Group study rooms may be reserved for two hours at a time, and reservations can be made up to two days in advance.
Learning Laboratories for Library Instruction(top)
Librarians can help you learn to use information sources, and two wired classrooms are devoted to library instruction. Activities range from formally scheduled class meetings to informal gatherings for brief workshops. The Library’s Instructional Services Program supports the teaching, research, and extension mission of the University by teaching information literacy skills in order to promote academic success and lifelong learning. Librarians are available to present research tools and to help students learn skills necessary to develop effective strategies to find the information they need.
Visit the Library Instruction website, or contact Wendy Holliday, Coordinator of Library Instruction, to learn more or schedule classes: 435-797-0731.
Librarians’ Subject Specialties(top)
Librarians have specific areas of expertise and serve as liaisons to academic departments; a list is available online.
MultiMedia Applications(top)
Students must provide their own headphones to listen to audio and video files using Information Commons workstations.
Three rooms are available in the Library Media Center for editing audio and visual files. On campus, the UR Graphics and Young Educational Technology Center offer workstations and software for creating audiovisual materials.
Faculty and staff may contact the Faculty Assistance Center for Teaching, 435-797-9506, for help in developing multimedia materials for instruction.
Macintosh Computers(top)
Macs are available in some of the student labs on campus; see the complete list of software available in each lab for locations.
Assistive Technology(top)
Library room 143, in the southeast area of the Information Commons, houses workstations equipped with assistive technology software and hardware. These resources are supported by the Utah State University Disability Resource Center, 797-2444; the center provides students with help in classroom settings and manages facilities throughout campus.
Food & Drink Policy in the Information Commons(top)
No open packages/containers of food or drinks may be consumed in the Information Commons. Water in sealed containers is allowed and must be stored away from computers and keyboards. Staff will ask people with food and drink to leave the area. (Visit the café!)
Cell Phones(top)
Cell phones must be taken to designated “Cell Phone Zones” to place or receive calls in order to reduce distraction to other students.
| Software Applications on Information Commons Workstations(top) | ||
|---|---|---|
Adobe Photoshop Elements |
Microsoft Office Suite Professional |
Maple |
Adobe Illustrator CS |
MS Access |
Mozilla Firefox |
Adobe Acrobat Reader |
MS Excel |
MS Internet Explorer |
Easy CD Creator |
MS Word |
Open Office |
McAfee Virus Protection |
MS InfoPath |
Putty (telnet & SSH) |
Bad Copy Pro |
MS Publisher |
WS-FTP LE |
Quicktime |
MS Document Scanning |
WinZip |
Sketchpad |
Diet Analysis Plus |
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Additional information: http://www.sls.usu.edu/labs/Software.aspx
Caution: Computers reset automatically!(top)
Computers will log out and return to default settings after 15 minutes of inactivity. All unsaved files or software downloaded during the previous log-in session will be erased.
Appropriate Use of Computing Resources and the Student Code(top)
The Utah State University Student Code spells out policies regarding many activities including computer use. Information Commons staff are authorized to deny lab access to any person who does not comply with policies and relevant regulations in the student code. Policy violations may also be referred to the Office of the Vice President for Student Services. Theft, failure to observe copyright laws, or tampering with computers or networks may lead to prosecution through law enforcement and University agencies