Library
FAQs
This is a list of frequently asked questions at the Bethany Memorial Library. If these don’t answer your question, please contact us at library@blc.edu for assistance.
How do I search for a book?
A search box is located at the top of this page. Enter your query to search books, movies, articles, and more.
Limit results using the facets on the left side of the search results page. If this still leads to too many results, try using some of the limits in the Advanced Search option.
Not finding any results? Try broadening your search (for example, use “social network” instead of “Twitter”) or select the “MnPALS Libraries” option in the drop-down box to search other libraries in Minnesota. Many of these items can be requested via interlibrary loan (ILL).
Video Demonstrations
Where are the different collections?
- Lower Level
- College Archives
- Bound periodicals (moveable shelving)
- Preus Rare books (archives)
- Heritage
- Curriculum
- Main Floor
- Atlas and Dictionary stand
- Current Periodicals
- Music CDs
- Reference
- Front Desk
- Board games
- Course Reserves
- DVDs
- Equipment (headphones, dry-erase markers, etc.)
- Yearbooks and Theses
- Upper Level
- Children’s and Young Adult
- General
- Graphic Novels
- Oversize
- Seminary Overflow
How do I renew an item?
- Start at the top of this page.
- Click on My Library Account, and login using your Bethany credentials*.
- Click on the Loans tab to see all items that are currently checked out.
- Click Renew All, or select the items you want to renew.
- If the item is not eligible to be renewed, the note will read “Not Renewable.” If you have questions, please contact the Patron Services Coordinator at 507-344-7349 or estay@blc.edu.
- To renew Interlibrary Loan (ILL) items that are not on or past their due date, click on the Requests tab at the top.
- If the item can be renewed, the option will be available to renew. (Note: The library that sent the book decides whether or not the item will be renewed, not the BLC library staff.)
ILLs from out of state may need to be renewed by a librarian. Please contact Elisabeth Stay at 507-344-7349 or estay@blc.edu for assistance.
Video: how to login and renew an item.
*Community users will need to click on the “Community Users” button. Enter your barcode number (starting with 20219…) as the user ID. Your first password is set to blctemppassword, but you will be prompted to change it the first time you login.
How do I search from off-campus?
Start at the top of this page and conduct a search. You will be asked to login using your MyBLC login info. Please contact IT Services if you are having problems logging in from off-campus.
Note: Only current students, faculty and staff have to access electronic resources from off-campus.
How do I request an Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?
Begin by searching Bethany’s collections first before creating an Interlibrary Loan request:
- Start at the top of this page to search Bethany’s collections.
- Search by title, author, or subject, and limit the results using the facets on the left.
- If the item does not come up, click on BLC Libraries from the top menu, and select MnPALS Libraries from the drop down list.
- Run the search again.
- Click on the title of the item.
- Under the How to Get It section, click Sign in, and use your MyBLC Login info.
- Once logged in, click the Request via InterLibrary Loan link.
- Double check that you have the correct item, and then click Send Request at the bottom of the form.
If MnPALS does not have the item, fill out a blank ILL form.
Still not finding what you need? Try searching the world’s libraries at worldcat.org, or ask your friendly librarian!
Common questions about ILL are answered here. Direct other questions to Elisabeth Stay at estay@blc.edu.
If you would like to use a blank ILL form, please be sure to include the title, author, date of publication, and a date after which the item is not needed. Any additional information is very helpful.
Video: how to place an ILL request.
*ILL services are only available to current students, faculty, and staff.
How do I request a book from the seminary library?
- Place a hold on the book from the online catalog. Sign in to your library account, and click Email me when available. See video for complete instructions.
- Email the title and author to library@blc.edu or semlibrary@blc.edu. Books may take up to two days to arrive.
- Visit the seminary library between 1:30-5pm Monday – Thursday or 1:30-2:30 on Fridays. Special arrangements can be made by contacting the seminary librarian at semlibrary@blc.edu or call 344-7360.
Which resource should I use?
Articles On…
- Most Subjects: Britannica Academic Encyclopedia, EBSCO MegaFILE, JSTOR
- Business: Business Source Premier, Regional Business News, WestlawNext
- Communication/Arts: JSTOR, MegaFILE for current events topics, Stash
- Education: Educator’s Reference Complete, ERIC
- Health: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Health Source, Consumer Health Complete, AltHealth for alternative/integrative medicine, PubMed for some topics (a bit tricky to use – library staff can help you!)
- History: HathiTrust, primary sources (ArchiveGrid, MN Digital Library, Newspaper Source), government documents (FedStats, Gov’t Printing Office, US Census Bureau)
- Spanish-language articles: Advanced search in JSTOR using “Spanish” as a language limit
Newspapers
- Newspaper Source (includes current New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and local papers!)
- Regional Business News
Streaming Video (Free)
- Twin Cities Public Television (Excellent MN History, local, and multicultural topics)
- National Public Television (Arts performances, documentaries, and the latest Masterpiece dramas)
- Khan Academy (Amazing free video lessons on a wide range of topics-very strong in math/science)
- You Tube Academic (You Tube: Not just for videos of sassy cats! Check out these videos from universities and other academic centers)
How do I search for book reviews?
Book reviews are easier to search using library databases than a general Google search! Not only is it a short process, but the reviews in our databases are sure to be the full review, not an excerpt.
EBSCO:
- From the main Bethany Library page, click on the Databases link
- Select your EBSCO database (EBSCO MegaFile or Academic Search Premier)
- Go to Advanced Search (link is under main search box).
- Under “document type,” select “Book Review.”
- Enter the the name of the book you’re searching for in quotes in the main search box (example- “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”)
- You might also wish to check the “Full Text” option in the “Limit Your Results” section if you want to be able to read your article immediately.
JSTOR Searches for Book Reviews:
- From the main Bethany Library page, click on the Databases link
- Click on the JSTOR link
- Click the “Advanced Search” link underneath the main search box on the JSTOR homepage.
- Enter the title in quotes in the search box (example “Salem Possessed”)
- Click on the checkbox marked “Reviews” in the item type section.
- Check the “Reviewed works” under the title of each search result to see if the review covers the title you are searching. This will save you time (and paper)!
How do I search databases?
How do I search for scholarly or peer-reviewed articles?
EBSCO Databases (EBSCOMegaFILE, Academic Search Premier): In the Advanced Search option (located underneath the main search box when you first click on the page), there will be a checkbox for “Scholarly/Peer-reviewed articles.” You can also limit the “Material Type” to Journal Articles.
JSTOR articles are already scholarly/peer-reviewed. However, if you use the “Advanced Search” option (underneath the main search box on the main page of JSTOR), you can limit to Articles using a checkbox. This option will eliminate book reviews from your results.
I get TONS of results in my database searches. How can I fix that?
The Advanced Search option (located underneath the main search box in each database) will let you limit your search using the following options:
- Connecting several search words together, putting each into its own search box. You can use up to seven search boxes connected together! (Example: “social media” AND Facebook AND teacher if you’re interested in articles about teachers using Facebook)
- Limit by date: Certain classes will ask for articles that have been written in the past five years. This option is also a good choice if you’re working with something that’s fairly recent, such as South Sudan, which became a country in 2011.
- Limit to “Scholarly/Peer-Reviewed Articles” (Checkbox)
- If you’re using a phrase, put it in quotes (Example “social network”, “developmental psychology”)
- Each database has a “Subject Guide” or “Thesaurus.” These words are the words the people who create these records use to arrange the articles. Searching for these words (switching the drop-down box next to the search boxes where you put the words to “SU-Descriptors”) will give you very strong results!
How do I access e-books?
- Conduct a regular search in OneSearch
- Limit results by Format: Books
- Click Available Online to link to the resource
Browse EBSCO collections: E-books
*Please note that BLC Memorial Library primarily has academic material and does not hold as many popular titles. E-books can rarely be requested via ILL. Public libraries have more extensive popular collections! Feel free to set up an account and visit the Blue Earth County Library or the North Mankato Taylor Library.
You may need to download Adobe Digital Editions to view material.
How do I know if I have access to a journal?
- Start at the top of this page, and click the Journals button
- Enter the title of the journal, and press enter to search
- If needed, use limiters on the left to narrow results
- If the library has access in print, a location and call number will appear. Current journals are on the main floor, and older issues in the lower level.
- If the library has access electronically, simply click the Available Online link. One or more databases will appear. Select a database to view content.
Once I find an article I want to read, how do I find out if Bethany has it?
Make note of the citation (article title, journal title, author, page numbers, etc.) Then:
- Use OneSearch (or an Advanced search) to search by article title
- If needed, use limiters on the left to narrow results
Want to view an article you found?
- Click “View as PDF” or “HTML Full Text”
- If these options are not available in EBSCO, click “Search Other MnPALS Libraries,” and request via interlibrary loan
Still can’t find the article?
No problem! Stop by the front desk, or contact your friendly librarians at library@blc.edu or ext. 349.
Is there a book drop outside of the library?
- Yes! There is a book drop just outside of the main doors to the library as well as a book drop in the front entryway of Old Main. This drop is checked Monday-Friday in the afternoon.
- Delicate items such as equipment or games need to be returned inside at the circulation desk.
How do I get a student ID?
Come to the library! Registered students can get a free ID during the first week of each semester. Replacements for broken IDs are free, otherwise a new ID costs $10 after the first week. The library only accepts cash or check. Credit cards can be run at the Business Office, but you must bring your receipt with you.
How do I print wirelessly on campus from my laptop computer?
- Go to http://studentprint.blc.edu
- Log in with your Bethany username and password
- Follow the directions to print
What equipment is available for checkout at the library?
The equipment available for student/faculty/staff checkout includes:
| Dry erase markers/erasers | VCR, CD, & DVD players |
| Portable DVD Player | Light Box (for Seasonal Affective Disorder) |
| mp3 Players | Graphing Calculators |
| Headphones | Record Player |
| Digital Voice Recorder | Colored Pencils |
We also have the following Cross-Terrain Sports Club Equipment available for checkout at the front desk. All items are a one-day, non-renewable rental unless otherwise noted.
| Croquet Set | Bocce Set |
| Tennis Balls (2 cans) | Tennis Racquets (4) |
| Bike/Ball pump (2 hours) | Disc Golf Frisbees (4) |
| Jump Rope (2) | Slack Line Kit |