McGovern Library: Frequently Asked Questions: Home

Your DWU ID Card is all you need to borrow materials from the library. After identifying a library-owned item in the online catalog, write down the call number, and locate the item on the shelves. Bring the item to the front desk and present your ID Card to check the item out.

If you need help finding an item, please as a library staff member.

How are the books in the library organized?

Books in the library are organized by the Library of Congress Classification System, which is used in academic libraries. Materials are organized by subject areas and roughly follow the groupings of social sciences, humanities, and natural and physical sciences. Call numbers (consisting of letters and numbers) are given to each book, letting users know where in the library a book is located.

What is a peer-reviewed/scholarly article and where do I find one?

A peer-reviewed journal is a periodical where all of the articles are critically analyzed by experts in that discipline before being accepted for publication. Other characteristics of a peer-reviewed journal (also referred to as Scholarly, Academic, or Refereed), are that it contains original research by experts in a field, written for other experts or students, and cites previous research extensively inside the text, in footnotes or endnotes, and in a bibliography at the end.

Find peer-reviewed articles by searching within the library’s databases and filtering for scholarly/peer-reviewed materials (usually a box you can check to see only results that are peer-reviewed).

How do I cite a source?

Visit the Citing Sources Library Guide to learn how to format your citations. Citation styles highlighted include APA, Chicago/Turabian, MLA, AMA (American Medical Association), and ACS (American Chemical Society).

Do you have my class’s textbook?

The McGovern Library does not own or hold textbooks assigned and required by your professors. The library may hold other books used, recommended, and required for your classes (such as novels and non-fiction books). Your professor might also place books and other materials on reserve for all students within the class to access and read during the semester.

Find your class's Course Reserves here.

When is the library open?

Current library hours can be found on the library’s homepage, and future hours are found under the library’s homepage’s About Tab.

Regular Semester Hours:

Monday-Thursday 7:30 am - 11:00 pm
Friday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Semester Break Hours:

Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday Closed

How do I find resources for my major?

Library guides for each major or subject area have been created by the library and are located on the library’s website. Guides include both library and online resources, suggested databases, magazines and books to check out, and more.

Explore the library's list of Subject Guides.

Why did my search produce zero results?

A search in the library catalog, databases, and even Google may sometimes produce zero results. Here are some of the factors that might be bringing back no results:

Misspelled words: the way search engines work is that they compare your search terms to an intern list of terms that the software has created. If your term is misspelled, you will only be able to see results where the author has also misspelled the word.
There really is nothing there with your combination of search terms: unless you know that there is something that should come up in your search results, it is possible that you have asked for a combination of terms that simply doesn’t exist. Try broadening out your search terms to pull more results.
You are searching in the wrong place: You might be pulling zero results because you are looking in the wrong place. If you want to find a book owned by the library, but you are searching within a library database, you won’t get the results you want or need. If you don’t know where to being looking, ask the library for help.

Can I renew the books I have checked out?

Yes, you can! You can renew your books online, via email, or in person.

How do I find an article in the library?

If you know the title of the article you would like to read, type the title into the search box located on the library’s homepage to locate the article. If you are searching for articles to read within a certain topic, search using a database provided through the library’s Database List.

If you need help locating the article, please ask a library staff member.

How many books can I have checked out at the same time?

You can have up to 40 books checked out at one time.

How do I learn more about how to use the library’s resources more effectively?

Check out the library guides created by the librarians and watch through the How-To Videos from the McGovern Library.

I keep getting results for eBooks, but I want the physical print book. How can I see only the titles that are physically held by the library?

Within your library catalog search, check the box next to Print Book under Format. This will filter for only the print book copies of this title or subject area.

How do I access the library’s website?

You can access the library’s website by going straight to the library’s website through library.dwu.edu.

How long can I keep a book?

Most books may be checked out for 6 weeks at a time. If you need materials for longer, you can always renew the titles.

How do I find a book in the library?

Use the library catalog to locate materials owned by the library. From the library’s homepage, conduct a search through the Search the Catalog search box or by selecting Library Catalog under Quick Links. Once you have found the book you would like to read, write down the call number, which provides the book’s location within the library.

If you need help finding materials, please ask a library staff member.

What if the McGovern Library doesn’t have a book I am looking for?

If the McGovern Library doesn’t have the book you would like to check out and read, you can request the item through the InterLibrary Loan service.

Search for the title of the book using the library catalog. Under the Held By Library check the box next to Libraries Worldwide and find the book you would like. Open up the book’s record (by clicking on the title) and click on the Request Item through InterLibrary Loan located near the bottom of the record.

Learn more about how to request an item through InterLibrary Loan by visiting the InterLibrary Loan Guide.

What is the difference between the library’s website/catalog and Google?

The McGovern Library’s website contains links to library resources, such as the library catalog, our research databases (most of which McGovern Library pays money to access), and the search box tool, which combines information from the library catalog and research databases. The library catalog also contains information and library services and policies. The library website is much smaller than Google but directs researchers to high quality resources.

Google is a very large search engine that does not sort out high quality resources from bad resources. Google indexes websites on the internet and allows you to search and see lists of results from your searches. The library is a mall part of Google’s index, which is part of the larger internet.

How do I renew my materials online?

Renew online by using the McGovern Library’s catalog. Click on Sign In and enter in your DWU credentials. Once logged in, click on your name and then select My Account. Select the items you would like to renew and click Renew Items.

What is a library guide?

A library guide is similar to a mini website. Guides are created by librarians and cover specific topics and themes.

Guides from the McGovern Library include Subject Guides (which provide resources and information for specific majors and areas of study), Course Guides (which are created for specific classes and act as a guide to follow after a library instruction session), Research Tool Guides (which break down the research process and provide guidance for library resources, materials, and researching), and Displays and Events Guides (which highlight different holidays, events, and themes throughout the year and provide fun and serious information from the library and the greater internet).

Is there a map of the library?

The McGovern Library has a printable map available for both the first and second floor of the library. You can view the maps here and download your own map to print off as well.

Can I access library resources from off campus?

Even if you are off campus, you can still access resources from McGovern Library. The library website, library catalog, and guides are available to all users and does not require login access. Users are required to login to access databases and to read articles and eBooks found through the library catalog.

To sign in, enter your DWU credentials when prompted. If you cannot access materials when off campus, please contact the library at (605) 995-2618 or the Help Desk at (605) 995-2900.

For more information, visit the Off Campus Access library guide.

Is there a place I can record a podcast or video?

The McGovern Library has a Media Studio that is available to patrons to use. The Media Studio is located in room 130, next to the printers on the first floor. The Media Studio is first come, first served, but can be reserved up to two-weeks in advanced. (Reservations take priority over walk-in users).

Visit the Media Studio at McGovern Library guide to learn more about the Media Studio.

How do I reserve a study room?

The study rooms are first come, first served, so you do not need to reserve a room to use it. Study rooms are very popular, and because of that, they fill up very quickly in the evenings. Other spaces are available for studying purposes throughout the library.

How do I schedule an appointment with a librarian?

You can request an appointment with a librarian by filling in the form located under Ask a Librarian. If you need to meet with a librarian today, email the library to set up an appointment.