Services
Purchase College Library offers a variety of in-person and virtual services to meet the research needs of our patrons, teach information literacy concepts, provide access to library materials, and fulfill the College’s educational and curricular goals.
Ask a Librarian (Reference)
Reference librarians are available to answer your research questions and help you navigate library databases, use Discovery Search, and locate sources at all stages in the research process. Our Ask a Librarian services include: Chat 24/7, Text-a-Librarian, Zoom-by-appointment, Email, and in-person assistance at the Reference Desk. Just Ask a Librarian to get help!
Accessibility and Assistive Technology
The Library aims to create an equitable environment in which all our users thrive. See Accessibility at the Library to learn more about accessible collections, scanning techniques, digital accessibility, and more. Specialized hardware and software designed to help campus community members with visual, hearing, and/or learning disabilities is housed in the Library’s Assistive Technology Lab (1015C in the DMZ). Contact the Office of Disability Resources for help using this equipment and for a detailed list of available software and hardware.
Borrowing & Renewing (Circulation)
Library materials can be checked out at the Circulation Desk whenever the Library is open, including: books, CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, music scores, and more! Circulation staff are also happy to assist you in accessing in-house-use items such as print senior projects or course reserves. See our Borrowing & Renewing guidelines for loan periods and instructions for renewing library materials online.
Course Reserves
Course reserves are library materials set aside for use in specific classes, at the request of an instructor. Reserve items are housed at the Circulation Desk and can be checked out for 3 hours and used inside the Library. Course Reserves help students save money on textbooks and stay on top of their assignments! Instructors can place Reserve requests via forms on the Course Reserves page. Students can learn how to search for/check out Reserves on the Course Reserves FAQ.
Instruction
The Purchase College Library offers research instruction tailored specifically to any individual, class, assignment, group, or club. To request an information literacy/research skills instruction session, please contact your subject liaison librarian. If your discipline does not have a liaison listed, or you are not sure who to contact, please email Kim Detterbeck, Instruction Coordinator, or fill out the Library Instruction Request Form.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
Request books, articles, films and other library materials from across SUNY as well as from a worldwide network of libraries through our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service. ILL items are shipped to Purchase College Library for pick-up at the Circulation Desk; articles are sent electronically as PDFs. For estimated delivery times and instructions on placing ILL requests, see the Interlibrary Loan Guide.
Teaching Learning and Technology Center (TLTC)
Housed within the Library, the mission of the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center (TLTC) is to partner with faculty to enhance teaching and learning at Purchase College through the adoption of innovative and applicable pedagogies and technologies.
Technology Assistance Office (TAO)
The Tech Assistance Office (TAO) serves as a CTS outpost within the Library and provides technology and troubleshooting help to Library patrons using Library computers, printers, scanners etc.