Barry University Student Handbook

Library Services

Tom Messner, Director of Library Services

Monsignor William Barry Memorial Library provides students with an array of facilities, information resources and services in support of the educational mission of Barry University. The library is open over 100 hours a week during the regular semester and offers extended hours during final exam week. Current hours are available on the library web page http://www.barry.edu/library-services/ , or by calling the Circulation desk at (305) 899-3760.

The Library facility on the main campus offers access to over 970,000 physical items. These include books, videos, microforms, newspapers and journals. The Library subscribes to over 150 online databases  such as Academic Search Complete, ABI/INFORM Global, Business Source Complete, Proquest Central, ERIC, CINAHL, Medline, ATLA Religion, Films on Demand and many more. Most of the Library’s databases provide full text access to journals and other information resources, and are available 24/7 for student research from the Library website.  The Library provides information resources and essential services to all students regardless of location.

The Barry University student ID serves as the Library card and is required for access to the facility and for check out of Library materials. Videos, CD's and DVD's may be checked out for up to 3 days. The loan period for books for undergraduate students is three weeks; for graduate students, six weeks. Materials can be renewed online, or by calling the Circulation desk. Fines for overdue materials are incurred for failure to return Library material by the due date.

Students are encouraged to attend Library instruction classes to develop students’ information literacy skills that lead to academic success. Individualized assistance with specific research assignments is available to all students at the Reference desk, by email, and by telephone at 305-899-3772. The Reference desk is staffed over 80 hours a week by professional librarians. Reserve materials are located in room 206 of the Library. Reserve materials may be used in-house or checked out overnight depending on faculty preference. Materials not found in the library, but held at other academic institutions, may be obtained through Interlibrary Loan (ILL).

The Library offers 52 computer workstations for student's use. Workstations offer a complete array of productivity software including the Microsoft Office Suite and internet access. Additionally, the Library provides wireless accessibility on all floors of the facility. Photocopiers with scanning and printing capabilities are located in the Reference area, near the bound and microform journals, and in the Reserve room.  A large number of study rooms are provided for student group collaboration and are available for reservation at the Circulation desk. For a complete list of Library policies, resources and services, please visit the Library website.