LibGuides: Foundational Sciences Library: About & FAQ

About & Hours

The Foundational Sciences Library is located in the first floor of the Foundational Sciences Building in rooms FB141 and FB140. It provides on-site access to science-specific research materials and services for students, scientists, and researchers in fields of scientific study including chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and biology.

The Foundational Sciences Library (FB141) is a full-service circulation point; users may return and renew most library materials from any University Libraries location, pick up books on hold/recalled materials, and check on account information. There are 5 public-use computers (2 are iMacs), 1 document scanner, books, course reserves, anatomical models, DVDs, and a color / black & white Print Smart printer.

It also has a computer space of 30 computers (F140) that can be reserved by Foundational Sciences faculty, staff, and graduate assistants for special lectures, assignments, and lab projects.

Regular Hours

Monday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Friday: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sunday: 1 p.m.-9 p.m.

For more information about holiday and break hours go to the Main Libraries hours page and click on the Branches tab.

More questions? Please contact us:

Kevin E. Brooks, Science Librarian: 285-1116
Katie Arnold, Science Library & Health Library Coordinator: 285-5079

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If you have other questions or the answers below are not clear,
please contact the Foundational Sciences Library at 5-5079 or try the University Libraries FAQ.

Do you have chargers for cell phones, laptops, or other electronic devices?
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We have 2 dual type chargers (micro-USB and Apple lightning) to lend at this time. They can be checked out for 2 hours at a time and must remain in the library. For more chargers of different varieties, you will need to go to the Education, Music and Media in the lower level of Bracken Library.
What about office supplies?
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The Libraries do not sell office supplies. If you’ve forgotten a pen or pencil, ask at the circulation desk to see if we have extras to lend you. The Ball State Bookstore located in the Arts and Journalism Building just across from Bracken Library does sell a variety of office supplies.
Why do I have to have my ID/check this out- I’m just going to make a few copies?
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We track usage (ie how many and when people use which items) and monitor access so that we can better meet the needs of our users and keep materials available for as many people as possible. In addition, most of the items on reserve are privately owned by course instructors who provide very specific instructions on how their materials are to be used.
Do you have a color printer?
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Yes. The public Print Smart printer will print in black and white or color. Large-format color printing can be found in the GIS Research and Map Collection area located on the 2nd floor of Bracken Library. Color printing may also be requested in Cooper by students of the College of Sciences & Humanities from CL472. Contact Michael Hradesky (5-1760) in Geography for more information.
Do you have a copy machine?
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We do not but we do have 2 flatbed scanners. We recommend scanning your documents then using the Print Smart system.
How can I print from my laptop or phone?
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Go to our Mobile Print service, upload your document, and then login at any Print Smart printer on campus to print.
Can I do double-sided printing?
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Yes. The printer default is double-sided printing.
Can I return/renew this here?
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The Foundational Sciences Library is a full-service circulation point: we can return and renew any Ball State University Libraries materials (eg books, DVDs, maps, etc.) from any location. Interlibrary Loan (ILL) books can be returned and picked up here. To renew ILL books, you can login to your ILLiad account or contact our Interlibrary Loan unit directly by calling (5-1324) them.
You have DVDs here. Can I book them?
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Yes, instructors may book our videos. The request is taken and entered here but processed in Education, Music and Media due to their expanded access to software modules that allow booking.
Do you have textbooks?
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Due to the extreme rate of turnover and variability of instructors, courses offered, and textbook editions from semester to semester, the Libraries do not as a matter of course purchase current textbooks. If we have any in our collection, they are usually older editions. Textbooks may be donated or placed on reserve.
Can you give me permission to take out this course reserve that is supposed to remain in here (ie is on “closed” reserve)?
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Most of the materials on reserve are personal property of course instructors. They have been placed on reserve to ensure fair and equal access to all of their students. Only the instructor may give permission to disregard their own reserve rules. Only the instructor may give express consent to remove a “closed” reserve item from the library. Library personnel have no authority to do so.
How do I print this PowerPoint lecture from Canvas?
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When you click on a link to a file in Canvas (especially when using Internet Explorer), that file opens within the browser. This severely limits the control you have over manipulating the document. The best thing to do is to download the PPT file to the desktop, open in PowerPoint, and then print rather than trying to print from the browser.
1. right click on the link for the file in questions and select “save target as…”
2. save it to the Desktop by clicking the large button on the left side of the window NOT the desktop folder that automatically opens during a download,
3. open the PPT by double-clicking on it,
4. go to FILE then PRINT,
5. select print output options on the left hand side of the screen
Do you have a FAX machine?
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None of the University Libraries, including the Foundational Sciences Library, have FAX machines for public use. The Cardinal Copy Center (see Printing Services), located in RB 160, the Hotel Desk and Post Office, located in the Student Center, offer public FAX services for a fee.
How do I access electronic reserves?
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Use Reading Lists to access your course reserves directly through the Libraries web page or through OneSearch. Materials on course reserve will be listed as such in the results list. You can narrow your search to instructor or course number by clicking on those facets on the left hand navigation and refinement bar. Most of the time, course instructors provide links to them on Canvas as well.
Can I use your phone?
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The Library phone is restricted to University business. This includes: facilities workers needing to call their co-workers or supervisors, faculty needing assistance getting in a room to teach, etc. This does not include: calling your professor upstairs to ask a question or set up an appointment, calling someone about a job interview, arranging for a ride home, etc. People with disabilities may use the phone to arrange for transportation.
Do you have a pencil sharpener?
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Yes. It is on the table near the printer.
Can I use my guest account pass here?
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Unfortunately, no. The University limits guest account pass usage in the Libraries to Bracken Library. You may obtain a computer access card at Bracken Library. However, wireless access via the bsuguest network does not require a username and password but your available resources will be limited (eg bsuguest network does not allow laptop printing).
Is there a stapler/hole punch/tape dispenser I can use?
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Yes. A stapler, tape dispenser, and three-hole punch are located next to the printer. If you need a larger stapler, ask at the counter. A large-format paper cutter, rulers, scissors, a scientific calculator, and headphones are also available for in-library use. Ask at the counter.
Why do libraries not want people reshelving books?
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First and foremost, we want to make sure we know when people use our collections. When books are checked out, we know about it. When they are used in the stacks away from the counter, we do not know. This can affect what we keep and what we get rid of as well as letting us know that people are using the library at all.

Second, we want to make sure that books are returned to their proper place. Library staff are trained to make sure materials are in order so that people can find the book they are looking for. A misshelved book is a lost book. If something is not in call number order, there is no way to find it except by a book to book search of all the shelves- a vastly impractical and nearly insurmountable task!

Foundational Sciences Library

Librarian Profile

Library Links & Services

Related Subject Guides

About & Hours

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If you have other questions or the answers below are not clear,
please contact the Foundational Sciences Library at 5-5079 or try the University Libraries FAQ.

Foundational Sciences Library

About & Hours

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If you have other questions or the answers below are not clear, please contact the Foundational Sciences Library at 5-5079 or try the University Libraries FAQ.

If you have other questions or the answers below are not clear,
please contact the Foundational Sciences Library at 5-5079 or try the University Libraries FAQ.