Classes

We offer workshops and classes that can help, too. Find out more here.

Other Assistance

• An Aggie One Card is required to borrow materials (exception: Non-University Borrowers).
• Borrowing privileges are not transferrable.
• You are responsible for items borrowed until they are returned to the library.
• Lost or damaged materials will incur a replacement charge plus a $15.00 processing fee.

Borrowing Policies

Renewals

• Most materials may be renewed once. Learning Resources Center, overdue, and high-demand materials are not renewable. Renewals may also be made by telephone, call 336.285.4164. Doctoral students are not allowed renewals due to the extended loan time available to them. Non-University Borrowers are not allowed to renew materials.
• Renewals must be made on or before the due date. Items that have been recalled, are overdue, or have a pending hold request cannot be renewed.

Overdue Materials

• A courtesy notice will be sent via email when an item is one day overdue. An overdue item cannot be renewed.
• A second notice will be sent via email when an item is ten days overdue. A final email will be sent informing you when your library privileges have been suspended.

Stolen Library Materials

• If a library item has been stolen from you, you are responsible for all fine and fees. Contact us in person at the Circulation Desk or by telephone at 336.285.4164. A police report of the theft will be required.

Billing/Lost Status/Fines

• Library materials not returned within 30 days (all students) or 60 days (faculty/staff) after the due date will be presumed lost and your library privileges will be blocked. A replacement fee and non-refundable $15.00 processing fee will be charged. 
• If the item is returned in good condition after it was declared lost, you will still be responsible for the $15.00 processing fee but you will receive a credit slip for any remaining balance you have already paid. The library reserves the right to refuse return of overdue, lost, missing, or damaged items.
• Lost book charges must be paid at the Cashier's Office in the Dowdy Administration Building. Non-payment will prevent you from checking out library materials and course reserves, registering for classes, participating in commencement or receiving transcripts from the University.

Hold Requests

• You can request an item be placed on hold. Held items will remain on the Hold Shelf for 7 days after you are notified via email or telephone that the item is available.
• To place a hold request, you must have the title and call number for the item. Hold requests may be made in person at the Circulation Desk or by telephone, call 336.285.4164.
• Items that receive multiple hold requests may be placed on reserve for a 1- or 3-day checkout period.

Recalls

• If an item is requested by another patron, a recall notice is generated. Recalled materials must be returned to the library within 24 hours of receiving the recall notice. Failure to return a recalled book within 10 days will result in a fine of $10.00 per day up to a maximum of $100.00.

Search Requests

• If an item is listed as "AVAILABLE" in the online Catalog but appears to be missing, you may submit a Search Request Form at the Circulation Desk to receive assistance from Access Services staff.
• The Search Request must include:
• Your name and address
• Your email address and local telephone number
• The correct call number for the item
• These requests are checked daily; the search will continue until either the item is found or submitted for possible replacement.
• If the item is found, it will be dated and placed on the hold shelf for seven days. It will be returned to the shelf if not picked up by then.

Regional Borrowing Agreements

A&T students, faculty and staff may also borrow from other local and regional libraries:

• The ULAC Cooperative Direct Borrowing Agreement
• The TALA Agreement

Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery

For items that are not available locally, the Interlibrary Loan service can attempt to borrow materials from other libraries. Please see our Interlibrary Loan Service page for more information.

Distance Education Students

North Carolina A&T State University distance education students may request library materials held in or by the F.D. Bluford Library, as well as materials held by other libraries. There is no charge for this service. Bluford Library cannot mail books or journal articles to an individual's residence. However, we will send a book or journal article directly to a university or community college library closest to you. Additionally, our distance education students may take advantage of our Cooperative Library Lending Agreement that allows our students to borrow books from any of the 16 constituent libraries of the University of North Carolina.

Please see our Distance Education Students section for more information.

Non-University Borrowers

The F.D. Bluford Library serves the wider community as well. Please see our Non-University Borrowers section for more information.

The Copyright Revision Act of 1976 requires us to follow these procedures:

1. Any original book that has been purchased by the F.D. Bluford Library or the course instructor may be placed on reserve without regard to copyright.
2. An item with expired copyright or any publication of the federal government may be copied without restriction.
3. A maximum of three (3) copies of any item may be placed on reserve. Photocopies will stay on active reserve for only one term (semester or summer session). Copies supplied by faculty will be returned to them.
4. Copies are made for only one (1) course.
5. Not more than one (1) poem, article, story, essay or two (2) excerpts may be copied from one author per term (semester or summer session).
6. Not more than three (3) poems, articles, stories, essays or may be copied from one collective work or periodical volume per term (semester or summer session).
7. Not more than nine (9) instances of multiple copying per course per term (semester or summer session).
8. When the instructor wishes to use the same materials repeatedly for the same course, signed compliance statements for each source from the publisher must be supplied again with the items.
9. It is the instructor's responsibility to obtain permission from copyright owners when needed for photocopies supplied and appropriate citations and attributions to the source(s) must be included.
10. The effect of photocopying the material for reserve should not be detrimental to the market value of the work. (In other words, the library should own or purchase a copy of the work if it is in print and available for purchase).
11. Commercially produced and bound photocopies will not be placed on reserve unless accompanied by a letter from the publisher granting permission for its use.

Copyright Restrictions

Under certain conditions specified in the United States Copyright Law (Title 17, United States Code), libraries and archives may be authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction may not be used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship or research, and that only one copy be provided for scholarly purposes unless copyright fees are paid.

E-Reserves are accessed via our Catalog at http://library.ncat.edu/search~S2/r (search by course number or title) or http://library.ncat.edu/search~S2/p (search by instructor last name, first name).

• E-Reserves are listed as "View or Print" followed by the title of the article. Its availability will be listed under "Call#". "Electronic Copy Available" should also appear under "Format".
• When you click on the appropriate article, you will be prompted for your first and last name and your Banner ID#.
• E-Reserve articles are PDF files; you may need to install the Adobe PDF Reader on your computer.
• If you are having difficulty accessing E-Reserve articles, contact the Access Services Department at 336.285.4164 or stop by the Circulation Desk during library open hours.

Faculty: Work with us to place materials on reserve for your classes. More information here.

Course Reserves

Course Reserves can be checked out at the Circulation Desk on the first floor of the Library.

• A valid Aggie One Card is required.
• Before coming to the Desk, you will need the exact Call Number of the item(s) you wish to check out. You can search our Catalog by course number or title (http://library.ncat.edu/search~S2/r) or instructor last name, first name (http://library.ncat.edu/search~S2/p) to get the Call Number.

Loan Periods & Fines

The loan periods are set by the course professor/instructor and vary by item. Books will list their loan period on an overlay on the back of the book. The loan period for a photocopy is indicated on the inside front cover of the folder it is in. Standard loan periods and fines are:

Paying Fines

Fines must be paid at the Cashier's Office located in the Dowdy Administration Building. Keep your receipt, it must be shown to the Library's Circulation Desk to clear your account.

As many of the library's resources have increasingly transitioned to online or electronic formats, we have struggled with ways to ensure broad access to them for our university community. These devices allow us to circulate ebooks, newspaper and magazine content in a convenient format.

Ebooks & Periodicals Available

On the Kindle DX

The Kindle allows us to offer newspaper and magazine subscription access. These newspapers and magazines are automatically updated over the cellular phone data network, guaranteeing you can read the latest issues. Each Kindle has the same content:

Newspapers

• The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC)
• The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, NC)
• The New York Times
• The Wall Street Journal
• USA Today

Magazines

• Time
• Newsweek

Reference Books

• The New Oxford American Dictionary

On the Sony E-Reader

The Sony E-Reader is an ideal way to circulate ebooks to the university community. Each E-Reader is loaded with a different selection of books. You can even find E-Reader books in our catalog.

Checkout Policy

• Available for a two-week loan; no renewals allowed.
• They must be returned in person to the Circulation Desk; you will be responsible for any damage if you place it in the book drop or any other unsecured location.
• They cannot be immediately checked out after return; we need to examine, recharge and erase them. The device will be available for checkout the next business day.
• All files on the device will be deleted at check-in.

Fines & Fees

Damaged devices or parts will be charged to you at replacement cost. Fees may be assessed after the time of check-in if damage is discovered later.

Late Fees

• $10.00 per day after the due date (to a maximum of the replacement cost of the device).
• If not returned within 21 days after the due date, the device will be presumed lost. All your library privileges will be suspended and you will be charged the full replacement cost plus a $15.00 non-refundable processing fee.

Replacement Costs

Individual and group study rooms are reserved for two-hour blocks on a first-come, first-served basis by visiting the Circulation Desk on the first floor of the library. The person assuming responsibility for the room must complete an assignment form.

Appropriate Use

To ensure the best experience for all library visitors, the following regulations must be observed when using a group study room:

• Keep noise to a minimum. Discussions are encouraged but they should not disturb other people outside of the room. Audio-visual activities can be shared in the Learning Resources Center on the lower level of the library.
• The rooms cannot be used by more than 8 people at a time due to safety regulations. Do not bring in furniture from outside the room. Rooms must be left in an orderly condition when you are done.
• Any library books you used that were not checked out must be returned to the Circulation Desk, on the first floor of the library, when you leave the room.
• Advance reservations are not accepted; you must request the room when your group is ready to use it.
• You are responsible for any vandalism, damage, evidence of misuse or violation of these regulations. If the room is damaged or vandalized prior to your group's use, report it immediately or you will be held responsible.
• No food, beverages or smoking is allowed in these rooms or the library in general.

If you ignore these regulations, your privileges to use the group study rooms will be suspended.

Fines & Fees

Patrons are responsible for the replacement cost of the key if it lost or damaged.

Submit an ILL Request

What Is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

Upon request, the ILL service of our Access Services department makes every attempt to find and borrow requested materials such as books, articles, conference papers, technical reports, dissertations and microforms from other libraries. We have no-charge reciprocal agreements with several neighboring universities and colleges.

What Is Document Delivery (DD)?

If none of our ILL partners have or will loan the requested materials, DD will attempt to acquire it. If any fees involved are higher than $10.00, you will be asked if you want to pay to obtain the item. A fee will also be charged for each additional request if you request more than ten (10) dissertations per year.

Who Is Eligible?

All faculty, staff and students in good standing (no outstanding charges or overdue materials) are eligible. If you do not return items or pay fees promptly, your privileges may be revoked.

How Do I Submit an ILL Request?

Before submitting a request, you must:

• Search our Catalog and establish that the item is not already available at the Bluford Library.
• Make sure that citations are complete and accurate, including not abbreviating journal titles and other crucial information.
• Tip: provide printouts of item information from other libraries or photocopies of bibliographies or reference lists to significantly speed up turnaround time.

All requests must be submitted via the online form; contact us (336.285.4164, circ@ncat.edu, or at the Access Services Desk on the first floor of the Library during open hours) if you need special accommodations under ADA guidelines.

Certain Items May Not Be Available

• Rare, fragile or hard to pack materials
• Reference books, theses, dissertations and books in special collections
• Entire volumes or issues of journals, newspapers or magazines

How Long Does ILL Take?

Many requests are filled within days, but some can take two to three weeks to arrive. You can speed up turnaround times by:

• Providing thorough, complete and accurate information about the item(s)
• Informing us of other libraries that own the requested material(s)

Photocopies can be obtained via DD usually with a two- to four-day turnaround.

Where Do I Pick Up My ILL Item?

We will notify you by telephone, email or campus mail upon the arrival of requested material.

We will attach a form to the front page of the item indicating:

• The date the item is due
• Where to return the item
• Instructions regarding renewals (if allowed)

Do not remove the form.

Pick up items promptly as some libraries only allow two to three week loans.

Paying ILL/DD Fees

Here is how we handle fees that arise from ILL/DD:

• An invoice will be included with the item and must be paid with a check before you may receive the material.
• If an invoice is forthcoming, it will be forwarded to you via campus mail or U.S. Mail. The invoice and check should be delivered back to F.D. Bluford Library, Interlibrary Loan
• Make checks payable to F.D. Bluford Library.

Terms of Borrowing

• The loan period, renewals, charges and conditions of use are determined by the originating library, not us.
• All items must be returned directly to the Access Services (Circulation) Desk on the first floor of the Library by the date indicated.
• Late items cannot be renewed; if a renewal is necessary (and allowed), it must be made at least one week before the item's due date.
• You are responsible for any late fees or replacement costs that accrue while you are in possession of the item(s). These costs are set forth by the originating library, not us.
• Items remain your responsibility until we receive them back at the Circulation Desk.

Limitations & Restrictions

• We may have to limit you to ten (10) pending requests if the volume of requests is too high. You may be asked to prioritize your requests.
• Requests may only be made for five (5) single articles from any periodical published in the last five (5) years, per calendar year.
• ILL materials cannot be placed on Reserve. ILL requests made solely to "teach" students how to obtain ILL materials cannot be honored.
• We will not accept nor process ILL requests received between December 12th to January 2nd.

Regional Borrowing Agreements

• The ULAC Cooperative Direct Borrowing Agreement
• The TALA Agreement

As many of the library's resources have increasingly transitioned to online or electronic formats, we have struggled with ways to ensure broad access to them for our university community. These devices allow you to experience using a tablet for study, research, classes and personal use.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who can check out iPads?
  Only current N.C. A&T students, faculty and staff with a current ID.
• What is the check out time for iPads?
  iPads may be checked out for 5 days.
• What are the penalties for damaged or late iPads?
• The full cost of the iPad is $600.00
• Late fees are $15.00 per day.
• Fees may be assessed for damaged or missing parts.
• What can I do with an iPad?
• Access the internet
• Listen to music, watch videos
• Read books
• Access Bluford Library resources
• Where can I check out an iPad?
  At the Circulation Desk, Access Services Department
• What if I forgot my ID?
  You will not be allowed to check out an iPad without a current N.C. A&T ID at the time of checkout.
• Can I renew the iPad to keep it longer than 5 days?
  No. Due to high demand and limited quantity available, iPads must be returned at the due date for others to use.
• What if someone stole it? Can I get the costs waived?
• Absolutely not, borrowers are responsible for the full costs of the device and all late fees associated with it.
• You should report the device stolen as soon as possible to prevent late fees accruing.
• Can I download personal music files or videos to the device?
  Yes, but all personal files will be erased once the iPad is returned.
• Can I jail-break an iPad that I check out?
  No, jail-breaking voids the warranty and you will be charged replacement cost of the device. 

Checkout Policy

• iPads are available for checkout by current N.C. A&T students, faculty and staff on a "first come first served" basis.
• A current N.C. A&T ID must be presented at the time of checkout.
• iPads may be checked out for a five (5) day loan period; no renewals are allowed.
• Borrowers must wait 24 hours before they are able to check out another iPad.
• iPads must be returned in person to the Circulation Desk; you will be responsible for any damage if you place it in the book drop or any other unsecured location.
• Borrowers are responsible for any damages to the device, including but not limited to:
• Scratches on the screen
• Dents or scratches to the frame
• Theft
• Abuse or misuse of the iPad (whether accidental, unintentional or intentional damage)
• Borrowers will pay the full replacement costs plus a $15.00 non-refundable processing fee (for a total of $739.98) if the device and all accessories are lost, stolen or not returned.

Please Note Upon Return of the iPad:

• Access Services staff will complete a check-list to confirm all components are present and undamaged.
• iPads cannot be immediately checked out after return; we need to examine, recharge and erase them. The device will be available for checkout the next business day.
• All files on the device will be deleted at check-in.

Fines & Fees

Damaged iPads or parts will be charged to you at replacement cost. Fees may be assessed after the time of check-in if damage is discovered later.

Late Fees

• $15.00 per day after the due date (to a maximum of the replacement cost of the device).
• If not returned within 7 days after the due date, the device will be presumed lost. All your library privileges will be suspended and you will be charged the full replacement cost plus a $15.00 non-refundable processing fee.

Replacement Costs

Submit Your Work for Inclusion in the Aggie Digital Archives

The Aggie Digital Archives is a new service the library is providing to the university community. It will hold faculty publications, student projects, A&T theses and dissertations, and much more. Faculty are invited to submit books, articles, presentations, and other scholarly works that they have created for inclusion in the archive. These materials will be available permanently in the archives, and will be indexed for searching both within the university and through services like Google.

Submit your work for inclusion in the Aggie Digital Archives.

Contact Ms. Euthena Newman (336.285.4196) for more information.

Contact Us When You Want to Assign Your Students to Use Library Services & Resources

Work with us; we can help you by:

• Ensuring information, library resources & services required by the assignment can be found via our catalog and other interfaces.
• Confirming that specific resources needed by the assignment are available to meet demand.
• Recommending and assist placing items on reserve to ensure access to all of your students.
• Reducing student anxiety and frustration when trying to access library holdings, resources & services.
• Providing a library orientation & tour for your class.
• Working to allow sufficient time to prepare or acquire additional relevant or helpful resources.

How to Contact Us

• To directly place items and materials on reserve, see our Course Reserve Services for Faculty page.
• For a personal consultation with a reference librarian or to arrange a library orientation & tour for your class, contact the Reference Department at 336.285.4185 during reference hours (you may leave a voicemail if we are unavailable) or via email at refemail@ncat.edu.
• We have liaisons assigned for your department, see the liaison list for their contact information.

School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

School of Business and Economics

School of Education

College of Engineering

Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering

School of Nursing

School of Technology

Classes are generally taught in the Seminar Room on the second floor of the Library (Room 258), based on availability. We will notify you of the class location if the Seminar Room is unavailable. Classes can also be taught in classrooms or departmental labs that have suitable facilities for library instruction.

What Are the Components of a Class?

• An overview of relevant electronic and print library resources.
• Search strategies using the online catalog and electronic databases.
• How to find and locate books, journal articles & and Internet resources.
• How to critically evaluate search tools and resources.
• When appropriate, how to use specialized resources, such as document delivery, university archival resources, government documents, etc.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

• Please request your library instruction course at least two weeks prior to when you would like to schedule it, to allow for preparation of materials for the course. During peak times, such as the beginning of the semester, you should keep several alternative dates open.
• Instructional sessions are most effective when done in conjunction with a specific assignment that will give students the opportunity to integrate library research with course instruction.
• The involvement of faculty in the planning and teaching of a library session is critical to the success of library instruction. Students are more attentive when the instructor actively participates in the session.

Requesting a Library Instruction Class

• Request your class at least two weeks in advance; please provide alternate dates in case we are already booked.
• Remember, do not announce the library instruction session to your class until we have confirmed it with you.
• Use our online form to schedule a class, or call (336.285.4185) or visit us during reference hours.

• Available for a three-week loan; no renewals allowed.
• They must be returned in person to the Circulation Desk; you will be responsible for any damage if you place it in the book drop or any other unsecured location.
• Upon return of the device, we will confirm all components are present. You are responsible for any lost, missing or stolen components.
• They cannot be immediately checked out after return; we need to examine, recharge and erase them. The device will be available for checkout the next business day.
• All files on the device will be deleted at check-in.
• We are unable to provide technical support, mediation or training in using the player.

Fines & Fees

Damaged devices or parts will be charged to you at replacement cost. Fees may be assessed after the time of check-in if damage is discovered later.

Late Fees

• $1.00 per day after the due date (to a maximum of the replacement cost of the device).
• If not returned within 30 days after the due date, the device will be presumed lost. All your library privileges will be suspended and you will be charged the full replacement cost plus a $15.00 non-refundable processing fee.
• Damaged players or components are subject to full replacement charges.

Replacement Costs