Ashford University^® Library

Ashford University students spend many hours at the Library, where they have access to traditional and online research materials and services.

The Library maintains and coordinates university-wide access to a variety of research resources in paper, microform, CD-ROM, and online formats. University librarians provide instruction in library use. You will find instructional aids for materials and resources shelved in the Info Rack located in the reference area on the main level.

The Library's main level houses the reference collection, the PrairieCat (formerly Quad-LINC) online public access catalog, current periodicals, microprint collection, reference and reserves areas, Curriculum Resource Center, Multi-Media Resource Lab, Special Collections, and access to CD-ROM and online search services. The general circulating collection and back-issue periodicals are located on the lower level. Study areas and print centers are located on both levels. Library holdings include more than 101,000 volumes, subscription and/or backfile access to more than 650 periodicals and journals, more than 70,000 microform units and 700+ audio-visual titles.

PRAIRIECAT (formerly QUAD-LINC) ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOG

The Library is an online member of the PrairieCat (formerly Quad-LINC) online public access catalog. The catalog is administered by the Prairie Area Library System (PALS) in Illinois. The PALS system was formed in 2004 by the merger of the River Bend Library System (which initially organized the PrairieCat, formerly Quad-LINC, consortium catalog), the Heritage Trail Library System, and the Northern Illinois Library System and includes more than 300 member libraries.

CURRICULUM RESOURCE CENTER

The CRC supports University education programs by providing access to more than 7,500 print and non-print instructional materials. All patrons may access these materials in the Library, but check-out privileges for this collection are limited to faculty and students currently participating in the University's education courses.

MULTI-MEDIA RESOURCE LAB

This resource center is located in the north end of the main level and is open to the University's students and faculty during regularly scheduled Library hours.

BORROWING PRIVILEGES

PrairieCat (formerly Quad-LINC) patron barcodes are issued through the Library to all current students, faculty, and staff, and appear on the reverse side of the University photo-ID card. A valid PrairieCat (formerly Quad-LINC) patron barcode is necessary in order to borrow materials at the University or to request materials through interlibrary loan. All valid PrairieCat (formerly Quad-LINC) cards from consortium member libraries are honored at the Library and University-issued PrairieCat (formerly Quad-LINC) patron barcodes are accepted in all member libraries.

INTERLIBRARY LOAN SERVICES

Interlibrary loan services are available at no charge to all persons with current University-issued PrairieCat (formerly Quad-LINC) patron barcodes. Librarians will request items online either from the PrairieCat (formerly Quad-LINC) system or directly from the OCLC national network. Patrons will be notified via e-mail, campus mail, or telephone when materials arrive. Patrons may also initiate their own ILLs by using PrairieCat's (formerly Quad-LINC) "place a hold" function. For assistance in requesting items, please contact a University librarian.

PRAIRIECAT (formerly QUAD-LINC) CONSORTIUM MEMBER LIBRARIES

• Bettendorf Public Library
• Black Hawk College Library
• Clinton Community College Library
• Colona School District
• Cordova District Library
• Davenport Public Library
• Deere & Company Library
• East Moline Correctional Center Library
• East Moline Public Library
• Geneseo District Public Library
• Hampton Elementary School District
• Henry C. Adams Memorial Library (Prophetstown)
• Kaplan College
• Moline Public Library
• Muscatine Community College
• Musser Public Library (Muscatine)
• River Bend Library System
• River Valley District Library (Port Byron)
• Robert R. Jones Public Library (Coal Valley)
• Rock Island Public Library
• St. Ambrose University Library
• Scott Community College Library
• Scott Country library System
• Silvis Public Library
• The Franciscan University of the Prairies Library
• Twin Rivers District Public Library (Colona)
• US Army Corps of Engineers Library
• United Township High School Library
• Western District Public Library (Orion)

ONLINE RESOURCES

Ashford University provides access to these online academic resources to current students, faculty, and staff only. Information sheets for these databases are available in the Library's Info Rack.

• ATLA (American Theological Library Association Research Database)
• Children's Literature Comprehensive Database
• CINAHL (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature)
• Colonial Williamsburg PastPortal
• EBSCO Host (multiple databases)
• FirstSearch (multiple databases)
• Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia
• Encyclopedia Americana
• Encyclopedia of American Studies
• Hoover's
• LexisNexis Academic
• LexisNexis Congressional
• LexisNexis Environmental
• MLA Bibliography
• netLibrary
• NewsBank
• ProQuest Direct Social Sciences Plus
• PsycINFO

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Photocopiers and microform copiers are available on both levels of the Library. Printers are available on the main level in the reference area and in the Multi-Media Resource Lab.

Punch-binding services, lamination services, and Ellison machines are available in the Library offices on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For information about these services, please contact a University librarian.

Ext. 3211
library@ashford.edu

EBSCO Access from Home

PrairieCat (formerly Quad-LINC) Access