| Ask
a Librarian | Frequently
Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
We’re
in the business of answering questions, so if you walk up to any
SIL employee at your unit’s library, we will be happy to address
any query you have from learning about small, routine procedures
to collaborating on complex research-level reference questions.
If
for some reason our staff is not immediately available, we’ve
developed this list of Frequently Asked Questions for Smithsonian
Institution researchers.
How
is the Smithsonian Institution Libraries (SIL) arranged?
Where
are the libraries located?
How
do I figure out what titles are owned by the Libraries?
How
do I find out exactly what issues of journals are available in each
branch library?
Who
can use Smithsonian library collections?
What
services are offered?
When
are the libraries open?
Who
can borrow books from the Libraries?
Where
do I check books out?
How
many books can I check out?
How do I request titles that are not in my unit’s
SIL branch?
How
do I request materials not held by any SIL branch?
How
many articles can I request at one time from other SIL branches
and interlibrary (outside of the SI) loan?
How
long does it take to get a book/article?
What
is the loan period for SIL books?
Can
I renew books?
What
can I do if a book I need is already checked out?
Can
I check out journal volumes?
Can
I get a list of the items I have checked out?
How
does SIL notify me when I have overdue books?
Who
can use the interlibrary loan services (for access to materials
outside of the SI)?
What
kinds of materials may be borrowed via interlibrary loan?
Is
there a fee for interlibrary loan services?
Will
I be notified when interlibrary loan items arrive?
Where
do I return titles I have borrowed?
Is
there another SIL Frequently Asked Questions list for common questions
from the public?
How
is the Smithsonian Institution Libraries (SIL) arranged?
Forming
a vital part of the research, exhibition, and educational endeavors
of the world's largest museum complex, the libraries consist of
20 branch libraries
located in the museums and research areas they support. Most Smithsonian
museums and units have library collections located nearby to support
their work.
Where
are the libraries located?
The
20 branches of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries are located
in the Washington, DC area, in Suitland and Edgewater, Maryland,
in New York City, and in the Republic of Panama. For exact locations,
consult the library
home pages. Generally, libraries are located within the museums
they serve.
How
do I figure out what titles are owned by the Libraries?
The
library collections are fully searchable using the SIRIS
online catalog of the combined collections.
How
do I find out exactly what issues of journals are available in each
branch library?
Some,
but not all branches have all of their exact journal holdings information,
by volume, in the online catalog. We are in the slow process of
placing all of our journal (serial) holdings information online,
but have limited staff and funds to do so. If specific serial holdings
information is needed, please check with your library staff.
Who
can use Smithsonian library collections?
Smithsonian
staff, visiting researchers, and the public may visit individual
libraries in person. For non-affiliated visiting researchers and
the public, an appointment is required at most library branches.
What
services are offered?
Along
with specialized reference services, including assistance with using
many online resources, library staff are responsible for acquiring
whatever published information is needed by Smithsonian staff to
accomplish their assigned mission at the Institution. Along with
access to the SIL collection of 1.5 million items, this material
can also be borrowed or purchased from a multitude of outside sources.
When
are the libraries open?
Please
consult the individual library
home pages for hours, locations, and phone numbers. Generally,
all libraries are open only on weekdays (excluding federal holidays),
9AM to 5PM. After-hours access may be arranged by specific library.
Who
can borrow books from the Libraries?
Any
Smithsonian Institution staff member with a Smithsonian ID can apply
for a SIL borrowers' card. Please complete a SIL Borrowing Registration/Authorization
form available at all SIL locations. Temporary staff (interns, etc.)
will need their permanent SI sponsor to co-sign their registration
form.
Where
do I check books out?
Books
may be checked out at any SIL branch’s circulation desk. Since
some “sub-locations” of larger libraries are not regularly
staffed, you may need to check with the librarian in your local
branch for specific procedures. Not all books can be checked out,
for example, reference works, rare books, and materials listed for
Special Collections do not circulate and must be used in the relevant
library's reading room.
How
many books can I check out?
Within reason, as many books as needed may be checked out. Not all
books can be checked out, for example, reference works, rare books,
and materials listed for Special Collections do not circulate and
must be used in the relevant library's reading room.
How
do I request titles that are not in my unit’s SIL branch?
If
visiting the branch in-person is not convenient, please complete an online request form. Fill out as much information as possible about
the article or book title you want, including the call number and
SIL branch location (available through the SIRIS
online catalog).
How
do I request materials not held by any SIL branch?
For
titles not owned by SIL, use the web request form.
Fill out as much information as you have about the article or book you want.
For more details, please see ILL
FAQ.
How
many articles can I request at one time from other SIL branches
and interlibrary (outside of the SI) loan?
You
may request up to five items per day.
How
long does it take to get a book/article?
Depending
on the SIL library we are borrowing from, SIL books and articles
can arrive in two days. Interlibrary loan items may take a minimum
of two weeks.
What
is the loan period for SIL books?
For
permanent staff, titles can be borrowed for six months. For temporary
staff, the loan period is 30 days.
Can
I renew books?
Just
contact your local SIL staff to renew SIL items. You can also use
the “My
Account” feature through the online catalog interface.
However, since we are borrowing interlibrary loan items from libraries
outside of the SI, they may not allow us to renew their book(s)
(see ILL FAQ).
What
can I do if a book I need is already checked out?
You
can request a hold through your local SIL staff. Holds can also
be placed online through the “My
Account” feature of the online catalog. Any book that
you have checked out can be subject to recall by another library
or patron at any time.
Can
I check out journal volumes?
Most
serial titles/issues do not circulate. Check with your library staff
for specifics.
Can
I get a list of the items I have checked out?
Library
staff can provide you with such a listing of all items charged to
your library account. Or you can check the “My
Account” feature of the online catalog interface.
How
does SIL notify me when I have overdue books?
When
an item is overdue, you will be notified with a paper notice in
your office in-box. Keep in mind that most SIL items can be renewed.
However, interlibrary loan items often cannot be renewed and must
be returned on time.
Who
can use the interlibrary loan services (for access to materials
outside of the SI)?
Anyone
with a registered SIL account can use SIL’s interlibrary loan
services. See ILL
FAQ for more details.
What
kinds of materials may be borrowed via interlibrary loan?
Our
Interlibrary Loan Department will try to borrow any title requested
by SI staff. However, it’s up to the loaning library as to
what restrictions can be placed on us in borrowing their titles.
Is
there a fee for interlibrary loan services?
No,
for the most part, Smithsonian staff members are not charged for
interlibrary loans. In some cases, costs may be passed on to Smithsonian
Fellows. See ILL
FAQ for more details.
Will
I be notified when interlibrary loan items arrive?
Check
with your unit’s branch library for procedures. Some libraries
will contact you by phone or e-mail when interlibrary loan items
arrive.
Where
do I return titles I have borrowed?
You
can return books to any SIL location.
Is
there another SIL Frequently Asked Questions list for common questions
from the public?
Please
see SIL’s Public
Inquiry FAQ
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