Faculty Handbook
Mission of Miller Library
The Miller Library staff strives to support Cornerstone University’s mission by assisting members of the university community to acquire knowledge by offering access to, instruction in and interaction with information resources.
To accomplish this, the staff of the library will:
- Be highly qualified and flexible, committed to continuous learning, leadership development, and integration of Christian worldview;
- Maintain active collection development, maintenance, and organization to assure library users of relevant and accessible information resources;
- Provide and facilitate user access to the library’s information resources;
- Stimulate and instruct library users in developing information literacy, critical thinking, and Christian worldview formation;
- Engage in Christian leadership and stewardship in administration, planning, assessment, and budgeting.
Hours of Service
Monday - Thursday....8:00 am - 10:30 pm
Friday.........................8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday...................10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday.......................1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Miller Library is open until 8pm Friday and Saturday the second half of each semester. Hours vary over breaks and holidays. If you have any questions please contact the circulation desk at 616-222-1458 or consult the library's website.
Liaison Librarians
Librarians are assigned subject areas for collection development and bibliographic instruction. They serve as liaisons to the various academic departments.
Gail Atwood: Kinesiology, Mathematics, Music, Science
Gina Bolger: Curriculum Center, Education, Junior Library
Fay Bush: Social Work, Sociology, Psychology
Sarah Koeze: PGS, Business, Communication, English
Fred Sweet: Bible, Religion, Ministry, Philosophy, Foreign Languages, Theology, History
Loan Periods
The normal circulation period for faculty/staff is one semester. All materials are subject to recall. If another patron places a “Hold” on an item, it is to be returned to the library within one week. If the item is not returned within a week, a fine is generated. If a “Hold” already exists on an item at the time it is checked out, the loan period is seven days. Faculty/staff are exempt from fines, except in the case of items with “Holds.”Reserves
The Library circulation department offers a reserve collection service for faculty who desire to make certain resources available to their students on a limited circulation basis. Only items for which heavy demand is expected should be placed on reserve.
A Reserve informational notice will be posted to the CUBE on Eagle's Nest approximately 3 weeks before the beginning of each semester. Reserve forms are available on Eagle's Nest under Academics>Miller Library Forms. If you have any questions completing the Reserve forms, please email Circulation or contact the Circulaton Supervisor at 616-222-1451.
Interlibrary Loan
When a book or journal is not owned by Miller Library, patrons may use our Interlibrary Loan Services to obtain the material from another location. The lending library mails the material and it will be available for pick-up here at our circulation desk. To order a book or journal article, create a request online through the Miller Library website or fill out a form at the circulation desk. Faculty and Staff should plan ahead as most materials arrive within 1-2 weeks from the request date.
MeLCat
Miller Library participates in MeLCat, an online catalog that combines the catalogs of over 150 Michigan libraries, including academic, public and K-12 school libraries. Students, faculty and staff of Cornerstone University may borrow items free of charge from any of these libraries using the MeLCat link. Items generally arrive within a few days using the MeLCat system.
Scheduling Class Visits
Faculty may bring a class to the library for research or for bibliographic instruction. Librarians are also available to come to your classroom for instructional sessions.Please give the library staff a minimum of two class days notice before bringing a class to the library. All reservations are to be made through the Instructional Services Librarian. No more than one class will be scheduled at any given time. When contacting the Library, please be prepared to give the following information:
- Name
- How best to contact you
- Class name
- Class size
- Date and time of visit
- Purpose of visit
Research Assistance
The staff of Miller Library is availible to provide assistance to library users in finding information, instruction in using the library's online catalog and the many subscription electronic databases. The Research Desk can be consulted in person, by phone (616-222-1458), by email, or by using the Ask-a-Librarian form.
University Archives
The archives room in Miller Library houses diverse collections: 1- Historical records of CU since its inception, including yearbooks, presidential papers from all of CU’s presidents, significant transitions, accreditation and committee reports, CU publications such as the Herald (1966-present), thousands of photographs, etc; 2- Collections of various organizations and individuals related to CU (such as the handwritten sermons of Dr. R. Ketchum); 3-A small collection of rare books and historic journals. An index to the various collections can be found on the Library website. Archive materials may not be checked out and researchers must have an appointment to use the room.
Requests for Library Acquisitions
Faculty members may request that specific items be added to the library’s collections. All requests should be submitted to division chairs who will then forward them to the liaison librarians. Requests may be submitted by using the form on Miller Library's website (Library Services>Suggest an Item), marking the items in catalogs or other promotional material, returning the “Choice” cards distributed to faculty, or by e-mail. Please include as much bibliographic information as possible to ensure accurate and timely orders. If any problems occur while obtaining item, the requester will be notified. Otherwise, the requester will be notified when the item is available for use. Requests for periodical subscriptions should be directed to your liaison librarian. All periodical purchasing decisions are made during the summer, with new subscriptions beginning in January of the following year.Faculty/Staff Copy Card
Miller Library has a copy card which will allow you to charge your copies to your department. It is available upon request at the circulation desk.
Off Campus Access
Most of Miller Library's eResources can be accessed from off campus. Click on the eResources you wish to access and enter your name and the nonzero digits of your Cornerstone ID number (found on your ID card) when prompted.
Policies
Other policies are located on the library's website under "About The Library."
Staff and Contact Information
See the contact page.
Updated August 7, 2007.
