Library staff at the University of Maine at Fort Kent. This guide has been prepared to acquaint you with library resources and services which are available for students taking courses at a distance.

We provide online catalog access, reference assistance, interlibrary loan services, and online course support. The Library staff encourages you to take advantage of our many resources and to ask for assistance when you need it.

Also, don't forget to try out our Online Tutorials to help answer questions regarding our resources.

The following information pertains to UMFK online courses only.

-The Blake Library Staff

• Circulation
• The Collection
• Computer Assistance
• Contacts
• Interlibrary Loan
• Library Cards
• Reference

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Circulation

Library Cards:
Blake Library offers online research for articles through our databases. These databases can only be accessed by having a valid University of Maine System student ID or library card (some campuses use the student ID as the library card). In addition, if you have physical access to a University of Maine System library, you may request books through the online catalog, URSUS.

If you registered through UMFK:
Students who are new to the system, have registered through UMFK for a UMFK online course, and are not taking any classes on campus will receive a card in the mail prior to the course start date. No action on your part is needed. If you have not received a card by the beginning of classes (or two weeks from the day you register if you registered late), please contact Debra Durkin.

If you registered through another campus: New students who registered for a UMFK online course through any other University of Maine System campus will need to make arrangements for library cards through that campus.

If you registered through the University College at Augusta: Students who registered through the University College at Augusta and don't already have a card need to go to the Off-Campus library services and apply for a card.

Borrowing Privileges:
UMFK students who do not have physical access to a University of Maine System library may still borrow books from the circulating collection

Students who registered at UMFK can use the Blake Library interlibrary loan form. If you registered through the University College, you will need to view their site for instructions on how to request materials.

Books may be borrowed for four weeks with a renewal period of an additional two weeks. If mailing items on the day they are due, make sure the postmark is on the package otherwise charges will incur that could have been avoided.

There is no charge for materials shipped from the library to the borrower. However, return postage is the borrower's responsibility. We recommend insuring the items when returning them since the borrower is responsible for items lost in the mail.

Overdue Policies:
Students are responsible for returning items by the due date. There is a $.50/day fine on overdue materials. For any item lost by the borrower, or by the post office when materials are sent back, there will be a $45.00 charge ($35.00 cost for book and $10.00 processing fee) placed on the student's account.

Electronic Reserves:
Students can access electronic reserves through URSUS, then search under Course Reserves. Your professor will provide you a password to access the materials. For more information on getting to the electronic reserves, go to our reserves site.

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The Collection

Blake Library has an assortment of books which you may check out according to our circulation rules. In addition to the circulating collection, Blake Library has other collections which may be of particular interest.

Ebooks:
Our library currently subscribes to 7,400 e-books (3,400 copyrighted titles and 4,000 in the public domain). These books are accessed through the URSUS (our online catalog) and netLibrary links located on the Blake Library web page. Loan period: four hours.

Electronic Journals:
A list of electronic journals can be found off of Blake Library’s serials page. Our electronic journals, listed alphabetically and by subject, will link you to the online version of journals we have at the library.

Maine Documents:
Blake Library is a depository for Maine State Documents. These materials are listed in the online catalog, URSUS. Loan period: four weeks.

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Computer Assistance

Computer Instruction:
Library staff provides instruction on the use of a variety of software applications. We provide complete instruction for the beginner as well as questions that have just stumped the advanced user. Have a project and you’re not quite sure what would be the best software to get the job done? We will help to steer you in the right direction.

Online Course Software Support:
If you need help accessing your course or are having trouble using the course software, please contact Leslie Kelly. You may also visit the UC Practice Blackboard page for help. If all else fails, you can send a question by email to which we will respond as quickly as possible.

Computer Support:
Some courses may require the student to have specific software. If you need assistance downloading and installing software, contact Nicki Ouellette.

Additional Information and Contacts

If you are calling long distance, you may dial toll free: 1-888-TRY-UMFK (879-8635) and use any of the four digit extensions below to reach us

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Contact Information

Reference/Computer Assistance/Blackboard
Sofia Birden
(207)834-7527
sbirden@maine.edu

Circulation/Interlibrary Loan
Debra Durkin
(207)834-7526
debra.durkin@maine.edu

Blackboard/e-portfolios
Leslie Kelly (Assistant Director of the Library)
(207)834-7522
lesliek@maine.edu

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Interlibrary Loan

Requesting articles and books from other libraries through UMFK:
Students can request articles and books through the Interlibrary Loan department. The process does require some time, so it is important to plan ahead. Also, all interlibrary loan activity is subject to limitations as defined in federal copyright laws and accompanying guidelines.

Fees: Blake Library does not charge any fees for Interlibrary Loan services. However, other libraries may. When making your request, please make sure the fee payment information is filled out to your satisfaction. Students are expected to pay these fees when picking up their ILL materials.

Fines: Students should be aware that books borrowed through Interlibrary Loan will be subject to late fines if they are not returned on time. The lending libraries’ fines depend upon their circulation policies not ours. Blake Library is unable to extend loan periods or waive fines for these materials. Please make note of the due dates of your materials.

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Reference

Reference Assistance:
We offer instruction in the use of URSUS, the Indexes and Databases, ebooks, Internet searching, online courses such as Blackboard, and other more general computer applications. Whether you need help finding books in URSUS or articles in our online databases, we are here to help. You may call us or use the “Ask the Librarian” e-mail form to send us a question. You may also call Sofia Birden directly for any help.

More Resources:
The More Resources page is linked off the Blake Library homepage. This site provides additional resources for your research needs. You will find links to sites for citing resources, evaluating web pages, and linking to Internet sites through our WWW by Subject page.

Indexes and Databases:
As a Fort Kent student you have access to a variety of Indexes and Databases, many of which provide full-text journal coverage. Academic Search Premier is a good general database providing a starting point for your research for all subject areas. In addition there are indexes which specialize in Biology, Business, Education, Nursing, and Psychology. You can find a complete list with detailed descriptions on Blake Library's personalized Indexes and Databases.

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