Library FAQS

Contacts

Sofia Birden
207-834-7527
sbirden@maine.edu

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Books

Periodicals On-line Resources Special Needs Blake Library Trivia

Books

How are the books organized?
The Blake Library uses the Library of Congress classification system. Each book is given a call number when it is catalogued. The call number represents the main subject of the book; therefore when all of the books are shelved in order, books on the same topic are shelved together. Call numbers beginning with letters A-N are shelved on the first floor; P-Z are shelved on the second floor (see map). If you need assistance finding the book you need, do not hesitate to ask.

How do I find a book?
All of our catalogued material can be accessed through URSUS, the online catalog. Material can be searched by Title, Author, Subject and Keyword. For more information on URSUS, see the URSUS FAQs.

The book I want isn't here. How do I get it?
There are three ways to request books from other locations:

  • Online Requestor Function: Patrons may request materials from other University of Maine System libraries electronically through the online requestor function in URSUS. When you find a book you need from another library, follow the prompts on the screen to 'Request'. You will need your library card handy in order to enter your barcode number. Please note that your record must be free of fines and holds in order to request materials. Should you receive the response on screen that 'Items from this location cannot be requested', please ask a librarian for assistance. You may still be able to receive the item.

  • MaineCat Function: If the book you are looking for is not in the URSUS online catalog, you can then use the MaineCat tab located at either the top or bottom of the URSUS screen. Once you have clicked on this tab, you will be taken to the MaineCat screen which will do the same search as you did in URSUS. If your item is located, you may then request the item as you would if you were using the Requestor function. The only difference is you will be prompted to select who your library is. Here you would select the University of Maine Fort Kent.

  • Interlibrary Loan: Requests for articles or requests for books from libraries outside of the University of Maine System may be submitted to the Interlibrary Loan staff. Patrons may stop by the Library to fill out an Interlibrary Loan Request or may fill out the Interlibrary Loan Request Form found on the forms page online.

The Library staff is committed to helping patrons access information from off-campus as easily as possible. The process does require some time, however, 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. Patrons should be aware that books borrowed from other libraries may also be subject to fees if kept beyond the due date, and the fees levied depend upon the lending library's circulation policies. Please be aware of the due dates of your materials.

What borrowing privileges do I have?
Borrowing privileges depend upon your patron status: student, faculty/staff or community patron. Please see the Circulation Policies in order to learn about your borrowing privileges.

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Periodicals

How do I find articles
The Indexes and Databases are how we access article information, whether they be in full text format or just the abstract. One issue of Time Magazine has many articles, each on a different topic. Indexes/databases organize information about these articles so that you can search for articles by author, title, subject, etc. Depending on the subject area of your search you will want to choose a specific database. For example, if you are a nursing student, you will want to search the CINAHL database which is specific to nursing. Please ask for assistance in finding the right database for your needs, or you can use the "My research is in..." drop down menu to help you select the best databases for you. Also, when using the databases from home, you will need to have your barcode located on your student ID handy in order to verify that you are a UMFK student.

If you are a resident of Maine you can also access the State of Maine's online Databases. This set of databases are usefull for Blake Library's community patrons who don't have access to the university databases from home. They are also useful for students who don't have their barcode with them and need to search for articles.

If you find an article you can't get online and is not available in the library, then you can fill out an interlibrary loan request found on our forms page or fill a paper form out in the library (be sure to attach the citation to the form).

How are the journals, magazines, and newspapers organized?
The current hardcopy titles are located in the periodicals section on the first floor of the library (see map). They are organized alphabetically. If you cannot find an issue you are looking for, it may be stored with the back issues. Please ask a staff member for assistance in retrieving back issues.

How do I get an article from a periodical that UMFK doesn't own?
When you find an article you would like, and it is not available in full text online, there should be a notation under the abstract that says "this title held locally" if Blake Library has the title. If we do have the title and issue, then you will need the citation in order to find the article. The citation includes: title and author of the article, the title of the periodical (journal or magazine), the date of publication, the volume and issue number, and the page numbers. If we don't have the periodical, then you can fill out an interlibrary loan request found on our forms page or fill a paper form out in the library (be sure to attach the citation to the form).

The Library staff is committed to helping patrons access information from off-campus as easily as possible. The process does require some time, however, 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.

I can't access the databases from home
To access the databases from home, you must first have a student ID. As a UMFK student, faculty, or staff, you will or should have a student/staff ID that has a barcode on it. Once you click on the database you want, you will be prompted to insert your last name and barcode. Once you have done so, you will be granted access to the database.

If you do not have an ID card, then to obtain one you need to see Lisa Roy in student services if you are on campus, or use our ID card/library card application if you are from away and cannot come on campus. If you are not registered as a UMFK student but are a student elsewhere, click here for more information.

If you have not yet applied for an ID card yet need to get articles right away, you can go to Marvel a statewide resource for many usefull databases. One of which is Acadmeic Search Premier.

Are there any periodicals on the Web?
Yes! Some of the periodicals we subscribe to have corresponding web pages. The information available on these pages ranges from basic editorial information, table of contents, indexes, and full-text. A list of Blake Library periodicals with web pages can be viewed on our Serials page. You can also see what journals we have access to that are full text online on the Blake Library Serials Solutions page.

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Online Resources

What can I access from home?
Anywhere you have internet access you can get to the online catalog, called URSUS, the databases, and any other resources available on the library site. If you want to request materials in URSUS, or gain access to the databases, you will need your ID/library card. Go to the "I can't access the databases from home" faq for more information.

What is Mariner?
Mariner creates a common gateway to the digital resources and collections of the University of Maine system libraries. Though we primarily use links from the Blake Library site to these collections, Mariner is one way to get to the common resources if our site is down. In addition Mariner has other useful links such as the tutorials which help patrons learn how to use our resources.

These are some of the shared resources in Mariner:

  • URSUS: You can look up books by Title, Author, Keyword or Subject in URSUS, our on-line catalog. Each record in the catalog displays the location, status and call number for a book.

  • Indexes and Databases: The databases allow you to search for articles in journals, magazines, newspapers, and other resources. The difference between the Blake Library Indexes & Databases interface and Mariner is the list of databases is already limited to just what Fort Kent is able to use. In addition, we have a subject search that allows you to search for a database by subject.

How can I find good Internet resources?
The Internet is a vast resource of information. The librarians at UMFK have carefully chosen web sites to help you with your research and have created a database to include these sites. The WWW by Subject database can by searched by topic. Otherwise you are welcome to set up a one on one instruction session with a librarian. See the Instructional Services page to find out more.

What does peer reviewed mean?
Peer reviewd is the same as cholarly, academic, or refereed. Articles that are peer reviewed come from journals that have a submission process. When an author wants to submit an article, his/her article is first reviewed to determine such things as appropriate content, bias, facts, research, statistics, etc. In other words the article is checked out extensively before ever being put into the journal. Time, Newsweek, and Rolling Stone are not peer reviewed.

To make sure you have peer reviewed articles there is usually a check off box labled peer reviewed in the database you are searching. Once you have checked this box, then your searches will only include peer reviewed articles.

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Special Needs

What services are available for distance learners?

Distance learners are those students who are registered and take UMFK classes but who do not come to campus for their classes. The Library staff endeavors to make the same services available to both on-campus and distance learners. A useful web site for distance learners is UMFK's Distance Learning Site.

For help at UMFK refer to the following:

  • Reference Assistance: Sofia Birden will help with questions regarding research, URSUS, Indexes and Databases, general computer questions, etc.

  • Interlibrary Loan: Books within the University of Maine System can be ordered online using the Requestor Function Articles and books from outside the University of Maine System can be requested through the Interlibrary Loan Request Form. Contact Debra Durkin if you have any other questions about Interlibrary Loan.

  • Library Cards: You will need a library card with a barcode number to order books or access databases from home. If you are registered through UMFK, you must receive a UMFK library card. If you are taking UMFK classes, but are registered at Augusta, you can request a library card at the University College off-campus Library Services site. If you are through another campus, then you must apply for a card at your campus.
What services are available for patrons with disabilities?
The Library staff endeavors to make all of our services available to all of our users. The first floor of the Library is wheelchair accessible through the main entrance of the building. An assisted learning center computer is also available for patron use. The staff is happy to help those with special needs access our materials.

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Blake Library Trivia

What is the history of the Blake Library?
The University of Maine at Fort began as a regional teachers' college in 1878. A library was created soon afterward in 1885 to support the students. The library was housed in a classroom for many years until a growth spurt in the late 1950's. The gymnasium, built in 1929, was converted to the library in 1965-66. The library was dedicated as the Waneta T. Blake Library, and its collection numbered 15,000 volumes at the time. The building has been expanded since then and now holds nearly 60,000 volumes.

Who was Waneta T. Blake?
Waneta T. Blake was an instructor and part-time librarian at UMFK from 1933 until 1963. She oversaw a large increase in the collection during her time at the library. After her retirement, the library was moved to the former gymnasium and was dedicated with her name. She died in 1971 and is buried in the cemetery adjacent to the campus.

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