INFORMATION RESOURCES: LIBRARY, MEDIA, AND COMPUTING SERVICES
To provide support and access to the resources of the Internet for all members of the campus community, Computing Services operates and maintains a SUN SparcServer cluster. These machines provide E-mail, World Wide Web (http://www.sfsu.edu), Usenet, gopher services, anonymous ftp services, and language processors. A large IBM (VM/CMS) computer at California State University, San Luis Obispo, also supports general instructional computing. Other CSU Specialty Centers provide access to social science database archives that include census data, business databases that include COMPUSTAT and IMF, and Geographic Information System resources. A free E-mail/Internet account is provided to students, faculty, and staff for as long as they remain affiliated with the university. An IBM compatible mainframe houses student and business information systems that provide services like the touch-tone registration, grades, and financial aid information.
Over 1,400 PCs and Macintoshes are available on campus for student use. A wide variety of multipurpose microcomputer software--word processors, electronic spreadsheets, multimedia tools, and database management systems--are available in the computing laboratories on campus. One hundred sixty (160) dial-in modems provide off-campus access for users with their own equipment.
Computing Services offers free short courses and workshops throughout the year to teach faculty, staff, and students how to use campus computing systems, utilities, and applications software. A weekly Internet 'how-to' clinic provides hands-on experience in using available Internet resources. To assist campus users in using computers both in the workplace and at home, Computing Services also provides technical assistance via a Help Desk which is accessible through e-mail (helpdesk@sfsu.edu), telephone (338-1420), in person in Room 110 of the Administration Building, and through the World Wide Web.
The SFSU Computing Services Security Guide covers policies, procedures, and proper uses of computing systems. It is also accessible via the World Wide Web.
High volume library services and facilities are located on the first floor. Computer terminals and workstations offer access to the InvestiGator and a variety of other electronic databases. At the Information and Reference service desks, library faculty and staff offer advice on library research and assistance using library materials, including print and computerized literature searching options. Appointments may also be made with subject specialists for research advice on term papers and similar projects. A 24-hour facility for quiet study area including a computer laboratory is available on the front of the building facing the quad. Circulation, Document Delivery Services, the Rapid Copy Center, and the Workbook office which provides administration of and assistance with the Library Requirement are also on the first floor. All library collections, services, and facilities are available in the main building except Reserve Book Room services. The Reserve Book Room on the ground floor of the building uses a separate entrance.
Students may borrow from the library's main collection and many of its specialized collections by presenting a university identification card validated at the library registration desk. A student who has paid fees, but has not yet received an official student identification card, may obtain a temporary library card by presenting proof of fee payment at Circulation Services (first floor). An official student photo ID card with a current semester sticker is required for library service fifteen days after the beginning of each semester. Neither the library card nor books borrowed on it may be transferred to another person. Loss or theft of a student ID, as well as any change of address, must be reported immediately to the library registration desk and to the Registrar's Office, ADM 253. All library materials should be returned if the borrower will be away from the San Francisco area for more than two weeks.
The Reserve Book Room provides materials in high demand for assigned readings in courses. Non-print materials on reserve are housed in the Media Access Center (MAC) elsewhere in the library building. Facilities for students with special needs in using print materials are also available in a separate room in the Reserve Book Room area.
The Periodicals/Microforms area houses periodicals and newspapers, and library collections in microformats, along with equipment to read and copy from these formats.
The Media Access Center (MAC) provides access to the library's collection of non-print materials including video tapes, video disks, software, spoken and musical audio tapes, compact disks, films, and pictures. Audio-visual equipment is available for accessing course-related non-print materials and multi-media for the production of mediated class projects. Microcomputers and mainframe terminals are available for access to course-related software. The MAC also provides access to remedial course materials offered by academic departments.
The Government Publications Department is a selective government depository housing federal, state, international, and local government publications. Many government publications are not yet included in the library's online catalog, InvestiGator, but access is provided through listings available in Government Publications and through the GPO database available either by using computer workstations in the library or remotely.
The Special Collections/Archives Department houses archival material concerning the history of San Francisco State University, the Archer Collection of Historic Children's Books, and other rare or unusual materials. It also maintains the San Francisco Bay Area Television News Archives with KQED and KPIX historical film footage as its core.
The Frank V. de Bellis Collection of The California State University, is a library-museum of Italian authors and subjects representing the civilization of ancient and modern Italy, particularly in the areas of history, literature, fine arts, and music. Holdings include rare books, music scores, archival sound recordings, manuscripts, periodicals, microfilms, art prints, artifacts, and coins. The collection serves all the campuses of the CSU system.
The Labor Archives and Research Center, located at 480 Winston Drive, collects, organizes, preserves, and makes accessible the records documenting the lives of working men and women and their labor organizations in the Bay Area. The Labor Archives shares a building with the Sutro Library, a branch of the California State Library which enjoys a special cooperative relationship with San Francisco State University. The Sutro Library collection, which is open to all citizens of California, includes some 140,000 volumes and 40,000 historical pamphlets. Among the special collection strengths are natural history, Mexicana, Shakespeareana, records of the Pacific voyages of discovery, the history of printing, genealogy, and local history.
Other services of the J. Paul Leonard Library include: the Rapid Copy Center providing on-demand copying and course readers; and the Document Delivery Service for materials not owned by San Francisco State University.
The library offers several education programs. A self-guided audio orientation tour of the library, printed information guides, and subject bibliographies are available at the Reference Desk. Each semester, credit courses in library research are offered, and librarians offer invitational lectures to upper division and graduate classes. The library also administers the Library Requirement, a self-paced Research Process Guide in the form of a workbook, required for graduation.
Upon presentation of a current CSU identification card, faculty, staff, and students may borrow books directly from any of the California State University libraries. However, the individual must register with the libraries to obtain a special borrower's card.
Library privileges are also extended to Friends of the J.Paul Leonard Library. The friends organization was established in 1980 to promote the love of books, strengthen relationships between the university and the community, and to raise funds beyond those available in the regular budget for library services. Membership is open to SFSU students, faculty, staff, and community adults. The friends maintain a Book Sale Room in the library and accept used books and other donations.