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How Do I . . . ?

  1. Find the top databases most commonly used by Mann Library patrons?
  2. Extend the loan period for items currently charged out?
  3. Request a book that is currently charged out to another patron?
  4. Use a wireless laptop in the library?
  5. Get assistance with a research paper?
  6. Find out about all of Mann's available services, online, by phone, email or in person?
  7. Request a library instruction session for a class?
  8. Connect remotely to the library's resources?
  9. Find out what kind of workshops Mann Library is offering this semester?
  10. Register online for a Mann Library workshop?
  11. Find out the loan period for a book or journal from Mann Library's collection?
  12. Borrow a book that Cornell does not own?
  13. Get articles that Cornell does not own?
  14. Get a list of all items currently charged out, and their due dates?
  15. Request a book from another campus library?
  16. Find publicly available fax machines at Cornell?
  17. Get materials delivered from the Library Annex?
  18. Pay for printing or photocopying at Mann Library by cash, credit, check or from a departmental account?
  19. Get automatic updates of Mann Library RSS news feeds and podcasts?
  20. Get help finding statistical, geospatial or census information?
  21. Move files electronically between Mann Library computers and home or work?
  22. Find out what other locations at Cornell offer equipment, rooms or AV services?
  23. Create audio-video projects at Mann Library?

  1. How do I find the top databases most commonly used by Mann Library patrons?

    A list of our top databases and many other useful resources may be found on the Research Tools page.
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  2. How do I extend the loan period for items currently charged out?

    Renewals of regular books and journals (not course reserves or Interlibrary Loan items) may be made online via the "patron info" tab on the Cornell online catalog. Simply log in and check the items you would like renewed. Be sure to confirm that the due date has been advanced -any holds or recalls by another patron will prevent renewal. You may also call the Mann Library circulation desk at 255-3296 and they will be happy to renew your books and journals for you.
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  3. How do I request a book that is currently charged out to another patron?

    You may recall a book via the Cornell online catalog. Once you've pulled up the record in the catalog, select the "requests" tab, log in, and choose recall. You can also request copies of books held by Cornell but currently charged out from Borrow Direct.
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  4. How do I use a wireless laptop in the library?

    Mann has full wireless access throughout the building. To take advantage of this with your laptop, you will need to configure your computer. For more info, please stop by the Computing Center Student Operator's desk, or see our webpage on laptop access.
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  5. How do I get assistance with a research paper?

    If you have questions about your research - or anything else for that matter - feel free to contact Mann's reference staff. You can stop by the reference desk on the library's 1st floor, call us at 255-5406, e-mail us at mann_ref@cornell.edu, or chat with us live online.

    For more in depth questions, you can set up a consultation.

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  6. How do I find out about all of Mann's available services, online, by phone, email or in person?

    Mann has a wide variety of services available to a wide variety of patrons. To find out more, see our Services webpage, contact the reference desk at 255-5406, or email mann_ref@cornell.edu. Feel free to stop by in person as well, at the reference desk located on the first floor.

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  7. How do I request a library instruction session for a class?

    If you are a faculty member and would like to arrange for a course-related instruction session, please contact Instruction Coordinator Camille Andrews at 255-8673 or ca92@cornell.edu. Further information on this topic may be found online here.

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  8. How do I connect remotely to the library's resources?

    Information on connecting to library resources from off campus may be found here.

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  9. How do I find out what kind of workshops Mann Library is offering this semester?

    For a complete list of workshops, see the library's Workshops webpage.

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  10. How do I register online for a Mann Library workshop?

    Register for one of our workshops at our Workshops webpage.

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  11. How do I find out the loan period for a book or journal from Mann Library's collection?

    Circulation times vary based on your status. To find out the details, see our borrowing policies web page.

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  12. How do I borrow a book that Cornell does not own?

    Books may be requested via either interlibrary loan or Borrow Direct, both of which are available via the Cornell online catalog. For more info, please see our borrowing faq.
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  13. How do I get articles that Cornell does not own?

    To get an article from a journal or other source that Cornell does not own, you need to use interlibrary loan, a free service to Cornell patrons. To register and find out more information, please see our our borrowing faq.
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  14. How do I get a list of all items currently charged out, and their due dates?

    From the Cornell Library Catalog, click the Patron Info tab in the upper left, then log in with your last name and Cornell ID number. You should then see a list of all items currently charged out to you, and their due date. You can also renew items from this page. More info can be found at the Gateway help page.
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  15. How do I request a book from another campus library?

    You can have books from any other campus library be delivered to the library of your choice. Also, if you are a faculty member, you cay request books from any campus library be delivered to your departmental office. To have a book delivered, find its record in the Cornell online catalog. Then select the "requests" tab, log in, and choose "book delivery services".
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  16. How do I find publicly available fax machines at Cornell?

    Mann Library does not currently offer public fax facilities. Click here for a list of fax services available on the Cornell campus .
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  17. How do I get materials delivered from the Library Annex?

    Annex items can be shipped and held for patrons at any campus library. Requests are made using the Cornell online catalog. Once you've pulled up the record in the catalog, select the "requests" tab, log in, and choose "Book Delivery Services". Excerpts (e.g. articles, chapters, etc.) may be requested and delivered electronically (for free) via MyDocumentDelivery.
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  18. How do I pay for printing or photocopying at Mann Library by cash, credit, check or from a departmental account?

    Patrons have a variety of options for paying for printing and photocopying at Mann Library. Click here for more info.
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  19. How do I get automatic updates of Mann Library RSS news feeds and podcasts?

    Mann Library offers RSS feeds for various content, including New Books, Daily Haiku, Podcasts, and CUGIR GIS data updates. RSS is a format used for syndicating online content that allows you to subscribe and get content delivered directly to you using an RSS reader or aggregator. RSS readers are set up to check periodically for new content in the feeds to which you subscribe, sometimes as frequently as every hour or half hour. Some are programs that you download and install on your personal computer; others are web-based. Many of them are free. A list of available readers can be found at Google and Yahoo.

    To add Mann RSS feeds to your RSS reader, copy the appropriate RSS URL from your browser into your RSS reader, and add it as a new subscription. If you prefer to receive Mann RSS announcements via email, some free services such as RSSFWD: will allow you to create an email subscription to an RSS feed.

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  20. How do I get help finding statistical, geospatial or census information?

    You can try this on your own or ask our experts. Online, you can find a ton of statistical data through Find Databases. For census info, start with American FactFinder, and for Geospatial data go to our GIS page.

    You can also contact us for a research consultation; we have in-house experts in all of these fields.

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  21. How do I move files electronically between Mann Library computers and home or work?

    CIT has a service called DropBox that allows members of the Cornell community with a NetID to upload and temporarily store files up to 256 MB on their servers. Users can then download files from there to a different computer.

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  22. How do I find out what other locations at Cornell offer equipment, rooms or AV services?

    See our index page of other places on the Cornell Ithaca campus that offer equipment and rooms, as well as AV services.
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  23. How do I create audio-video projects at Mann Library?

    Mann Library does not offer AV services "for hire" but does provide the following limited services for Cornell staff, faculty and students:

    • Video cameras can be checked out at the Mann Library Circulation Desk.
    • Software is available on our computers, for editing and producing video productions.
    • Consultations can be scheduled in advance for a brief overview in the use of our video equipment and software. 
    • Workshops are offered occasionally at Mann on audio-video production.

    See our index of AV services at Cornell for other options.

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