Incoming first-year students and their guardians & families flocked to the Infopalozza (Info Fair) to learn about everything Fairfield has to offer during Session A and B of June Orientation. From volunteer opportunities, academic programs, and dining services information... to LIBRARY SERVICES. The Library looks forward to having a table to meet the new stags. Our new prize wheel was a hit and we gave away library branded coffee mugs, pens, leather ID card holders, luggage tags, post-it note books, candy and buttons. In addition to the giveaways, new library Instagram followers could win a grand prize of a $200 Bookstore gift certificate to use towards textbooks.
Students and families asked lots of questions (and we got a compliment that the library is the "prettiest building on campus") that touched on the following:
- Library Hours. Check the website for the most up-to date hours. During finals week we are open 24/7.
- Citations. The library maintains online citation guides for each major style and librarians are available to help students one-on-one.
- Plagiarism. During the first semester all first-year students will need to take the Academic Integrity Tutorial. FYE groups will discuss this in September. The University's Honor Code is also reviewed by each student.
- Personal Librarian Program. FYE groups are paired with a research librarian. Each first-year student will receive an email from their personal librarian during the first week of school, and will continue to receive communications throughout the academic year.
- Writing Center. The Writing Center will be moving to the main level of the Library. See their website in the fall to create an online account and make an appointment.
- Interlibrary Loan. If we don't have a book or article that you need we can borrow it for you from other libraries. Books are shipped to the Library and articles are sent electronically. There is no cost for you to use Interlibrary Loan.
- Textbooks. Textbooks can be rented or purchased through the University Bookstore. The bookstore will match the Amazon or Barnes & Nobles online price of any textbook you find online for a lower price. Chegg is a company that some students use to rent their books too. If you feel as though it's going to be difficult for you to purchase all of your course textbooks, there is another option - you can ask your professor to put a copy of the textbook on reserve at the library. Reserve books are held at the circulation desk, can be used within the library only for four hours at a time. This ensures that the book is available for all students in the course who might need it. If you are uncomfortable talking to your professor about this, the library staff are happy to make an anonymous request for a textbook to be put on reserve on behalf of a student. Simply email Sylvia Hurlburt shurlburt@fairfield.edu as well as the circulation desk circdesk@fairfield.edu, provide the course title, professor name, and textbook title, and we'll reach out to your professor.
Overall it was great fun being a part of First-Year Orientation! We are looking forward to seeing everyone back on campus during move-in weekend!