Marvin K. Peterson Library Services for Faculty

The mission of the Marvin K. Peterson Library is to support the academic programs of the University by providing information, materials, and a wide range of library services to our faculty, students, and staff.

This page gives the University of New Haven faculty an overview of library services that support their teaching and research endeavors. If you are new to the University of New Haven Library, you are welcome to contact the University Librarian for a tour of the facility and an orientation to library services. An introduction to basic library operations is available through the links on the left-hand side of this page.

Did you know that many Library resources are available 24/7?

You can access many library resources from off-campus through the Peterson Library’s web site.

You can renew books and check on your library account via the Library homepage. The link to My Library Account can be found either on the Library's home page or after opening the Library's Online Catalog. Additional information about Borrowing Privileges and Circulation Services for faculty is available at this location.

You can suggest a book for purchase by using the electronic order form available after logging into your account through the Library’s online catalog.  The procedures are explained in the guide on "Recommending New Books and Journals."

If the Library does not own what you need, we can usually get it for you through our Interlibrary Loan Service, which is also available via the web site. The ILL form is found above the list of databases obtainable via the Proxy Connection.   Our guide on "Interlibrary Loan Services for Faculty" includes additional information about interlibrary loan.

Your University of New Haven faculty ID card is your Library Card for checking out books. Access to full text electronic journals and databases is through our Proxy Connection. You will be required to "sign in" with your University of New Haven network log-in. All of this is accessible 24/7.

You will receive library notices (overdues, holds filled and ILL requests) via email. If you prefer, we will call you to let you know when ILL material has arrived.

Most of the online commercial databases are available through the Library's web page. Examples of the databases available for research are Campus Research, Lexi-Comp Online for Dentistry, PsycArticles, GeoRef, Hoover’s Online, CCH, Conference Board, Criminal Justice Periodicals and Education Journals. In addition, the subscription trials that the Library obtains to review a database prior to purchase are available on the alphabetical list of databases page.

The Library's web site provides a number of guides and informational handouts on many subject areas. For example, writing style guides (APA and Chicago/Turabian), subject guides (Criminal Justice, Engineering Resources, National Security Resources and Business Information) plus hints on finding biographical information, government documents, also Federal and State laws.

To determine if the Library has a journal use the link to "Journals at the MKP Library." This list will locate specific journals online in full text, or in the library in print or micro format.

Library Facilities and Resources

The Marvin K. Peterson Library has more than 300,000 volumes and receives over 1,000 periodicals. Newspapers, pamphlets, maps, videos and some CDs are available for use in the library. Many older newspapers, journals and annual reports are available via microform. In addition, the Library offers racks of paperbacks for leisure reading, should you find some free time. You are also welcome to browse our Book Sale table and shelves for items of interest.

Study carrels, tables and comfortable seating are available throughout the three floors of the Library. When the library is closed, there is a book drop around the rear of the building where books can be returned. When we are open, simply place books to be returned in the slot at the Circulation Desk.

As a partial U.S. Government Depository, the Peterson Library receives over a third of all U.S. government documents. Many are available directly via links in the Library’s Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC). OPAC allows you to search the Library’s collection of books, journals, videotapes and microform material that will be useful in your studies.

While some material is cataloged as Reference and cannot be removed from the library, we do have a photocopy machine located near the Circulation Desk for faculty use. A form to use this photocopy machine is available online. You may also place materials on Course Reserve for your students. The University of New Haven Course Reserve Form is also available online. You can find exactly what your classes have on Course Reserve by doing a search via the Library homepage. You determine if this material can be charged out of the Library or used in-house for a limited period. As in the case of Reference material, Course Reserve items can be photocopied on the premises.

If you discover that you need material from other libraries, our Interlibrary Loan Department will do all they can to retrieve either books or magazine articles for you. While we try to get the material quickly, please realize that it may take up to two to three weeks in some cases to get a book. Articles can generally be retrieved in a matter of days. These forms are available in the library, and they are also available electronically on our homepage. For additional information please see our guide on Interlibrary Loan Services for Faculty.

Computers in the Library

The Peterson Library has 54 Dell desktop computers, 6 iMacs and 36 Dell laptops for use by our students and faculty in the Library. The PC computers and laptops have the Microsoft Office Suite that allow use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Power Point and SPSS available along with network connectivity

The entire library is a University of New Haven wireless zone. In addition, there are 130 network connection boxes on the walls and columns near individual carrels and desks that allow you to plug your laptops directly into the University of New Haven network. They are located on all three floors. All you need is an Ethernet card and network cable to connect to the campus network.

Never hesitate to ask for assistance while in the Library, our staff is here to aid you in your research. If you can’t get to the Library, you are welcome to call the Information Desk at 203-932-7189, during regular Library hours, or e-mail your question.