Library Services

GIL-Find

Next time you are searching for a book, first go to GSW’s online catalog, Gil-Find. If you don’t find what you need, you can search all university libraries using Gil-Find. You can borrow books from all the University System of Georgia Libraries.

Interlibrary Loan

GSW students, faculty or staff seeking books or articles not available at our library may request them from another library through interlibrary loan.  Requests can be made through Tipasa. Pickup and return of all ILL items will be at the Front Desk of the Library. Please present a GSW ID or other form of picture ID when picking up materials.

NOTE: Textbooks for currently offered GSW classes are not available through Interlibrary Loan.

Students will have 14 days past the due date to return their ILL materials. Any student who keeps a book for more than 14 days past the due date of the book will have a flat fee of $25.00 added to their record in the James Earl Carter Library's system. For students who have asked for and received a renewal of their ILL materials, the overdue charge of $25.00 will apply if the materials are not returned within 14 days after the renewed due date. (Students must ask for renewal before the due date.)

Cooperative Lending Agreement

The James Earl Carter Library has a cooperative lending agreement with Lake Blackshear Regional Library and South Georgia Technical College Library. The purpose of this agreement is to provide the citizens of Sumter, Crisp, Dooly, and Schley counties and the faculty, staff and students, including those enrolled in the institutions' distance learning programs, access to library information resources and services. Valid users associated with any of these institutions can establish borrowing privileges with either of the other institutions. Patrons must obtain a signed Cooperative Agreement Form from their Library and take the form to the institution(s) with whom they would like to establish borrowing privileges. Personal identification will be required. After establishing borrowing privileges, patrons will be subject to the policies of the lending library.

Using the GSW Library for ProctorU Testing

Students can use one of two designated study rooms — Room 220 or Room 221 — in the James Earl Carter Library to take ProctorU exams. Availability is first come, first served, with reserved appointments taking priority. You must test in one of these two rooms using a library-provided Ethernet cable. Wi-Fi will not work for ProctorU testing.

1. Make a reservation with Kay Bell
Call 229-931-2257 or email kay.bell@gsw.edu during these hours:

• Monday–Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Thursday: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to check in at the circulation desk and set up in the study room before your ProctorU appointment time. You must complete your exam at least 30 minutes before the library closes. If you use a study room without a reservation, you may lose the opportunity to use the rooms in the future.

2. Schedule your ProctorU appointment
Be sure to schedule during the library hours posted at https://www.gsw.edu/library/

3. Get a laptop if you need one
Laptops are available to check out at the circulation desk. Each library laptop kit contains three barcoded items: the laptop, the battery charger, and an Ethernet cable. Some personal laptops don't have an Ethernet port — if yours doesn't, you can check out a library laptop instead.

4. Connect with an Ethernet cable
You must connect using an Ethernet cable in Room 220 or 221 — you'll be using the GSW network. If you're bringing your own laptop, you still need to check out an Ethernet cable at the circulation desk. A Mac adapter is also available if your device needs one. All checked-out items must be returned to the circulation desk before you leave the library.

5. Turn off your computer's Wi-Fi
Your computer probably won't recognize the Ethernet connection unless Wi-Fi is turned off. If ProctorU isn't connecting properly, check that Wi-Fi is off.

Please note: Library staff are not able to assist with technical issues.

Photocopy Machine

A coin-operated, self-service copy machine will be located near the Library's Front Desk. Copies are $.10 per page. Change for the copy machine is available at the Circulation Desk.

Reserves

Faculty may make specific materials available to their students by placing them on reserve at the Library Circulation Desk. Reserves are checked out for 2 hours and must not leave the building. Some reserves may be checked out overnight or for 3-day or one week time periods at the faculty's discretion. To place your materials on reserve, please fill out the Reserve Request form.

Newspapers

Current newspapers, such as the Americus Times-Recorder and Albany Herald, are available at the Library. Most newspaper backfiles are kept for two months (plus the current month).

Government Documents

The James Earl Carter Library at Georgia Southwestern State University was designated a selective Federal Depository Library on September 13, 1966.  As such, the Library receives publications in electronic format from most federal government agencies.  The Library serves the information needs of the students, staff, and faculty of the University as well as the citizens of the second U.S. Congressional District of Georgia.  Government Documents are found through using GilFind from the Library homepage.

Library Instruction

The James Earl Carter Library encourages University faculty and community schoolteachers to bring classes to the Library's lab for library instruction and research guidance. Librarians will instruct and assist students, as groups and as individuals, in the use of library resources, GIL-Find and GALILEO, the Internet, and searching techniques and strategies.

The Library has an electronic classroom available for instruction:

• 30 computers that are ADA compliant
• Computers all have USB drives
• Microsoft Office products are installed on all of the computers. (Please contact IT about additional software availability and/or requirements)
• Includes a large screen and projector system for teaching and learning
• In addition to the 30 computer stations, the room will seat an additional 10-15 people
• Requests for instruction of classes may be made by telephone at 229-931-2259.
• Requests may also be made by email to Kay Bell (kay.bell@gsw.edu) or Jennifer Griffin (jennifer.griffin@gsw.edu).
• Please include the following in your request:
  • Faculty name
  • Phone number
  • Department or School
  • Course name
  • Class size
  • Date and time requested
  • Information about class assignment or project

Special Needs

Users with special needs may ask for assistance at the Circulation Desk or by calling 229-931-2266.