Norlin Library Virtual Tour

The University Libraries are a crucial part of the learning environment at the University of Colorado at Boulder. We -- the faculty, staff and student employees -- are here to serve as your primary resource in obtaining the information you require. You will find us throughout the buildings at information desks, in the book stacks, classrooms, labs and offices. If you need help, just ask us.

This tour will help you find your way around Norlin -- the central library of the system of the University of Colorado Libraries system. The tour is simply a starting point in your introduction to the resources to be found on UCB's "Information Concourse." It's also available as a doc and/or pdf file.

Explore, browse, and enjoy!

Just inside the east entrance of Norlin, stop by the Information Desk for any question you may have. To the left of the desk is the Book Return and to the right is the Security Office that also houses the building’s Lost & Found items.

 

To the north of the east entrance you will find SCARPIE terminals on your right just before entering the Reference & Instructional Services area.

1. Norlin, 1st floor :: Reference & Instructional Services

 

Here you will find reference computers, encyclopedias, dictionaries, bibliographies, indexes and other reference sources. This department is responsible for reference service in the humanities and social sciences and for maintaining the reference sources in these disciplines. Librarians and staff are available at the Reference Desk most of the hours the library is open and will be glad to help you.

 

Chinook Catalog Computers

The Chinook Catalog enables you to search the University Libraries collection. Chinook also provides gateway access to hundreds of databases and local and state library catalogs, as well as the library catalogs and collections of major research libraries in the United States. You can search the Chinook Catalog via the Internet. Access to subscribed databases and indexes is restricted to campus IP databases. Members of the campus community can access these offsite by following remote access information.

 

Periodical Indexes and Other Reference Books

Most periodical indexes are now available online via the Chinook Catalog. Print indexes for the humanities and social sciences are located on the shelves behind the Reference Desk. The reference collection is shelved in call number sequence on the remaining shelves.

 

Expanded Reference

In-depth, one-on-one, reference assistance provided by a member of the Reference Department is available by appointment at the Reference Desk.

 

E-Mail Reference

Short answer reference and information questions may be sent to reflib@colorado.edu.

Opposite the Reference Desk is a hallway to the East Asia Library, second door on your right.

2. Norlin, 1st floor :: East Asian Library

 

The East Asian Library serves faculty and students of the Department of East Asian Languages and Literature as well as the general public. The Library collection includes over 50,000 monographs, mostly written in the Chinese or Japanese language.

Retrace your path and turn toward the east entrance. You'll pass the Writing Center, Security Office, Information Desk and Book Return. Continue past elevators and turn right. Walk past telephones and into the adjacent room.

3. Norlin, 1st floor :: Access Services

 

Circulation

To check out a book, present it with your ID at this desk. If you cannot find a particular book on the shelf, inquire here. If the book is checked out, you may have it recalled to the Circulation Desk, or, if it cannot be found, you may have it traced. This may also be done via the Chinook Catalog using your campus IdentiKey. Patrons beyond the UCB Campus may apply for borrowing privileges there. Circulation Desk Supervisors handle payments and reconciling accounts.

 

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff of the University of Colorado at Boulder may use the services of Interlibrary Loan. If the library does not own a title you need for research purposes, it may be possible to borrow it from another library if you have sufficient time to wait for its arrival. Requests for materials are only accepted electronically, via Interlibrary Loan's ILLiad. When ILL materials arrive, you will receive an email notice stating their availability either at the Norlin Circulation Desk or online.

 

Media

This department houses DVDs which are available for circulation and media reserves for in-libray use only.

 

Reserve

Most items are on electronic reserve now and available through Chinook for view, download, or print. Use your Identikey to access these documents. Books and magazine articles which are in heavy demand for class use are placed on "Reserve" for limited circulation at the request of the University faculty. These items may be checked out for 2-hour, 1-day, or 3-day periods and should be returned at the Reserve Book Drop. Use the computer terminals on the west wall in the Circulation area to locate call numbers for reserve items.

 

Self Checkout Machines

These are available in Norlin Circulation area. Use your BuffOne card to checkout materials yourself and avoid lines at the desk.

 

Services for the Disabled

The Circulation Department is committed to helping the disabled.

 

Norlin Underground (Coffee Shop) / HotSpot (Study Area) / Browsing Collection

Beyond Circulation is a long corridor leading to a coffee shop and study area with the first floor restrooms nearby.

 

From Circulation, retrace your steps past the pay phones and go up one flight on the main stairs located directly in front of you or take the elevator. At the top of the stairs, to your immediate right is the Periodicals Room.

4. Norlin, 2nd floor :: Periodicals Room Collection

 

This room contains general interest magazines and newspapers, and journals related to the fields of the humanities and social sciences. It is important to note, however, that many periodicals will be in the appropriate branch library rather than here. Inside the door and to your left is the Periodical Room information desk where your questions can be answered.

 

To find a periodical article:

Finding a periodical article is usually a two-step process using:

 

a.) An index, either print or electronic, which will locate periodical articles by subject and

 

b.) Chinook, our on-line catalog, which will tell you the location, call number and holdings of the periodical within the UCB Libraries.

 

Upon exiting the Periodicals Room, turn right just past the elevators, continue past the restrooms and water fountain and turn right again. The Copy Center, is at the far end of the large study area.

5. Norlin, 2nd floor :: Copy Center

 

The staff at the Copy Center can copy, print and staple to your specifications. There are also several coin and copy-card operated photocopy machines in E273 (the room adjacent to the copy center) as well as throughout the Libraries. Also, in E273 is a vending machine where you can add value to your BuffOne Card or buy a card for Campus Print Initiative printers -- and a change machine.

 

Turn and head west through the doorway to the Art/Architecture Collection.

6. Norlin, 2nd floor :: Art & Architecture Collection

 

The books, periodicals and reference materials in the fields of art, architecture, photography and environmental design are located in this collection.

 

Walk past the art/architecture reference books, turn left at the end of the room, past the stairs into the west lobby to the Media Collection -- located directly opposite the west entrance.

7. Norlin, 2nd floor :: West Side Study Room (former Media Collection)

 

This room is currently undergoing a transition from housing the Media Collection to hosting a study room. For information about the Media Collection, consult the Media FAQ.

 

From the west lobby continue through the double doors to the south wing to the Science Library.

 

8. Norlin, 2nd floor :: Science Library

 

An extensive collection of scientific journals, CD-ROMs, reference materials, microform, and books are found here in the following disciplines: general science, biosciences, chemistry, psychology, kinesiology and exercise physiology, pharmacy, artificial intelligence, speech and hearing, nutrition, gerontology, and the history of science.

 

Materials in math-physics, earth sciences, and engineering disciplines are located in the appropriate branch libraries outside of Norlin.

 

Approximately 240,000 volumes are included in the Science collection. The Science stacks are located on the first and second floors and the two smaller sub-floors in between and below the main floors within the south west corner of Norlin. A map of the Science Library can be found at the Science Reference Desk.

Turn to your left and make your way to the east, past the large study area until you again reach the main staircase. Go up to the third floor. The Norlin book stacks begin to your right at the top of the stairs.

9. Norlin, 3rd floor :: Norlin Book Stacks

 

The books here are shelved according to the Library of Congress system in call number order. Norlin's stacks house materials for the Social Sciences and Humanities. Upon entering the stacks, take note of the small staircase just to your left. These stairs lead you to levels 3B and 3C. Maps of the Norlin stacks posted on the wall adjacent to these stairs help determine on which floor and within which shelf row your books may be found. Guide cards at the end of each range indicate which "block" of call numbers is located in that aisle.

 

Location charts (pdf) are posted throughout the stacks, and you can use the computer located by the staircases on each of the Norlin stacks floors to determine item availability.

 

Throughout the academic year during the peak hours of library use, a volunteer Bookfinder is stationed on level 3A to assist patrons in retrieving items from the stacks.

 

Exit the Norlin Stacks and turn right just beyond the elevators. Continue straight past the restrooms and study carrels, through the doorway and into the Government Publications Library.

10. Norlin, 3rd floor :: Government Publications Library

 

This library contains more than two million publications in paper and close to six million on microform from city, state, U.S., foreign and international governments. Most publications can be found through Chinook.

The Government Publications information desk is located at the west end of the room.

 

From the west end of the room, pass through the double doorway to the north and enter the hallway, stop at the doorway on your right -- M350. Go through this doorway to the divider wall at the end of the room. The computer lab is located on the far side of the room divider and may be accessed from either the right or left.

11. Norlin, 3rd floor :: Computer Lab (M350)

 

This ITS lab contains about 50 units – a mix of both Apple and PC computers and laser printers. ITS computers require use of your IdentiKey.

 

Return to the hallway and continue north past the northwest stairs. The Library's juvenile stacks are to your immediate left and the Mac Lab is in the room straight ahead.

12. Norlin, 3rd floor :: Computer Lab (N310)

 

This Mac lab contains approximately 130 iMac G4s, 1 Assistive Technology workstation, laser printers, and 1 UNIX queued laser printer. Again ITS computers require use of your IdentiKey.

 

Turn east from the Mac Lab and walk a short distance to the next door on the left -- Special Collections.

13. Norlin, 3rd floor :: Special Collections

 

Many rare and unusual books are available in this department. Because of the special nature of these rare books, staff assistance is necessary. You are welcome to view the changing exhibits of items in the collections. Take note of the hours Special Collections is open as they are different from Norlin's hours.

 

FYI, Norlin's fourth floor is home to many offices and conference rooms. Administration Services and other offices (Honors, President's Teaching Scholars Program, UROP, etc.) are also located on this floor.

 

Return to the main staircase on the southeast side of the Library and go down three flights to the basement. Archives is to your left when you reach the basement. Go through the door and turn right.

14. Norlin, Basement :: Archives

 

This department collects source materials for regional, historical research as well as the records and publications of the University. Ask the staff for help in using this collection and make note of the hours it is open.

 

Return to the tiled basement at the base of the stairs and turn left. Walk past the elevators and down the ramp.

15. Norlin, Basement :: Norlin Basement Stacks :: Overflow Collections

 

Notice these are "moving" stacks. Look for directions on the side of the shelf. Some government publications and older materials from several branch libraries are located here.

 

Return to the east lobby of Norlin.

Norlin Library is not the only library on campus. If you feel like extending your walking tour, visit the branch libraries shown on the map of campus libraries. Each of these libraries contains the books, media, periodicals and reference materials appropriate to its subject as well as trained staff to assist you.

 

Also, one last item, we do have some information about Art in the Libraries.