Schroeder Library
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Research Pathways
About
Concordia’s Schroeder Library provides students, faculty, and staff with in-person and virtual opportunities to explore and access comprehensive, quality information that will enable the vigorous pursuit of intellectual advancement congruent to scholarly, professional, and lifelong learning goals.
Our resources are updated frequently. Be sure to follow the Schroeder Library Group on the MyCUI app.
Code of Conduct
The Library Code of Conduct is designed to create a safe and quiet environment for all patrons to enjoy. Library users and visitors are responsible for informing themselves of library policies. This code applies to all users of the Concordia University Library, including students, faculty, staff, members of the community, and visitors. Thank you for your cooperation.
General Expectations
Library users and visitors are to observe all posted rules of library use, including, but not limited to, restrictions related to food and drinks, quiet study, unattended items, and computer use.
Use of the Library
Access to the library is permitted only for purposes of using library resources or studying. Soliciting, loitering or sleeping is not permitted. Occupying the Libraries’ computers for personal or recreational use when others are waiting is prohibited.
Identification
Library users must be prepared to provide valid personal identification if asked by library staff or Campus Safety personnel. University students, staff and faculty should carry their ID card at all times when in the library.
Individual, Quiet Study
A quiet atmosphere is expected in all areas of the building. Any noise or activity that disturbs the concentration of other users (including noise from conversations, cell phones, musical devices, computers, etc.) is considered inappropriate. Extended non-study related conversations are also considered inappropriate and may result in users and visitors suspension of library privileges.
Cell Phones
Cell phones are to be turned off or put on silent mode if brought into the library. Cell phone conversations are not permitted inside the library.
Food and Drinks
Light food, snacks, and beverages with spill-proof lids are permitted inside the library building. Delivery of food to the library is not permitted.
Cleaning Up
Leave study area(s) clean for the next person. Throw away bottles and containers in the trash and wipe up any spills (all restrooms have paper towels).
Shirt & Shoes
Footwear and shirts must be worn in the library at all times for health and safety reasons.
Animals
Animals are not allowed in the library building unless they are official guide or assistance animals.
Unattended Items
Personal items should not be left unattended, even for a few minutes. Concordia University Library is not responsible for thefts or vandalism to personal property that is left unattended. Items left unattended may be removed by Campus Safety.
Library Staff and administration reserve the right to enforce these guidelines consistent with the Concordia University Library’s policies. Library staff may ask users to leave if they refuse to abide by the Library’s policies and Code of Conduct or if they fail to comply with staff directives. Campus Safety will be called when necessary.
Borrowing
Concordia ID cards are issued to faculty, staff, and currently registered Concordia students. Schroeder Library Guest Cards are issued to the following groups:
- Southern California Theological Library Association (SCATLA) members. Membership in SCATLA allows graduate students in the School of Theology circulation privileges at other member institutions.
- Biola and Vanguard University students with current ID cards.
- Southern California clergy.
- Crean Lutheran High School Faculty and Staff with current ID cards.
Alumni may obtain a Schroeder Library Card free of charge, and Concordia East and West residents may purchase a Schroeder Library Card for $30. Both cards are good for one year.
The table below shows the borrowing privileges for each group:
| Group | Privilege Fee | Overdue Fines*** | Checkout Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students | $0 | $0.25/day | 10 |
| Faculty | $0 | N/A | 30 |
| Staff | $0 | N/A | 10 |
| SCATLA | $0 | $0.25/day | 10 |
| Biola and Vanguard University | $0 | $0.25/day | 10 |
| Crean Lutheran High School Faculty and Staff | $0 | $0.25/day | 3 |
| Alumni | $0 | $0.25/day | 3 |
| Pastors* | $0 | $0.25/day | 3 |
| VIP** | $0 | $0.25/day | 10 |
| Concordia East/West Residents | $30 | $0.25/day | 3 |
* Pastors must be Local/Orange County and Ordained.
** VIP includes Regents, Trustees, Emeriti, Benefactors, etc.
*** For “Stacks” collection only. Fines and charge limits vary by collection and type.
Visitors that do not fall under the above-mentioned categories may not check out library materials. All visitors must register at the front desk.
Circulation Policy
To check out books from the library, patrons must present their current Concordia identification card or Schroeder Library Guest Card. The table below shows the circulation privileges/loan periods for each group:
| Group | Book Collection | Reserve Collection | Children’s Collection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students | 28 days* | 7 days 3 days Overnight 3 hours Library Use Only (LUO) *Only 2 reserves may be checked out at a time* | 28 days * |
| Staff | 28 days* | 7 days 3 days Overnight 3 hours Library Use Only (LUO) *Only 2 reserves may be checked out at a time* | 28 days* |
| Faculty | 90 days* | 7 days 3 days Overnight 3 hours Library Use Only (LUO) *Only 2 reserves may be checked out at a time* | 90 days * |
| SCATLA | 28 days* | N/A | 28 days * |
| Biola and Vanguard University | 28 days* | N/A | 28 days * |
| Crean Lutheran High School Faculty and Staff | 28 days* | N/A | 28 days * |
| Alumni | 28 days* | N/A | 28 days * |
| Pastors* | 28 days* | N/A | 28 days * |
| VIP** | 28 days* | N/A | 28 days * |
| East/West Residents | 28 days* | N/A | 28 days * |
* Material(s) may be renewed once if no one has requested the item(s).
Renewals
If you wish to keep the material(s) past the due date, you must RENEW the material(s). The library does NOT accept phone renewals, but you can renew the materials yourself using OneSearch [see instructions below] or by bringing the items to the library. There is only one renewal per item. If additional use is necessary, the material must be checked in and then checked out again. Items that are overdue MUST be checked back in at the front desk before they can be renewed.
To renew online:
- Go to Research Tools and OneSearch.
- Click on “Sign In.”
- Login. Your Library ID is your E# and Canvas password.
- Once logged in, the box in the upper-right corner will change to your first name. Click the box and select “My Account.”
- Click “Renew” next to the item you want to renew. Or click “Renew All” at the bottom of the screen to renew all items listed.
Course Reserves
The Schroeder Library Reserves are located behind the Circulation Desk. These materials are made available by the faculty for the exclusive use of students. The purpose of placing materials on reserve is to ensure their availability to a large number of students in a short period of time. At Concordia, there are several types of reserve: 3-hours (in Library use only), 12-hours (overnight), 3-days, and 7-days. The library staff cannot change the type of reserve without the written permission from the faculty member.
Reserve materials may be searched in the online catalog. Searching is available by the instructor’s name or course name.
For more information on submitting a digital reserve request or accessing items on reserve, please visit our Course Reserve Research Guide.
Overdue Policy
Our goal is to encourage the timely return of library materials and provide for optimal sharing of the collection. Patrons are responsible for returning or renewing items by the due date. The Library sends all notices to students’ Concordia University email accounts. Overdue notices are a courtesy and non-receipt or late receipt does not exempt the user from overdue fines and replacement bills. It is the responsibility of the students to keep track of the due dates of their loans and check their library accounts regularly for overdue items and fines. Materials are overdue if not returned within the allotted time. (Most books can be kept for 28 days) Fines are incurred every day that the library is open, whether or not school is in session. Fines are not tallied until the material has been returned. Patrons MUST take the responsibility for returning materials on time. Any accrued fines must be paid by the last day of the current semester. Any fines remaining at the end of the semester (plus a $5.00 posting fee) will be sent to Student Accounts. When an item becomes overdue, borrowing privileges are blocked until the item is returned or renewed.
| Item/Collection Type | Overdue Fee |
|---|---|
| Regularly circulating item (most books) | $.25 per day, per item |
| Recalls | $1.00 per day, per item |
| Reserves | $5.00 per day, per item |
| Interlibrary Loan item | $1.00 per day, per item |
Lost or Non-Returned Items
An item is considered lost if not returned or renewed (within a month of the checkout date) and a lost book fee of $50 (plus a $15 non-refundable processing fee for each item) will be sent to Student Accounts. If the replacement cost of an item is likely to be higher than the default charge, the higher price may be charged instead. Once the billing has been forwarded to Student Accounts, the library can no longer accept the payment and the account must be settled at Student Accounts. The patron must present a receipt from Student Accounts to the Library in order to reinstate their library privileges.
Appeals
If you believe you returned an item(s) but it is still checked out to you, or if you wish to appeal a fine, please contact the library. Appeals must be made within 1 week of receiving a final notice. Bills that have been referred to Student Accounts may not be appealed. Appeals can ONLY be made in writing at the Circulation Desk.
Donation Policy
We are currently not taking in donations until further notice.
The Schroeder Library welcomes gifts of materials appropriate to our university mission, or funds for the purchase of such materials, recognizing that gifts may provide valuable additions to the collection. Gifts allow material to be added to the collection for little or no initial cost. However, gifts ultimately are not free; they must be catalogued, processed and housed. To keep such expenses to a minimum, tight control is needed. Final decisions on the retention and disposition of all gifts are the responsibility of the Director of Library Services.
Gift Guidelines:
Donated materials are expected to meet the same standards of quality and relevance to the collection as new titles. They should support the curriculum and the mission of the library as well as meet the collection development guidelines and policies, in regard to physical condition, format, language, etc.
The Library adheres to all federal regulations governing Internal Revenue Service gifts-in-kind.
Gifts must be brought or mailed to the library.
What types of items will be accepted as donations?
- Monographs.
- Faculty Works. Donated works by faculty and/or alumni authors are always welcome and will be added to the collection, unless these works do not meet collection development guidelines and policies or are otherwise inappropriate for an academic library.
What types of items will not be accepted as donations?
- Materials which bear the ownership markings of another library or institution and do not have any indication of being withdrawn from that institution’s collection cannot be accepted
- The library cannot accept gifts of outdated or superseded textbooks, law, or science/engineering publications; items in poor condition; condensations; old newspapers, clippings, etc.
Who decides the value of gifts and/or donations?
- To protect the donor and the University, the Library, as an interested party, does not establish values of gifts or resources. If the donor desires an appraisal, it is the donor’s responsibility to estimate values or employ the services of an independent consultant.
- The acceptance of a gift which has been appraised by the donor or a disinterested party does not in any way imply endorsement of the appraisal by the Library.
What occurs after items are donated?
- The Library reserves the right to make decisions about the disposition of all gifts.
- All donors will receive an acknowledgment letter from the university with the number of titles donated.
Study Room Policies
Need a place for you to hit the books? The Library has 6 study rooms available for checkout! Make sure to bring your ID to the circulation desk and we will check out the room to you.
- The Study Rooms (Rms. 008, 009, 010, 011, 012, 013, and 014) are a service of the Library. They are only available to Concordia students and they must be checked out at the front desk.
- Study Rooms are available for both individuals and groups and only for academic purposes. They are not intended for business meetings, conferences, training, office hours, or personal use.
- Students wanting to use the Study Rooms must show a current Concordia ID card (or in some instances such as graduate students—a picture ID and E# are acceptable).
- A limited number of advanced reservations are accepted for select Study Rooms. All other rooms are available only on a first come basis. Reservations must be made before the day of the reservation and using the Library WC online platform (separate from the Writing Studio WC Online). Exceptions may be made for reservations for library and university events. Reservations and requests are granted on a “first come, first serve” basis.
- There is a two-hour time limit per individual, except when no one is waiting.
- Study Rooms may not be used to store things (i.e. backpacks, computers, personal items). Leaving a study room briefly to look for materials is okay; however, leaving for longer periods of time will result in the student being asked to vacate the room when they return.
- No food or drinks (except water bottles and light snacks) are allowed in the rooms. This is the policy for the entire library. Delivery of food to the library is not permitted.
- Do not mark on the walls. White board erasers are available at the front desk.
- Use headphones/earphones so as to not disturb other students. The rooms are not soundproof.
Failure to adhere to these rules may result in library privileges to be revoked.
Research Help
Librarians are always available to help answer your questions. Here are just a few things we can help you with:
- Library Resources Help: Qualified librarians help students become familiar with the various library collections, including books and journals in both print and electronic formats.
- Technical Help: Students who encounter technical problems with library equipment and resources such as computers, printers, or online databases are encouraged to seek help to resolve the issue.
- Directions and Policies: We are also available to help point students in the right direction, or explain the library’s policies and code of conduct.
- Research Help: Students in need of extensive research help, which includes exploring, selecting, and evaluating resources, are encouraged to Book A Librarian for an in-depth, one-on-one research interview.
Concordia Digital Repository
Archives Room
Physical, tangible items found in the Archives Room include but are not limited to documents of school records, campus publications, yearbooks, academic catalogs, newspaper clippings, maps of the changing grounds, and photographs in slide, negative, and print form.
Location
The Archive Room is located in room 006 on the lower library floor of the Schroeder Library and Learning Commons by the elevators on the back right-hand side of the library
Visit the Archives
The Archives Room is open to visitors and is ready to assist with research questions. Detailed information about the holdings of the Schroeder Library Archives is available upon request. Our collection development policy contains more specific information about types of materials collected along with a guide for transferring and gifting materials.
Rules of Use
The Archives has a list of rules that apply to all users of the facility. Upon visiting, users are required to fill out a visitor registration form which requests a form of ID and lists the rules regarding the use of materials.
The Archives provide access to its holdings by appointment. Request an appointment by emailing [email protected] or calling (949) 214-3090.
Need Help?
- Research Consultation Appointments (Students)
- Request Librarian Visit (Faculty)
- Library FAQs
- Email: [email protected]
- Call: 949-214-3090
Theses and Dissertations Collections
The Library collects Theses and Dissertations from Concordia’s graduate students. Find theses from the School of Education and the MAIS and Theology Programs, and Dissertations from the Doctor of Educational Leadership Program.
Access the Theses & Dissertations Guide to learn more about how to submit a thesis. Please contact the School of Education at 949-214-3350 or [email protected] to learn how to submit your dissertation.
Schroeder Library Research Skills Assessment Test
Test your skills and gain improved research guidance!