This page contains information regularly requested at the LAU Libraries’ public services area. Email us if you would like to see a question added to this list.
“The mission of the LAU Libraries is to acquire, organize and disseminate information resources that support the academic curriculum and university research needs, and, to cater to the intellectual and cultural pursuits of the university community.”
The Riyad Nassar Library is a new facility that was inaugurated November 11, 2006. It is located near the Business Building (Beirut campus). The Byblos Library is located in the Science I Building, 1st Floor.
Please see “Opening Hours.”
All users are welcome provided they abide by library rules and regulations. As for those who don’t hold LAU ID cards, they are entitled to in-library use only, including photocopying facilities. Taking items outside the libraries, browsing the Internet and searching online databases is permitted to the LAU community only.
Yes.
Eating, drinking or smoking are not allowed in the library. Food and drinks will be confiscated by library staff.
Yes. Off-campus access is offered to the LAU community only except for alumni, visitors and guests from other universities.
Use the Library Catalog. You can search by title, author, keyword, series, etc. to find a book or any other item in both the Riyad Nassar and Byblos Libraries. While Riyad Nassar Library has open stacks, whereby users can browse in person the Library collections, the Byblos Library still follows the closed stacks policy. Users should ask the Circulation staff to fetch the requested items.
Books, CDs, diskettes, videos and films can be checked out of the library according to the libraries’ loan policy. Visit the “Circulation” page for details. Some materials are not for loan, e.g., reference books, serials, etc. Ask at the Circulation Desk for more information about particular items.
You just need to show your valid LAU ID.
After finding the record of the book requested, look at the availability field. The status of the book (available, on loan, etc.) and its location (Beirut or Byblos) are stated there. At the Riyad Nassar Library, which applies the open stacks policy, you can browse the shelves and select the desired items. At the Byblos Library, write down the complete shelfmark on the call slip (available next to the workstations), and hand it to the Circulation Desk for processing. If it’s available in a different location you can reserve the book online.
No. Periodicals (magazines, journals, newspapers) do not circulate.
If you lose, damage, or are unable to return library materials for any reason, you will be charged the amount necessary to repurchase and process a replacement. More information is available on the “Circulation” page.
Yes. The Library Catalog is a single database for both libraries.
No, you don’t need to travel to the other campus. The libraries provide an inter-campus borrowing service. We will send you books and photocopies of articles if you request so.
Please allow two working days for your materials to arrive.
Yes. Within LAU campuses, you can access both libraries’ holdings using the Library Catalog.
Yes. Visit the libraries main page and click on the Library Catalog link.
ILL/DDS are services provided by the LAU Libraries to obtain materials such as books, photocopies of periodical articles, theses and dissertations, conference papers and audiovisual materials, which are not available at LAU but are required by faculty, staff, and students for their research or teaching purposes.
Yes. You can use an online form to order new items from the Acquisitions Department.
Copies of course materials “on reserve” for all classes can be found at the Circulation Desk.
Yes. This is called e-reserve and it allows you to access the course materials “on reserve” online.
To access an item that is on e-reserve go to the e-reserve main page then click on “current materials on e-reserve.” Search e-reserve by instructor’s name, department, or course name and number. Click on the link to your course and type the course password as provided by your course instructor.
Faculty members are allowed to place a limited number of books on reserve at the Circulation Desk. As for other materials they should check the information available on the Reserve Materials: Guidelines for Faculty page.
Only books and a few other materials can be checked out. Ask the Circulation Desk for assistance in this matter.
The Internet Area is a working place in both the Riyad Nassar and Byblos Libraries for LAU students, staff and faculty members who wish to browse the Net, send e-mails, etc., but mainly to search the Library Catalog and other electronic resources.
The Electronic Information Classroom (EIC) in the Riyad Nassar Library is equipped with computers with Microsoft Office. However, this room is also used for training sessions which makes it unavailable sometimes.
Yes, you can use your laptop computer in the LAU Libraries, but you will have Internet access only if your laptop has a wireless connectivity feature. More information on LAU’s wireless network.
Yes. Please read these printing guidelines.
Yes. Twelve photocopying machines are available. In Beirut, there are seven black-and-white and two color machines. In Byblos, there are three machines. You need magnetic cards to operate them. These cards can be bought within library premises through a vending machine (100 units / L.L. 5,000).
Reference librarians are here to help you. You can ask for assistance in person at the appropriate Reference Desk, or online by filling out the “Ask a Librarian” form.
Yes. The library is ready to offer orientation to any class in the university provided it is requested and coordinated with the class’ instructor. This is done by appointment.
Yes. Training sessions are offered on an individual basis and systematically through the LRT classes. For sessions tailored to your needs contact houeida.charara@lau.edu.lb
A citation is the information needed to identify a book or article: author, title, date, etc. For books, it will include the publication information; for articles, it will include the periodical title, volume, issue and page numbers. APA style is used at LAU.
LAU Libraries are members in the following consortia: LALC (Lebanese Academic Library Consortium) and AMICAL (American International Consortium of Academic Libraries). Areas of interest are: E-resources purchasing, sharing electronic resources, collaborative training, shared course offerings and interlibrary loan possibilities.
If you need assistance you can ask any public service staff at the Circulation and Reference desks, and at any other library service point.
Who do I contact to :
Last updated May 23, 2007