Suffolk University

» I have my own laptop. How can I connect to the Internet while in the Sawyer Library?

» Who needs the library when it's all free on the Internet?

» Why can’t I write a paper on the research workstations on the main floor of the library?

» Why doesn't the Library have a collection of Harvard Business School cases on file?

» Can I donate books to the library?

» I need to use the resources at the Law Library. What is their policy concerning use?

» I want to use The Boston Athenaeum. How does Suffolk University's membership work?

» I am affiliated with Suffolk but I do not have an Suffolk student ID number, can I still access the databases off-campus?

» I'm not a Suffolk student, but would like to use Sawyer Library as a study hall and place to do research. Is that okay?

I have my own laptop. How can I connect to the Internet while in the Sawyer Library?

The library provides a wireless network (supports the 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n standards). You may connect to the Internet using your wifi-ready laptop in the library.

For instructions on connecting your laptop wirelessly to the library's printers, visit http://suffolk.libguides.com/printing

The library's wireless network is restricted to registered Suffolk University students, faculty and staff. You must have a valid (activated) Suffolk University e-mail address and know your Suffolk e-mail password to access the network. For more information on your Suffolk e-mail, please see the Suffolk University Email page.

Who needs the library when it's all free on the Internet?

Please see this page in the library guide for more information.

Why can’t I write a paper on the research workstations on the main floor of the library?

The Sawyer Library does not have enough workstations so that every computer can meet every student need. The workstations located between the Circulation and Reference Desk are specifically for research. They have Microsoft Office viewers, but do not have full productivity software on them. We do, however, have over 60 laptops that anyone with a valid Suffolk student or faculty ID may use for Microsoft Office applications. These laptops can also send print jobs to several networked printers near the stairs on Floor 2 (the main floor) of the library. And, if you have your own laptop, that may also be used within the library, if you wish. back to top^

Why doesn't the Library have a collection of Harvard Business School cases on file?

Due to copyright restrictions, libraries are not authorized to purchase copies of actual cases. Harvard restricts the cases, because they don't want individuals to be able to make unidentified photocopies of entire cases. Instead, cases are available for sale, either individually or in bulk, with a discounted price for multiple copies. Faculty members may also purchase multiple copies of cases, for distribution to students.

Search the HBS Publishing online catalog for more information. URL is http://www.hbsp.harvard.edu/b01/en/cases/cases_home.jhtml

Can I donate books to the library?

Absolutely! We are grateful for all book donations, but please understand the following: We cannot promise to add any particular book to our collection. (Reference Librarians evaluate all gift books for timeliness, physical condition and appropriateness for our collection development needs. We add any book that is a good fit for the Library.) We also cannot pick up books. And we cannot provide tax valuation for books. (We can provide an acknowledgement letter and/or a gift note in the catalog for any book that we do add. Simply present a note with this request, along with your name and address, at the time books are presented.) Any book not added to the collection is sold or donated to charity and any monies from sales go to a fund to buy new books. If you are interested in donating, simply drop off the books you wish to gift to us at the Reference Desk and we will take it from there…with our thanks!

If the books are in a Suffolk building and there are too many for you to deliver yourself, please put in a work order with Facilities for them to deliver the books to the Sawyer Library Reference Desk for donation: http://www.suffolk.edu/offices/953.html

I need to use the resources at the Law Library. What is their policy concerning use?

The Law School has a written policy dated June 10, 1999 concerning library use by non-Law School users. From the Law Library's web pages (January 25, 2000), this statement:

Library Access

All Suffolk University faculty have access to the Law Library. Suffolk University students needing legal research have access to the Law Library. With a current Suffolk picture ID, circulating books may be checked out. Statutes, reporters, looseleafs and journals do NOT circulate.

CAS and SBS faculty and students cannot expect to use the Law Library for services (such as study space) and resources (either print or electronic) which can be met by other Suffolk University libraries, or by the public library.

Please be aware that physical entry into the Law School facility on Tremont Street will require, at certain times, the use of a Law School-issued identification card which is compatible with the Law School's security system. Those times the Law School-issued identification card is needed have been identified as: after 9:00 p.m. on weekdays, after 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and all day on Sundays. CAS and SBS faculty and students must apply for this identification card at the Law School -- the Sawyer Library cannot issue these identification cards.

I want to use The Boston Athenaeum. How does Suffolk University's membership work?

The Sawyer Library has a "proprietor's" (also know as a "shareholder") membership to The Boston Athenaeum, left to us in the estate of Phillip Putnam Chase in 1979. Our membership status is not transferable to others.

The Boston Athenaeum allows proprietors to sponsor annual fee-based "guest cards." A guest card entitles the holder to most of the privileges of membership.

The Sawyer Library will not purchase guest cards. However, the Library will sponsor current members of the Suffolk University community wishing to purchase guest cards for The Boston Athenaeum. Please contact Professor Bob Allison at x8510 for details.

I am affiliated with Suffolk but I do not have an Suffolk student ID number, can I still access the databases off-campus?

Unfortunately, no. Off-campus access to our databases is restricted to faculty and fully-matriculated students with Suffolk ID numbers that are in the Registrar's main administrative system. If you are not in the University system with a unique Suffolk ID number and a record that indicates that you are a currently enrolled student, then off-campus access to our databases through our proxy server is not an option. back to top^

I'm not a Suffolk student, but would like to use Sawyer Library as a study hall and place to do research. Is that okay?

Unfortunately, as a private university, we cannot welcome the general public to our very busy (often crowded) library. Only those with a valid Suffolk ID are supposed to enter the Library. The one exception, besides alumni with alumni ID cards, are students from member institutions of the Fenway Library Consortium. FLC students are welcome to come in specifically to check out books using our WILL system. Such students will be asked to present the ID of a member university at either our Tremont Place or main 73 Tremont security desk to receive a guest pass. Those who might need access to an item in our Special Collections, should email sawlib@suffolk.edu about that material. And if there is a book we own that you need to use, contact your own affiliated library (academic or public) about the possibility of an ILL. Please Note: Use of our electronic databases is restricted by our licenses with vendors to current Suffolk students, faculty and staff. back to top^