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Does the school have multimedia labs you can use to work on projects? Is there help available?

All students have non-restricted access to Knapp Media & Technology Center, which has 43 workstations including 27 viewing stations and 3 project rooms where students can listen to and watch audio and video, and 15 workstations and a large project room where students can digitize and edit audio and video using iMovie, iDVD, iTunes, GarageBand and Amadeus. [Audio editing software is also available on all Macs in the computing labs.] Students have access (after training) to a voiceover room and specialized compression software and can also check out digital cameras, digital camcorders, microphones, Compact Flash audio recorders and digital audio tape recorders for creating multimedia projects. Knapp staff and student consultants provide instruction and support for project planning as well as the software and equipment used to complete multimedia projects. Students taking Media Arts courses have access to an additional lab with even more sophisticated software, such as Final Cut Pro, Apple Logic, Maya, and Adobe After Effects.

Are library collections and resources - such as catalogs, research databases, special collections, course reserves, full-text electronic journals, books and streaming media - available online and accessible off-campus?

Yes, the Library's catalog has been online since 1987, providing information on item availability, detailed serial check-in information, and links to electronic resources. The Library subscribes to almost 20,000 online journals, approximately 230,000 electronic books, a collection of streaming music, a database of art images, and over 300 research databases and e-references. The majority of these resources, as permitted by the terms of the license, are accessible off-campus as well as locally. The library is engaged in digitizing works from its own collection, starting with books that are in the public domain, making the texts available to readers through our catalog and by contributing them to the Internet Archive. And a small collection of digitized images from materials in the library's music, archives and special collections is also available via the library web site.

Course reserves are delivered via FirstClass electronic conferences, integrated with other course content, such as syllabi, notices, drop boxes for assignments, chat venues for discussion and assistance, and the like. Streaming media are also used in a number of courses (particularly in music and the foreign languages), and are accessible both on and off campus.

What technology resources and help are available for students with special needs?

Students have access to a workstation in the Library with a PC, scanner and color printer. The Science Library has a CCTV. Currently, the PC has Kurzweil 3000 and Dragon Naturally Speaking installed. The Director of Disability Services is available to train students to use these as well as to receive requests for additional hardware and software.

Can the library deliver documents to you electronically, either via e-mail, file transfer, or through web posting? Is there a cost associated with that service?

When students request an article using the library's Interlibrary Loan service, they may choose to have that article delivered electronically. No fees are charged for Interlibrary Loan services.

What kind of help does the library provide for research assistance, and when is the help available?

Research assistance is available in person, by phone, and by e-mail. Help is available an average of 60 hours/week when school is in session.