H. Raymond Danforth Library
Introduction to the Library
Research Skills Course
This module gives students a basic understanding of how Danforth Library
is organized and the kinds of resources and services that are available,
including:
• Circulation
• Circulation Periods
• Reference
• Reference Collection
• Main Collection
• Periodicals
• Newspapers
• Special Collections
• New Books Shelf
• Computer Lab
• Glass Room
• New England Room
• Library Website
• Other College Departments located in the library building.
The H. Raymond Danforth Library at New England College is located at 114
Bridge Street, between the Admissions building and the CEI building.
The main entrance is located on the quad side of the library. If you use the
the Route 114 entrance proceed down the hallway and up the stairs to reach
the library.
Library Departments
The Danforth Library is organized into departments just like a department store is.
Circulation The Circulation Desk is the first thing you see when you enter the library at the
main entrance.
The main phone number for the library (603) 428-2344 rings at the Circulation
Desk.
Ask for these resources here:
Reserves (Items that your
professor leaves at the library
for you to use) here.
Materials from Special
Collections shelved in areas
not accessible to library users.
Music, Videos, DVDs, and CDs
The Circulation Department also
tracks overdue materials. If you
have questions about items that
you have borrowed, ask at
Circulation.
All items that you want to borrow from the library must be brought to Circulation
to be checked out.
Return borrowed materials here.
Go to Reference to get help
with your research and help
with using library resources.
The reference librarians
teach Danforth’s
research classes
You can make an appointment
with a reference librarian or
you can drop by the reference
desk to ask for help.
Reference is located on the main floor of the library.
Reference
The Reference Collection is located
directly behind the Reference Desk.
Reference books include encyclopedias
(both general and subject specific),
dictionaries (both general and subject
specific), maps, manuals, and other
materials that provide general overviews
of subject areas.
Photocopier
Reference materials must be used in the library. There is a
photocopier available in reference so you can make copies
of pages from reference books.
Books-Reference Collection
Books-Main Collection
The Main Collection (also
called the Circulating
Collection) is where books
that you can borrow are
shelved.
Books from this collection
include fiction and non-fiction.
This collection starts on the
main floor of the library (near
the reference desk) and
continues on the second floor.
Periodicals are not kept indefinitely—past
issues for most journals that we subscribe
to in paper format and thousands of other
journal titles that we don’t get in paper
format are available in the online
databases.
Periodicals is located on the main floor of the library and includes magazines,
journals, and newspapers.
Periodicals
To see a list of the
periodicals that we
have in paper
format, see
“Periodicals at
Danforth Library”
which is kept by
the periodicals
shelves.
The Periodicals room also has
group study areas and comfortable
seating available.
Newspapers: Danforth
subscribes to a variety of
newspapers, both local and
international. Current
newspapers are kept by the
Circulation Desk.
Most of our newspapers are not kept for
more than a few months and we rely on our
databases to provide earlier issues.
Newspapers
When the library purchases new books, they are shelved on the New
Books shelf, located at the front of the Periodicals Room. New books may
be borrowed.
New Books Shelf
Danforth has several special collections. If you wish to use materials from
collections with closed stacks, ask for help at Circulation.
Special Collections
Collection Name Location Can items be borrowed?
Adams Shakespeare Collection New England Room
(closed stacks)
No - use in library only
Archives Collection Off-Site
(closed stacks)
No - use in library only
Robert J. Bailey Collection Periodicals No - use in library only
Bernice Trum Hunter Collection Periodicals Yes
Educational Materials 2nd Floor Yes
New Hampshiriana Collection New England Room
(closed stacks)
No - use in library only
Rare Books Collection New England Room
(closed stacks)
No - use in library only
Maps Collection 2nd Floor No - use in library only
There are 30 pc’s available for
the NEC community to use in
the library’s computer lab. The
computers are available on a
first-come, first-served basis. Two printers are located at
the back of the lab.
Computer Lab
You can access the NEC network with
your laptop from the library.
Library Website (http://www.nec.edu/library)
Access the library’s subscription databases, online catalog, interlibrary loan
forms, and other information about the library here.
Danforth’s research classes
Classes are usually taught in the
Glass Room (located at the far
end of the periodicals collection).
When this room is not being
used for classes, students may
use it as a study space.
Glass Room
The New England Room,
located on the main floor, is
a quiet study area.
Occasionally the room is
reserved for special events.
If there is an event
scheduled, the date and
time are posted at the
entrance of the room so that
those wishing to use it as a
study area can make other
arrangements.
New England Room
Tutoring Center: The Pathways-Tutoring Center is located on the second floor of the library,
and offers academic tutoring, free of charge, to all students enrolled at New
England College. The Tutoring Center is open six days a week (most days
from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) For more information call or email the
Coordinator of Tutoring, Mary Lou Pashko, at (603) 428-2276 or
InformationTechnology Department: The Information Technology department, located on the basement floor of the
library supports Students, faculty, and staff for all campus computing
needs. For more information email [email protected] or go to the IT
webpage at http://www.nec.edu/about-nec/helpdesk
Other College Departments
Located in the Library Building