Library
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The Esther Raushenbush Library is central to the academic life of Sarah Lawrence College. Its diverse resources have always supported the school’s academic mission and its congenial atmosphere and open floor plan allow for both group and independent study.
The Library has more than 300,000 books, government documents, microforms, audiocassettes, DVDs, and videocassettes, and subscribes to over 1,000 journals and newspapers. In addition, it offers access to more than 50 online full-text and citation databases, which in turn provide electronic access to at least 20,000 journals. Access to the library’s collections is available from any connection to the academic network, and orientation to its resources is provided to all students in electronic classrooms designed to accommodate multimedia presentations and software demonstration. These bibliographic instructions are conducted by professional librarians and are important parts of course strategy. Additionally, students are invited to make appointments with librarians for individual help with their projects.
The Sarah Lawrence library belongs to several regional and national networks that provide access to the resources of libraries in any location.
There are two other libraries on campus.The William Schuman Music Library located in the Marshall Field Music Building offers listening facilities and collects books on music and musicians, periodicals, scores, and sound recordings. The Visual Resources Collection of 150,000 slides on Western, ancient Greek, Roman, Asian, and Islamic art, architecture, decorative and minor arts, Western social and political history, and performing arts is located in the Heimbold Visual Arts Center.
Hours for the Main Library
Monday – Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. – midnight
Saturday: 11 a.m. – midnight
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
There are extended hours at the end of each semester. Hours in the summer and during vacations will vary.
Circulation Policy—General
A student must present a bar-coded SLC ID to check out library materials. Books are generally loaned for a complete semester but are liable for recall after an initial period of two weeks. Failure to return recalled items will result in fines accruing at $3 a day and loss of library privileges.Videos circulate for a seven-day period. Periodicals, reference books, and material in special collections, faculty collections, and the archives do not circulate. In addition, the library has a large collection of electronic reserves.
Circulation Policy—Reserve
The main library reserve collection is maintained as a closed collection and circulates for a limited time in order to provide equal access to required course materials for all students. Most reserve readings circulate for three hours during the day and may also be borrowed for overnight use. Items borrowed for overnight use are due back one hour after the morning opening. Please keep in mind that overdues are fined at the rate of $0.50 an hour, and failure to return overdue books is a serious offense; the penalties for noncompliance are substantial and may extend to loss of library privileges. It is important to understand that stealing or defacing library materials or otherwise rendering them inaccessible to others is a violation of the College’s Policy on Academic Integrity and may be reported to the Dean of Studies Office.
Circulation Policy—Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
Items borrowed through interlibrary loan have due dates determined by the lending libraries that average one month in length. Photocopies of articles do not need to be returned. There is no charge to the patron for interlibrary loan service.
Hours for the William Schuman Music Library
Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 1 – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 5 – 9 p.m.
June hours are by appointment only. The music library is closed in July and August.
Circulation Policy for the Music Library
Books, scores, and music materials in the reserve collection circulate under the same rules as in the main library. Sound recordings can be borrowed for a seven-day period and may be renewed.
Hours for the Visual Resources Collection in Heimbold
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: closed
Sunday: closed
Hours in the summer and during vacations will vary.