Web Site

What's on the Library's Web site?

On the Library's web site you will find the following:

• Basic Library information (policies, staff directory, hours, etc.)
  
• The Library's online catalog (BOSUN)
  
• Links to the Library's electronically accessible journals and databases for searching for journal articles, conference papers, and other documents
• Online forms for submitting requests for book purchases, interlibrary loan materials, reference questions, etc.
• Links to pages created by NPS librarians on topics of interest to NPS students, faculty and staff.

How can I access the Library's Web site?

There are links to the Library's Web site on the NPS home page , the NPS intranet home page , and from within Blackboard (see the NPS Library tab which is available once you log in to Blackboard). You can also go directly to the Library home page .

Searching for and obtaining materials

How do I determine if the Library owns a particular book, and how do I search for books on a topic?

To see if the Library owns a particular book, or to search for books on a particular topic, use BOSUN, the Library's online catalog. Information on how to search BOSUN can be found in the online Library Orientation and in the BOSUN FAQ.

For how long can I check things out?

Other than those items that are placed on reserve or that are borrowed through Interlibrary Loan, most materials are checked out to NPS students, faculty and staff for a three month period, and may be renewed up to four times. Materials may be recalled by another Library user after they have been checked out for two weeks. For details on the circulation policy and how to recall books, see the Dudley Knox Library Circulation Policy .

How can I get books and other materials the Library doesn't have?

The Library can obtain books, articles, conference papers and other materials through the Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery (ILL) service. Through ILL, the Library either borrows materials from other libraries or obtains them from a document delivery service.

The ILL service is available at no charge to resident and distance students who have established a Library account.

Resident students can order materials either in person at the Research Assistance Desk, or by using either the book or article request form on the Library's Web site.

Distance students should also use the Web forms described above. Unless you note otherwise in the comments area of the form, materials will be shipped to the address you provided to the Library when you set up your Library account. (You can check your address of record in BOSUN).

Prior to requesting material from Interlibrary Loan, you should do the following:

If document is a book, thesis, or paper in a conference proceeding volume:

• Check BOSUN (the online catalog) to determine if the Library owns the book, thesis or conference proceeding. If the Library owns the book, resident students should come to the Library and borrow it. Distance students may request books the Library owns using the Book Request Form .

If the document is a newspaper, magazine or journal article:

• Check BOSUN (the online catalog) to determine if the Library owns the newspaper, magazine or journal. BOSUN may also provide information about electronic access – if electronic access is provided try that before submitting your request.

• Check the Library's Electronic Journals page , which may also provide information about electronic access – if a URL (link) is provided try that before submitting your request. For electronic access to newspapers you should also consult the News Sources page.

Further details about the Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery service are available on the Library's Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery page.

What do I do if I need to read or print a microfiche or microfilm document?

Once a specific film or fiche call number is located in the catalog, it can be accessed on a self-service basis in the Microform Room on the First Floor. Microfilm/fiche reader/printers are located in the Copy Room next to the Microform Room. If you need assistance operating the machines, please ask at the Circulation or Research Assistance Desk. For more information on the contents of the Microform collection, see the information here . 

Can all materials leave the Library?

Most materials can be checked out. However, there are exceptions. Items on reserve, periodicals (newspapers, magazines and journals), selected Federal documents, and books in the Reference, Abstracts, INTELL and other special collections may not leave the Library without permission. If you have an urgent need to remove such an item from the Library, please ask at the Research Assistance Desk, and we will consider your request. For a more detailed discussion, see the Library's circulation policies . 

Documents borrowed from Restricted Resources and Services require special handling if they are removed from the Library, which will be explained to you at the time you borrow such materials.

NPS Theses

Does the Library keep all student theses?

With rare exceptions, the Library keeps one or two paper copies of all theses. More recent theses (unclassified, unlimited) may only be available online. Access electronically available theses through BOSUN, the online catalog. Unclassified, unlimited theses are located on the second floor. Limited and classified (through SECRET) theses are kept in Restricted Resources and Services, which is located on the rear of the first floor.

In what formats are NPS theses available?

Recent unclassified, unlimited theses are often available both electronically and in print. See the FAQ " How do I search for NPS theses " for additional information.

Are NPS theses available from off-campus?

Theses that are provided as an electronic link in BOSUN are available to anyone with an Internet connection and the Adobe Acrobat reader. Distance learning students should request those theses that are only available in print by filling out the Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery Book Request Form .

How do I search for NPS theses?

To search for unclassified, unlimited NPS theses, use BOSUN, the online catalog, which is available on the Library's Web site. Information on how to search BOSUN can be found in the special BOSUN FAQ and in the online Library Orientation.

Once you have connected to BOSUN, you will see an option to search just for THESES. Many recent NPS theses are available full text as PDF files directly from BOSUN. Some are only available in print; BOSUN will provide you with the basic information and location.

To search for limited or classified (through SECRET) theses, use the Restricted Resources and Services (RRS) catalog. For more information on RRS, see the Restricted Resources page .

Most NPS theses are also sent to the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC). You can search for them using DTIC's Scientific and Technical Information Network (STINET) database, which is linked from the Library's Databases page . For more information on DTIC's STINET see the DTIC Information page .

Periodicals

What kinds of periodicals does the Library have in its collection?

The Library periodicals collection encompasses a wide variety of topics relevant to NPS research and study. For more information on the content of the periodical collection see the Library's Collection Development Policy .

Are periodicals kept in the Library?

Yes. Most of the print periodicals are housed on the first floor. Issues published prior to 1970 are kept in the basement. The Library also subscribes to a large number of electronic journals. Most of these are listed on the Electronic Journal page . Electronic links to some journals are also provided in BOSUN (the online catalog).

How do I find out if the Library owns a journal in print or has electronic access to it?

To determine if the Library owns a particular journal in print, use BOSUN, the online catalog, which is available on the Library's Web site. BOSUN may also provide a link to electronic access (URL). Information on how to search BOSUN can be found in the BOSUN FAQ and in the online Library Orientation.

If you don't find the journal listed in BOSUN, or you find it in BOSUN but without any electronic access, then you should consult the Library's Electronic Journals page , which lists many of the individual journal titles to which the Library has electronic access.

Can the Library get articles from periodicals that it doesn't own or have electronic access to?

Yes. The Library can obtain articles that it doesn't have in the collection. For more information see the Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery article request page .

Can distance students get articles sent to them?

Yes. Consult the obtaining materials section of the Library's Information For Distance Learning Students page for details on how to place an order for an article that the Library does not own.

How do I search for journal articles on a topic?

To search for journal, magazine or newspaper articles on a topic, use one or more of the resources on the Library's Databases page .
Note that those resources that have the Library Logo  next to them are licensed for use only by NPS students, faculty or staff. If you click on them from off campus you will need to have your Library card account information handy.

Licensed Resources

What's meant by a "licensed" or "NPS only" resource?

The Library Web site is accessible from any computer with access to the Internet. However, we also provide access to a large number of electronically based commercial information resources. These purchased resources involve software licenses, copyright restrictions and other contractual agreements that require they be restricted to a specific "valid" group of users. This group is limited to NPS faculty, staff and students. These databases are noted by the DKL logo

How do I access a licensed/NPS Only resource from campus?

If you are on campus using a computer that is recognized as coming from the nps.navy.mil domain, just click on the link to the resource that you want to use.

How do I access a licensed/NPS Only resource from off-campus?

To access a licensed/NPS only resource
(one with the Library logo  next to it), click on the link to the resource that you want to use. You will then be connected to a login screen that will require you to enter your Library user name and password. For more information see the Proxy Server Information page at  and the Proxy Server Getting Started page.

Databases

How do I find databases containing articles and other information on my topics of interest?

Start with the Library's Databases page . You'll see that the databases are listed several different ways:

1. alphabetically by the name (title) of the database

2. by subject

3. by provider.

Unless you are already familiar with databases that libraries subscribe to, you probably want to use the "By Subject" listing to identify an appropriate database. If you are using a non-NPS (off campus) computer, please see the FAQ " How do I access a licensed/NPS Only resource from off-campus? "

For questions on which specific databases are best for your research, please contact the Research Assistance Desk ( refdesk@nps.edu ), or your subject specialist.

What are truncators and wildcards?

Most Library databases and internet search engines have a symbol called a truncator that can be used to search for all words starting with a given stem. For example, in BOSUN, searching for terror$ will yield all results that include the following words: terror, terrorism, terrorist, terrorize, terrors, etc. 

Similarly, most Library databases and internet search engines have a symbol called a wildcard that can be used to replace a single character. For example, in BOSUN, searching for wom?n will yield all results that include the words woman or women.

Where can I find a list of the truncators and wildcards for the Library's databases?

A list of the truncators and wildcards for many of the Library's databases is provided on the Truncators and Wildcards by Database page. Most databases have a link to help or search tips that provide information about truncators, wildcards and other search techniques appropriate for that database.

Where can I find out more about research techniques and database searching skills?

The "Finding the Information You Need" section of the main tutorial provides a basic introduction to search techniques. Many other libraries have also created tutorials that cover this information – some in a lot more depth. The following lists provide links to other libraries' online tutorials:

Internet Education Project (searchable database of online Library instruction materials)

Library Instruction Tutorials from the Library Instruction Round Table of the American Library Association

LOEX Clearinghouse for Library Instruction . See particularly their Tutorials links.

In addition, individual Library databases often have links to their own online tutorials or other detailed guidance. The Research Assistance Desk and your Subject Specialist are also available to help.

Special Collections

What kinds of books does the Library have in its collection?

The Library book collection encompasses a wide range of topics relevant to NPS research and coursework. Special Collections include Federal Documents, the Buckley Collection (military history), the Intelligence Collection, the Leisure Collection, and Rare Books. Special permission is required to access the rare books. More details on the content of the collection can be found on the Library's Collection Development Policy page and in other topics in this FAQ. For more information call the Research Assistance Desk at 656-2485 or e-mail refdesk@nps.edu .

What are the Fed Docs?

Because the Library is a designated Federal Depository Library we are required to maintain and provide free public access to the federal materials received. Most of the Library's documents collection supports the School's mission and curriculum. However, as the only depository on the Monterey Peninsula, the Library also selects, to a lesser extent, relevant materials in support of the needs of the community at large. Some federal documents are housed in the Library's Restricted Resources collection [see below].

What is Restricted Resources and Services (RRS)?

The Restricted Resources and Services collection (RRS) is located on the First Floor of the Library. The materials housed in RRS are either classified, up to the secret level, or have distribution limitations requiring strict control over access. The materials support most of the subjects taught in the various curricula at the Naval Postgraduate School, and derive from Federal, DOD, and other agencies and organizations. Use of Restricted Resources is limited to NPS students and faculty with proper authorization as designated by the NPS Security Manager.

What is the Intelligence (INTELL) collection?

The Intelligence Collection is a separate, non-circulating collection of intelligence materials (mainly books). It is located on the first floor just beyond the Distributed Learning Resource Center. In most cases a duplicate copy of Intelligence Collection titles is available in the General collection. For more information see the Intelligence Collection paragraph of the Special Collections section of the Library's Collection Development Policy page.

What's in the Buckley collection?

The Library contains a substantial collection of materials donated to the Department of the Navy by a former local resident, Mr. Christopher Buckley, Jr. As part of the condition of acceptance, the Library agreed to maintain the majority of this material as a separate collection. The main focus of this collection is naval and maritime history and it includes both fiction and non-fiction. As relevant books are received/purchased by the Library, they will be added to this collection.

What's in the Map collection?

The map collection contains topographic, navigation, aeronautical and political maps in both print and digital formats. Some items are received via the Federal Depository program and others are requested from the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA). Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) maps are received through the Federal Depository program as well as through a paid subscription with the Library of Congress's Documents Expediting Program (DocEx). Collection priority is given to those maps, either paper or digital, which are in direct support of the School's mission.

School isn't keeping me busy enough. What's in the Leisure collection?

The Leisure collection is a small collection of fiction and non-fiction popular titles housed on the second floor. Authors include Tom Clancy, Ken Follett, James Michener and many others. To browse the contents of the collection, search in the Library's BOSUN online catalog. Click on 'Power Search,' then scroll to the 'Location' drop-down menu, choose 'LEISURE,' then 'Search'.