Tompkins-McCaw Library Frequently Asked Questions
- Where are the restrooms?
- Where do I go to reserve a study room?
- Is there a phone I can use?
- Can I return books I check out at TML to the Cabell Library and vice-versa?
- I am on my way to your library to pick up a book you have, can you pull it from the shelf for me?
- Can I renew my books over the phone?
- Where do I pick up my ID? Where is the VCUCard office?
- Where are the books?
- Where are the journals?
- Where are the stacks?
- Where are the videos and cd's?
- Do you have any popular fiction?
- I'm here for a class. Where is the TompCat Classroom/ Distance Education Room/ LIMERC lab?
- I'm not a staff member or student of VCU can I still print/copy?
- Where are the copiers/printers/RamBucks machine located?
- The computer says this book is "not checked out," but I went upstairs and it wasn't there. What do I do?
- How do I obtain an article from a journal that the VCU Libraries does not own?
- The catalog shows you have this book, but the location says the Cabell Library. Do I have to go all the way over there to get it?
- Are your hours the same as the Cabell Library?
- Where is the fax machine?
- What do I need to use my laptop in the library?
- What is my username and password?
Q: Where are the restrooms?
A: The restrooms are located on the 1st, 2nd and basement floors around the corner from the elevators and steps.
Q: Where do I go to reserve a study room?
A: The study rooms in TML are self-monitored and available on a first come, first serve basis. No reservations are required and none are accepted. Study rooms are located on the 2nd floor.
Q: Is there a phone I can use?
A: There are 3 courtesy phones located at TML. They are located on the 1st (Main) and 2nd floors beside the restrooms and in the basement on the wall across from the elevators.
Q: Can I return books I check out at TML to the Cabell Library and vice-versa?
A: Yes, you can return any books you borrow from a VCU Library at either location.
Q: I am on my way to your library to pick up a book you have, can you pull it from the shelf for me?
A: No, TML does not have a paging service. All items are available to patrons on a first come first serve basis.
Q: Can I renew my books over the phone?
A: Yes, all borrowers may renew books by phone at 828-0505, Monday through Friday, noon until 4 p.m. In addition, books may be renewed using the My Library Record or by bringing the books into the library.
Q: Where do I pick up my ID? / Where is the VCUCard office?
A: The card office is located in Sanger Hall, on the B1 level. See the VCUCard Website for more details and hours of operation.
Q: Where are the books?
A: The books are located on the 2nd floor just outside of the elevator/steps.
Q: Where are the journals?
A: The journals are shelved alphabetically starting in the basement with titles from A through Journal of Immunological Methods. The bound journals continue into stack levels A, B, C, D, E.
Q: Where are the stacks?
A: The stacks can be reached from the basement (stack A), 1st floor (stack C) and 2nd floor (stack E). Stacks B and D can be reached once inside of the stacks.
Q: Where are the videos and cd's?
A: The videos and cd's are located directly in front of the Instructional Media Workshop in the basement to the left of the elevator.
Q: Do you have any popular fiction?
A: No, Tompkins-McCaw Library doesn't carry any popular fiction.
Q: I'm here for a class. Where is the TompCat Classroom/ Distance Education Classroom/ LIMERC lab?
A: The TompCat Classroom is located directly across from the elevator on the 2nd floor. The Distance Education Classroom is located beside the TompCat room across from the videos and cd's on the 2nd floor. The LIMERC lab is located in the far left hand corner of the 2nd floor by the Quiet Study Room.
Q: I'm not a staff member or student of VCU can I still print/copy?
A: Yes, you will need to purchase a VCU RamBucks card out of the RamBucks machine and add money to your card.
Q: Where are the copiers/printers/RamBucks machine located?
A: They can be found in the Photocopy room located directly across from the restrooms on 1st floor. Additional photocopiers are also in the basement near the vending machines.
Q: The computer says this book is "not checked out," but I went upstairs and it was not there. What do I do?
A: Check the shelves above, below and to either side of where the item should be, and also check the "sorting shelves" on the 2nd floor. If you still do not see it you can fill out an Item Request Form online and have a search conducted on the material.
Q: How do I obtain an article from a journal that the VCU Libraries does not own?
A: You may try looking the journal up online using another database, or you may request the article through ILLiad. If you need an article from a journal located at Cabell Library, use ILLIad to submit your request.
Q: The catalog shows you have this book or journal, but the location says "Cabell Library". Do I have to go all the way over there to get it?
A: No, if you are willing to wait, you can fill out an Item Request Form and have it sent over in a few days. If you are requesting an article from a journal at Cabell there will be a $5 delivery fee .
Q: Are your hours the same as the Cabell Library?
A: No, the hours vary during the school year. You can view our hours of operation on the VCU Libraries web site or on the signs at the entrance of the library.
Q: Where is the fax machine?
A: The library does not have a public fax machine.
Q: What do I need to use my laptop in the library?
A: You will need to install special software called a VPN (virtual private network) on your laptop or PDA in order to access and use the wireless network. Windows users can download the software and view the instructions on the Nortel Contivity VPN Client page.
Q: What is my username and password?
A: Your username is your eID . This is the same username and password you use for VCU email and for Blackboard. VCU Technology Services provides an information page about the eID.