Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General

• Who has access privileges to the HS/HSL databases, e-journals and e-books?
  All faculty, staff, students, residents, and fellows of the University of Maryland, Baltimore have access to the databases, e-journals and e-books using their Library Barcode.  The Library Barcode is required for access within the Library and when using the resources offsite. The general public can access these resources within the Library.
• If I need to use a phone, where do I go?
  There are house phones by the elevators on every floor, if you need to call someone on campus. There is a pay phone down the hallway beside the front entrance, if you need to call off campus. Staff phones are not available for public use.
• Does the Library have a public fax machine?
  We do not, but the service is available for a fee at the following locations:
  • Prompt Print (the School of Medicine printing center located in the basement of Howard Hall)
    Phone number:  (410) 706-7182
  • The bookstore in the student center
    Phone number: (410) 328-7788
•  Does the Library have conference rooms for meetings?
  The Library has meeting rooms which can be reserved by faculty, staff and students of the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Call 410-706-7545 to reserve the rooms

Public Computers in the Library

• What computers are available in the library for public use?
  Computers can be found on floors 1-5. Access is on a first come first served basis, with priority given to UMB faculty, staff and students who are conducting research. Computers for the general public are located on the first floor of the Library.  Personal email and other non-academic activities should be kept to a minimum. The general public may use computers to conduct health related research.
• What applications are on the public computers?
  Computers have internet access and Microsoft Office 2007software including: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher and Infopath. Other software available includes OpenOffice and RefWorks with Write-N-Cite.
• What hardware is on the public computers?
  Computers have USB ports and sound cards available for use. You may use your own headphones or borrow headphones from the Circulation Desk. USB ports are available for you to use your own flash drives/zip drives or any hardware device that DOES NOT require installation of drivers. Note: HS/HSL staff does not provide support or assume any responsibility for personal devices you attach to the computers. Use at your own risk.
• Does your library have a scanner?
  Equipment includes graphics scanner with Adobe Photoshop 7.0, text scanner with Omnipage Pro, color printer, and a printer capable of printing on resume paper or transparencies. Available to UMB and USMAI patrons only.
• What type of computing assistance can I receive at the Reference Desk?
  Staff are available to:
  • Provide applications support when using the computers in the Reference area.
  • Assist with using Adobe Photoshop and OCR scanning software.
  • Please see other services.
• How do I print from the computers?
  Printing is available on each floor at ten cents per page. Duplex printing is also available from each computer. UMB faculty, students and staff may use their UMB1 One card for printing. Others may purchase a print card on the first floor of the library for $1.00. Funds must be added to the card to print. Color printing is available at $1.00 per page. Personal work that is stored on the library’s computers will not be saved. Please bring a USB flash drive to save work.

Personal Laptops and PDAs

• Can I use my own laptop in the Library to connect to the Internet?
  There are active network jacks throughout the library where you can connect your laptop. Active jacks are marked with a red dot or red triangle. You must have your own CAT5 network cable and network card for your laptop. You can also connect to the Library's wireless network.
• Does the Libray have network cables available?
  Yes, the library has a limited number. You can check out a cable to your library account at the circulation desk. If you do not have a library account, you can leave your driver's license.
• How do I obtain an IP address for my laptop in the Library?
  Plug your network cable from your laptop into a ACTIVE network jack in the library, then turn on your laptop. Note: If your laptop has a "hard coded" IP address provided by your Internet Service Provider, it must be disabled/removed in order to obtain a campus IP address and obtain access to the Internet.
• Can I print to Library printers from my laptop?
  This feature is not available at this time.
• What is HS/HSL To Go? How do I get it?
  This is the HSHSL site designed for use on your PDA. You can subscribe to the HS/HSL AdvantGo channel from the HS/HSL To Go web page.

If you have a question about the Library which was not answered above, please e-mail your question to hshsl@umaryland.edu.