Faculty Resources

ABOUT THE LIBRARY

Check-outs

Faculty and staff are able to check out most materials through the end of the semester. However, leisure reading (mostly fiction) checks out for two weeks. Faculty and staff may renew materials online by logging into their library account. 

In addition to books, Preus Library has a variety of technology and equipment available for check-out. Visit the Circulation Desk for more information.

More information on Circulation services and policies is available on the library's website.

InterLibrary Loan (ILL)

We network with thousands of other libraries around the globe to borrow and lend library materials.

Our library catalog and many of our databases are configured to provide links to initiate an ILL request if full-text is not directly available. Look for a button reading "Request from another library" to begin the request process.

You may also manually enter a request by logging in directly to your ILL account.

Visit the library's ILL FAQ for more information.

RESEARCH TOOLS

WorldCat Search

A search in our catalog, WorldCat, will include Luther College’s large collection, extending beyond library books and e-journal subscriptions to access to thousands of eBooks, primary documents, newspapers, and streaming videos. 

WorldCat results serve as a tool for requesting interlibrary loan as well, since our results integrate with Iowa libraries and beyond.

Library Databases

Preus subscribes to numerous research databases. Searching databases directly provides you with the most targeted results and advanced search options.

Research Guides

We have developed targeted research guides to help faculty and students.  New guides and guide revisions may be developed on request.  

Journals

When you have particular journals in mind, the JOURNALS tab above the WorldCat Search will bring you to our Journals holdings information. You may search for a specific journal title here or browse by title keywords. Select a title to view in which database and for which years the full text articles can be accessed.  [If a journal of particular importance to your curriculum is not listed here, please use our Suggest a Purchase form to request.  We also have Interlibrary Loan to cover additional research interests.]

Google Scholar

Librarians are often able to find alternative ways to access articles that are locked with a price tag in Google Scholar.  (And when not, we refer you to Interlibrary Loan and/or Suggest a Purchase.) 

If you frequently use Google Scholar, we encourage you to connect it to Preus Library on your computer so that our full-text holdings will be linked within your search results. To do so, go to Google Scholar Settings – Library Links – Luther College – Save.

CONNECT WITH THE LIBRARY

Liaisons

For the library liaison assigned to your department, please see our liaison listing. You may contact your library liaison with recommendations on materials to add to the library collection; to request librarian-led instruction or a resource guide for your class; or for any questions you have about library resources and services.

Ask a Librarian

In addition to assisting with research questions, librarians are available for scheduled appointments, targeted library instruction for a class, and even research assignment revision (to reflect updated online resources).  

Our chat service is conveniently available via the Preus Library Chat pop-up throughout the library’s website. 

You may wish to submit lengthier research questions through our webform.  See Ask a Librarian for more information.