Library Information for First Year Students

Welcome to the FIU Libraries!

The FIU Libraries are available to help you make the transition from high school to the university academic environment.  As a freshman, there will be new challenges, new opportunities, and new skills for you to learn and master.  Please don't hesitate to ask for help.

• Feel lost or overwhelmed by your assignments?  Don't know where to start?  No worries - we are here to help you!
• Make the Library your learning and discovery partner -- class assignments, discovery, research papers, studying and group work, and more
• Get help by topic, class, or library service with the Research Guides.  
• Search the library and discover books, articles, and other resources
• Formulate a topic for your paper
• Objectively evaluate the sources you've found and make sure they are right for your topic
• Integrate these sources into your plan for a paper or assignment
• Write well and argue your point objectively and effectively
• Use correct citation methods to build your bibliography
• Become a confident library user by learning, looking, questioning, and seeking help
• Make the library your place for study, meeting, group work, collaboration, and haven of learning and discovery

FIU Libraries - Hours of Operation

Quiet Study Areas

• Green Library, MMC -- Floors 2 (Government Documents section), 3, 6, and 7
• Hubert Library, BBC -- Floors 2 and 3

Open Study Areas

• Green Library, MMC -- Floors 1 (all areas) and 2 (most areas except for Government Documents section)
• Hubert Library, BBC -- Floors 1 and 2

Group Study Rooms, available at the Circulation Desk

• Rooms for groups of 2 or more are available at the Green and Hubert Libraries, and in the Engineering Building (EC) in the Engineering Library Services facility, 2nd floor.  Numbers of rooms vary from campus to campus.
• Available on a first-come, first-served basis

Information and Research Assistance

• Green Library, MMC -- 2nd Floor at the Information and Reference Services Desk in the lobby adjacent to the Circulation Desk
• Hubert Library, BBC -- 1st Floor at the Circulation Desk
• Engineering Library Services, EC -- Inquire with staff on duty in room EC-2780

Laptops

• Green Library, MMC -- available at The Hub -- Dell, MacBook
• Hubert Library, BBC -- available at the Circulation Desk -- Dell, MacBook
• Engineering Library Services, EC -- Dell
• Laptops are loaded with software including but not limited to browsers and Microsoft/Apple work suite programs
• Due to copyright and virus protection reasons, saving of files or programs on the laptop hard disk is not possible
• Available on a first-come, first-served basis
• Quantity and models vary according to location

Other Devices

• Portable DVD Players, Headphones, Flash Drives, Math Calculators, Scientific Calculators, Surge Protectors (used as extension cord)
• Available on a first-come, first-served basis
• Quantity and models vary according to location

Course Reserves

• Available at the Circulation Desk -- articles and books assigned by your instructor for class which have been placed in this secure collection

Interlibrary Loan

• Need an article or book not owned by the FIU Libraries?  Go to ILLiad

Wireless Connectivity

• Wireless connectivity is easily available in the libraries and throughout the campuses
• Register your personal laptop, smart phone, or wireless device with University Technology Service (UTS)

Photocopying

• Use your FIU OneCard as a debit card to pay for both copying and printing
• Don't have an FIU OneCard?  Purchase a Copy/Print card for $1 in the Green and Hubert Libraries (sorry, no coins accepted)
• Change is not available from the library
• Locations:  Green Library, Floors 2, 3, and 5; Hubert Library, Floors 1 and 2; Engineering Library Services facility, EC-2780

Printing

• Queue your printing from any computer in the library, a library laptop, or your personal laptop
• Use your FIU OneCard as a debit card to pay for both copying and printing
• Don't have an FIU OneCard?  Purchase a Copy/Print card for $1 in the Green and Hubert Libraries (sorry, no coins accepted)
• Change is not available from the library
• Locations:  Green Library, Floors 2, 3, and 5; Hubert Library, Floors 1 and 2; Engineering Library Services facility, EC-2780

Cell Phones

• Use of cell phones is not permitted in Quiet Study areas - please go to the nearest stairway out of consideration for other library users

Electrical Outlets

• Electrical outlets are readily available throughout all libraries
• Surge protectors with mult-outlets (used in place of extension cords) are available for check out from the Circulation Desk
• Due to fire regulations, personal extension cords without surge protection are strictly prohibited in all libraries.

Coffee and Food Services in the Library

• Green Library, Floor 1:  Starbucks (off the Breezeway), Food POD (lakeside)
• Hubert Library, Floor 1:  Vending Machines (includes coffee)
• Engineering Library Services, EC-2780:  cafeteria (next door)
• Hours of operations may vary
• Additional food and coffee services are available on the MMC and BBC campuses

Conveniences

• Restrooms and water fountains are located on each floor