All the library collection, including Chinese and Western books, reference, periodicals and newspapers, are open-ended for users to support their research and study needs. New arrivals are displayed in an area to inform users of the updated collection.
Reference tools, periodicals, newspapers, yearbooks, almanacs and individual maps are for library use only. Other item types in the library collection are for public lending and reservation. If users (such as readers on both Jihe and Kinmen Campus) want to borrow from the library collection of the other campus, he/she can simply place a request online or fill out the “Request for Inter-campus library Loan” form, as well as select the library where like to pick up. Moreover, users can also return library items to either campus.
The library provides reference services by phone, letter, e-mail or in person to help users solve problems about using the library and or questions about the collection or locating desired data.
Readers can get the information they want through Electronic Databases, Electronic Journals, and Distance Information Retrieval System. These three services provide readers prompt information and satisfy different readers needs. Please note that you need to have MCU e-mail account to access the Distance Information Retrieval System.
There are 4 discussion rooms and one meeting room in Taoyuan Library. The discussion room can take a group of 3 to 5 people (at least 3 people need to register), and the meeting room can take a group more than 6 people. The maximum use time is 2 hours per session.
A Library Resource Workshop is provided to all first-year students at the beginning of each new semester. The workshop is also available for other classes upon request. In addition, Library Database Workshops are held occasionally to assist readers to better understand library resources and use.
There are wide variety of Multi Media Resources available for use on the second floor in Taoyuan library and the third floor in Shilin library. A mini theater in Taoyuan library is available for small groups of 6-10 people.
Moreover, the Audio-visual Room in Taipei library is available for groups up to 20 people. The maximum time for using the theater and audio-visual Room is 2 hours. No semester-long or standing weekly reservations can be made.
Users can recommend library materials in any of three ways:
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Recommendation forms filled out at the service desk
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Online Recommendation at the URL http://proffer.lib.mcu.edu.tw/weblink/ (link is external) This is a web-based system and users can fill in information like title, author, publisher, and publishing year to recommend new materials.
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Recommend materials through departments or service units
Readers can return checked out materials to the book return box when the library is closed.
The Ming Chuan Library is a member of the “InterLibrary Cooperation Association” If desired material is not available in the MCU Library, borrowers may go to the URL http://ndds.stpi.gov.tw to apply for a user account. Through this account, the user may apply for copies for use and books for loan. Users can keep track to assure whether materials they desired have arrived or not through e-mail.
Ming Chuan is also a member of a 5-library cooperation in the Shihlin area, called Pa Chih Lieh Cooperation library, using a special id to borrow materials from Chinese Culture, Soo Chow, Yang Ming or Shih Chien University Libraries. Apply for the special id at the library service desk.
From June 2001, the MCU and National Taiwan University Libraries have a special arrangement, with 20 inter-library materials borrower passes available at each university. Apply for a borrower pass at the library service desk.
Self-operated copy machines are available on every floor in the library. Users can purchase copy cards at the library desk.