Masks recommended—regardless of vaccination status. Faculty may require students to wear masks when inside classrooms. 

Access and Hours

Is a Wildcard required for entry?
The Library building is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to accommodate individual study, book pickup, and classroom access. A Wildcard is required for entry after 8 p.m. Hours are subject to change. Click here to view Service and Building Access Calendar.

When is the Library building open, and what services are available?
In general, the Library building is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to accommodate individual study, book pick up, and classroom access. For daily information about service and building hours, refer to this page.

Chat with librarian on website or call them directly. To schedule an appointment with a subject librarian, complete the form on this web page or send an email to ref@villanova.edu.

What are the hours of the other partners in the Library?

Where can I study?
Study spaces are available on all floors of the Library. Individual study seats are available in the Dugan Polk Family Reading room and on all floors of Old Falvey. Group study rooms are available by reservation. The Griffin Room is available by reservation by Falvey staff for class instruction. It is also available as study space when class is not in session, and available to reserve for class-required video viewing.

How can I visit Special Collections or University Archives? 
Email dcde@villanova.edu to discuss meeting or digitization requests.

Where can I find resources about COVID-19?
The COVID-19 Resource Guide links to federal, state, and country websites related to the virus. 

Where can I find information about the University policies related to COVID-19?
The University maintains a webpage with current information about policies related to COVID-19.

Borrowing and Requesting

How do I borrow books?
When you find a book you want to borrow, you may browse and borrow from the collection directly or use the Library's Pick Up & Go service. Please visit the Pick Up & Go page for instructions on requesting materials from the collection and the contactless pick up process.

How/where can I pick up books that I put on hold?
Pick Up & Go shelves are located on the first floor of the main Library. Please visit the Pick Up & Go website for directions.

How do I return books?
Patrons may return books to the external book drop located outside the building between the main entrance doors or to the box located on a cart near the service desk.

When are my books due back?
Books borrowed in the fall semester from the main collection by Villanova students, staff, and faculty are due before the end of the semester.

Due dates for interlibrary loan books vary and are imposed by the lending library. Renew books online or email Access Services to ask for help (circ@villanova.edu). The Library may not be able to renew Inter-Library Loan books for you. EZBorrow materials will receive a 12-week loan without renewal.

How do I find course reserves?
You can use the course reserve search function on the library homepage to determine if print materials are on reserve, and then use the ILLiad service to request a scan of the pages or chapter you need. Selected e-books may also be available in your course on Blackboard or in the Library catalog

Can I request scans of Library materials?
You can use the ILLiad service to request scanned images of print library material from the main collection or course reserves.

How do I request a scan of something in Distinctive Collections?
Please make your request to dcde@villanova.edu. Please provide all known available information, including call number, title, and exact page number(s) or folder number of the item.

How much can I request to be digitized by Distinctive Collections?
The department follows copyright and fair use guidelines, and we are happy to assist you in selecting what needs to be scanned. Please make your request to dcde@villanova.edu.

Does the Library charge for digitization services?
No, we provide digitization services free of charge.

Can I borrow a laptop, charger, calculator, or headphones from the library?
Find what equipment is available here.

How do I find e-books?
You can search for a title using the search bar on the homepage, or refer to this handy guide to e-book holdings.

How do I look up books?
You can search for books and other materials using the open search bar at the top of the Library homepage. This short tutorial covers the basics.  

Collections

How do I access the Library's electronic collections?
The Library provides access to millions of articles and other items via online collections and through the Digital Library.

Are the Library’s collections available online?
Most, although not all, of the Library’s books, journals, and films are available online. The Library’s collection includes over one million e-books, more than 30,000 electronic journal subscriptions, and over 80,000 streaming videos. Books, book chapters, and journal articles that are not already part of the Library’s collection may be requested with the Inter-Library Loan form. They will be delivered as PDF files to your library account if they are available.

Can faculty bring their classes to Special Collections or University Archives?
For class visits, we can provide virtual tours and instruction of digitized collections via Zoom as well, depending on class size, in the Rare Book Room. Contact us at dcde@villanova.edu to discuss lesson plans and remote/in-person access options.

Can I donate rare books or other historical materials to Villanova University’s Distinctive Collections?
Please contact us at dcde@villanova.edu to discuss any in-kind donation. You can also provide assistance by making a financial contribution to Falvey Library through the Give to the Library page.

Can our University Department transfer materials to the University Archives?
Please contact the Preservation and Digital Archivist, to discuss the acquisition process.

How can I share my experience(s) or donate materials about COVID-19 and local protests?
The University Archives, in partnership with the Albert LePage Center for History in the Public Interest, has created a submission form to submit your experience. Physical donations are welcomed, but please contact Beaudry Allen, the Preservation and Digital Archivist, first to discuss materials and acquisition process as the archives cannot accept physical materials at this moment.

 

Course Support


Can faculty bring their students to the Library or invite a librarian to their classroom for a guest lecture on research methods and resources?
Contact your subject specialist to schedule a workshop and let us know if you need special accommodations.

Is there anything faculty can do to assist their students with their Library research needs?
Here are some suggestions on how to increase student awareness of and access to Library research resources:

  • List the name and contact information of your subject librarian on your syllabus and in your Blackboard site.
  • Embed a librarian in your Blackboard classroom. Librarians can add customized tutorials and offer office hours depending on your needs.
  • Schedule a short introduction or an in-depth workshop with your librarian on Zoom.

I am a faculty member who would like to select an electronic textbook. Can the library offer access to electronic textbooks?
Subject librarians can help faculty and students find open educational resources and textbooks, search the Library’s collection for e-books without access restrictions and suitable for course use, and recommend titles that the library can obtain. The Affordable Materials Project offers tips and tools for reducing textbook costs. 

Publishers rarely license traditional introductory textbooks to libraries, even as they offer electronic editions directly to students or via so-called “inclusive access” platforms. 

How can faculty stream films on Blackboard from the Library's collection?
The Library owns a substantial collection of streaming video content and will license films for classroom use whenever possible. Contact your subject specialist to discuss your needs.

 

Events

Can I reserve a room in the Library?
Faculty, staff, and official student organizations can request a venue at the Library through our online form.

Navigating the Library

Where are the restrooms?
In Main Falvey, restrooms are located in the Holy Grounds lounge on the first floor, next to the elevator on the second, third, and fourth floors, and across from the elevator on the ground floor.

In Old Falvey, restrooms are located on the first floor and third floor.

Where is my classroom in the Library?
Classrooms are located in Main Falvey on the ground floor (Viewing Room 3- VR3) and first floor (Speakers Corner). In Old Falvey classrooms are on the first floor (Rooms 101-105) and third floor (Room 301). 

Is there a scanner or copier I can use?
A self-service scanner is available on the first floor at the front desk. Patrons may also use their smartphone camera app or other apps to scan materials.

Where can I fill up my water bottle?
There are water hydration stations on the first and second floors of Falvey and on the second floor of Old Falvey.

Where is the lost and found?
The service desk will hold lost items for a day or two, and then they are given to Public Safety. Food and beverage containers, makeup, lip balm, and other personal care items will be discarded immediately.

 

Research Services

Are librarians available for consultations to discuss resources for assignments and research projects?
Librarians are available to answer quick questions and to meet virtually for in-depth consultations. Start the conversation with chat or visit Ask Us for additional options. Contact one of the Library’s subject specialists directly to schedule a consultation and don’t hesitate to let us know if you need special accommodations.

I am new to Villanova and unfamiliar with Falvey Library. How do I get started?
Visit the Library’s website to explore available resources and services or contact one of the Library’s subject specialists for a personalized introduction. Explore the Library’s how-to guides which include basic and advanced research tutorials on a wide variety of topics.

What is the best approach to learning more about specialized research resources in my field of study?
Start with the Library’s subject guides. Research-focused courses often have customized course guides. Talk to the subject specialist featured on the guides in your field of study.  

How can I do research with Distinctive Collections materials?
Many of the most frequently requested resources are already available in the Digital Library. Materials in the physical collections can additionally be identified in the catalog or Finding Aids page. Contact us at dcde@villanova.edu about access to these and other materials in the collection.