Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Library

1. Who may use the CIFOR library?
2. I am not affiliated with CIFOR, may I come in to use the Library?
3. How do I find library materials?
4. How do I find journals or magazine articles on a particular topic?
5. I have a citation of an article in hand, how do I find the full text of the article?
6. What databases or e-journals are available?
7. How do I obtain materials which are not available in CIFOR Library?
8. Can I access the Web-based Library-subscribed electronic resources on site?
9. How do I borrow library materials?
10. How many books and media resources can I check out at a time?
11. What happens if my books are overdue or if I lose a book?
12. Can I check out journals or reference materials?
13. Are all journals subscribed by the Library available electronically?
14. Can I access e-journals off campus?
15. If my question has not been answered in this FAQ list, whom can I consult?

1. Who may use the CIFOR library?

• CIFOR and ICRAF employees, fellows, scholars, trainees, visiting scientists, and consultants may use the CIFOR library.

2. I am not affiliated with CIFOR, may I come in to use the Library?

• The CIFOR Library is open to non-CIFOR personnel.
• Visitors coming to use the CIFOR library facilities should register their names at the Library Reception Desk.

3. How do I find library materials?

• To find library materials, you need to use the Library Catalogue. Please refer to the Search Guide to the CIFOR Library Catalogue for detailed information about the use of the Library Catalogue.
• Or you can do a subject search using the Library Catalogue. This will enable you to find all the books in the library categorized under the subject you enter. Consult the “Search Guide to the CIFOR Library Catalogue” for details on searching strategies.
• Most of the books in the CIFOR library are available to loan. However, there are a few collections which may only be used in the Library.

4. How do I find journals or magazine articles on a particular topic?

• The Library Catalogue does not list articles in periodicals. However, the library has many periodical indexes and bibliographic databases which could be searched by subjects or keywords. Many of these indexes also provide brief summaries of articles.
• Or you may try browsing through the list of available databases to look for the right index/abstracts/full-text databases for your topic.

5. I have a citation of an article in hand, how do I find the full text of the article?

• Firstly, you can check the Library Holdings through the databases that Library subscribes to or to the lists of journal. If you are in outside the CIFOR Headquarters. you may access the journal holdings thru EZproxy.
• If the article is not available in CIFOR, you may request the CIFOR library to provide articles by the Document Delivery Service or Interlibrary Loans. Non-staff members working at CIFOR who wish to use this service require approval from their supervisor to ordering articles.
• Only articles related to CIFOR’s activities shall be paid for by the library.

6. What databases or e-journals are available?

• You can browse the title list for names and descriptions of databases and the e-journals list for e-journals available from the Library.

7. How do I obtain materials which are not available in the CIFOR Library?

• Interlibrary Loan Services are provided for all CIFOR and ICRAF employees, fellows, scholars, trainees, visiting scientists and consultants.
• Eligible users are advised to submit their requests to the Library Assistant.

8. Can I access the Web-based Library-subscribed electronic resources off-site?

• Interlibrary Loan Services are provided for all CIFOR and ICRAF employees, fellows, scholars, trainees, visiting scientists and consultantsYes, all CIFOR staff can access most of the Web-based Library-subscribed electronic resources at home via Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Please consult the Library Web page “Remote Access to Library Electronic Resources” OR EZ Proxy.

9. How do I borrow library materials?

• Borrowing privileges are restricted to CIFOR and ICRAF personnel.
• Those who are qualified include CIFOR and ICRAF employees, fellows, scholars, trainees, visiting scientists and consultants.
• Anyone who wants to borrow materials from the library must register their name with the library.
• Qualified borrowers who work at CIFOR for less than six months should register their names and get approval by their supervisor or partner.

10. How many books and media resources can I check out at one time?

• A maximum of ten items may be on loan at any one time, for a period of four weeks.
• Loans may be renewed, unless there is another borrower requesting the same item.
• All materials borrowed shall be returned to the Library Reception Desk where the officer-in-charge shall confirm that the items have been received by the library.
• Borrowers shall not transfer materials to other individuals that have been loaned out to them.
• Borrowers shall return all borrowed items before going on duty, travel or on leave for more than two weeks.

11. What happens if my books are overdue or if I lose a book?

• An overdue notice will be sent to you the next day when the loan period expires. There will be a three-day grace period for all overdue circulation book loans.
• Library materials are CIFOR properties. If checked out library materials are lost or damaged, the borrower will be charged the cost of replacement. The cost of replacement shall include the actual cost of the publication to be replaced, as well as handling, postage, and processing costs.

12. Can I check out journals or reference materials?

• Journals are not available for loan with the exception that an overnight loan is permitted if the journal is taken out at 16:30 and returned at one hour after the library opens the following day.
• Reference materials are not for loan and should not be removed from the library.

13. Are all journals subscribed by the Library available electronically?

• Not all journals are available electronically. Please check the title list of e-journals.
• Not all issues of a journal are available in electronic format. Some e-journals include only recent issues or volumes. Availability is controlled by the publishers and also depends on our subscription. We can only get access to those issues that the library’s subscription covers.

14. Can I access e-journals off campus?

• If you are outside the CIFOR campus, you may access the journal holdings through EZproxy
  • Visit e-journal page.
  • Select any journal title.
  • If it asks username and password, enter you computer access account.

15. If my question has not been answered in this FAQ list, whom can I consult?

• The staff at the Reference Desk (508) will be pleased to answer your questions.

To ask a brief and specific reference question electronically, you may address your query to cifor-library@cgiar.org.