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Library Services to Alumni
Graduates of Life West enjoy expanded services.

Jump to:  Borrowing privileges | Research services | Copy service | Video duplication | Feedback

Borrowing  privileges

For five years following graduation, Life West alumni can continue to use their student ID card. Borrowing privileges exclude reserve materials and equipment due to the needs of currently enrolled students. 

The library has substitute library cards, if the student ID is no longer available. However a picture ID such as a driver's license is required with the substitute card.

Graduates past their five year anniversary have the option to pay $70 annually for a library card.

Research services

Lifewest alumni are entitled to 10 free database searches per year, regardless of graduation date.

Delivery of photocopies and interlibrary loans is fee-based, in order to recover costs.

Opportunities to improve search skills through Web-based tutorials are available for MANTIS  and PubMed.  Librarians provide hands-on training using research databases by  appointment.  Walk-ins are welcome, although needs of enrolled students take precedence.  

Frequent searchers of PubMed may wish to register for Loansome Doc service, in order to automate requests for document delivery.

More information

• For a brochure, contact our Reference Librarian at (510) 780-4500 extension 2940.
  
• For a list of services and costs, please refer to the Fees for Service.

Copy service

Life West library provides:

• Fee-based delivery of photocopies by mail.  Delivery by Fax or PDFcarries a surcharge. A PDF document is sent as an e-mail attachment; or via a third-party Web-based service if the attachment is too large for e-mail

Suggested procedure:

• Contact library@lifewest.edu.  The request will be referred to one of the librarians.
• A librarian will reply by e-mail about the availability and estimated cost of the requested articles.
• The fees are payable by Visa or MasterCard.  In order to protect privacy, doctors need to provide credit card information only to the librarian who is working on the request.

   

A telephone call or voicemail giving credit information is preferred.

(510) 780-4599 extension 2900 for Annette

(510) 780-4599 extension 2940 for Barbara

For international requests, sending two separate e-mail messages is an alternative to a telephone call:

1)  name, address, the type of card and number in a one message, sent to the librarian, aosenga@lifewest.edu or bdelligatti@lifewest.edu ;

2)  the expiration date and code from the back of the card in another message sent to library@lifewest.edu with Subject:  Message for Annette or Barbara.

Request copies of video recordings produced at Life West

Find the video in the library’s online catalog

• Author keyword = [name of speaker]
• Limit = Video All

OR

• General keyword = [topic or title word]
• Limit = Video All

Find out if copying is permitted for each video of interest

• Look for this phrase below the title: 

  (C) Library patrons can purchase a copy for home use only. 

Be sure to include your shipping address and phone number with your request.

• Send it by mail or
• Send an e-mail message to wbutterly@lifewest.edu (you must include a subject line) or
• Phone Wanda Butterly, audiovisual manager at 510-780-4599 x 2910. 
• Enclose a check (alumni only), or call Wanda with credit card information.  Visa and MasterCard are the accepted cards.
• You will receive a receipt along with the video sent by U.S. mail.

Cost of video duplication:

See Fees for Service.

VHS --  One tape holds 2-6 hours depending on the speed (quality; sharpness) at which it is duplicated.

DVD -- One DVD holds maximum 4 hours.  "DVD-R" is the standard copy medium.  Inform audiovisual department staff if your DVD player requires a different type of disc.

Please keep in mind that audiovisual staff can duplicate videos only if the presenter gave written permission at the time of recording. 

How can we improve library services to alumni?

The librarians would very much like to hear from alumni.  Please send suggestions for improving services and for enhancements to the library's Web pages to the library@lifewest.edu.  Be sure to include a subject line so that the librarians can recognize legitimate messages.