Services

Ask a Librarian | Request Materials |  Research guides | Test Proctoring

Ask a Librarian

If you have a question for an Adult Services Reference Librarian, you can call the library at 630.260.1550 and ask for Adult Services or the Reference Desk, email us at ghdref [at] glensidepld [dot] org, or Instant Message (IM) us using the "Ask a Librarian" Meebo widget on the right side of this page. You can also, of course, walk up to the desk and ask us!

We will try to answer most questions as they are received but we may occasionally need time to do further research. In that case we will respond by phone or email (your choice) as soon as possible.

A librarian will be available to answer IM questions at the following times:

M-Th 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Request Materials from Other Libraries

If the Glenside Public Library District does not own the title for which you are looking, the Adult Services librarians will try to locate a copy of the item at another library.  Patrons are able to request books, videos, music CDs, DVDs, books on tape/CD, and magazine articles. This service is available only to cardholders of the Glenside Public Library District.

Time for delivery of the materials varies from approximately four business days for items within the DuPage Library System to a week to two weeks for materials from other Illinois libraries/ Out-of-state materials can take up to a month. Some materials may not be available for loan.

Items requests from other libraries are subject to the lending library’s policies on loan periods and other restrictions.

Requests can be over the telephone, (630) 260-1550, in person at the Adult Services desk, or click here to access the form.

A maximum of 5 Interlibrary Loan requests are allowed per week.

Research Guides

To save you time, Adult Services librarians have created lists of information resources for a wide variety of topics. Resources include materials in our collection, online databases purchased by the Library for your use, as well as relevant and up-to-date websites.

Go to Research Guides

Test Proctoring Guidelines

• The Library will proctor either written or on-line exams.
• If the exam is written, it will be the student’s responsibility to arrange for the exam to be delivered to the library, and to contact the Adult Services Department to verify that the exam has been received. The student and Adult Services Manager will schedule a date and time for the test only after the exam arrives at the Library. For closed-book, the student will sit at one of the public tables adjacent to the Adult Services desk. For open-book exams, the student may sit at one of those tables or in a study room assigned by the librarian.
• If the exam to be proctored is on-line, the student will have to understand that there is a time-limit on the computers. Students are guaranteed one hour. If the demand for computer use is high, we may not be able to extend their time beyond one-hour. It is the student’s responsibility to know the testing institution’s web address and to arrange for any needed passwords to be delivered to the Library prior to the testing day.
• The Library does not require persons who need proctoring to be residents of the Library District.
• There is no fee for having exams proctored by Library staff.
• The student will need to make an appointment for proctoring with the Adult Services Manager. The student and Manager will agree on a mutually convenient time for the proctoring. The Manager will assign one of the staff librarians to serve as proctor for that day and time.
  Proctoring may be scheduled for weekdays from 9:00am to 3:00pm or on Saturday mornings from 9:00am to noon. Some evening hours may be available for proctoring, depending upon the Library schedule and/or activities in the Library. Staff members may not be able to monitor a student continuously during an exam. Scheduling an exam to be proctored is on a first come, first served basis.
• Other than completing forms provided by the testing institution or association, the Library will not submit special letters, make telephone requests, or submit staff credentials for review. Normally, the testing institution will supply a "request for proctoring" form in the class material or have it available on their website.
• If the exam is written, it will be the student’s responsibility to arrange for the exam to be delivered to the Library, and to contact the Adult Services Department to verify that the exam has been received. The student and Adult Services Manager will schedule a date and time for the test only after the exam arrives at the Library.
• The Library reserves the right to return to the testing institution any exams that are received without prior contact with the student.
• Before taking the exam, the student will be required to present a picture I.D.
• Staff will enforce any time limits that are placed on the exam.
• The student must allow sufficient time to take the exam before the deadline established by the institution. The Library will hold tests for 30 days or until the exam’s stated deadline. If the student does not complete the test by that time, the test will be returned to the institution.
• The student must allow adequate time for completion of the exam. Exams will not be scheduled during the last hour that the Library is open. The student should come prepared with pen, #2 pencils, erasers, and any other necessary materials.
• Staff will not grade exams. Other arrangements will need to be made if this is a requirement of the testing institution.
• Please be courteous during your proctored exam. Library Rules of Conduct as posted apply.
• If the institution has not enclosed a return, postpaid envelope, the student will provide postage. Allow sufficient return time for the normal library mailing. The Library will not give the exam to the student to mail. Normally, the exam envelope will leave the building the next business day via U.S. mail. We are unable to honor requests requiring special trips to the Post Office, FedEx or UPS. The Library cannot fax completed exams.
• Library staff will not photocopy finished exams or hold exams past the date that they are taken.

If you have questions about test proctoring, please contact the Adult Services Manager, (630) 260-1550.