Library Services

Research Assistance

Both the Haas and the Young Libraries have Reference Desks staffed by professional librarians most of the hours the libraries are open. They are there to answer your questions and assist you in your research process. Visit the Research Center at Haas Library and the Young Library reference desk in for in-depth and thorough explanations of databases, sources, and procedures. You can also schedule an appointment or contact a librarian virtually.  See the links below.

Other contact options are:

• Phone
  • Haas: 203-837-9110
  • Young: 203-837-9139
• Text: 203-340-0616
• Email
• Chat: see the Reference widget at the bottom right of this page and others
• Question Form
• Research Consultations (by appointment)

  Research consultations provide an opportunity for you to spend one-on-one time with a subject specialist to start or complete your research. 
  The librarian will make an appointment with you and then guide you through the process and assist you with choosing the right databases, fining and using successful search terms, obtaining materials on interlibrary loan, and more.

If you don't want to wait, try our Research Guides and/or Tutorials including this one on Research Basics!

Borrowing & Lending

Checking Out WCSU Materials

• To check out a book, DVD, CD, videorecording, or other material, bring the item(s) to the Circulation Desk at the Ruth A. Haas or Robert S. Young Library. A valid CSU ID is required to borrow library materials. NOTE: Print periodicals may not be borrowed.
• Registered students may obtain a WestConnect ID card from the WestConnect Office located in the back of the lower level of Old Main across from the Student Center. Materials will be checked out electronically to your account number and stamped with the date on which they are due back in the Library.
• Faculty and staff must also present their University ID when borrowing materials.
• Library borrowing privileges are NOT transferable. Only the cardholder may present the card when borrowing materials.
• Faculty may request special arrangements to extend loan periods for circulating material, and borrow restricted library material.

For information on borrowing policies and lending periods, please see our policies page.

Renewing Materials

• You can renew books online by logging in to your library account in WestSearch.
  Note: This option will not work if the books are already overdue.
  • Login Instructions
  • Renewal Instructions
• You can renew books by stopping by the library and asking for assistance at the circulation desk.

Borrowing from Other Connecticut State Colleges and University Libraries

Faculty, staff and students at any of the 17 Connecticut State College and University (CSCU) campuses may use the library collection at any of the other campuses, either by visiting these libraries in person or by requesting their local campus library to obtain materials for them. If you visit another library in person, please be sure to bring a valid ID if you wish to check out material.

Borrowing through Interlibrary Loan

WCSU faculty, staff, students may borrow materials via Interlibrary Loan (ILL).  This service allows the WCSU Libraries to borrow materials from other libraries in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Europe.

Wireless Access & Public Workstation Use

Wireless Access

Wireless access is available throughout the Haas and Young Libraries. Students, faculty and staff can now bring their personal laptops equipped with wireless cards and log on to the University's network using their normal Windows account username and password.

Find out more from the University IT page.

Wireless Printing -

Wireless printing form a personal computer or mobile device is available to students who have added money for printing to their WestConnect ID cards and have registered their card on the Paros system.  See the University IT page for detailed directions.   University IT department.

Public Workstation Use

WCSU Libraries provide access to our designated computer workstations to persons who are not WCSU students, faculty, or staff as a courtesy and on a limited basis.  To request such access, visitors will need to fill out a request form and present it to the librarian or staff member on duty.  Please note that current WCSU students, faculty, and staff always have priority in using these workstations.  Exceptions are permitted only to those guests using government documents or those users in possession of a valid student ID from another college or university. 

Additional rules governing the use of the workstations can be found on our policies page.

Haas Library

Individual Study Rooms

The Haas Library has seven total individual study rooms available on a first-come, first-served basis for a loan period of two hours. 
Three are located on the third floor and four are on the fourth floor. Each room contains a desk, wall-mounted whiteboard, and one or two chairs. To borrow a study room, visit the Circulation Desk on the first floor with your WCSU ID card.

Group Study Rooms

The Haas Library has four group study rooms that can be reserved in advance and used for a loan period of two hours. Two of the rooms are located on the first floor, with the remaining two on the second floor. You can reserve a group study room by visiting the Circulation Desk on the first floor or calling 203.837.9100. You will need your WCSU ID card to borrow a group study room.
Please address inquiries regarding the use of room 508 on the fifth floor to a Haas Library Circulation Department Supervisor.

Reserve a Space New!

We have a new online study room reserve system. You can use it to search available rooms, see a photo of the room, and request a study space. 

Young Library

Quiet space is available for small groups upon request.  Inquire at the Young circulation desk.