About
The Physics Astronomy department library supports the students and faculty.
Library space and services were renovated in 2011 to promote collaboration among students. The department library is a great place to study alone or in a group, day or night.
Contact the librarian: library@physics.utah.edu
Accessibility
The library is located in room 212 of the James Fletcher building on campus. The library is open 24/7 to all students. For further directions and parking, please see our Visitors section.
To reserve the Library for an event, first see the Library room calendar page for availability and then contact the department's front desk at 801-581-6901 to make your reservation.
Equipment
- 7 Computers
- 3 Sun Machines
- 4 Windows
- 1 printer
- 9 tables
- 45 chairs
- 2 white boards
- Data Projector (soon to be installed. Portable Data Projector available with 72 hours notice)
Library Computers
Computers are for department faculty, staff and students only. If you are not enrolled in a PHYS or ASTRO course, or are not affiliated with the department, the computer labs in the Marriott Library have guest accounts that can be used.
Windows Computers: To log on to the Windows computers, use your Campus Information System (CIS) username and password.
Sun Computers: Logging on to the Sun Terminals requires a Physics computer account (username@physics.utah.edu). Those without access must fill out and submit the Computer Account Request form (Link). Accounts are created in less than a week.
Library Catalog
Theses
Everything you ever wanted to know about theses available here.
Reference Research Tools
J. Willard Marriott Library
Off-Campus Access
Articles Databases More - Use these databases and indexes to research journal and newspaper articles.
Copyright Overview Resources - Copyright Information and up-to-date resources.
Usearch - (the library catalog so much more) Find books, images, articles, multi-media content, journals more provided by the University of Utah libraries.
EndNote Web - Collect and organize references. Format citations and footnotes or a bibliography
Online Journals - Find online journal and magazine articles.
Reference Resources
How-To-Guides
Interlibrary Loan Document Delivery
Marriott Faculty Resources
Science Engineering Research Librarian:
April Love
Contact Info: Marriott Library, Room 1738B,
801-587-9606
april.love@utah.edu
Other Libraries
J. Willard Marriott Library
Eccles Health Sciences Library
S. J. Quinney Law Library
University of Utah Regulations Library
FAQ
How do I check out a book?
Take the book you want to check out to the department's main office 201 JFB. You need a valid University ID Card.
How many books can I borrow at once?
You are limited to 10 books out at any given time (books from the Marriott, Eccles Health, and Quinney Law Library don't count toward this limit).
What if the book I need is already checked out?
Most of our books are only checked out for 2 weeks. If you need a book that has been checked out, we will put you on a list to check out said book next, after the previous patron's two week loan period is up. Many of our books are also available at the Marriott Library, if you need the book before the previous patron's two week loan period is up.
How long can I check out a book?
2 weeks
Can I renew my book?
Yes, provided no one else has requested that specific book. Books may be renewed in person (201 JFB), or via email (library@physics.utah.edu).
I lost a book, now what?
Report lost items immediately by sending an email to library@physics.utah.edu. Replacement charges vary by library and material type, but typically include the replacement cost of the item and a non-refundable $5.00 billing fee.
Can I just buy the item myself? The Physics Astronomy library will accept an exact replacement of a lost book, rather than charge you the full price. However, it is at the department's discretion whether or not to accept a replacement book. Replacement books must have the same ISBN as the lost item, and have the same format or binding, and be in unused condition. Replacement copies should be brought to the department's main office 201 JFB.
Can I check out a textbook that is currently being used in a PHYS/ASTRO course?
While the department does have copies of the textbooks being used for courses each semester, they are reserved for the faculty and the course teaching assistants. However, a copy of every textbook being used during the current semester has been made available for short-term checkout from the Marriott Library's Student Course Reserves.
Can I reserve the library space for a presentation/meeting/study session/etc? Reserving the library space is indeed possible. Priority is given to students and student events. Make sure you check the library calendar first to ensure there is not an event already scheduled. Note that the library space is NOT available for research group meetings, or other faculty-led meetings, as other rooms in the department are more appropriate for those types of meetings.
To schedule, either send an email to library@physics.utah.edu or call the receptionist at (801) 581-6901.
Vince Frederick Memorial (1920 - 2002)
Vince Frederick was, for many years, the respected and much beloved librarian of the Physics and Mathematics departments. He worked at the University of Utah in one capacity or another for nearly 60 years. He was the longest serving University of Utah Library employee. Since he started at the university in the 1950's, he was one of the most senior employees of any job description on campus. He even worked in the campus library when it was the George Thomas Library on Presidents' Circle. Vince was the first employee to receive the Presidential Staff award at its inception in 1992.
Often, those of the university community who did not know him by name recall encountering the wiry man with a gray, receding crew cut, sweatshirt and an ever-present backpack with a racket handle sticking out. In the late afternoon, he was often to be seen at the Marriott Library or walking between work and his home a few blocks southwest of the campus.
Vince read widely and thought deeply about what he read. In this very room, many professors enjoyed discussions with him about the many topics far and wide in which he was expert. Department members and library colleagues marveled at, and came to rely on, his uncanny skill in locating obscure references and in translating Russian, Japanese, and Chinese research articles. To give an idea of the broad range of interests, people in the department benefited from his gardening advice and his experience with foreign-language short-wave radio stations or his connoisseur's knowledge of varieties of beer.
Vince's devotion to others was total. He helped undergraduates as willingly as he helped professors. He shunned publicity and lived frugally, even to the point of declining a salary increase, a rare event in human history. He never drove an automobile because he thought it could be dangerous for people. He died tragically, struck by a car on a busy street near campus on November 27, 2002. Vince Frederick was a remarkably knowledgeable, humble, and foundational member to our department. He is missed by all who knew him.