Using the Library: Community

To get a library card you must:

  • Be a resident of the San Luis Valley
  • Be age 16 and older
  • Have a driver's license or other photo ID

Please bring your license or other photo ID to the circulation desk on the 1st floor of the library. Upon filling out an application form, we will mail you an ASU library card.

If you lose your library card, call the circulation desk at 719-587-7781 and tell us your card is lost.

To change your address or phone number, login to your account, click Profile, then click Edit Options. You may also stop by or call the circulation desk at 719-587-7781.

Community patrons may check out

  • five books and/or use the in-library laptops immediately after registration
  • movies or board games after they receive their library card in the mail
  • five items at a time, no more than two of which may be videos or board games
  • ten seed packets
  • five Overdrive (eBooks and audio books) items. This is separate from the five physical items.

Technology items (iPads, GoPro, etc.) and textbook reserves are for student and staff use only.

To renew your items log into your library account with your name and library number (401…). You may renew most items up to three times. You can also renew items by calling the circulation desk at 719-587-7781.

To request materials not available in Prospector, you need to request an Interlibrary Loan account for access.

Limits and checkout periods for community

Item Limit Check-out Period
Books 5 items 3 weeks, 3 renewals
Interlibrary Loan 5 items Depends on lending library
Popular Books 3 items 3 weeks, no renewals
DVDs and VHS 2 items 1 week, no renewals for popular, 3 weeks, no renewals for regular
Board and Card Games 3 items 1 week, no renewals
Seeds 10 packets forever

For more information on finding items, please go to Find and Request Materials.

Computer Labs

The computer labs are not open to the public. There are four open computer terminals around the library that may be used for quick email access or to look up government information.

Laptops

To check out a laptop, community members:

  • Must have a library card or photo ID
  • Be at least 18 years old

Laptops may be checked out at the first floor circulation desk. Laptops check out for two hours and must be used in the library.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is available on all three floors of the library. Community members may get a WiFi account for three days by logging on to the ASUGuest network and clicking on Request Guest Access. If you need access for longer than three days, or are unable to connect to the network, please contact us at 719-587-7879. All users must comply with ASU's Computing Services Policies.

Community members may reserve library classrooms if availability allows. Please see Room Reservations for more information.

All age levels of school and community groups are welcome at ASU Nielsen Library. Please review the group policies and the suggestions below before contacting the library.

To arrange a tour or instruction session, please email Jeffrey Bullington at jsbullington@adams.edu.

Group Policies

  • No visits will be scheduled during evening hours, weekends, the last week of classes, or final exam week.
  • School groups are to be limited to 35 students. Best results occur, however, with smaller groups of 25 or fewer students.
  • Teachers and accompanying parents are to help maintain order during visits. For first grade through sophomores, one supervising adult is needed for each ten students. For juniors and seniors, one supervising adult is needed for each fifteen students.

Suggestions before coming to the Nielsen Library

  • Students should determine a topic for their research.
  • Students should bring paper and pens/pencils and, if appropriate, a flash drive.
  • If students will be using the photocopiers or the microform printers, they should bring money. Students should bring one-dollar or five-dollar bills to change or, preferably, an adequate supply of nickels. (The microform machines accept only nickels.)

Not finding what you need? Visit the Library Help Center or contact us for more information.