As a graduate student, you need to access and use a wide variety of resources that are highly specialized. Whether or not you are an experienced researcher or “just a beginner”, we will work with you to guide you through the maze of resources, information retrieval strategies, and information management techniques. Our goal is to help you become a confident and skilled user of information resources and services. We strongly encourage you to take some time to receive an orientation to our information services. Call 973-720-2663 or fill out a Schedule Research Help form to schedule a session tailored to meet your needs. You can meet in person or virtually.
Library Homepage The Library homepage serves as a starting point for all of your research needs at the University. You can find valuable information about the many services and resources available to you. Here you can: Search for a variety of sources (articles, books, or everything at once!) Chat with or make an appointment with a librarian for research help Reserve a study room Watch research-related tutorials and more!
Books & Media You can click on Books & Media or Search All to locate books and media in the Cheng Library collection. With Search All, limiting your search results to the Library Catalog will identify books, media, ebooks and streaming videos available in the Cheng Library collection. Graduate students may borrow most print books for one semester. Some books located in the Curriculum Materials Center and media and computer software circulate for three days to two weeks. Reference materials and print periodicals do not circulate. A WPUNJ ID card is required to borrow materials from Cheng Library.
Using Databases Use Find Articles to locate articles on a variety of topics, with a single search. You can also limit your search to a specific database, such as PsycInfo or Proquest Education Database, by selecting Databases and choosing the subject area or searching by the database name. Your WPUNJ username and password will be required for access. A reference librarian will provide assistance in selecting and using any of these databases. For tips on searching databases, please see the Library Tutorials page. As you search in our databases to locate articles, you will find lots of full text content online. You may also find that some articles are only available in print or as microform. You may request copies of these articles using our Interlibrary Loan/Article Copy Service portal to complete the copy request form. Copies are usually delivered to you via this portal within 48 hours. Not sure if we have the article you need? Use the Journal Search to see what’s available (Tutorial).
Interlibrary Loan Books and Media: The Interlibrary Loan home page provides additional information pertaining to policies and procedures about using this service. Articles: Sometimes the articles you find in one of our databases are not available in full-text. You can request these articles from other libraries using the Interlibrary Loan/Article Copy Service portal. Simply fill out the appropriate New ILL Request form, and a copy of the article will be delivered to you, often within 1-3 business days. You can also log in to this portal to check the status of your request. For more help, check out our Interlibrary Loan & Article Copy Service @ the Cheng Library tutorial!
Graduate Study Room The Graduate Study Room is an exclusive study area for WPUNJ graduate students. Located in Room 211 on the 2nd Floor, the Graduate Study Room is a quiet space for independent study and research. The room contains individual study carrels and soft seating. All registered WPUNJ graduate students can gain access by swiping their student IDs. If you have any trouble accessing the room or have additional questions, please see the Lending Services desk on the 1st Floor. There are 15 small book storage lockers available to check out for the semester. Locker requests can be made at the Lending Services Desk on the 1st Floor of the Library. For more information or to provide feedback, please call Lending Services at 973-720-3180 or e-mail lending@wpunj.edu.
Use of Other Libraries The Cheng Library recently entered into a partnership with the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Rowan University, Stockton University and The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), to provide users with access to a shared catalog of resources. This allows WPUNJ faculty, staff, and students to borrow directly from these academic libraries using their WPUNJ ID card. Requests for materials can also be made through the Cheng Library catalog. Additional reciprocal borrowing arrangements exist with some New Jersey academic libraries through the VALE Reciprocal Borrowing Program. The VALE program allows graduate students to borrow materials upon presentation of a William Paterson ID card and a letter from Lending Services (lending@wpunj.edu or 973-720-3180). For information about additional agreements we have with other libraries, please visit the Use of Other Libraries page. The Library also purchases an access card from Princeton University Libraries for faculty and graduate students. Please contact the Reference Desk at refdesk@wpunj.edu or 973-720-2116 for additional information.
William Paterson Thesis Collection Access William Paterson theses is available through the Theses and Dissertations @ The William Paterson University of New Jersey. Set the University/Institution to The William Paterson University of New Jersey to see everything by WPU students.
Research Help The Contact Us button on our homepage lists a variety of options for obtaining assistance. Phone: 973-720-2116 eMail: refdesk@wpunj.edu Chat: Use the blue "Chat with a Librarian" or "After Hours Reference" buttons to message with a librarian! Schedule Individual Research AssistanceWe now offer virtual reference assistance! In addition to contacting the library, you should view the Resources by Subject menu to locate research guides for specific courses or disciplines.
Contact Us If you have questions about the Library, refer to our Library Staff Directory or contact our Reference Desk for assistance. Each academic department also has a liaison librarian, to support students in that subject area, if you would like help with a particular subject area. To find out who your subject librarian is, use the Library Liaison Directory
