The library staff are friendly people and are eager to answer all of your reference and research questions, including the questions you have about the library and its services. To assist you, we've compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions about The Virginia Beall Ball Library.
Who can use the library?
The library is open to the public during library hours; however, only individuals who are residents of Indiana or who work for an Indiana-based organization may borrow library materials directly from IYI. If you do not live or work in Indiana, please contact your local library for interlibrary loan assistance.
Where is the library located and when is it open?
The Virginia Beall Ball Library collection is housed at the Indiana Youth Institute’s Indianapolis headquarters at 603 E. Washington Street. On-site visitors are asked to sign in on the 8th floor. Free parking is available adjacent to the building. Hours of operation are 8 am to 5 pm Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except on holidays and days when IYI is closed. Please call in advance to verify that the library is open.
How do I search for library materials, especially if I’m not able to visit the library?
Using the library is easy. The best way to begin is to search the online library catalog for materials, or choose resources from the bibliography lists located on the left side of the catalog Web page. If you still need help with selecting materials,
Ask the Librarian for recommendations. While you are searching, you can organize your results by title, author, relevance, popularity, publication date, and call number. It is possible to save selected titles into lists that you can update, e-mail to colleagues, and refer to again and again. You can even receive automatic alerts by creating a search that will run automatically and alert you when relevant new materials are available. It is easy to register for a library account, which is required in order to request materials, through the online catalog.
How do I check out materials and return them?
There are five ways to check out materials:
—Visit our online library catalog to submit requests.
—Call 1-800-343-7060 and ask for the librarian
—E-mail library@iyi.org – include your name, organization, address, and phone number
—Visit our library at 603 East Washington Street, Indianapolis
—Borrow materials through interlibrary loan at your local library (this option takes longer and may involve fees)
Once you have requested materials, IYI will mail your materials to you by priority mail. In your package, we will include a postage-paid return envelope. Just place the items in the envelope, seal it and add your return address, and pop it in with your regular mail.
How much does this great service cost?
All library services are free of charge.
Can I borrow materials if I live outside of Indiana?
Yes, you may borrow materials from us through your local library. Most public and academic libraries offer a service called interlibrary loan (ILL). This service allows a library to borrow items from another library for one of its patrons. The cost of this service is $10 for public libraries outside Indiana and $15 for all other non-Indiana libraries. Your library may or may not subsidize part of the cost.
What types of materials and what subjects are included in the library collection?
The collection includes books, special reports, journals, videos, DVDs, audiotapes, CDs, and training and curriculum resources. All items may be borrowed except reference books. These materials cover topics in youth development and nonprofit management, such as fund raising and development, program planning and activities, assessment, volunteer recruitment and retention, leadership, juvenile justice, substance abuse, character building, parenting, etc. The library also has a growing collection of how-to activity DVDs, videos and books that can be shared with youth individually and in group settings.
How many items may I borrow at one time and how long may I keep them?
In order to keep an adequate choice of materials for everyone, please restrict yourself to five items at one time.
Library materials check out for four weeks.
Is there a fine for overdue materials?
Although we certainly appreciate the prompt return of materials; at this time, IYI does not charge a fine for overdue items.
What happens if an item I have borrowed becomes lost or damaged?
You are responsible for the safe return of your borrowed materials. A patron who allows any item he/she has borrowed to become damaged or lost will be held financially responsible for the cost to repair or replace that item plus a $10 processing fee.
Do you have FAQs for the online catalog?
There are helpful instructions on each page of the catalog for each type of searching. There also useful tips under the Help tab. If your question is not covered, please feel free to contact the librarian or phone the library staff at 1-800-343-7060.
Lisa Habegger, Director of Library Services
Virginia Beall Ball Library
library@iyi.org