Community/Alumni User borrowing policy
Directions to the library:
The library is the campus building next to College Hall and near Centennial Hall as pictured on the campus map. Visitor parking is available on Bentley Road near the Sears Athletic Complex or near Marbeck Center. There is also limited visitor parking in the College Hall parking lot.
If entering the library from the front door, take the stairs to the next level (3rd floor) for the Circulation/Info Desk and access to other floors. If entering the library from the lower side entrance, take the stairs or elevator to access all floors.
Services for Alumni & Community Users
Bluffton alumni, area residents, and guests to campus are welcome to visit Musselman Library and use our collections and services. Alumni may continue to use many of the services to which you were accustomed as Bluffton students.
- Research databases and other online resources are available for in-library use
- Those living in close proximity to campus are encouraged to apply for a community card so as to have borrowing privileges for Bluffton library materials as well as materials from other OPAL and OhioLINK libraries (see Borrowing policies for details...)
- Community users and alumni are invited to attend library programs and events
Frequently Asked Questions:
I'm graduating this year. How do I transition to alumni status at the library?
How do I apply for a library card?
Can I use computers in the library?
Can I access wi-fi in the library?
What guidelines do you have for K-12 students using the library?
Are research databases available off campus?
How do I access research databases in the library?
Can I request materials through interlibrary loan?
I'm stuck. Can librarians at Musselman help?
What are the charges for printing and photocopies?
Can you help with genealogy research?
Are there special resources for teachers?
What resources are available for pastors and others in ministry?
I'm graduating this year. How do I transition to alumni status at the library?
Stop at the Circulation/Info Desk and ask for an application for an alumni/community
card (see below). Also, you can ask for more information on the benefits that you
have as an alumni user of Musselman Library.
How do I apply for a library card?
Stop by the Circulation/Info Desk to complete an application. As of January 1, 2023,
there is no charge for a community borrower card.
Patrons with ID cards from OPAL or OhioLINK institutions do not need to apply for a Bluffton ID, as we can use that other card for checkouts.
Learn more about our borrowing policies here.
Can I use computers in the library?
Alumni, community patrons, and guests are welcome to use the library s computer workstations
for educational and research purposes. Since serving current students, faculty, and
staff is our primary mission, these users have priority for any computer. During particularly
busy times, computers may be unavailable for community users. Additionally, computers
are not available to elementary and middle school students, except when accompanied
by parent or guardian and for educational use, or with special permission from a librarian.
Can I access wi-fi in the library?
Musselman Library offers wireless internet access in all areas of the building and
in nearby outdoor areas.
What guidelines do you have for K-12 students using the library?
Area high school students are eligible for a library card if his/her parent or legal
guardian will agree to be responsible for any items borrowed by the student. Elementary
and middle school students may use the library when accompanied by a parent or guardian,
but are not eligible for a library card.
Are research databases available off campus?
Because of the library's contractual agreements with database providers, off-campus
use of online resources is limited to current students, faculty, and staff of Bluffton
University. Any user connected to the network in the library has full access to library
databases and online services. The library catalog, research guides, and other non-licensed
resources are available off-campus.
How do I access research databases in the library?
Alumni, community patrons, and guests may use a guest account to log on at the workstations
(login and password are posted at each PC) but do not have access to file storage.
Any user connected to the network in the library has full access to library databases
and online services.
Can I request materials through interlibrary loan?
Alumni and community patrons are eligible for a limited number of loans from OPAL
and OhioLINK libraries but not for traditional interlibrary loan or document delivery.
If you need materials from other libraries, we can assist you in locating the materials
and refer you to another library, or you can make the interlibrary loan requests through
your public library.
I'm stuck! can librarians at Musselman help?
Yes! Librarians offer assistance in person and by phone, email, and instant messaging.
Check our Need Help-Ask Us page for more details. Because current students, faculty, and staff have priority for
these services, there may be times when a librarian is not available for consultation,
or consultation is delayed. Hours for research assistance are posted at the Need Help-Ask Us page.
What are the charges for printing and photocopies?
Community patrons may print or photocopy the first 10 pages for free during any library
visit. After that, the cost is $.10 per page, payable by cash or check to Bluffton
University at the Circulation/Info Desk. There are special policies and guidelines for photocopying in the Archives and Special Collections.
Can you help with genealogy research?
The Mennonite Historical Collections at Musselman Library include a number of resources
to assist family history researchers with genealogy efforts (see the Genealogy page for more details). Genealogy materials are available for use by appointment. For
questions or to make an appointment, contact Carrie Phillips, librarian for archives
and special collections (phone: 419-358-3275 or email: phillipsc@bluffton.edu).
Are there special resources for teachers?
All library users are welcome to browse and use Curriculum Resource Collection materials
(located on the 4th floor) and the production area, but checkout of materials is limited
to current students, faculty, and staff. Education resources available for checkout
to community patrons include items at the L classification for the general collections
and children's literature, also on the 4th floor. The library website features an
Education collection of research databases and other online resources, available for
in-library use.
What resources are available for pastors and others in ministry?
The library has many resources to offer for Biblical studies, church history, theology,
youth ministries, and religion. These materials are conveniently located in the Reading
Room (for our reference collection) and on the 2nd floor (circulating collection,
B call numbers). In addition, the library offers important databases for religious
studies, including ATLA Religion. These databases are available for in-library use.