About the Library
Hope College Library is a member of the LIRN (Library and Information Resource Network) network of libraries. Through the LIRN affiliation, the College has an extensive collection of eBooks and databases that support the curriculum, faculty, and students at the College. The LIRN network is continuously available online through the learning management system or the LIRN password protected website https://www.lirn.net/
Philosophy
The Hope College Library is an active partner in the education program of the College and strives to meet the needs of each student through its collections, resources, and services. The library plays an active role in information literacy instruction and helping students to become lifelong learners, accomplished scholars, and competent professionals.
Library Personnel and LIRN Librarian Service
The Hope College Library is staffed by a library director/librarian. The library director holds the highest accredited education degree, a master’s degree in library and information science, and is responsible for all aspects of library operations including the library instruction and information literacy program.
Students may contact the librarian by email for research/reference assistance 24/7 and receive a response within 24 hours or less. The library director/librarian is available to advise faculty on developing research assignments and incorporating library content into the curriculum. Contact the librarian at: library@dp.hcas.edu.
LIRN Resources, Reference, and eBook Collections
The LIRN Library is available online 24/7 with subscriptions that include 94 full-text research databases providing access to eBooks, magazines, newspapers, scholarly and professional journals, reference materials, reports, media, and curriculum-based tools such as interactive human anatomy and test materials.
Information sources are interdisciplinary, supporting the general curriculum and with particular attention given to the allied health, health science, and nursing curriculum. Among the databases that comprise the suite of Hope College holdings for nursing, medicine and allied health are offerings from two major vendors: PROQUEST and Gale. Additional holdings include PubMed (NIH), with some full-text access through PubMed Central, MedlinePlus and Google Scholar. Health and medicine databases from PROQUEST include: Biological Science, Healthcare Administration, Consumer Health, Research Library: Health and Medicine; Health and Medical Collection; Nursing and Allied Health; Public Health; and ProQuest Central. Gale databases include: Gale Health and Wellness (reference materials and over 400 health/medical journals); Gale Onefile: Health and Allied Health (400 titles covering all aspects of nursing from direct patient care to health care administration); Gale Onefile: Health and Medicine (access to the full-text of nursing and allied health journals. Skillsoft Books round out a collection of eBooks focused on skill sets such as business, project management, leadership and IT. All research databases support the APA (American Psychological Association) reference and citation style. An annual review of library resources and a faculty survey is conducted to assess resource needs. Usage statistics are gathered and reviewed annually and provide important information in making modifications in the LIRN collection.
Information Literacy and Library Instruction Orientation
All incoming and new students enrolled at Hope College must attend a mandatory library orientation. This is accomplished through an open online classroom environment which is evaluated by a graded quiz and certificate of completion. The orientation presents students with the necessary tools to perform online searches in library databases; tools for citing in APA style; as well as various routes of access; and library and librarian support services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find my college textbook in the LIRN online library?
No, you will not find your textbook in the LIRN online library. The library does not purchase student textbooks and they are not available through LIRN. Students must purchase their own textbook and to ensure that students are purchasing the current and correct book, they may purchase from the publisher direct:
https://lippincottdirect.lww.com/CareerNursing-HopeCollegeofArtsSciences-Annual2023How can I ask for research assistance?
To ask for research assistance, contact the HCAS Librarian/Director at: library@dp.hcas.edu Emails are answered within 24 hours and screen share appointments are available. Ask a Librarian
Research Assistance and Reference Support Hours
Research assistance and reference support is Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To ask for research assistance, contact the HCAS Librarian/Director at: library@dp.hcas.edu Emails are answered within 24 hours and screen share appointments are available. Ask a Librarian
How can I get help with my APA citations and papers?
Hope College offers a librarian email and screenshare service with the library director/librarian. Connie Tuisku may be contacted for research and APA help via library email for an appointment. library@dp.hcas.edu
How do I sign-on to LIRN?
You will need to ask the Hope College Librarian/Director for the username and password to access LIRN, send an email to Connie Tuisuk library@dp.hcas.edu
How do I contact the Hope College librarian?
To contact the HC Librarian/Director, use email for Connie Tuisuk library@dp.hcas.edu
Does Hope College have a physical library?
Hope College has a Learning Resource Center (LRC) which contains print books for use in the LRC. This collection consists of supplemental course materials which cannot be checked out. The LRC is located on the second floor of the Main Campus and is staffed by a HC administrative assistant. The Campus LRC has open access to computers which has internet access and Microsoft Office applications for student use.