These Frequently Asked Questions and their answers are questions that have been asked previously by our patrons.
If you have any further questions, you can contact us via email at library@mwpai.edu.
Do I need a library card?
No, you do not. To check out items MWPAI Members use their membership cards, Employees, PrattMWP Students, and Pre-College Students use their Munson-Williams IDs and Utica College Students use their Utica college IDs.
What may I borrow, and for how long may I sign it out?
What may be borrowed, how many and for how long varies depending on your relationship with the institution. The table below will help answer these questions.
Relationship to Library |
Books |
Music CD's |
Video DVD's |
Periodicals |
Munson-Williams Member |
Eight Books for 3 Weeks |
Five CD's for 3 Weeks |
Three DVD's for 1 Week |
Not Allowed |
Munson-Williams Employees |
Eight Books for 2 Months |
Five CD's for 2 Months |
Three DVD's for 2 Weeks |
Two for 2 Weeks |
Munson-Williams Employee & PrattMWp Students |
Eight Books for 3 Weeks |
Five CD's for 3 Weeks |
Three DVD's for 1 Week |
Not Allowed |
Pre College Students |
Three Books for the Length of Your Stay on Campus |
Three CD's for the Length of Your Stay on Campus |
One DVD for 1 Week |
Not Allowed |
Utica College Students |
Two Books for 3 Weeks |
One CD for 3 Weeks |
One DVD for 1 Week |
Not Allowed |
Other Visitors |
May not borrow items unless becoming a Member |
Are there late return fees on borrowed items?
Yes, it is the borrowers' responsibility to return items before the due date. If that does not happen the borrower will be charged the following:
• $0.20 per day per item on Books and CD's
• $1.00 per day per item on DVD's
What happens if I do not return an item or the item becomes damaged?
It is the borrowers' responsibility for the safe care and timely return of items borrowed from the library. If the item becomes lost, damaged, or is just not returned then the borrower will be charged the replacement cost of the item along with a $40.00 processing fee.
What cannot be borrowed from the library?
Certain items are for in-library only use. They are as follows:
• Reference Books
• Oversized Books
• Artist File items
• Periodicals
Although these items can not be removed from the library, a copier is available to scan needed text or images to take with you or upload to your personal folders.
What additional services and resources are offered by the library?
• Information Literacy Sessions
○ The Library offers class and assignment-specific instruction in library usage, research techniques, and Internet search methodologies. To schedule an information literacy session, contact the librarian.
• Class Reserves
○ Library materials may be placed on reserve for your classes. These items may be held on reserve for all or part of the semester and may be designated as in-Library use only or circulating for a specific period among your students.
• Research & Reference Assistance
○ The Library offers research and reference assistance in-person, by phone (315)797-0000 ext. 2123, and by e-mail to Library@mwpai.edu.
• Acquisition Requests
○ Recommendations for additions to the Library’s collection are welcome and may be directed to the librarian.
• Interlibrary Loan
○ The Library offers a free interlibrary loan (ILL) service to employees and PrattMWP students.
○ You may request any item through ILL to supplement your instruction or area of responsibility
○ The ability to fulfill your request is based upon whether an outside library can lend the item. ILLs may take up to 7–10 days based upon mail or package delivery services. ILL requests may be directed to any of the library staff.
• Online Catalog
○ The online catalog may be used to search for books, music CDs, and videos in the Library’s collection. It may be searched from the Library’s web page by viewing the "Resources, Services & the MWPAI Library Collection" section on this page.
• Computers
○ There are computers available for use in the Library: All computers are connected to the online catalog and the Internet. One PC is also connected to a scanning and digitization system.
• New Acquisitions Display
○ New books, DVDs, and CDs are on display near the Circulation Desk and these items may be borrowed.
Why students should use the library...
• Free professional research assistance.
• Free access to fine art databases to use for your academic assignments or art career.
• Fine art books that you don’t have to buy because you can borrow them for free with your Library card.
○ Most of these books are not available online for free.
• Free DVD and music CD rentals.
○ Most of these movies and music CDs are not available through free streaming services.
• A lounge is available where you can bring in your snacks, lunch, dinner, or beverages.
• A welcoming space to visit with your friends, or enjoy quiet time alone, at the study tables, or in the stacks.
• Free help from the Writing Lab tutor two nights a week.
Ask a Question
• Ask an art-related research question.
• Schedule an information literacy session.
• Request an interlibrary loan.
• Suggest a purchase.
• Look for international and alternative movies on DVD.
• Inquire about print, online database, streaming video, auction price, and digital image resources.
• Find out about color printing and photocopying, scanning, and multimedia resources.
Research assistance is available by phone at 315-797-0000 ext. 2123, by email at Library@mwpai.edu.
The Library staff looks forward to assisting you with your research and collection questions.