Our Services
Cost Recovery for Library Services
The library has been directed to more stringently adhere to its charter to recover its costs by charging customers for service in support of direct projects. Library staff will still be able to respond at no cost to information requests that require less than a half hour of effort. For all requests that exceed one half hour, the customers will be required to pay for service. Such services may include extensive literature searches, acquiring a large number of photocopies or interlibrary loans for a literature review, and time spent tracking down a difficult reference. Volpe's federal staff can open a charge number for library staff to perform project-related work. There will be no charge for cataloging new purchases. Customer satisfaction is extremely important to the library personnel. Accordingly, this cost-recovery process will be made as easy to use and convenient as possible. If you have any questions, please contact: Tim Weisenberger, Library COTR, at x3301 or timothy.weisenberger@dot.gov.
Acquisitions
The library routinely surveys relevant literature and attempts to acquire and develop a collection that serves the research needs of the Volpe Center. However, as of October 1, 2003, the library is no longer funded to purchase books, reports or subscriptions for Volpe Center staff. Volpe federal staff must now make these purchases. Library personnel is happy to offer assistance in obtaining ordering information such as locating a publisher or identifying the best source for an item. Please notify the library (susan.dresley@dot.gov) when a purchase is made. A staff member will pick up the book and borrow it for a short time so that it can be cataloged, bar-coded, and then returned to you. This will assist the Center in preventing multiple purchases of the same item and enable the TRC to maintain accurate records. Your cooperation in this effort is very important and most appreciated.
Customized Research
On a charge-back basis for Volpe Center employees, the library staff is available for project-related support services. Examples of such services include creating a bibliography of project documents that are made accessible on a customized database; a current awareness service to help you stay on top of current literature in your research area of expertise; and in-depth project-related literature searches.
Database Searching
In addition to the resources of the library's collection, a literature search on a specific topic can be performed for Volpe Center staff members using online databases, CD-ROMs or the Internet.
Document Delivery
Library staff members can borrow materials from other libraries for use by Volpe Center employees. The library interacts closely with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Libraries for many interlibrary loans and photocopy requests. When an item is unavailable from MIT, a computerized network of lending institutions is accessed to identify local and national sources. All materials borrowed on interlibrary loan must be promptly returned. Requests may be placed in person at the Reference Desk, by phone, or electronically from the library's Web Site.
MIT Libraries
The Volpe Center contracts with MIT Libraries for special access to the collections and its vast range of information services. In addition, this contract allows any Volpe Center staff member to obtain a MIT library card. MIT Library card applications are available in the library. Items charged out on individual cards are the responsibility of the borrower and must be returned to MIT directly.
Reference
The library staff is trained to answer in-depth or ready reference questions via e-mail, telephone or in person at the Reference Desk. Reference services also include assistance in the use of the public access catalogs, CD-ROMs, and general reference and web sources. Other services include conducting literature searches, locating materials on interlibrary loan and keeping track of transportation- related web sites and publications available via the Internet.
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