Technical Standards: Frequently Asked Questions

What are some points to remember when using standards?

• Some standards are government-mandated, and others are voluntary. There may be various penalties associated with not adhering to the standard.
• Standards are updated frequently to keep pace with changing technology—check to see if the standard you are using is the latest version.
• Older, superceded versions of standards may be useful in many cases, such as legal disputes concerning the performance of a product that was manufactured when the older standard was in force.

I know the number and/or title of the standard I need. How do I find out if it is in Fogler Library?

Many, but not all, standards owned by Fogler Library are cataloged in URSUS, which you can search by the title or number. Occasionally some are not cataloged, so check with the librarian if you are unable to locate what you need. 

How do I find out if Fogler Library owns the current version of a standard?

In general, only the current version of each standard is shelved in the reference collection or available in a database.  To verify that the copy owned by Fogler Library is the most recent version, consult the publisher's online catalog or one of these comprehensive indexes to technical standards:

NSSN: A National Resource for Global Standards

TechStreet

What if I need a superceded version of a standard for historical or legal research?

If this is the case, contact the librarian for assistance.

I am a faculty member at UMaine and need a particular standard for my research. Can Fogler Library provide that for me?

In most cases, we will purchase individual standards for faculty research. Due to licensing restrictions, we are usually unable to provide PDFs or other electronic versions. In order for us to acquire a standard for you, please follow these steps.

• Determine whether or not Fogler already owns the standard. I can help you with this.
• If Fogler does not own the standard, submit an interlibrary loan request.
• If the interlibrary loan request cannot be fulfilled (as is often the case) contact me and I will review for placing an order.