Alkek Library News

Use Interlibrary Loan to Get Materials From Other Libraries

You've found the perfect journal article or book. It turns out Alkek doesn't have it! What to do?

Use Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and we'll get you the article, book, DVD or CD from a partner library. A journal article will probably be delivered electronically to your email. Physical items such as books or DVDs are physically picked up at the library and must be returned according to their due dates.

Databases will usually automatically give you a referral option to ILL. If you find a book on Amazon or by word of mouth, you must directly access the ILL page here to make your request.

Plan your research ahead - delays are brief, but generally expect a few days for a journal article and a week and change for a book.

Welcome Students! The Library's resources & services = a successful semester!

For a great start to the new semester, Alkek Library offers drop-in orientations at the beginning of each semester. If you are new to Texas State and have never been in the library, all you need to do is check the schedule for the time and then just meet at the Reference Desk on the 2nd floor as you enter the main lobby.  There is still time left to take advantage this open walking-tour.  

If you prefer to tour Alkek Library from the comfort of your home or dorm room, we have an online tutorial as well as still photos and mp3 audio tours for you to enjoy at your leisure.

If you have a question, need directions or want to get a jump start on your research, you can stop by the Reference Desk, call us at 245-2686 or get online help using the Ask-A-Librarian service. We offer multiple ways of online help. You can chat with us using your preferred chat client by adding us to your contacts, or you can chat w/a librarian using the many Ask a Librarian widgets placed on various pages throughout the library website. There is an email option, and you can also schedule an individual consultation. New this semester we now offer the option to meet online with a librarian using videoconferencing software.

Also new this semester we have added an additional way to contact us! Now you can also TEXT-A-LIBRARIAN by texting # 512-761-8398. We are using a Google Voice number, so we can receive offline message in case you send it after hours.

We also offer workshops on using RefWorks, an online resource for bibliographic management. These are held in our classroom 101, downstairs from the main lobby. Our workshop schedule is updated periodically, so check back often for other classes.

Many of our research resources are available remotely. Access to many journal articles, newpapers, magazines are available online. If you want to know if we have access to your favorite newspaper or magazine you can search for it by using the Periodical List. Or, if you already have a topic you need to research, you can use one of the subject research databases. For more information about using the databases, see this research guide. There are also other research guides arranged by subject which offer you the best resources for your research topic.

Other popular library resources are Reserve and E-Reserve. You can check Reserve by professor or course for materials your professor has placed there for your class to use. Sometimes your textbook will be on Reserve. Other things like chapter readings, articles, videos, or old tests may be on Reserve. If your professor uses the E-Reserve service, they will give you a password to access the materials.

The final tip for a successful semester: Don't pay for journal articles! If you find an article you need, but the library does not have a subscription, then you can utilize the Interlibrary Loan Service to get a copy of the article. This service is also available for books and other materials. It is a free service.

Welcome to Texas State and remember: librarians are here to help you succeed!

 

 

Pick up your Interlibrary Loan items at the Circulation Desk starting June 7

Beginning June 7, the Alkek Library will make some changes in interlibrary loan service to make the service more convenient for students, faculty, and staff. The primary change is the point of pick up for interlibrary loan items such as books, videos, and other items that are not available for delivery in electronic form.

The Circulation Desk of the Albert B. Alkek Library will become the pick-up point providing students, faculty, and staff with expanded access as the Circulation Desk is open all the hours the library is open. Items such as books or videos need to be returned to the Alkek Library and deposited in the new Interlibrary Loan book drop located inside the Library (look for it near the photocopiers in the Reference Area) on the 2nd Floor. Items may also be returned to a staff member at the Circulation Desk. All other aspects of the ILL service remain the same.

This free lending service allows Texas State University students, faculty, and staff to request items not owned by the Alkek Library. Requests must be submitted in the ILLiad system and the typical turnaround time is two weeks for a book. Articles may be delivered more quickly and if available in electronic format will be sent via email providing easy desktop access for library patrons. This change will not affect students, faculty, and staff at the RRHEC. All interlibrary loan services for RRHEC patrons will remain the same.

The Interlibrary Loan office is located in a closed staff area of the Alkek Library in Room 213. Students, faculty, or staff who have questions for ILL staff or need assistance with ILL requests may contact the ILL staff by calling 512-245-4893. For in-person/in-depth consultation, students, faculty or staff may make an appointment with an ILL staff member between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday by calling the ILL office. Questions and/or comments may be directed to Jerry Weathers, Reference/Interlibrary Loan Librarian, via email (jw07@txstate.edu) or by phone (512-245-3891).

For more information on ILL, visit our website at: http://www.library.txstate.edu/about/departments/ill.html.  

Changes to ILLiad Interface

The Interlibrary Loan (ILLiad) user interface has changed. After login, returning library users will notice that the main page is more compact and easier to navigate. All navigation links are now located on the left side of the page. As we continue to tweak the main page, library users may notice small changes.

These changes will make things even easier. Please let us know of any problems you encounter while using the new interface. You may contact the Interlibrary Loan office at 245-4893.

Use Worldcat for Making ILL Requests

Now you can use WorldCat to help you fill out an Interlibrary Loan request. The Full Record in Worldcat now includes a link that says: "Send ILL request to TXSTATE" (under Get This Item)

When you find an item in WorldCat you would like to request clicking the link will automatically prompt you to login to ILLiad and then populates the request form for you then all you need to do is review it and add any notes.