Alkek Library News

What is the Periodical List For?

Periodicals are any publications that are published more than once: therefore they are periodical. Journals, magazines, newspapers are the most common periodicals.

If you ever find a citation or reference that you like, and you want to see if we have it, go to the periodical list and type in the name of the journal (not the article title).

You will be referred to a list of the databases that carry that journal. Note the dates available online. If your journal article is older you may have to come into the library for a physical copy.

If the library does not have access to the journal at all, fill out an interlibrary loan request.

A less commonly used function of the periodical list is searching by subject and then viewing all the journal titles associated with the subject. In real life, you will not conduct research this way. Instead use databases (JSTOR, CINAHL, etc...) and do keyword searches. 

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!

 

 

Want to Read a Newspaper?

As a Texas State student, we’ve probably got the paper you want at the Library or through our online databases. Visit the 3rd floor to read the hardcopy of the newspaper.

We’ve got Texas papers from San Marcos, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and the Valley. Nationally, we have the New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, and the Wall Street Journal. Internationally, we have the Financial Times and papers from Germany and India. And that’s just a choice listing. Stop by to browse.

Another option is to read the paper online. We have many papers that you’d have to have a subscription to see the full articles online.

Just go to the Library homepage and click on Research Databases link. At the top of the page, you’ll see the Databases by Type and a link for Newspapers. Scroll through the 24 databases, and if you don’t see the paper you’re looking for there, some good options are Newsbank, Library PressDisplay, InfoTrac, and Factiva.

Another way to check to see if we have access to the newspaper you are looking for is to search the Periodical List for it.  Enter in the exact name of the newspaper and if we have it available online (or in print) you will see an entry for it.  The links in red with the dates listed beside it are the online access.  Make sure it says "to present" for the latest issue. Sometimes online access will be delayed for a period of time.

Here is an entry for the Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition):

Microfilm HG 1 .W2 - 1946 to present

Print Holdings Newspaper Rack, Floor 3 - CURRENT ISSUES

ProQuest Historical Newspapers 1889 - 1992

ABI/INFORM Global 1984 to present

Factiva 1979 to present

Library Press Display digitizes the actual newspaper. Most of the databases offer only the text of the newspaper with images, not the actual look. Here is a sample view from the Library Press Display database (click on the image for a larger view):

If you have any questions about this or any other Periodical, you can ask at the Reference Desk on the 2nd floor or at the RPM Service Desk on the 3rd floor.
Guy Dore, 3rd Floor Reserve, Periodicals, & Media Assistant.

Renew or Check out Materials Over the Semester Break December 16th

If you want to check out materials over the semester/holiday break you can do so beginning December 16, 2008.  The catalog system is set to recall all books, videos, etc. on December 16th, but if you need the item over the break, just call the Circulation desk 245-3681 or renew online using My Account next Tuesday.

After your finals, you  might want to search the large DVD & VHS collection for your favorite movie or documentary.  The library also has many academy award winning films. The check-out period will be the same for the particular movie you check-out, but you can always renew online if the library is closed.  Also, if the item is due back over the break, fees will be waived.

If you have a long drive home, there are many books on CD available too. If you want a book by a particular author click on the author tab in the library catalog and limit your search to "Audio Books" to see what is available.

Another thing to keep in mind, while you are away from campus, you can still access MANY of the library's resources remotely.  Use the Periodical List to search for a particular magazine or newspaper to read the latest issues. For example, enter a title such as PC Magazine, Rolling Stone or New York Times and the results will show you the dates of availability and the databases with the full-text online.  Be sure to choose the link that says "to present" without an embargo listed.

Enjoy your upcoming break, and remember the library isn't all work and no play!

Library gains access to the complete Nature Archive, 1869 to present

Alkek Library has purchased to the complete Nature archive, 1869-1996. This purchase makes the journal accessible from 1869 to present, spanning 139 years of scientific world history.

Search for Nature in the Periodical List or bookmark the link below:

http://libproxy.txstate.edu/login?url=http://www.nature.com/nature/index.html

Nature is one of the most read—and cited—scientific scholarly journals. Nature publishes peer-reviewed research in all fields of science and technology on the basis of its originality, importance, interdisciplinary interest, timeliness, and surprising conclusions.  In many fields of scientific research, important new advances and original research are published as articles or letters in Nature.