How Do I Obtain Library Materials?

Introduction

Getting books and articles from the library can be difficult for students and faculty whose classes are far from from the main campus. This web page provides information about your various options for obtaining library materials.

The most important thing to remember is to plan ahead and allow yourself plenty of time. Make sure you have the current proxy password so you can use the library's databases, and remember that interlibrary loan (ILL) can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Options

1. Come to the library
2. Use the full-text library databases
3. Visit our branch libraries
4. Use other libraries with your TexShare card
5. Use Interlibrary Loan (ILL) through your local public library
6. Contact us for assistance

Option 1: Come to the library

Although coming to main campus to use the library can be inconvenient for those living far away, it is often the best way to get the right items quickly.

• Read this page and visit our Off-campus Library Services web page so you'll know what you can get without coming to the library.
• If you come to main campus for another reason, try scheduling yourself some extra time to visit the library.
• Remember to bring your student ID -- you will need it to check out books.
• You may want to read through our circulation policies and services.
• Call the library before your visit to verify the hours we will be open. You may also want to verify that we actually have the items you want. The phone number for the reference desk is (903) 886-5720 or you may use the toll-free number: 866-386-4333.
• Plan ahead. Do your database and catalog searches over the Internet before you come to the library, giving yourself more time at the library for things like photocopying and reviewing reference materials that can't be checked out.
• Check the current journals list to see if we currently subscribe to a particular journal or magazine (this also lists journals in some of our full-text databases). You may also want to check the catalog to see if we have back issues.
• Familiarize yourself with the library before your visit by viewing our floor maps.
• To make the best use of your time in the library, ask the reference staff for help. Because we are very familiar with the library and its resources, we can usually find things more quickly than our users can.
• If you check out books, remember that you will need to return them. You can return items at the main campus or at the Metroplex library, or you may mail the items to us.
• If you wish to keep an item beyond your original due date, you can renew the book by email or by calling the circulation department at (903) 886-5414.

Option 2: Use the full-text library databases

The library provides access to a number of full-text databases over the Internet, giving you instant access to books, encyclopedias, newspapers, magazines, and journal articles.

• Learn about how to access our databases from off-campus. (Off-campus access is only available to current A&M-Commerce students, staff, and faculty.)
• Access the databases through the Library Databases web page.
• Find out which databases have full-text in them.
• If you already have a citation for a particular journal or magazine article, you can check the current journals list to see if it is in one of our full-text databases.
• Learn more about using the databases by reading the Database Help web booklet.
• NetLibrary, which provides full-text books online, works a little differently than our other databases. Read Using NetLibrary to learn more about it.

Option 3: Visit our branch libraries

A&M-Commerce has two locations where our students can access our library services off-campus. Our main branch library is located in the Metroplex Center in Mesquite, and we have a cooperative agreement with the Navarro College library in Corsicana.

Metroplex Library

Collection:
The collection consists mainly of education books, periodicals, reference materials, and ERIC documents. Items at the Metroplex Library are listed in the A&M-Commerce library catalog. Although Metroplex items will be clearly labeled in the catalog (just above the call number display), it is not possible at this time to limit your search just to Metroplex items.

Requesting books and articles:
A&M-Commerce students, staff, and faculty can ask for items from the main campus library or other libraries to be delivered to the Metroplex Library for pickup/checkout. These items do not have to be from our library -- we can borrow from thousands of libraries around the country. All you need to provide is the bibliographic information, such as author, title, date, etc.

You can request an item by filling out an ILL (Interlibrary Loan) form at the Metroplex Library, or by filling out an online form:

• Book request
• Article request

Remember to allow yourself enough time... ILL requests can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on where the item is coming from.

Returning books:
You can return any A&M-Commerce library materials to the Metroplex Library, even if you checked them out at the main campus library.

Location:
Metroplex Center
2600 Motley Dr.
Mesquite, TX 75150

General information:
Phone: (972) 882-7535
Web page: Metroplex Library

Library Services Coordinator:
Marilyn Hoye
Phone: (972) 882-7537
Email: Marilyn_Hoye@tamu-commerce.edu

Navarro College library

We have a special arrangement with the Navarro College library to help serve the information needs of students taking A&M-Commerce classes at the Navarro College campus. To make use of these services, you will need to show your A&M-Commerce student ID card.

Collection:
A small collection of A&M-Commerce books (mainly in the areas of education and psychology) is available at the Navarro College library. These books are listed in the A&M-Commerce library catalog, but it is not possible at this time to limit your search just to Navarro items. Feel free to ask the library staff if you need help finding items.

Requesting books and articles:
A&M-Commerce students can ask for other library items to be delivered to the Navarro College library for pickup/checkout. These items do not have to be from our library -- we can borrow from thousands of libraries around the country. All you need to provide is basic bibliographic information such as author, title, date, etc. To request an item, talk to the staff at the Navarro College library (you will be required to show your A&M-Commerce student ID).

Remember to allow yourself enough time. ILL requests can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the location and status of the requested item.

Returning books:
A&M-Commerce items checked out from Navarro College can be returned to the libraries at the main A&M-Commerce campus, the Metroplex Center, or Navarro College.

Location:
Navarro College library
3200 W. 7th Avenue
Corsicana, TX 75110

General information:
Phone: (903) 875-7442
Fax: (903) 874-4636
Web page: Navarro College library (http://www.nav.cc.tx.us/lrc/index.html)

Dean of Learning Resources and Special Collections:
Darrell Beauchamp, Ed.D.
Phone: (903) 875-7441
Email: dbeau@nav.cc.tx.us

Option 4: Use other libraries with your TexShare card

The TexShare card program is a reciprocal borrowing agreement between academic libraries in Texas (many public libraries will be included starting in August 2000). TexShare card holders can borrow books directly from any participating library -- a picture ID may also be required, so be sure to bring one along. (Before you visit a library, you may want to call ahead to verify that it does honor TexShare cards.)

TexShare libraries:

• TexShare library lending policies -- alphabetical list of TexShare card libraries, with links to their lending policies (includes address and phone number)
• TexShare library catalogs -- links to library catalogs (may include some libraries that don't participate in the TexShare card program)

A&M-Commerce students, staff, and faculty can use the forms below to apply for a TexShare card:

• TexShare Card application (electronic)
• TexShare Card application (regular mail) -- same as above, but you print out form and return by mail

Option 5: Use interlibrary loan (ILL) through your local public library

Most public and military libraries offer their patrons interlibrary loan (ILL) service, borrowing items from other libraries when they are not available locally. Please contact your local library to see if this service is available to you (some limitations may apply, so be sure to ask for details).

Option 6: Contact us for assistance

If you are having problems obtaining a particular item, please feel free to contact the A&M-Commerce Outreach Librarian:

Craig Wheeler
Head of Reference
Gee Library, Texas A&M University - Commerce
PO Box 3011, Commerce, TX 75429
phone: (903) 886-5719
email: craig_wheeler@tamu-commerce.edu

Other library phone numbers are available from the library's web site (phone numbers are near the bottom of the page).

[ Off-campus Library Services - table of contents ]
[ Database Help booklet | Library guide ]
[ Gee Library home page | A&M-Commerce home page ]

Craig Wheeler
Head of Reference
Gee Library, Texas A&M University - Commerce
PO Box 3011, Commerce, TX 75429
phone: (903) 886-5719
email: Craig_Wheeler@tamu-commerce.edu

Last updated June 2006.