START HERE -- if you're not sure what to do.



What are you looking for?

1. Books in the library on a subject

2. Articles in journals on a subject

3. Is there online access (to full text) for a journal?

4. Does the library own a certain journal?

5. Requesting book or journal from storage

6. Requesting book or journal from another library



1. Books in the library on a subject:
-- search the online library catalog, pull down the "subject" choice, type in your subject
-- if your subject doesn't work, try a broader subject
-- if location is BioSci, the book is here
-- find book by call number on shelf

2. Articles in journals on a subject:
-- use an index, now called a "database"
-- select "database" from BioSci Library list or from main list of all databases
-- search database by keyword(s) in your subject
-- look at search results (each record covers one article)
-- look for journal title in the record (not the article title)
-- search for journal title in online library catalog (see #4. below)
-- find journal alphabetically by title on shelf
-- find article, photocopy or sign out (issues and volumes go out for one week)

3. Is there online access (to full text) for a journal?

-- search the online library catalog by journal title
-- if there is a listing that says "online" after the title select it
-- click on the blue underlined online link
-- follow directions at the publisher's website
-- also check 'master list' of electronic journals

4. Does the library own a certain journal?
-- search the online library catalog, pull down the "title" choice, type in the journal title
-- if location is BioSci, the journal is here
-- find journal alphabetically by title

5. Requesting book or journal from storage:
-- search the online library catalog for your item
-- if the item says "storage request item," click on the "request" button
-- type in your social security number
-- click the bullet on next to the item to request it
-- click on the "submit" box at the bottom of the page
-- items are delivered to the Loan Desk in Dimond Library in 24 hours (no weekends), where you go to sign it out (no notices are sent)

6. Requesting book or journal from another library:
-- go to InterLibrary Loan web page
-- if first time user, register by following instructions
-- fill out request form
-- check your account periodically (requests may take one week or longer)
-- article copies are mailed to you
-- you are notified by email when books are received (they are immediately signed out to your account and must be picked up at the Reference Desk in Dimond Library)
-- undergraduate students are limited to 6 requests per week

7. Need more help?

-- ask at desk in the Biological Sciences Library, First floor, Kendall Hall