[Vpaaetal] Library Service to Off-Campus Students

[vpaaetal@TAMU-Commerce.edu]

To:  All Faculty Teaching Off-Campus Students

From:  Scott Downing, Interlibrary Loan/Distance Education Librarian

Date:  June 1, 2004

Re:  Library Service to Off-Campus Students

In summer school, all students are pressed for time, and we hope your
off-campus students will benefit from this explanation of library services.
 Some services are offered only to off-campus students, and many are
available without coming to the library.  Please pass this on to your
off-campus students, and much of the information will be useful to students
in any class with library needs.


LIBRARY SERVICES FOR OFF-CAMPUS STUDENTS
Texas A&M University-Commerce

Even if you don't take classes in Commerce, the TAMU-Commerce Library wants
to provide you our full range of library services.  Can we really reach
that goal? Truthfully, we can't promise you coffee delivery from the
machine in the student lounge (coffee that is often cited as a reason
students transfer to other schools), but we can serve you intellectual
cappuccino.

ARTICLES/JOURNALS/PERIODICALS

1.  Library databases  http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/library/offdb.htm

These databases lead you to articles in magazines and journals, and to
books, newspapers, and encyclopedia.  Frequently the databases will provide
the entire article.  If you are off-campus, you probably need to use the
URL given above.  As you enter each database you will be asked for a
username, which is "libproxy" (no quotes) and a password.

The proxy password changes each semester. Your instructor may give it to
you, or you can call the reference desk at (903) 886-5720 or e-mail Scott
Downing (scott_downing at tamu-commerce.edu). After verifying your status we
will give you the current password.

2.  Interlibrary Loan http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/library/form.htm

We will get copies of material from other libraries through a service
called Interlibrary Loan or ILL. Usually we deliver the article to you
electronically.  You can submit requests from the "Distance Education ILL
Forms" column on the above URL. 

3.  Articles From Our Library Collection
http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/library/form.htm

We will send you copies of articles from periodicals in our collection.
Use the same forms that you would use for interlibrary loan.

BOOKS

4.  Books from Our Library Collection
http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/library/form.htm

 We mail books directly to you, but you are responsible for their return.
(We do not mail books out of the country.)

5.  Interlibrary Loan  http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/library/form.htm

We will borrow books for you from other libraries.  If we borrow books for
you through ILL we will send them to you, but you are responsible for their
return to us. (We do not mail ILL books out of the country.)

6.   NetLibrary  http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/library/tel.htm

You also have access to some 38,000 electronic books.  Access "NetLibrary"
from the library database page. 

OTHER USERFUL LINKS

7.  The Library Home Page  http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/library/

This is the springboard to all of the library's electronic resources.  In
particular, note the "Off Campus/Distance Ed" link, which leads you to an
abundance of useful library information. 

8.  The "How Do I Obtain Library Materials?" link
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/libdist/getting_items.html

In addition to possibilities already discussed, you may want to use other
libraries in the area.  Many of them participate in the TexShare Program.
With a TexShare card you have check-out privileges at dozens of other
libraries in Texas.  Apply for a card at
http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/library/share.htm

You can also use ILL though your local public library.  One advantage of
this method, especially for books, is that the material comes directly to
your local library, rather than through Commerce, Mesquite, or Navarro,
giving you faster delivery.

RESTRICTIONS

If your class meets at the Metroplex Center, it has a library and library
staff that can help you with all these services.  If you want your ILL
material to wind up at the Metroplex Center, you should submit your ILL
requests to them.

If you meet at Navarro, we have arrangements with them to provide you
library service. You can use their collection, and we have placed some
books there.  You should submit Interlibrary Loan book requests with
Navarro, so the books will arrive there.  You may submit ILL journal
requests with either the Navarro Library or the TAMU-Commerce Library.

If your class meets in Commerce, or you live in Hunt County, we won't mail
you books or articles from our print collection.  We think you can get to
the library.  (Have a cup of coffee.  Talk to a Reference Librarian.  Live
it up.)

Questions?  Contact Scott Downing, ph 903 886-5741
scott_downing at tamu-commerce.edu
fax 903 886-5723

Or contact anyone in the Reference Department, ph 903 886-5720.




Scott Downing, Interlibrary Loan Librarian (IEA)
Texas A&M University-Commerce
ph  903 886-5741
fax 903 886-5723
e-mail scott_downing at tamu-commerce.edu