[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

Re:  Library Service to Your Students

Date:  September 13, 2004

Just because your students don't take classes in Commerce, "Home of the
Biggest Library in Hunt County," doesn't mean they don't have library
service.  The TAMU-Commerce Library wants to provide your students our full
range of library services.  Can we really reach that goal? Truthfully, we
can't promise them 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 them intellectual cappuccino.

Please feel free to share this information with your students.  If you
would prefer printed handouts, just let me know.

ARTICLES  JOURNALS  PERIODICALS

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

This link will lead you to an arrangement of databases by subject.  The
databases lead you to articles in magazines and journals, and to books,
newspapers, and encyclopedia.  Frequently the databases will provide the
entire article.  Since you are not on the A&M-Commerce campus, you will
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. This semester it is "cricket" (no
quotes).  Please do not share the password with anyone who is not a
TAMU-Commerce student. 

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

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) obtains library material for you from other libraries.

If you request an article we usually deliver it 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

Submit your book requests directly to the Navarro College Library.  They
have a form you can fill out.  Submitting them directly to Navarro means
the book will come to Navarro, not to Commerce, and you will have faster
delivery.

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

You have access to over 40,000 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 or Navarro, giving you
faster delivery.

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/Distance Education Librarian (IEA)
Texas A&M University-Commerce
ph  903 886-5741
fax 903 886-5723
e-mail scott_downing at tamu-commerce.edu