Accessing Books
Unavailable at Your
Local Library
Using the TexShare Databases
Sometimes you'll need a book that is not available in your local library system. With the use of TexShare Databases like WorldCat,
Library of Texas, and NetLibrary, along with
the InterLibrary
Loan Program, you'll usually be able to find what you need!
I've found out about a book I need that my library doesn't own. How do I go about getting it from another library?
You may be able to get your book through the InterLibrary Loan (ILL) program. ILL sends books back and forth from one library to another. Assuming you've already looked in your own library's catalog and your book's not there, go to either the WorldCat or the Library of Texas (LOT)
WorldCat is a huge database that contains library catalogs from around the world. It will also allow you to search for audiovisual materials, such as CDs and DVDs, as well as books.
The LOT database is a search engine for other Texas library catalogs. Although not every Texas library has chosen to include its catalog, those included may be searched by subject as well as author and title. You will even be able to search multiple catalogs at the same time. When you find the resource that you need, just click on the "Get it" button and you will be able to request it directly, online, through ILL, read it online (if available) or you will be directed to an online store that might be able to sell you a copy.
Keep in mind that books requested through InterLibrary Loan often take one to two months to arrive at the requested library branch.
I need a book ASAP, I can't wait for it to be delivered with
Interlibrary
Loan, what can I do?
ILL can take a month or two. If you need a book pronto another option is a TexShare card. You're eligible for a TexShare card if your home library is a member of the TexShare system. Go to your home library to apply for a card. Once you have it, you can check out materials from any library in the system.
Realize, however, the system libraries each have their own rules about how many books you can check out at a time with your TexShare card and how long you can have them.
If I have a TexShare card and there's a nearby library with the book I'm interested in, can I just go get it?
Yes!
Is it possible to access and read a book online?
Yes,
NetLibrary
is a database that offers ebooks (full-text books) online.
This
database houses more than 27,000 titles from the world's leading publishers. The collection includes both fiction and nonfiction titles.
Books
can be searched by a variety of ways including author, title, subject,
or
language. NetLibrary even has an option to search the text of
available
ebooks through a full-text search.
NetLibrary offers many classics that students use in school such as
books by
Mark Twain, George Eliot, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Joseph
Conrad.
You will need a password though. Check with your library for all the information you'll need.
Can I access online books when the library is closed?
Yes, you can access online books from any computer connected to the Internet.
This page was written by Amy Wander in Spring 2005.
This page was revised by Barbara Jorge in Spring 2006.
This page was revised by Lisa Charbonnet in Spring 2007.
INF 382S: Library Instruction and Information Literacy, taught by Dr. Loriene Roy
School of Information,
The University of Texas at Austin