UTB/TSC Library:Information for Students

Borrowing Materials

Borrowers are responsible for returning materials on time and in good condition. As a courtesy, overdue notices will be sent to students via Scorpion Mail accounts. Please contact the Circulation Department for more information.

UTB/TSC STING CARD

All UTB/TSC students are required to obtain a current UTB/TSC STING CARD with their student identification number. Please contact the Circulation Department for more information.

Course Reserves

Reserves are supplemental course materials that are placed at the Circulation and Reserves desk and can only be checked out for short periods of time as specified by professor. Course reserve material may be checked out and returned at the Circulation & Reserves desk located at the entrance of the Library. The UTB/TSC STING CARD is required. Please contact the Circulation Department for more information.

Study Rooms

Study Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Study Rooms may be occupied for a 2 hour time period. However, if additional time is needed after the initial 2 hour limit has expired, and no one is waiting for the room in use, the patron may renew the study room at the Circulation & Reserves desk for an additional amount of 2 hours. The time limit can not exceed 4 hours. The UTB/TSC STING CARD is required. Please contact the Circulation Department for more information.

Theses

Official guidelines for preparing your thesis are available on the UTB Graduate Studies website . Students graduating from the University of Texas at Brownsville are required to provide UT-Brownsville with five copies of their thesis, two of which will be placed in the Library (one copy in the Hunter Room, one copy to circulate), one copy will be deposited with the UTB Graduate Studies Office, another copy will be provided to the student’s thesis committee chairperson, and one copy will serve as a personal copy for the graduating student. For more information in submitting your thesis to the Library contact Mark Williams, Senior Librarian at (956) 882-7108 or via email at Mark.Williams@utb.edu If you are searching for a thesis completed at UTB/TSC which has been cataloged by the Library, searching the UTB Library catalog will tell you exactly where it is located within our collection. Such cataloged theses may be located by using the following subject search within the UTB Library catalog: “Dissertations, Academic (University of Texas at Brownsville)”. Theses or dissertations produced by students from other institutions can be located by searching the WorldCat database. WorldCat will provide you with information as to which libraries have a copy of a particular thesis or dissertation.

TexShare Card Program

Gmraduate students may also be able to borrow materials from other university libraries in their area through the TexShare Card Program. This program entitles borrowers affiliated with other academic or public libraries to borrow materials from participating libraries using their TexShare Card. Visit TexShare Web Site to see a list of participating libraries. Students that are currently enrolled in UTB/TSC courses can be issued a TexShare Card to be used to borrow materials from other libraries.

Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a library service which fills patron requests for materials not owned by our library. There is $1.50 charge for requesting each ILL book/thesis and $1.00 charge for articles. This fee will be imposed at the time that you pick up the material. The typical waiting period is 7-15 working days. Please observe the due dates since there is a charge for each overdue ILL item of $0.25 per day. Please contact the Interlibrary Loan Services for more information.

References Services/Ask a Librarian

Students are encouraged to visit or contact the Reference Department for research assistance at (956) 882-7205. Questions can also be submitted electronically via email at library@utb.edu. Students can also chat live with a librarian using the Ask a UT Librarian chat service. Chat hours are: Monday - Thursday 12pm to 6pm and Friday 12pm to 4pm CST. Ask a UT System Librarian is a chat-based service that enables users to ask reference questions that will be answered by librarians located throughout the University of Texas System. Although the service is intended for current students, faculty and staff of the University of Texas, librarians will answer questions from users outside the UT community as time permits.

Databases & Article Searching

The Reference Department offers a wide variety of services and materials to assist with the research process. Librarians and staff can provide information on the library resources available, including electronic and print collections. Assistance is also available for using computers and databases, as well as library class instruction.

Off-Campus Access

Only UTB/TSC students may access the library's online databases and journals from off-campus. Off-campus users will be prompted to enter their MyUTBTSC Username and 4-digit PIN. Can't login? Please contact the Reference Desk at (956) 882-7205 or email library@utb.edu.

Computing Facilities

The Information Resources department provides computer access to students via its four lab facilities conveniently located throughout the campus. All workstations provide Internet access, Windows XP, Microsoft XP, and printing is also available. For the hours, location and a complete description of each computer lab, contact the Information Resources department at (956)882-7457.

Copiers & Printers

Copy machines take copy cards only. Copy cards can be purchased at the Reference and Information Center (Library, 1st floor) and in the SET-B Computer Lab. Copy cards can be used at the: SET-B Computer Lab, Reference Lab, Open Computer Lab (Library 2nd floor), Learning Assistance Center Lab, Library Copy Room and Periodicals Department (microfilm/microfiche machines).

Users with Disabilities

The library staff will provide services and/or accommodations aimed at making equal access to library resources. The type and nature of the special assistance is usually determined by the request. While most special assistance can be given at the time of the request, it may be to your advantage to make an appointment for non-routine accommodations so that appropriate staff can be scheduled to provide timely assistance. Please visit LIBRARY SERVICES FOR USERS WITH DISABILITIES for more information.
Students Responsibilities-A student with a disability has a responsibility to contact UTB/TSC Disability Services if he or she will need any accommodations while attending UTB/TSC. It is advised that a student with a disability make contact with the Director of DS even if no accommodation needs are expected. Doing so will help DS respond more quickly to future needs.

Borrowing Materials

Borrowers are responsible for returning materials on time and in good condition. As a courtesy, overdue notices will be sent to students via Scorpion Mail accounts. Please contact the Circulation & Reserves Department for more information.