How Do I...? Questions Answered
Frequently Asked Questions about Research
How do I...
Find books on a topic?
The library catalog is a record of all the items owned by the library. Click on Catalog from the library's homepage. You may search by keyword, subject, title or author. For books not owned by SPL, check WorldCat, a catalog of libraries throughout the world. See your options for getting those materials on our Getting Materials We Don't Have page.
Locate a book in the library?
Each book has a specific call number, located at the bottom of its spine, which indicates its location on the library shelves. For books with narrow spines, the call number is located on the front, top left corner. Read the call number in alpha-numeric order, from the top down. Books with beginning call numbers A-HB are on the first floor. Books with beginning call numbers HC–Z are on the second floor. To find your book, check the call numbers of the book against the call numbers on the sides of the shelves and narrow your search accordingly.
Find articles on a topic?
You can use the library's databases to find articles on your topic. You can choose a database by clicking on a relevant subject area. The most frequently used databases for finding articles on a topic are Academic Search Complete and Academic OneFile, which contain articles and citations from periodicals across a range of subject areas.
Find an article if it's not full-text in the database?
When an article is not full-text in the online database you are searching, you have access to the article through one of these other sources:
- another online database
- print/microform collections in the library
- Interlibrary Loan
Many of the databases have a link labeled "Check for Full Text " or "Click Here to Check for Full text." This is requestint that the computer check to see if the full text of this article is available in another database or in the library's print collection of journals. If the title is found, look at the date range(s) listed, and compare with the date your article was published. If it is available in print or microform it will be found in the library. If it is available in another database click on the database link and search for the article.
If we do not have the title or date you need, you can request the article using InterLibrary Loan. It may take a few days for your article to arrive.
If there is not link to check for full-text you can search our periodicals collection. Type the title of the magazine, journal, or newspaper in the search box.
Find out if the library has a particular journal, magazine, or newspaper?
Search for the title of the journal, magazine, or newspaper in our Journals and Magazines search box. If we have the periodical online or in hardcopy/microform, the title will be listed. Otherwise, we do not have the title in any format. You can request an article through InterLibrary Loan if we do not have it.
NOTE: Be sure to check the dates listed on the results screen with the date the article was published to verify we will have the issue you need.
Select a database?
Visit our databases page where you can choose a database by title and reading the short description of each database. Databases are also grouped by subject. The most frequently used databases for finding articles on a topic are Academic Search Complete and Academic OneFile which contain articles and citations from periodicals across a range of subject areas.
Determine if a source is "scholarly" or "authoritative"?
Most often the use of the term "scholarly" refers to journals which are peer-reviewed, but it might be possible to find a "scholarly" article in a non-peer-reviewed journal. If an article is written by an expert in the field and cites primary sources it might qualify as "scholarly." Your professor must be the ultimate authority. See the guide Evaluating Research Sources
Find scholarly journal articles?
See the guide Finding Scholarly Articles
Evaluate a web site?
See the guide, Evaluating Research Sources
Cite books, articles, and other sources?
For a quick guide to citing basic sources such as full-text articles in library databases and print materials, see our Citation Guides. For in-depth assistance or bibliography tools, see our Writing and Citing page. Be sure to check with your professor about any specific citation rules they may want you to follow.
Make a reference appointment for research help?
For major research projects like capstone you may request a one hour reference appointment. During this time a reference librarian will assist you in your research. Contact us via our Ask a Librarian page.
Often individual appointments are not necessary as the on duty reference librarian may be able to provide the assistance you need.
Frequently Asked Questions about Borrowing Books & Media
How do I...
Renew my books online?
- Go to My Library Account.
- Type your SEU username and password in the space provided and click on the "Submit" button.
- Under My Record, click directly on the message that indicates, "Items currently checked out".
- Select the items you wish to renew, and click on the "Renew Items" button, or the "Renew All" button.
Materials that have been renewed more than twice are not eligible for renewal. In addition, items on hold for another patron or those recalled for reserves, or items that are currently on reserve are not eligible for renewal. The system will not allow renewals if your books are overdue, if you accrue more than $50 in fines, or if your library privilege has expired. Courtesy Borrowers, please call (448-8469) or come by the Library Services desk to renew your library items.
Borrow library materials if I am not currently faculty, staff or a student at SEU?
See "Courtesy Borrowers" on our Borrowing and Renewal Policies page.
Borrow library materials if I am an alumnus?
See "Courtesy Borrowers" on our Borrowing and Renewal Policies page.
Borrow materials which are not in the SPL collection?
If the library does not own an item you need, try the options on our Getting Materials We Don't Have page.
Check out materials?
Bring your SEU ID or Courtesy Borrowers card along with the items you wish to check out to the Library Services Desk. There is also a Self Check machine by the elevator available for use; follow the instructions on the screen.
Return Materials?
Materials may be returned in person to the Library Services Desk during library hours or in the outdoor book drop anytime. Materials may also be mailed to the library. The postmark serves as the return date. Our mailing address is:
Scarborough-Phillips Library
St. Edward's University
3001 S. Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704
Find out how long materials may be checked out?
See Borrowing and Renewal Policies
Find out how many items I am allowed to check out?
See Borrowing and Renewal Policies
Find out how much are overdue fines?
See Fines and Replacement Charges
Discuss or appeal a library fine?
You may complete a Fine Appeal Form online, or get one from the Library Services Desk.
Pay my library fines?
See the Fines and Replacement Charges Policy
Place a hold on a book?
- Search the catalog to find the book you would like placed on hold. The book must have a current status of "DUE __-__-__". Available items may not be placed on hold.
- Click on “Request It.”
- Fill in your SEU username and password.
- Enter in a need-by date, if applicable.
- Click “Submit.” A message will display if your request is successful. You will be contacted by e-mail as soon as the book has been returned to the library. We will hold the book at the Library Services Desk for 5 days, after which time it will be reshelved or moved to the next patron with a hold.
Get a Texshare Card?
Texshare cards are available through the Library Services Desk for currently enrolled students, faculty and staff. Fill out the TexShare Card form online, or stop by the Library Services Desk.
Borrow books from UT or other area libraries?
You can borrow books from other area libraries if you have a TexShare card. See TexShare for more information.
Note: A TexShare card does not give you remote access to a library's online databases.
Find items my professor has on reserve?
You may find out what items your professor has placed on reserve by course name, number or professor name. To check out the item ask at the Library Services Desk.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
How do I...
Donate items to the library?
See our Gifts and Donations Policy
Request an item to be purchased by the library?
You may request an item by contacting the Subject Librarian, or by filling out the Suggest a Purchase form. Any student, faculty or staff member may suggest a purchase.
Access library databases from off-campus?
If you are a current SEU student, faculty, or staff member, you will need your SEU login and password to access databases from off-campus. For more information see Off-Campus Access
Watch a DVD or video in the library?
VCR and DVD player are located on the first floor in the Media Stack area adjacent to the student Lounge. Additional viewing equipment is located in Room 210 and 211 for group viewing.
Find out what records are kept about me by the library?
See Confidentiality of Library Records in our Library Use Policies.
Reserve a group study area?
Find a Subject Librarian?
See our Subject Librarians page
Request a library instruction session?
See our Library Instruction page
Request a library tour?
Contact us at library@stedwards.edu to schedule your tour
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