Library News

If you want a book that you don't find in the Library's online catalog, what should be your next step?

If you are not sure of the book's exact title — e.g., if you only have an abbreviated title from a bibliography — the first step should be to check with the Library's Information Desk staff (phone: 214-648-2001). They can help you verify the correct title. They can also double-check the online catalog for you.

Once you are sure of the book's title, your options are:

• Check the NetLibrary collection of electronic books on the Library Web site to see if the book is in that collection.


• Request the book from Interlibrary loan (ILL) using the ILLiad form on the Library Web site (see left sidebar). There will be a modest charge for the loan (but no charge to affiliated students, residents, or fellows). Typical delivery time is two weeks; however, delivery time is dependent on availability from the lending library.


• If you don't have time to wait for delivery by ILL, look in WorldCat (link is on Library Web site under "Find a Book/Journal"). WorldCat is an online catalog of books held in libraries worldwide. Perhaps another library in the Dallas-Fort Worth area owns the book, and you can go to that library to read it or — with a TexShare card issued by our Library Information Desk — check it out. WorldCat will also show if a book is in NetLibrary.


• Of course, if the book is one you are willing to purchase, you can check with online or local bookstores.

If you have questions about any of these steps, call the Library Information Desk at 214-648-2001 or use "Live Chat" to send the Desk an instant message (see article about Live Chat for more information).