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From Cite To Hand:

How to actually lay your hands on a BOOK or Multi-Media Resource

1.     Search the TMC library catalog.

a.   Select Library Catalog from the library’s Web page http://www.masters.edu/libraries

b.   or www.masters.edu – Campus Services – Library

 

If what you need is not in the TMC library then...

2.     Search The Master’s Seminary Library catalog.  You can either…

a.   search from the college library catalog, by selecting the Seminary Catalog tab;

b.   or go directly to the TMS library Web site http://www.tms.edu/LibraryOPACSearch.aspx.

 

If neither TMC nor TMS have what you need and you can afford to wait at least two weeks …

3.     Use Interlibrary Loan (ILL).  ILL takes seven to ten days and may take longer.

a.   From the Library Web select “Library Services”, then select “Interlibrary Loan” and then select “Books”.  Fill out the form and “Submit” it.  You must provide as complete bibliographic information as possible.  Be absolutely certain TMC does not have what you need.  Ask Miss T. to help you verify that it is not in the TMC collection.

b.   If the citation was found in any of the FirstSearch databases, open the detailed record for the desired item, click on the ILL icon or use the “Borrow this item from another library” link.  The form requires an indication of your patron group; choose one of these: student, cps, mabc, faculty, staff or alumnus/alumna.   The FirstSearch system will provide all necessary bibliographic data.  Be absolutely certain TMC does not have what you need.  Ask Miss T. to help you verify that it is not in the TMC collection.

 

If neither TMC nor TMS have what you need, but you're running out of time...

4.     Search WorldCat or other library catalogs.

a.      To search WorldCat go to the Library’s Web page and select “Find Articles”.  Then, in the free-text search box type, “worldcat”.  Click on the link to this database.  If you are off campus you will be prompted for your MasterNet id/password.  When you have found the record for the item in question, use the “Libraries Worldwide” function to identify libraries in close proximity that own it.  It is wise to call the library you intend to visit before going there to be sure the needed item is currently available.  Also, be aware that most academic libraries will not permit check out of their materials unless you are one of their own patrons, but some might permit you to purchase a library card.

b.     To search other library catalogs you could use the “Other Library Catalogs” menu option on the TMC library Web site or Google the name of a library you would like to use.

 

Additional Research Guides:

Basic Steps in Library Research – six simple steps explaining the research process

From Cite to Hand - Articles – how to actually obtain magazine and journal articles whether or not the library owns them

Finding Articles in Two, sometime Three, OK maybe Four Easy Steps

Identifying Scholarly Books – clues for distinguishing scholarly books and journals

Identifying Scholarly Periodicals- clues for distinguishing between magazines, journals and peer reviewed journals

Evaluating Resources – easy way to help evaluate the usefulness of research resource both paper and electronic

Research Worksheet – designed to make research simpler by working step by step through the research process

Copyright for Higher Education– help in understanding the copyright law as it pertains to faculty and students

 

© Janet Tillman/The Master’s College, 2004-2010, permission is granted for non-profit educational use; any reproduction or modification should include this statement.

 

Last updated June 2010.