Turnstiles control access to the TCU Library during all hours of operation. Your TCU ID card is your key to passing through them. The Library employs these turnstiles to screen non-TCU visitors and assist in maintaining the security of persons and materials in the building. Always carry your TCU ID. You will need it for use of the Computer Lab and for checking out materials, including laptops. You may bring guests into the library at any time but use of the Library Computer Lab is restricted.

Two graduate study rooms, each with multiple carrels, are available in the library. Please come to the Circulation Desk to sign up for access to the rooms for a $5.00 rental fee per semester. In addition, a limited number of graduate lockers are also available for $3.00 per semester.

The Library permits Graduate Students to check-out up to 50 items. This total also includes items charged through your student assistants. The standard check-out period for library resources is 3 months. Exceptions include materials such as videos and other special items.

You may renew items in person, or online. Renewals can be done online through "Renew Items " on the Mary Couts Burnett Library web page. Upon reaching the renewal limit, items can no longer be renewed online and must be returned to the library for discharge. When renewing books in person, you must bring the books to be renewed to the Circulation Desk with you.

Items may be recalled either 2 weeks after checkout or if an item is needed for class reserves. All borrowers, including faculty, must return recalled materials promptly. Failure to respond will result in the notification of one’s Department Chair

InterLibrary Loan privileges are extended to faculty and graduate students to obtain materials that are unavailable in the Library. Requests can be submitted to the InterLibrary Loan Office by using the Online InterLibrary Loan (ILL) form on the TCU Library website or by selecting ILL links through databases, such as OCLC FirstSearch. Though most ILL transactions are now processed by computer, response time varies from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the circumstances of the lending libraries, the time of year and other factors.

The Library provides access to two document (article) delivery services, Ingenta and Infotrieve. Copies of journal articles can be obtained free of charge by fax or electronically. To register for an account with Ingenta contact the Interim Head of Reference, Brenda Barnes (ext. 5430 or b.barnes@tcu.edu) to obtain an account number and assistance. The Infotrieve service can be accessed without an account number. The Library provides these services in lieu of subscribing to some journals. In addition, Ingenta allows users to set up Current Awareness searches. You can arrange to receive either Tables of Contents from selected journals on a regular basis, or have a prearranged search strategy run weekly, a very convenient way of keeping up in an area of continued interest.

The Library staff and the Technology Resources (TR) staff have combined their specialized skills to serve a multitude of student and faculty research needs. The IC provides help with information technology as well as with searching for and using information. The extended hours for both reference and technical help (until one in the morning most days) are to the advantage of both students and faculty. In addition to a Help Desk and computer lab located in the Mary Couts Burnett Library, the IC has a web page with links to services provided by the Library, Technology Resources, the Center for Writing, and other TCU departments.

In addition to the many electronic databases, books and journals, the library also offers e-mail Reference to provide assistance when you are working off-campus. Click on Ask a Librarian or use the e-mail address reference@tcu.edu

Library instruction introduces students to resources and research strategies for a specific course or discipline. All of our librarians are trained to teach Library users a variety of resources, both in print and electronic formats. Scheduling Library Instruction Sessions: General library instruction sessions are offered as needed. Sessions may cover general library services, online resources, and include a tour of the Library. Most classes are taught in the IC Training Room (Library room 219). Requests for classes can be made online at the Library's website (http://lib.tcu.edu) at the Library Instruction link under the Help menu item or by contacting the Instruction Librarian, Laura Steinbach, (ext. 7311 or l.steinbach@tcu.edu).

RefWorks is a Web-based bibliography and database manager that allows you to create your own personal database by importing references from text files or online databases. You can use these references in writing papers and automatically format the paper and the bibliography in seconds using whatever format you need (e.g. MLA, APA etc). Information you save is accessible from any computer with a web browser and Internet connection. RefWorks can be found on the TCU Library website (www.lib.tcu.edu). Under the Service menu item select Bibliography & Citation Software.

Articles and other information obtained as a result of access online to a database or journal are not to be systematically downloaded, re-published in any media, print or electronic form. Articles may not be downloaded in aggregate quantities or stored for later retrieval. In addition, the use of automated tools like web crawlers, download managers, spiders or bots to search or index content published electronically is prohibited. Repeated violations may jeopardize everyone's online access to crucial information.

The Library's hours can be found at http://lib.tcu.edu/www/policies/hours.asp

Library Help:
Phone: 817-257-7117
E-mail: reference@tcu.edu

Computer Help
Phone: 817-257-6855
E-mail: help@tcu.edu