Tarleton State University Libraries Unit 9 VERIFYING THE NEED TO BORROW   Before Requesting Materials from other libraries, you should verify that the item you want is not available in your library's collection. Then, if needed, use services offered by your library to borrow the item from another library. The basic verification process involves using two resources: •  Library catalog -- used to determine if an item is available physically or electronically in Tarleton libraries' collections •  SFX Journal Locator -- used to determine if a periodical (journal, magazine, or newspaper) is available in full text format in a database offered by Tarleton libraries LIBRARY CATALOG & VERIFICATION You should always search the libraries' online catalog for an item you need (book, CD, periodical, newspaper, video, etc.) before deciding it is not available. Using the catalog's title search feature is the best search strategy to use when •  you know the title of the item or •  you have an article citation and want to know if the periodical in which the article appears is in the collection. Unit 5 offers detailed instructions for searching the catalog for books or media items, locating items in the collection, understanding catalog records, and reading call numbers. Unit 6 offers detailed instructions for searching the catalog for periodicals. Next Step for Books & Media Items: If searching the library catalog shows that a book or media item (CD, video, etc.) you need is not in your library's collections or it's not available in any Tarleton library, use one of the libraries' borrowing services, which are discussed later in this unit. Next Step for Periodicals: If searching the library catalog reveals that a periodical you need is not in Tarleton libraries' collections, your next step is to search the SFX Journal Locator as explained below.   TOP SFX JOURNAL LOCATOR & VERIFICATION As stated in Unit 6, the SFX Journal Locator is used to determine if a periodical is available in full text format in databases to which Tarleton libraries subscribe. Using the SFX Journal Locator interface is the best search strategy to use when •  you have an article citation and want to know if the periodical in which the article appears is available in your library's databases.   Unit 6 offers instructions for searching the SFX Journal Locator for periodicals. Next Step for Periodicals: If searching the SFX Journal Locator reveals that the periodical is not available through Tarleton libraries' database, use one of the libraries' services to obtain the periodical article from another library. The next few pages explain these services.    Unit 9: Overview & Goals Learning Ways to Borrow Items    Library Orientation Site Index Updated 8/2004