Student Checklist
Welcome to the University of Washington Tacoma Library!
Our library is part of the University Libraries serving the University of Washington campuses at Bothell, Seattle, and Tacoma . The immediate benefit of this relationship to you is access to the entirety of the collections and services of one of the largest academic research libraries in the United States. Below is the information you need to start using the library. Please contact us if you need additional assistance.
1. Activating your Library Card
Your UW identification (Husky) card is your Library card. To check out books, your card must first be activated. The quickest way to do this is to stop by the UW Tacoma Library Circulation Desk.
When you activate your card, your email address will be added to your Library record and you will receive email notifications about the arrival of requested materials, items coming due, etc. The "Modify Personal Information" section on your Library Account page enables you to modify your email address online.
Note: Library cards are available to spouses and domestic partners at no cost; please ask at the UW Tacoma Library Circulation Desk about this option.
You will need to use your UW NetID for access from home and to request books and articles.For more information, please see the following: http://webdev.uwb.edu/library/activating.html
A visit to the UW Libraries Homepage will help you start your own research. It provides links to the UW Libraries Catalog and to numerous databases. UW Tacoma Library users have access to materials in all UW campus libraries. In most cases, you can order materials from other UW libraries and pick them up at the UW Tacoma Library Circulation Desk, usually in 3-4 business days. Courier service is provided M - F.
Finding Books
Books within the UW Libraries can be located and requested electronically directly from the UW Libraries Catalog . Once a single item record (e.g.: for a book) is on the screen, a Request/Place Hold button will appear. Click on this button to access the electronic request form. Enter your UW Net ID, select a pick-up location, and click the submit button. On the next screen, if there is more than one copy available, select the copy you want and click the request button - after which you will see a message indicating whether your request has been successful. If an item cannot be requested, you will see a message indicating this.
The UW Libraries is part of Summit, which allows you to access resources held by a consortium of academic libraries in Washington and Oregon. You can initiate a search in the UW Libraries catalog by clicking on the Summit button to repeat your search and order available materials through that system.
Finding Articles
To locate articles, begin searching a general database like Research Library Complete or Expanded Academic Index. These databases cover many different subjects and include both popular and scholarly publications.
You may also want to explore one of the many subject specific databases available. If you are not sure which one will be useful, browse the Resources by Subject list from the UW Tacoma Library homepage or talk with a reference librarian for suggestions.
To order articles not available in the UW Tacoma Library, go to the UW Tacoma Library homepage and select Book & Article Delivery. From here you can order articles from other UW libraries or from non-UW libraries.
If you have any questions about locating library resources or doing research, stop by the Reference Desk in the Library. You may also send your questions to us by email at tacref@u.washington.edu, give us a call at 253-692-4442, and/or schedule an individual appointment with a librarian. We are happy to talk with you about your research. Current hours and contact information are available on our contact us page.
At the beginning of each quarter, drop-in tours and workshops are provided. See the schedule at Tours & Workshops.
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4. Accessing Reserves and eReserves
Your instructors will frequently ask you to read an article or book that is "on reserve". The UW Tacoma Library has two different types of reserves: materials located physically in the library at the circulation desk (e.g. books) and materials available electronically (eReserves). To access eReserves , login with your UW NetID. Read more about Reserves on the Course Reserves link on the UW Tacoma Library home page.
8. Connecting Your Home Computer to the UW Network
To access library resources from home, including most of the available databases licensed for campus users, you have two options:
- UW Libraries Proxy Server
[ http://offcampus.lib.washington.edu/ ]This option works well for people who already have an internet service provider (Earthlink, MSN, etc.). You will need your UW NetID to log in. For more details see Connect to UW-restricted Resources from Off-Campus.
- UW Internet Connectivity Kit, UWICK
[ http://www.washington.edu/uware/uwick/ ]UWICK can be purchased at the UW Tacoma Book Store. When you purchase the kit, you need your current University student or staff ID and $1.00. The UWICK comes on a single CD that includes software for both Macintosh and Windows systems. The Starter Kit includes tools to set up the basic network connection, provides secure terminal connections and secure file transfer and can be downloaded at https://www.washington.edu/uware/uwick/starter/.
Photocopy charges are $0.12 1/2 with a copy card or $0.15 cash. Printing from campus computers and microfilm scanning machines costs $0.12 per page single sided and $0.23 per page double sided.
Husky Cards & "Dawg Prints" Cards
- Faculty, staff and students can now use their Husky Card to pay for copies and printing. To add value to your Husky Card online, go to http://hfs.washington.edu/husky_card. An add value station is also available in the library.
As an alternative to using a Husky Card, "Dawg Prints" Cards can be purchased at the UW Tacoma Library and computer labs in $1 increments. A cost of $0.20 is deducted from the value so the total value on a $3 card would be $2.80.
Saving to disks, memory sticks, and emailing are also options from many electronic sources.
UW Tacoma Library books are checked out to undergraduate students for four weeks with unlimited renewal options unless requested by another patron. Graduate students receive quarter length loans for UW Tacoma Library books. Each branch within the UW Libraries system has a different borrowing period, so please be sure to verify your due dates when you receive books from other UW Libraries.
Renewals may be made in person, by telephone, by mail, or via Your Library Account. Failure to renew a due item may result in fines and/or fees. You can learn more about how fines are accrued and how to pay them on the Fines Assessment and Payment webpage.
If a book is already checked out, check the Summit Catalog to find copies outside UW. If no other copies are available, you may place a hold on it by clicking on the Request/Place Hold button in the UW Libraries Catalog. The person who has the book will be notified that another patron requested the book and will be asked to return it. Warning: Books checked out to you can be recalled too!
9. Mission
