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. This means that you have 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.
Your UW identification (Husky) card is your Library card.
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.From the UW Tacoma Library homepage you will find many useful links to help you get started with your research. It provides a search box for the UW Libraries Catalog and to numerous Research/Article 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 Monday - Friday.
Finding Books
Books within the UW Libraries can be located by searcing the UW Libraries Catalog. If the book's location is not Tacoma, you can click on the Request button to have an available item shipped to UW Tacoma Library. 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 "Repeat in UW WorldCat (includes Summit)" button to repeat your search and order available materials through that system.
You can also search for books in UW WorldCat. In UW WorldCat, you can search holdings from UW, Summit libraries, and libraries worldwide. You can request items to have them delivered to UW Tacoma Library.
You can also browse the collection. We use the Library of Congress Classification scheme so books are arranged by Subject. To view the list of Call Numbers by Subject, go to http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/.
Finding Articles
To locate articles, begin searching a general database like Academic
Search Complete. 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 Research Guides or
talk with a reference librarian for suggestions.
To order articles not available electronically or in the UW Tacoma Library, from the UW Tacoma Library homepage, 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.
You can also use the 24/7 Chat with a Librarian service. Please note: You may be chatting with a librarian from another academic library or from a national 24/7 cooperative reference service. UW librarians may follow up on those chats with additional information. UW librarians are generally online weekdays 9am - 5pm.
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). Go to the Course Reserves page to search.
To access library resources from home, including most of the available databases licensed for campus users, you have two options:
- Off-Campus Access button
From most pages on our site, you can click on the red bordered Off-Campus Access button. (Note: You will need to do this BEFORE clicking on the title of a UW Restricted resource.) Log in with your NetID. Button will change to a green border when you are logged in.
- Proxy Bookmarklet
[http://www.lib.washington.edu/help/proxyTools.html]
The bookmarklet lets you log into the proxy without having to browse from the UW Libraries website.
For students, borrowing periods for UW Tacoma Library books are:
- undergraduate- four weeks with unlimited renewal options unless requested by another patron.
- graduate - quarter length loans with unlimited renewal options unless requested by another patron.
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.
Check due dates carefully! Any borrower may place a hold for a non-reserve item that is on loan. The item will then be recalled from the current borrower. If another borrower has placed a hold on an item you have, it will not renew - return by the recall date or fines may accrue.
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 page.
If a book is already checked out, check UW WorldCat to find copies outside UW. If no other copies are available, you may place a hold on it by clicking on the Request 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!
For information on fines, see Borrowing Information: Fine Amounts
9. Hours
