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Library 101 - Your Guide to Library Resources

Orientation - Collections

What kinds of things can I get at the UTSA Library?
We have a wide variety of materials for research, study and enjoyment including:

What are "article databases?"
Not only does the UTSA Library pay for subscriptions to actual printed periodicals, but also to article databases that are made available to us via the Internet. Many of our databases can be used to search for full-text articles. For example, ProQuest , one of our most popular full-text databases, can be used to search for articles on many general research topics such as arts and humanities, business, education, health, international studies, law, literature, multicultural studies, psychology, sciences, and social sciences.

What's available in the Multimedia Center?
You can go to the Multimedia Center (MMC) to check out, view or listen to videos, slides, headphones, music CDs, records, and audio tapes. In this section of the library you can also browse through the collection of education curriculum research materials.

What is Archives and Special Collections?
Archives and Special Collections are resource centers for research on the history of Texas, with emphasis on San Antonio and South Texas from the Spanish Colonial period to the present. These collections include actual signed/sealed letters from Spanish royalty of the colonial time period, a letter written by Sam Houston and other one-of-a-kind historical items. Special Collections is located on the second floor of the John Peace Library near the Reference Stacks. UTSA Archives are located on the second floor of the Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC).

What is available at the UTSA Downtown Library?
All students are welcome to use the UTSA Downtown Library. This library is primarily an electronic library, but also includes a "core collection" of reference and print materials in support of Downtown programs and curricula. Students can request materials from the John Peace Library via a courier service provided by the library.

What about collections at other libraries in San Antonio?
Most of our materials directly support UTSA's courses of study. We are very fortunate to have close access to other library collections such as Trinity University, St. Mary's University and the UT Health Science Center because they help to supplement our own resources in specific subject areas such as medicine and law. Feel free to stop by or call the Reference Desk to ask about borrowing materials from other local libraries.