Library 101 - Your Guide to Library Resources

Orientation - Services

Below are answers to common questions we are asked about library services available to students, faculy, staff and other researchers.

What Can We Do For You?

Have A Question?
Go to the Information Desk. Our reference staff are ready to help you with any questions or problems, whether you are doing hard-core research or just need to know where the bathroom is.

Need To Check Out A Book?
Go to the Front Desk and present your current UTSA I.D. or another valid picture I.D. If you are not a member of the UTSA community, ask about becoming a "Friend of the UTSA Library."

Course Reserves
"My professor put something on reserve for my class..." Use the "Course Reserves" search in UCAT, the UTSA Library Catalog, to look up materials your instructor has placed on reserve for your class. Bring the call number to the Front Desk along with your picture ID to get the reserves.

Courier Service
Students can request that materials be sent between the JPL and Downtown Libraries with a 24-48-hour turnaround, Monday through Friday. There is no charge for sending books, but there will be a charge for any photocopied materials.

Interlibrary Loan
Loans or photocopies from libraries in San Antonio and the University of Texas System, as well as other Texas and national institutions.

Study Rooms
"A group of students from my class need to get together to review for a test..." Study Rooms are available for group use at both the JPL and Downtown libraries. Study rooms at the John Peace Library are available on a first come, first served basis, and do not need to be checked out. Study rooms at the Downtown Library must be checked out from the Front Desk with your picture ID.

Lockers
"I've got too many books to carry around!" Lockers are available on the 3rd floor at JPL. Contact the Front Desk at 458-4574 for more information.

Library Resource Workstations
The John Peace Library has eight computer workstations dedicated solely to helping patrons do research using library resources. These workstations run only UCAT (the UTSA Libraries online catalog), ASAP and the ID management website (where UTSA users can change their passwords). The workstations are located throughout the library and are identified with special signage.

Where Can I Type Up and Print Out A Research Paper?
UTSA students may use any of the computers in the Information Commons to work on research papers. You also have the option of checking out a laptop computer from the Front Desk to do work in the library. Students may print to the networked printers on the second floor of JPL using the PrintSmart system. A wireless printer is also available if you are using your own laptop or one you checked-out from the Front Desk.

Copies
"I need to copy some materials..." You will need to add value to your UTSA ID or Guest Card to use the copiers at either library.

Scanners
The John Peace Library has two scanners. The KIC scanner—located next to the photocopiers on JPL's second floor—allows users to quickly and easily scan pages from books, magazines or journals and send the files to their email or save them to a flash drive. There is also a basic Epson One scanner attached to the computer labeled "JPL_1" in the Information Commons.