When 'you can't always get what you want....'

In all of the posts I’ve sent so far for this blog, the subject has been the great resources that the UAA/APU Consortium Library has to offer. However, we also realize that we can’t possibly hold everything that every student might need. But we do have some great suggestions for how to get around that, and how the library can STILL help you to get your hands on materials that we don’t actually own.

1. Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Document Delivery: Located right here in our Circulation Department, ILL is part of an international library network that lends and borrows books, articles, reports, and other items from libraries around the world. This is a fee-based service to the general public, but is FREE to use for UAA students, faculty, and staff. All you need to do if visit the Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery webpage, sign in with your UAA ID information, and request exactly what you need. Most articles will be scanned and emailed directly to your ILL account; you’ll be notified by email when books and other materials arrive in regular mail and are ready to be picked up at the Circulation Desk. If you have a major research project due at the end of the term, reserve your ILL materials as soon as possible – they can take up to 28 days to arrive. See ILL FAQs and Policies for more information.
    
2. Unfortunately, ILL cannot request course textbooks but you may be able to borrow one that has been provided by your instructor. Our Course Reserves service allows instructors to place any extra copies of textbooks and supplemental reading material on reserve specifically for use by anyone enrolled in their courses. How do you know if a book you need is currently on reserve? You can search our Online Course Reserves Catalog by your instructor’s last name or by the course number (ex: HIST 101). To pick up an item, just ask at the Circulation Desk where the Course Reserves items are kept. Note that the circulation rules for these are shorter than normal check-outs, and can be used only for a few hours to a few days per check out. Plan accordingly!
   Instructors: if you are interested in putting any items on reserve for a course, please visit the Course Reserves page for more information. A Course Reserves Request Form can be submitted electronically right from your desk.
    
3. Yes, we know that textbooks are expensive and almost every year are replaced with a new edition. Just remember that there is more than one way to get them. Lucky for you, a few wonderful library folks put together this awesome Resource Guide on Textbooks to highlight many options and help you sort through the confusion.