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1. What is the Library Catalog, and how do I access it?

On the Library Catalogs page of the Egan Library website click on Juneau Library System Catalog.

Or click here to go directly to the CCLIC catalog.

The library catalog provides access to an online database for materials (books, videos, CDs, DVDs, videos, audiocassettes, magazines, newspapers, journals, microfilm, and more) in Egan Library as well as in the Alaska State Library, Juneau public libraries, and Juneau-Douglas High School library.

A single library card enables users to borrow materials from any of these libraries and have them delivered to the most convenient location in Juneau. Out of town (distance users) may identify materials in the library catalog and request them through the ILLiad system.

2. Where can I find library materials that my instructor has reserved for my course?

Reserve Materials are located at the Circulation Desk and may be checked out using your library card for periods of time determined by the course instructor. To search for reserve materials by title, instructor name, or the course number, go to the library catalog and click on UAS Reserve Desk in the upper right corner of the catalog’s opening screen.

If you are a distance student and need help with reserve materials, please contact the Outreach Services Librarian jennifer.ward@uas.alaska.edu

3. If I'm taking a course from a distance, how can I get library materials?

Please see our page on distance education services for more details. You may always contact us by email or phone us with your questions: 796-6502 (local) or 1-877-796-6502 (toll-free)

4. If I find a title in the Library Catalog, and it's at another local library, how do I get hold of it?

If you are a local student: Find a record for the item in the catalog. Click on the Hold icon and enter your user ID (barcode on your library card) and personal identification number (4 digits), then ask for the item to be delivered to UAS (or whichever Juneau location is convenient). You will be notified by phone when the item arrives and can pick it up at the Circulation Desk.

If you are a distance student: Please order the title from us using your ILLiad account, or contact the Egan Library. We will place a hold on the item for you and deliver it to you, whatever your location.

5. How may I get assistance with a reference question?

An Egan Library Reference Staff person will happily answer your simple or in-depth question(s)

Call the Reference Desk during library hours 796-6502 (local) or 1-877-796-6502 (toll-free)

OR Fill out the Ask a Librarian form

OR Email the Reference Desk with your question(s) at egan.library@uas.alaska.edu

OR Use the Chat Icon on the left side of the page.

6. Why doesn’t the library have copies of my class textbook?

Over the years, Egan Library has accepted donations of course texts and added some of them to its collections to provide students with alternate study materials from assigned texts. However, the library’s collection development policy does not include the purchase of textbooks, as textbooks go out of date quickly when new editions are published and the numbers involved would quickly deplete the library’s book budget. Students are responsible for purchasing necessary course materials, including textbooks. If there are concerns about the cost of course texts, students may wish to approach a faculty member about putting a personal copy of a course textbook on library reserve for student use. The library would return the professor’s copy at the end of the semester.

7. If I've checked the Library Catalog and know that local libraries do not have an item, how do I proceed?

Create an account with ILLiad, the Egan Library Interlibrary Loan system. Here you can order materials that are unavailable in the Juneau library system. Our Interlibrary Loan specialist will locate the book, article, or other material you need from the closest library that has it and deliver the material to you (free of charge).

8. If I cannot get into a database because I'm prompted for a username and password, how do I get them?

Keep in mind that most databases are accessible using your UAS username and password. You may look up your UAS username and password using ELMO (Easy Login Maintenance Option). If you have difficulty with this process, try contacting the Help Desk 796-6400 (local) or 1-877-465-6400 (toll-free) or email helpdesk@uas.alaska.edu

Call the Reference Desk 796-6502 (local) or 1-877-796-6502 (toll-free) or email egan.library@uas.alaska.edu to ask for continued assistance in accessing databases. A very few databases require a special username and password that we cannot publish publicly. We will be happy to help you gain access to any library database.

Database licenses restrict access to faculty, students, and staff who are currently affiliated with UAS as well as members of the public who use Egan Library’s computers.

9. Why aren’t all journal articles available online in full text?

The availability of journal articles online in full text tends to be variable, with the limiting factor often being whether the publisher has rights to provide full electronic access to an article. Some publishers also restrict full access only to subscribers of premium services that the library cannot always afford. Although the Egan Library endeavors to provide the greatest possible access to full text online, requests often exceed its budgetary limitations.

10. Why doesn't the library have all of the commonly used scholarly journals for my course?

The Egan Library endeavors to provide even-handed coverage for all the disciplines covered by the range of course offerings available at UAS. The library achieves this by subscribing to online journal databases, which provide access to a far broader range of journal content than if those same fiscal resources were applied to print subscriptions alone. These savings allow the library to acquire a greater range of current key journal content in print formats. Unlike most popular magazine subscriptions, subscriptions to scholarly journals usually cost libraries hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. Publishers anticipate multiple users in libraries and sell limited numbers of subscriptions, so institutional subscriptions typically cost many times the charge for a scholar’s personal subscription.

12. Why isn’t the library open for longer hours?

Egan Library’s service schedule varies according to academic needs and is determined by

  • continual tracking of actual library usage
  • evaluating student requests for additional hours

The result is that library hours are reduced during slow periods in the year and expanded during particularly busy times, such as weekends near the end of semester and finals week. This allows the library to respond to the highest demand for services while balancing these needs against our fiscal and staff resource limitations. Library service hours have steadily increased over the years to include earlier opening and longer weekend hours.

13. May I use a library computer to get a copy of a document on my jump (aka thumb) external drive?

Yes as long as the drives don't need to download an application in order to function properly. 

Students have the option of checking out a laptop computer with (with extended access to software applications) from the circulation desk after filling out a laptop user agreement.

14. Are there laptops available for my use in the library?

Yes.  The library has 6 laptop computers at the Circulation Desk available for check-out.  These laptop computers are for the primary use of students, and you must have a student ID in order to check-out a laptop.  You can borrow a laptop for 24 hours at a time for use in the library.  The laptop computers have software installed for you to do class projects (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and they have a wireless Internet connection and the ability to print to library printers.  Make sure to log in using your UAS ID credentials once before leaving the campus network.  

15. What if I'm a student at UA Anchorage or UA Fairbanks?

We have a circulation policy for students of other University of Alaska campuses.  See the University of Alaska Student, Staff, and Faculty Borrower policy (PDF).

 
 

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