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How to Find & Get Items From Other Libraries

If you can't find the book or article you want in COM Library, other libraries may have them and there are several options for getting them.

Find & Get Items from Other Libraries

Other LibrariesAs COM student, faculty or staff, you have several options for getting items from other libraries. 

  1. Ask library staff for help. We might be able to find something you can use right here in our library. If we can't find it, we can probably recommend what the best other option is for you and help you get started. 
  2. Local Public Library Card
    Use (or get) a library card from the closest public library. All residents of Galveston county can get a library card from any public library in Galveston County, you just have to have proof of residents. Usually two forms of ID with your address, one with your picture will work. 
  3. TexShare Card for Local Academic Libraries
    Get a TexShare card at the Circulation desk in COM Library so you can check the book out from a local college. This option or Interlibraryloan are the best options for getting articles COM Library does not have. 
  4. Interlibraryloan (ILL)
    COM Library can request a books or articles through Interlibraryloan (ILL) for COM students, faculty and staff. This option can take the longest as the book has to come through the mail. 

Your best bet for getting items from local academic libraries is a TexShare card. Get a TexShare card at the Circulation desk in COM Library and then you can take the card to local colleges to check out books or use the databases in their library for articles.  

Open Access  Libraries with the unlocked icon are all online and with freely available resources for everyone.  

Your best bet for getting items from local public libraries is signing up for a library card form that library. All residents of Galveston county can get a library card from any public library in Galveston County, you just have to have proof of residence. Usually two forms of ID with your address, one with your picture will work. Check local public or academic libraries.

Your best bet for getting items from libraries in Texas that are not local is through Interlibraryloan (ILL). COM Library can request a book through for COM students, faculty and staff. This option can take the longest as the book has to come through the mail. Articles can also be requested  through ILL. Also, keep in mind that some items might not be items that the library will loan or it could already be checked out and take longer to get.

Open Access  Libraries with the unlocked icon are all online and with freely available resources for everyone.  

Your best bet for getting items from libraries in Texas that are not local is through Interlibraryloan (ILL). COM Library can request a book through for COM students, faculty and staff. This option can take the longest as the book has to come through the mail. Articles can also be requested  through ILL. Also, keep in mind that some items might not be items that the library will loan or it could already be checked out and take longer to get, and we are more library to be able to get items from libraries in Texas. 

Open Access  Libraries with the unlocked icon are all online and with freely available resources for everyone.  

If COM Library does not have the book you want, you can search the catalogs of other libraries or use WorldCat to see if libraries nearby have it. Once you've found the book, you have several options for getting it. 

Here is how to find out if another library has the book you want, step by step:

  1. Say you are looking for the book The dreamt land : chasing water and dust across California and COM Library does not have the book. You might be able to the book from another local library. 
  2. Use WorldCat, which searches what most libraries have simultaneously, to see if a local library has a copy. Just type in your title and hit search to get started. 
  3. Click on the title when you find a match. 
  4. On the book page, scroll down until you see Find a copy in the library. WorldCat will list the libraries closest to you that have the the book. You can change the zip code to get closer results. 

Tip: If you do go to another library it's a good idea to call ahead to make sure the book is available and not checked out.

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