Common Questions

There are a few questions you will get often at the desk. Below are some of the most common.

Have a question not covered in the wiki? Check the Desk Knowledgebase.

My professor said the book for my class is in library, and I want to check it out.

This usually means the book is on course reserve. Sometimes they know the name of the book and sometimes they won't. Ask for the course name or the professor's name, and look it up in course reserves in the catalog: https://catalog.lib.utexas.edu/search/r.

Make sure to inform the student that the loan period for reserve items is shorter (between 2 hours and 3 days) and that they should return it to the desk rather than the return box to avoid fines.

Can I check out a laptop/laptop charger?

PCL does not have any laptops or laptop chargers for checkout. Students can checkout laptops from the Fine Arts Library for 3 days. Laptop chargers are checked out for library use only in the FAL.

Why don't you have this book in the library?

If there's an item a user wants to check out that the library doesn't have, direct them to the Suggest a Purchase page on the website. You can allow them to pull it up on the computer by the printer and fill it out immediately if they want to do so.

https://lib.utexas.edu/find-borrow-request/suggest

You can also check WorldCat to see if any other libraries in Austin have the item. Let them know they can get an Austin Public Library card for free if they have an Austin address listed on their driver's license. They can also get a TexShare Card from borrower services to check out from most libraries in the state of Texas, including Austin Community College library and APL.

Where can I find picture books?

There's not a good way to search for picture books in our catalog. The best thing to do is direct the user to the Youth Collection on the 6th floor in section S and recommend they browse until they find what they need. Usually when a student asks this question, they don't need a book on a particular subject, and any picture book will work.

Is the Library hiring?

Let them know hiring is handled by UT Libraries HR, but they can find the application on our website and email it to Lib-HR@lib.utexas.edu. HR will take a look at openings at all branches and not just at PCL.

https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/admin/employment/

Where is the nearest water fountain?

The nearest water fountain that fills bottles is on the back wall of the Scholar's Commons. The nearest water fountain without a bottle filler is in the Computer Lab on the wall to the right as you enter.

Can I pay my library fine?

We do not accept payment for fines at the desk. Fines should be paid through the student's What I Owe page on UT Direct.

How long can I check out a book?

Most books are checked out for the full semester. The exceptions are books from the New Books section, Reserves items, and bound journals. Also, be sure to let them know that another user can request a book they have checked out in which case they'll get an email notifying them of the new due date.

Is there a limit on how many books I can check out.

No.

Is there a quiet place I can study in PCL?

The Scholars Commons is a silent study area. The 3rd, 4th and 6th floors are also quiet floors, but we can’t guarantee silence. Other branches may also be quieter that PCL just because we get so much traffic. They could try the Classics, Life Sciences Library, or the Benson.

Let them know they can search areas and filter by noise level on our website: https://lib.utexas.edu/study-spaces-technology/spaces

Alternatively, if they want a space they can talk, direct them to the 5th floor of PCL or the UFCU Room.

Where can I access the catalog?

There is a computer terminal set up for catalog access only directly across from the main desk to the left of the self-checkout. The catalog can also be accessed from anywhere through the library website.

Where is UTC?

UTC is the building just to the left of PCL as you exit. You’ll get this question a lot at the beginning of the Fall semester when students are still learning where everything is on campus. UTC is the University Teaching Center.

Where is room 2.402C?

2.402C is the interview room. If a user has reserved the interview room, they need to be logged in and let into the interview room with the key behind the desk. See more information on the Desk Basics page.

Where is the public speaking center?

The Sanger Learning Center gives public speaking consultations by appointment in PCL 2.240. It’s the first door to the left as they enter the Computer Lab. If they are looking for the Sanger Learning Center, it is located in Jester Hall.

Appointments for the public speaking center must be made online through the learning center’s website: https://ugs.utexas.edu/slc/support/speaking-center.

Is there a fax machine I can use?

There is a fax machine copier services on the 1st floor. They charge $1 per page to send a fax.

Do we have a subscription to The Wall Street Journal?

You can access The Wall Street Journal through the Factiva Database. Once you're in the Search tab in Factiva, hit the arrow next to Source under the search box and type in The Wall Street Journal.

Is this citation correct?

If you feel comfortable giving guidance on citations, feel free to give some pointers, but editing source citations for papers is outside of the scope of our expertise. Let users know that we are not citation experts. Let them know they can use a citation manager that can help them structure their citations: https://guides.lib.utexas.edu/citesources

Also, reassure them that style guides are only guidelines, and that there may not be an exact right way to cite certain materials. If they are still insistent, you can refer them to their TA or instructor for more answers.

How can I tell if my source is peer-reviewed?

The best way to find out if something is peer-reviewed is by checking in UlrichsWeb: https://guides.lib.utexas.edu/db/362.

Search for the title of the journal, not the article. Look for the referee jersey to let you know whether the journal is peer-reviewed or not.

Note: I've found that Ulrichsweb doesn't always work on Chrome. If the user is having trouble with it, recommend using Firefox.

Can I post a flyer in PCL for my student group's event?

Short answer, no. PCL has limited space for promotional material and it is restricted to library events. If they still want to make their case to someone in authority, you can direct them to Stephanie Lopez. They can email her, or if she's at her desk, you can ask her to step out and answer their questions.