Search Tools
OTHER TOOLS FOR SEARCHING:
- Use quotation marks to search for phrases - "endangered birds" will bring back results that have that phrase.
- Use an asterisk to get all words with a single root within results - type creat* and results will include create, creating, creators, creation, creatures, etc.
Interlibrary Loan
- Interlibrary Loan (ILL)ILL is a free lending service available to current Texas State students and employees. ILL borrows items from other libraries that Alkek Library does not own such as journal articles, books, DVDs, CDs—anything you might need for your research.
Use ILLiad, the online Interlibrary Loan request, to order your ILL items. Enter as much information as you know about the item you need, and the ILL staff will try to track it down.
Contact & Pick-up Info: 512.408-3996 or email with additional questions. Items can be picked up at the Ask Alkek Desk on the 2nd floor of the Library.
Combine Keywords
Research Databases do not work like Google!
You can't just type in your question.
BUT...you can combine keywords into a "question" that the database will understand. Using AND, OR, NOT between search terms will make your search waaaaay more precise.
- AND between two keywords will bring back less results - only those that have both keywords.
- OR between two keywords will bring back more results - all those articles that have either keywords.
- NOT between two keywords will bring back less results - articles with the first keyword, but not the second keyword.
Search String Example
Now...how do you use AND, OR, and NOT while searching?
- Click on "Advanced Search" under the Start Your Research search bar on the main library webpage.
- Put in your keywords like this:
- Not getting enough results? Remove one of your search terms. Or watch the video below for more help.