Content AreaPalm Desert Campus Title

Library Self-help Guide

Faculty Reserves | Hours | I.D. Carding | Online Books | Requests-ILLiad | Pfau Book Catalog | Porter Room | Home Content Area
Design Element
A Quick Guide with links to using the Electronic Library
Articles found in full-text
Go on-line to: http://pdc.csusb.edu/ResourcesBySubject.htm. Click on the subject/major your topic best fits to view a list of database links that have resources on your topic.  Select the full-text article database which is described as containing full-text articles on your topic by clicking the link. Or you may want to go directly to EBSCOhost or Wilson Web which have all of the major journals in full text.
 
Go to EBSCOhost through our library page: http://pdc.csusb.edu/librarycomput.htm and scroll down to EBSCOhost listed in the column on the right. For a guide to searching EBSCOhost go to: http://pdc.csusb.edu/EBSCOhost_Instructions_2008.pdf                              
For an animated guide to searching the online library go to http://pdc.csusb.edu/ollie/ollie.htm.
Books found in full-text
Go to http://pdc.csusb.edu/librarycomput.htm.  In the top-left column you will see "Full Text Book Databases,” or click here  http://pdc.csusb.edu/Books_Online.htm 
Articles can be requested FREE OF CHARGE
You may find article citations in a subject index, such as PsycINFO or ERIC, which provides a complete literature search of your topic. Request the articles in an on-line order form at: http://pdc.csusb.edu/OnlineOrders.htm. 
 
Hard-copy books can be requested FREE OF CHARGE
Search for your topic in the Pfau Library book catalog at: http://libcat.lib.csusb.edu/.  Make a  note of the citations of the books you wish to obtain.  Request the books on the on-line order form at: http://pdc.csusb.edu/OnlineOrders.htm.  They will be brought down to PDC by courier in a few days.
 
ACCESSING ELECTRONIC LIBRARY DATABASES FROM HOME
Library databases can be accessed off-campus using your MyCoyote I.D. number.
 
If you wish to have a photo I.D., you may obtain a Coyote1 card by coming to a carding/photo session. Get a list of times and dates at: http://pdc.csusb.edu/coyoteOneCard.htm or call Electronic Library (760) 341-2883 x78112 or butter@csusb.edu
 
In-depth Library Self-Help Guide
 
 
Articles can be found ON-LINE in full text
Go on-line to: http://pdc.csusb.edu/ResourcesBySubject.htm. Click on the subject your topic best fits to see a list of database links that have resources on your topic. Select the article database which is described as containing full-text articles on your topic by clicking the link.
 
Articles can be REQUESTED
You may find article citations in a subject index, which provides a complete literature search of your topic. For psychology the index is Psycinfo, for education go to ERIC, for literature go to MLA, for criminal justice go to Criminal Justice Abstracts, or for nursing and allied health go to CINAHL. For general topics go to Ingenta at: http://www.ingenta.com/. Select the articles you want and make a note of the citation, such as author, article title, date, pages, and journal name, and order each of these on-line at: http://pdc.csusb.edu/OnlineOrders.htm. You will receive an email taking you to Illiad where you can view each requested article, usually made available within 24-48 hours.
 
To request and view articles not found in full text databases, you may use your MyCoyote I.D. number. The CoyoteOne or Remote Access barcode is no longer needed.
BOOKS CAN BE REQUESTED
Search for your topic in the Pfau Library book catalog at: http://libcat.lib.csusb.edu/.  Make a note of the citations of the books you wish to borrow. Request the books on-line through our order form at: http://pdc.csusb.edu/OnlineOrders.htm. They will be brought down to PDC Library by courier in a few days. Check with the library staff to see if they have arrived- ((760) 341-2883 ext. 78112).
 
 
Faculty Course Materials On Electronic Reserves- Online
You may find course materials at the Electronic Library Room 111, which were placed on reserve by your instructor. Many instructors are placing their course materials on our Electronic Reserve system at: http://pdc.csusb.edu/StudentAccessReserves.htm. You may access the Electronic Reserves on-line using your MyCoyote I.D. number. The CoyoteOne or Remote Access barcode is no longer needed.
 
Frequently asked questions
 
How can I get the full article of a citation I found in a citation index?
After you select the relevant article citations from a subject index, such as ERIC or PsycINFO (found on library page at: http://pdc.csusb.edu/librarycomput.htm), go to the online ordering system and order your articles at: http://pdc.csusb.edu/OnlineOrders.htm. Because we have a new automated article retrieval system, most of your articles will arrive in your email account in a few hours to a few days.  Some may be sent to PDC library room 111 for you to pick up.  It is fast, easy, and can be done at home.  Some of your selections will be automatically retrieved from other universities and sent to you by email within a few days. Articles held in hardcopy form at CSUSB’s Library will be scanned into digital form and quickly emailed to you in 24-48 hours. 
 
Do I need a Coyote1 Card?
Not at PDC, but CSUSB does require it for accessing some labs or services. Library databases can be accessed using your MyCoyote I.D. number, therefore you no longer need a Remote Access or CoyoteOne card barcode. If you wish to have a card for I.D. purposes, you may obtain a Coyote1 card by coming to a carding/photo session. Get a list of times and dates at: http://pdc.csusb.edu/coyoteOneCard.htm.
 
When I look through the list of articles retrieved from my keyword search, I see full text listed in 2 or 3 formats: .html and .pdf. and linked full text
The .html file can be sent to your personal email, whereas .pdf cannot. "PDF" (portable document format) is like a photocopy of the original, printed journal page, which makes it a very large file.  It may load very slowly with dial-up modem speed, and an older computer’s low RAM may prevent opening it at all.  To read or print files in PDF format, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader software installed on your computer. You may get it free at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. If you are offered “linked full text” merely click on the link to retrieve the article. If you are given a yellow icon labeled “Search for full text” click directly on it and follow the menu. It can take you to the article in full text if it is available in one of our other databases.  
 
Is there an online guide for searching databases?
Yes, we have search instructions for the main databases.  For .pdf guides go to: http://www.lib.csusb.edu/help/researchguides.cfm.
For interactive. animated tutorials go to:  http://pdc.csusb.edu/ollie/ollie.htm.
 
How do I know which database to use when I am at home?
Go to the following on-line page listing databases by subject: http://pdc.csusb.edu/ResourcesBySubject.htm for a list of databases by subject.
 
What are the hours which I can expect to find the library open?
The Electronic Library’s current hours can be found at: http://pdc.csusb.edu/libraryHours.htm.
Electronic Library/Information Resources RG-111
37500 Cook Street Palm Desert CA 92211     (760) 341-2883 ext. 78112
 
 

 
 
Home |  Palm Desert Campus 37500 Cook Street Palm Desert CA 92211 | (760) 341-2883 | Webmaster butter@csusb.edu
The California State University System | Disability Resources | Privacy and Security Notice | Last Updated 06/18/2008