10 Easy Steps to Get Started with the
Library & Information Access
1. Get Your Photo ID with Your RedID
Number
4. Set Up Your Citation Management
Account
You need these:
 To check out books
 To use library services remotely
 To set up a free SDSU e-mail account
With citation management applications you can:
 Import references from article databases.
 Automatically create bibliographies in all
major styles, and then export them as several
document types (Word, RTF, HTML, etc.).
http://sdsucard.sdsu.edu
2. Set Up Your Library PIN
With a library PIN you can:
 Renew books using the Your Library
Record feature in the library’s catalog, the
PAC.
 Place holds/recalls in the PAC.
 Borrow books from participating Circuit and
Link+ libraries, either electronically or in
person.
 Access databases remotely.
 Use library computers.
http://library.sdsu.edu/help/create/reset-pin
3. Set Up Your Interlibrary Loan
Account
ILL (Interlibrary Loan) provides electronic or
mail delivery of articles, books and other
materials not held by San Diego State.
https://illiad.sdsu.edu/illiad/FirstTime.html
The SDSU Library recommends EndNote Web
for most users. We also recommend Mendeley
and Zotero for some users. See the comparison
guide to choose which will work best for you:
http://library.sdsu.edu/guides/sub.php?id=237
5. Need a Computer Account?
The Student Computing Center offers free email accounts. The accounts include 50 MB
storage for web pages. Sign up on the SDSU
WebPortal and click on the button “Get a
ROHAN/Email account.”
6. Get Help with Library Research
Librarians are your friendly, live connections to
the Library & Information Access. They share
information about the library, its services and
collections, and support your research needs.
Research assistance is available at the Reference
Desk on the 1st floor of the Library Addition.
Librarians are available Monday-Thursday 8am7pm, Friday 8am-4pm, Saturday 10am-4pm,
and Sunday noon-6pm.
In depth assistance can be provided by your
department’s library liaison. Find your library
liaison:
http://library.sdsu.edu/people/biblist.php
23 August 2011
Explore SDSU Library & Information Access
This is your starting point for library research; bookmark it today!
http://library.sdsu.edu
7. Locate Books & Media
9.
Tests & Measurements
Use:
 The PAC to identify materials in the SDSU
library—books, media, journal titles.
 Circuit (via the PAC) to borrow books from
UCSD, CSUSM, USD and the San Diego
County Library system for delivery to the
SDSU Library within 24-48 hours.
 Link+ (via the PAC) to borrow books from
other California libraries for delivery within
a few days.
Do you need a research instrument or
questionnaire?
 Tests & Measurements Research Guide is
a good starting point:
http://library.sdsu.edu/guides/sub.php?id=83
 SDSU Test Finder indexes complete tests
found in SDSU Library sources plus
available on the Web:
http://library.sdsu.edu/guides/resourcelink.p
hp?id=224
http://libpac.sdsu.edu
Librarians can assist you. Contact your library
liaison:
http://library.sdsu.edu/people/biblist.php
8. Locate Articles, Theses &
Dissertations
10. Surprise Yourself
The Library subscribes to over 150 databases
which help you find articles on your topic. We
subscribe to over 40,000 online full text
journals.
For a comprehensive list of article databases go
to:
http://library.sdsu.edu/guides/
Use the search forms on the Locating Journals
& Articles page to:
 Determine holdings and formats for journal
titles owned by SDSU.
 Locate articles for which you have a
citation.
http://library.sdsu.edu/find/articles-journals
Check out our Media Center to borrow DVDs,
CDs and videos.
Special Collections and University
Archives—not just old anymore. Photographs,
art prints, memorabilia, scrapbooks, oral
histories, as well as books and manuscripts are
included in the collection.
http://library.sdsu.edu/scua
We have more books than Barnes & Noble and
our wireless is free. But, you have to bring your
own coffee. Food friendly areas are the Laptop
Lounge (basement), 24/7 Study Area (2nd floor,
Library Addition) and Study Lounge (3rd floor,
Love Library). Need a computer? We have 2
computer labs with over 300 computers. And,
we have longer hours. The 24/7 Study Area is
an around-the-clock study space during the
semester. The Main Library and Student
Computing Center are open until 1am SundayThursday. For complete hours:
http://library.sdsu.edu/hours/
23 August 2011