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Congratulations to all of our graduates. We frequently get questions about what happens to library access after graduation.

We greatly improved our database search last fall. In addition to finding databases by their titles, we added the ability to search against words in their descriptions, making finding databases to use for various research topics easier when you did not know one to start with. Here's our top searched databases this academic year:

Start the survey here

The libraries are constantly seeking to improve how the Summon database works: how search results are returned and displayed, how facets can limit and focus the number of results, and how results are linked to full text. Previous feedback has directly influenced changes in all of these areas. We are seeking additional feedback to continue this progress. Please take a few minutes to complete a brief survey on how you use Summon.

Remember to turn in any items checked on on your account (library or Interlibrary Loan books, DVDs, videos, or CDs) before you leave town for the summer. Often students forget to turn in items, and then accumulate fines for overdue fees or for recalled books. Check your library account online to see if there are any library items checked out to you. Check your Interlibrary Loan account for ILL items as well.

New materials lists for items cataloged in April 2013, have been posted.

As we approach the end of the semester, you may find you still need to use books you have checked out of the Virginia Tech libraries or books you've received from other libraries through interlibrary loan that are nearing their due dates. You can renew most checked out material online; some material cannot be renewed (Popular Reading books, bound journals, and DVDs cannot be renewed, but you can bring them to the circulation desk to be checked in and out again).

The University Libraries subscribe to numerous databases that provide free webinars on using their search interfaces. These webinars can help you become a more efficient searcher or learn about new features of the database. See our list of upcoming webinars you can register for and view from the comfort of your own desk. 

VIVA, the Virtual Library of Virginia, received funds through the Virginia General Assembly for the purchase of STEM-H (scientific, technical, engineering, mathematics, and health) ebooks. Several packages from two major publishers (Springer and Elsevier) have been obtained. All ebooks published in 2013 in these packages will be added to our collection (currently that includes over 600 ebooks).

None of our ebooks require using an e-reader device like a Kindle or Nook; at a minimum these ebooks can be read through your web browser. However, using ebooks on such a device or corresponding app on an iPad or Android tablet allows using their features, including bookmarking, zooming, and adding annotations.