Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find articles on my topic?

The most efficient way to find journal articles or conference papers on a topic is to use an index.  See the Finding Articles  page for more information on indexes.

Why can't I find any articles on my topic?

Nothing can be more frustrating than searching for articles on a topic you know has been written about extensively and finding nothing.  If you have checked for typos in your search terms and you have used alternate terms in your search, such as automobile and vehicle as well as car,  it may be that you need to use a different index.  Our handout, Where to Look for Engineering Information, can help you pick the right indexes for your searches.   

When I use an index to find articles will I be able to read the article online?

The answer to this question is a definite maybe. Some indexes provide this option and some don't.  The Electronic or Paper? page in this session talks more about indexes and full-text articles.  It also provides advice on using UTNetCAT, the library catalog, to find the journals or conference proceedings with articles not available full-text online through an index.  If you have never used UTNetCAT or would like to just refresh your memory, see the UTNetCAT page for more information.  

Is this journal available online?

If you search an index that does not provide online access to an article, you may still be able to find your article online.  The UT Austin General Libraries subscribe to a wide range of journals electronically.  The Journals page of this session will point you to the Online Journals Web page and discusses using UTNetCAT to locate online journals. It also suggests using the Full-Text Journals and Newspapers Online search option to see if a journal is available online.  

Why can't I find this article in UTNetCAT?

This is one of our most common frequently asked questions.  UTNetCAT can only tell you if we have a journal title.  Unfortunately, you will not find the articles that appear in a journal using UTNetCAT.

Why didn't I find this article when I searched AltaVista/Google/Northern Light?

The Search Engines section of this session deals with this frequently asked question.  Remember, the indexes you use to search for articles and many electronic journals are commercial products. Libraries pay to provide electronic access to these resources and must limit access to UT Austin faculty, staff and students.  

How do I find a book?

Finding Books is the section to see for more information on finding a book in the libraries on campus or e-books available online.  UTNetCAT is the main tool for finding books so if you haven't reviewed this section, you may want to do so.

Why can't I find this conference proceedings in UTNetCAT?

Conference proceedings can be very difficult to track down.   Finding Conference Proceedings provides some advice for dealing with the very long and confusing titles you often see for conference proceedings.  Remember you will only find the titles of conference proceedings in UTNetCAT.  UTNetCAT will not find the titles of conference papers contained in a proceedings.

What does this abbreviation stand for?

The indexes to engineering literature and the references you find in journal articles and conference proceedings may abbreviate titles of journals and conference proceedings.  See Taking the Guesswork out of Abbreviations for information on dealing with this tricky situation. 

Do you have industry standards?

We have a selection of industry standards from well known U.S. publishers.  Some standards are available online and some are are available only in the Engineering Library.  See the Industry Standards page for more information.

Do I have to come to the library to do a patent search?

In addition to the patent searching tools that are available here at the Engineering Library, there are a number of sites on the Internet where you can begin your patent search.  We recommend starting your search at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Web site.  Here you will find information about patents, up-to-date information on filing fees and application procedures, and you will also be able to search and view the full-text of patents from 1790 to the present.  Patents - a great source of information provides links to the Patent Office Web site and to a patent searching tutorial.  If you would like help starting your patent search be sure to drop by or call the library and talk to a reference librarian.  

Which search engine is the best one to use?

Search engines are not all the same.  Each search engine has its own database of Web pages so the search results you see can vary from search engine to search engine.  If you would like to see how one search engine compares with another, check out the Search Engine Showdown for more information.  In addition to the individual search engines there are meta-searchers that search a number of individual search engines, subject directories like Yahoo, and Library Gateways that you can use to find information on the Internet.  Our Search Engines page points you to definitions and examples for all these Internet search options.

Where can I find pictures of bridges?

You will find books in libraries around campus about bridges that include illustrations.  The Engineering Library does not, however, maintain image archives of current or historical photos or images.  When asked about finding images, we recommend looking for image archives on the Internet.  The Finding Images page of this session provides more information about using the AltaVista image search option to track down image archives on the Web.

Where can I look to find properties of aluminum alloys?

The best place to start looking for information like this is the Engineering Library reference collection.  We have a variety of databooks, handbooks, technical encyclopedias, etc. including several that specialize in the properties of aluminum alloys.  For more information see Finding Data and Specific Properties or Facts.  You might also find what you need using some of the data sources available online.  Visit our Data Sources Web page for information about what is currently available online.

What do I do if the UT libraries don't own what I need?

If you are having trouble finding what you are looking for, you may want to double check with a librarian to be sure we really do not have what you need.  The UT Austin libraries have a variety of special collections, reports on microfiche, conference papers on CD-ROM, etc., that can be hard to track down unless you know exactly where to look for them.  If the thing you are looking for really isn't here, we can help you with the Inter-Library Service (ILS) form to request the item from another library. We can also direct you towards vendors for products, such as an industry standards, that are not available through ILS and must be purchased.

What is UTLOL?

UT Library Online or UTLOL is the homepage for the UT Austin General Libraries.  See the What is UT Library Online for more information.

Where is PCL?

PCL is the main library on campus and is located on the corner of 21st and Speedway.  In addition to having a large collection of books, journals and other materials, it is the home for many library services.  It also has extended library hours for studying. For a list of the other libraries on campus, see the  list of campus libraries in the Information Excavator Extra on the UTLOL page.

How do I ask a question?

There are a number of ways to ask a question.  You can stop by the library and talk to a reference librarian or you can call the Engineering Library at 495-4511. We encourage you to use our online question form, if you would like to submit your question electronically..  If you are using UT Library Online, look for the Ask a Reference Question link on the homepage to submit your question.