Table of Contents

• Parking
• Entering the Library
• Leaving the Library in an Emergency
• Study Facilities
• Reference Services
• Retrieving Library Materials
• Returning Library Materials
• Copying
• Telephones
  • Sorenson Videophone
  • TTY
• Reserve Area Equipment
  • 4-Track Talking Book Cassette Player
  • Voyager Monitor
• Computer Lab Equipment
  • BookWise Software
  • ClearviewDragon NaturallySpeaking
  • JAWS
  • Kurzweil Reading Edge
  • myReader
• Student Learning Assistance Center
• Contact Us
  

 

Parking

Disabled parking spaces are available in the library's underground parking garage located at the end of Talbot Street (behind Jones Dining Hall). Students who require access to the gated garage must request a gate access card from the Office of Disability Services (ODS) located in 5-5.1 LBJ Student Center Monday through Friday during normal university business hours. Verification of Texas State Eligibility for Disabled parking is required  if not already on file with the ODS. Additional disabled parking spaces are located outside the gate.  A ramp leading to the library and teaching theater is located to the left of the disabled parking area.

Entering the Library

A 4-tiered ramp is located on the south side (the side nearest to downtown) of the library. At the top of the ramp, the teaching theater of the Alkek Library will be on your right. Proceed forward around the teaching theater to the library breezeway. The automatic door is the last door on the right and is accessible by pushing a button.

Another entrance to the library is located on the east side of the library near Derrick Hall and is opened by an access card. To obtain a door access card, bring an eligibility form from the Office of Disability Services to the library, room 204, Monday through Friday (8 am to 5 pm). Access cards are free of charge but replacement cards cost $7.

Leaving the Library in an Emergency:

If you need assistance leaving the building in case of emergency, do not use the elevators. Go into the nearest stairwell and shut the door so that the stairwell remains fireproof. Firefighters or police will assist you out of the building.

Study Facilities:

Adjustable study carrels and tables are located throughout the building.  For assistance adjusting the carrels, ask at the service desks on floors 2-4. For help on floors 5-7, ask at the circulation desk.

Approximate Location of Adjustable Study Carrels and Tables: 

Second Floor 

Study carrel, behind the stairwell
4-Person table, recreational reading area 
 

Third Floor

Study carrel, by copy room 350 1-Person table, near the Copy Center, by the window
4-Person table, on the west side
  

Fourth Floor

1-Person Table, near the public elevators, by the window
4-Person Table, between the Government Documents and the Computer/Reserve
service desks
 

Fifth Floor

Study Carrel, to right of the public elevators
1-Person Table, to left of the public elevators, near the window facing downtown 
4-Person Table, to left of the public elevators
 

Sixth Floor

Study Carrel, to right of the public elevators 1-Person Table, to left of the public elevators, near the online catalog
4-Person Table, to left of the public elevators
 

Seventh Floor

Study Carrel, near the Alkek Room 
1-Person Table, to left of the public elevators, near the window facing downtown 
4-Person Table, to left of the public elevators

Reference Services

The reference desk staff, on the second floor, can direct you to books, journals, and Internet sources for your research.  You may also call 512-245-2685 to make an appointment for more in-depth assistance.

 

Retrieving Library Materials

Reference books, ask at the Reference Desk, second floor.
Circulating books on floors 5-7, ask at the Circulation Desk, second floor. 
Periodicals, ask at the Periodicals Desk, third floor.
Audiovisual & reserve items, ask at the Reserve Desk, fourth floor.
Government documents, ask at the Government Documents Desk, fourth floor.
Special collections items ask at the Special Collections, seventh floor,
Monday through Friday 8-5pm.


While every effort is made to provide prompt assistance, the library staff may require additional time during peak hours and on the weekends. To retrieve a large number of items, please allow at least 24 hours turnaround time.

Returning Library Materials

A book drop is located by the automatic door facing Derrick Hall. In addition, a drive-up book drop is located by the library parking garage entrance off Talbot. 

Copying

Copiers are located on all floors. The periodicals staff will copy microform materials,  current and bound periodicals. The periodicals
staff can usually accommodate requests within 24 hours. Pay for copies made by the periodicals staff at the Circulation Desk, second floor. If you need assistance, the periodicals staff can take the payment down for you. 

Telephones:

Sorenson videophone -

A camera, video monitor, and phone combination that allows patrons to make telephone calls using sign language.  The camera displays the patron signing to a certified ASL interpreter who relays the
message to the called person.  Also, patrons can sign directly to another person with a videophone.  The remote control that operates the videophone can be checked out at the Periodicals Service Desk on the third floor.
 

TTY (Teletypewriter)(also called TDD Telephone Device for the Deaf)  -

A device that allows individuals who are either Deaf/ Hard of Hearing, or speech impaired to communicate over the telephone.  The pay TTY is located in the lounge on the 1st floor.

Reserve Area Equipment

4-Track Talking Book Cassette Player -

Plays the specialized 4-track tapes from the Texas State Library's Talking Book program. The player can be check out with a student ID and taken anywhere in the library.

 

Voyager monitor -

A closed circuit television that assists with reading, writing and
typewriting by enlarging print and photographic images. Magnification is adjustable.

 
For more information, contact Debbie Monosmith at 512-245-2328 or dm02@txstate.edu.

Computer Lab Equipment - Fourth Floor:

Please make an appointment with the computer lab personnel (512-245-2106) so they can familiarize you with the equipment. The Computer Lab is closed for maintenance Friday mornings until 10:30.

BookWise software -

Uses the Kurzweil scanner to convert printed materials to synthesized speech. Text appears on a computer monitor, which highlights the words as they are read.
 

Clearview -

Allows enlarged viewing of printed materials with a separate screen for computer program applications.
 

Dragon NaturallySpeaking - 

Eliminates keyboard use by allowing user to enter text and control programs by voice.
In order to use this system you must set up a voice file
which may require several hours of training. Success of the voice recognition program varies among users. 

JAWS -

Interactive computer program designed to make Windows and Windows-based applications accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. The program provides screen magnification and speech synthesis for screen description, commands, creating, editing, and reading electronic documents. 

Kurzweil Reading Edge -

Scans printed materials and converts the text to synthesized speech.
Features include volume and speed adjustments, headphones and tape recording jack.
 

myReader - 

Scans text and displays it on a monitor in the size and
format the reader specifies.  A control panel can adjust the size and speed of the text as it moves across the monitor.  It also has a live mode which allows readers to magnify print without scanning the material. 

For more information, contact  Phyllis Rowell at 512-245-2106 or pr05@txstate.edu.
   

SLAC (Student Learning Assistance Center) - Fourth Floor:

SLAC offers help to all students in a variety of areas such as reading, writing, history, math, science, and study skills. No appointment is necessary however services are not available during final exam weeks and interim periods.
For more information, contact Carol Dochen at 512-245-2515 or cd03@txstate.edu.

Contact Us:

For additional information or to make a suggestions contact Barbara Potts at 512-245-2685
or bp02@txstate.edu.