Ask a Librarian's Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1 - I go to UHV - how do I get in from home (or off-campus)?

Your UHV computer account login is the correct login to get into library databases. This is the same account you use for Blackboard, UHV email, and UHV computer labs.

Your computer account must be activated in order to access library databases.

To do this, go to the following web page: UHV Information Technology Department's Student Services for more information about logging in for the first time.

Question 2 - I to to VC - how do I get in from home (or off-campus)?

Your Pirate Portal login is used to get into library databases from home or off-campus.

If you do not know your account info, start at The Pirate Portal login page. Click on "get/change/forgot your password?"

Question 3 - I am a student, but I don't attend class in Victoria. How do I borrow books?

It's pretty easy. Just fill out one of our interlibrary loan forms. We will pull the book and ship it to the Victoria College or U of H facility closest to where you attend classes. We will email to tell you about it and you can pick the book up there. When you are finished with the book, simply return it to where you picked it up and they will send it back to us. There is no charge for this service.

For special circumstances, contact the ILL Dept.

Question 4 - I need help with MLA citation

Try our Citation Guide for MLA, 7th for literary criticism sources, or use the MLA Quick Reference Guide prepared by the UHV Academic Center.

Question 5 - I need help with APA citation

Try the APA Quick Reference Guide prepared by the UHV Academic Center

Question 6 - I found this great article in one of the databases, but the full-text isn't there. Where is the full-text?

Not every article is full-text in our databases, or the full-text may be in another, or maybe even in print format in the Library. If not, we can get it for you from another library. Just fill out one of our interlibrary loan forms. Our staff will find out where the full-text is and get it to you. This service is called Interlibrary Loan and it is free to all students and faculty.

Question 7 - I need to watch a video. I think they called it "media reserve". How can I do that? Could I watch the video at home on my computer?

The link to Media Reserve appears in the "Quick Links" section on the right side of our home page. That link points you to our video broadcast system which will allow you to watch the video from any computer on campus. However, licensing and copyright restrictions may not allow you to watch the video from home. Your instructor will know whether you can do that or not. Your instructor will also have the password that is necessary to view the video.

Question 8 - I have an assigned reading from my instructor. Where can I find it?

Assigned readings are placed in the "Electronic Reserve" section of our web site. The link to "Electronic Reserve" appears in the "Quick Links" section on the right side of our home page. Select your instructor's name and the list of assigned readings will appear. You should have a password from your instructor to open them.

Question 9 - My instructor says I have to have "peer reviewed articles". What does that mean? And how do I find one?

Peer reviewed articles are articles in academic/scholarly journals that have been reviewed by other researchers and scholars in the subject before the article is published. Most of our databases have a way to limit your search to peer reviewed (or scholarly) articles. Look at our study guide, Need a Scholarly Journal or Article?, for more information.

Question 10 - I don't want to buy my textbook. Does the library have them to check out?

Not usually. Textbooks tend to change faster than the library (and the library's budget) can keep up with. It is possible that, by some coincidence, we may have your textbook (perhaps in another edition). However, checkout would only last for 2 weeks, and you cannot mark the book up. To find out whether we have your textbook, check the online catalog.