Reference Question?
Mrs. Linda Kramer

Mrs. Linda Kramer

Library Director

Reference Librarian

Reference

Reference services provide patrons with help in finding library materials within the MLC library and from sources outside the library.

Our reference librarian can help you…

  • find information on a topic
  • develop research strategies for papers and projects
  • search the library catalog, article databases, and the Internet
  • locate facts and statistics
  • answer questions about the services and resources of the MLC library
  • provide instruction on the research process and the use of the library
  • refer you to information sources beyond the library
  • help you borrow books and other materials from other libraries

MLC’s reference librarian is available Monday-Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm by drop-in or appointment.  Contact the Reference Librarian.

Accessing Library Resources Slideshow

Library Tutorials


Learn on your own!  These tutorials will walk you through the steps of library activities to help you use the library better.

  1. Finding Books on the Shelves
  2. Library Holds
  3. Logging in to your Library Account
  4. Overdrive MTLE Prep Books

Tip Sheets

Tips for using the library online catalog:

  1. Logging in to your Library Account
  2. MLC Library Catalog Basics
  3. Placing Holds on Library Materials

Tips for finding library resources:

  1. Using MNLINK to Get Books or Articles
  2. Browsing for Children’s Literature
  3. Resources that Require Library Barcodes
  4. Finding a Specific Journal Issue Online
  5. Full-Text Error Workaround
  6. Library + Google for Better Research
  7. Overdrive eBooks and eAudiobooks
  8. Overdrive MTLE Prep Books

Tips for using library services:

  1. Navigating the MLC Library
  2. Creating a Book List from the Library Catalog
  3. Copier USB Scan Instructions

Library Guides

Learn which library resources are useful for your research topic.

By subject area:

By topic:

Find books, magazines, CDs, DVDs & . . .


Search:

  1. MLC/TdS Online Catalog. Search by words or phrase, author, title, or subject.
  2. MNLINK for items not available in the MLC catalog.
    • You can place a loan request on the MNLINK website with your library ID number. Select MLC Library as the pickup location.
  3. OCLC WorldCat for items not found in the MLC Library or in MNLINK.
    • WorldCat connects you to the collections and services of more than 10,000 libraries worldwide. Materials found outside the MLC catalog and MNLINK catalog can be requested through Interlibrary Loan.
  4. Electronic Books (eBooks). 
    • The MLC Library subscribes to a number of eBook databases, providing digital versions of books, journals, and database content.

For more information:

Searching for Articles

If you have a citation or reference and need to find the actual article:

  • Search the MLC/TdS Online Catalog we might have the journal in print where the article appeared.
  • Citation Resolver, a Revise Request form takes your citation information and finds the item in EBSCO Discovery. Fill in as many fields as you know.
  • Publications AtoZ finds your journal-title, issue, and table of contents. Select the known article.

If you are looking for an article on a particular topic:

  • Discovery, use the limiters to narrow the focus of your search.
  • Databases by Subject provides a list of databases that are most likely to give you the best results for your subject search.

If you are looking for a “peer-reviewed” or scholarly journal articles:

  • Use the Discovery search and mark the checkbox for Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals to limit your results.

For more information:

Interlibrary Loan

You can use Interlibrary Loan (ILL) to request materials from national and international libraries if they are not available through our MLC/TdS Online Catalog or MNLINK.

What is Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service the library provides for requesting materials not found in the MLC/TdS Online Catalog or MNLINK Catalog. You can find these materials by using OCLC’s WorldCat. This service is available free for current MLC students, faculty, and staff.  MLC guests may use their public libraries for this service.

Can I request an item through Interlibrary Loan?

If you have a current MLC ID card, you are eligible to use this service.

How long does it take?

It will depend on the availability of the item and the location of the lending library.  Materials may arrive in a few days, or take several weeks to get here.

How long can items be kept?

The lending library determines the due date. Usually, materials are given 3-5 weeks as a lending period.

What kind of items can be requested?

Typically books and articles are requested, but DVDs, CDs, VHS, and microfilm may also be available.

Which items cannot be requested?

Loaning libraries determine what, if any, items will not be loaned.

Where does my request go once it’s been placed?

Requests placed through the online ILL form are sent to the librarian in charge of interlibrary loans.

Where do I get in-person help with ILL requests?

The  will help you with special requests or answer questions about ILL matters.

Can ILL materials be renewed?

Renewals for ILL materials are determined by the lending library. If you need to hold onto your material longer than the initial lending period, a request is made to the lending library to extend the loan. Please contact the ILL Librarian at least one day before your item’s expiration date to process this request.

Is there a cost to requesting materials through ILL?

Generally, no. There are libraries that do charge a fee, but rarely.

When I am done using the ILL items, where should I return them?

Return the ILL materials like other loaned materials from the library. Please remember to include any paperwork that came with your materials when returning the item.

For more information, see our help sheets:

More Questions?

24/7 Research Help

AskMN – The Librarian Is In!  

Online chat service for information and research help available to all Minnesota residents and students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. AskMN is a cooperative service of Minnesota libraries.

  • Get real-time help for your research from an academic librarian.

Online Access

How to access e-resources from off-campus

Log into the MLC network on the Portal website with your student account, username, and password. Once logged in you will have access to the library’s purchased online resources, databases, eBooks, and more.

Graduate Students, Community and Area Patrons: Borrowing Materials

Borrowing from MLC

  • To borrow physical materials from the MLC Library, please check with your local library about the availability of ILL services.  ILL is set up to easily and efficiently move materials between libraries.  In rare cases, nominal fees accompany interlibrary loan services.
  • If ILL is not available through your public library, please contact the MLC Library to learn about other options for obtaining the materials you need.