I can't open an article I found in one of the library's
databases--it's in PDF format. How can I read
it?
1. Can I access the
library's online databases from home?
Yes! If you are a currently enrolled COM student, faculty,
staff, adjunct or community library card holder. Due to the licensing
restrictions of the databases, COM Library cannot offer access to anyone
else.
All of COM Library's online resources can be accessed remotely
from any location from which you have Internet access. To access the databases
remotely, go to COM Library's Databases page
and click on any database. If the database has the symbol,
you will have to login using your library patron # and last name.
If you are get a login page that asks for something other
than your patron ID # and last name, you are either trying to access the
databases through a page other than the library's database page
or COM is having network problems and our server that allows off campus access
is down. While the server is down you will not be able to access the library's
databases off campus. We seldom have server problems, but when this happens,
COM's Information Technology Services team works to get the problem fixed.
The login page has more details about logging in.
All of COM Library's databases with the symbol
can also be accessed remotely through your local public library. Everyone
in the state of Texas is entitled to use these databases, so even when you
are no longer a student you can access the TexShare databases. For a user
name and password, contact your local public library. Try COM Library's Other
Libraries page for links to many local libraries and catalogs, which
should include contact information.
2. How do I access the library's
online resources from home?
COM Library's online resources that require login consists
of both databases and eBooks. Access them from the same pages that
you would on campus.
Get thousands of full text articles from over 40 full
text databases from COM Library's Database page.
Databases are listed by subject, with popular QuickLinks in the upper
right hand corner. When off campus, a login page will come up with
instructions for how to login.
You can access full text books, or eBooks from COM Library's eBooks page. The
free eBooks listed on the page are available to anyone with Internet access.
Our best
single resource for eBooks is NetLibrary.
To find out more about NetLibrary, try COM Library's Getting Started with NetLibrary.
3. How can I check to see if I can log on remotely?
Go to the log in page and try you COM ID and last name. If your COM ID number does not add up to 7 digits, put enough zeroes in front of the number to add up to seven. Example: 1234 would be entered 0001234.
If you get a new page that says "You're logged on! You'll know that you record is current and you can access all our databses and NetLibrary off campus.
If you get a page that says " Invalid COM ID - Last Name combination. Please try again," you'll know you need to Contact the library:
call (409) 938-1211 x 202 or Houston Metro (888) 258-8859 x 202
4. It's asking for a username and
password, not a COM ID.
If you are getting a login page that asks for something
other than your patron ID # and last name, you are either trying to
access the databases through a page other than the library's database page
or COM is having network problems and our server that allows off campus
access is down. While the server is down you will not be able to access
the library's databases off campus. We seldom have server problems, but when this happens, COM's Information
Technology Services team works to get the problem fixed.
Yes. The login information is secured by VeriSign, as
indicated by the VeriSign icon on the login page. Clicking on the icon
will bring up a page that details the security status of the login
page.
6. What if I am off campus but don't have a computer or
Internet connection?
Unfortunately you can't access our online resources unless
you have access to a computer with an Internet connection. You can,
however, use resources from other libraries using a TexShare card.
TexShare Cards
The state of Texas has a reciprocal borrowing program called the
TexShare Card Program. You must get your TexShare card from COM Library
at the circulation desk. Participating TexShare libraries may extend
free reciprocal borrowing privileges to each other's students, faculty
and staff. This may include a range of resources, such as checking
out books and using library computers and online databases. See the
lending policies of specific
TexShare libraries by clicking on Lending Pol. for that
library. Find out more about the TexShare
Card Program. To check local library catalogs, go to Other
Libraries.
7. Does COM Library have a guide for
distance ed students?
Yes. It includes:
The best places to find full text journal articles
on the Web;
How to access free eBooks and COM's collection of thousands
of full text NetLibrary eBooks, with a link to COM Library's FAQs
and online demo for NetLibrary;
Links to COM Library's FAQ pages and other help pages
Information on the TexShare program that allow COM
students to use other libraries in Texas, including both public and
academic.
That depends on the style of citation your instructor
wants you to use. At COM the most frequently used style is the Modern Language
(MLA) Association Style. English papers generally require this style. The
American Psychological Association (APA) is also used at COM. Nursing papers
require this style. COM Library has created a guide for each of these styles.
The guides include specific examples of resources from COM Library, as well
as the call numbers for the APA and MLA style guides available in print in
COM Library. There is a handout for each available from the handout rack
located near the front entrance of COM Library. They are also available online:
access the MLA or APA style
guides. If your instructor wants you to use a different format, try COM Library's Citations page.
Something to keep in mind: Internet sources have
special requirements for citation. For instance, did you know that you must
include the URL of
the Internet source you use? If you use an article from an online database,
you need the name of the database and the database vendor. Look at the MLA
and APA style guides before you do your research so you know what information
you are required to include. That way you won't have to come back and try
to find the same site or article again.
9. I can't open an article
I found in one of the library's databases--it's in PDF format. How
can I read it?
Many of the library's databases have articles in PDF
format. You have to have the free Adobe® Acrobat Reader® installed
on your computer to read the articles. Get it now.
Questions?
If you still have questions after reading this guide,
try some of COM Library's FAQs, or you may
ask the Reference Librarian for assistance. The Reference Office is located
on the ground floor of the library near the Online Library.
symbol,
you will have to login using your library patron # and last name. 
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