SJLibrary.org, a collaboration of San Jose State University and San Jose Public Library system.

Resources for Graduate Students: Frequently Asked Questions

How many books can I check out?

Up to 100 at a time. For details go to Borrower Privileges and click "SJSU Graduate Students."

How do I renew books?

There are three convenient ways to renew your materials:

• Online through My Account
• By phone via automated renewal: 408-808-2665, around-the-clock
• By phone with staff assistance: 408-808-2000 during limited hours

How can I pay for library fines online with a credit card?

Log into your account and click on the link to unpaid fines and bills. You should see an itemized list of fines. To pay by credit card, click on the "Pay Online" button and fill out the corresponding form.

How can I get library services when I'm working on my thesis (or an incomplete) and not registered for the semester?

1. Contact your faculty advisor or professor and ask him/her to
2. Contact Randy Anderson with your name and Student ID number
3. Confirm that you are working on your thesis or an incomplete.

The above method is preferred, but can also go to the Circulation Desk in King Library where they will stamp a form. Have your faculty advisor sign that form. Bring the form back to the Circulation Desk and your record will be updated.

How can I find a list of previous theses done in my department?

Go to the Library Catalog Advanced Search

1. In the WORD(S): box enter keywords from the official name of your major department (e.g. Biological Sciences, English, Social Work
2. Under "Material Type" choose "Thesis/Project"
3. Under "Search and Sort" choose "Date"
4. Click "Search." This will give you a list of theses in your department with the most recent listed first. Theses can also be searched by author, title and subject like any other book.

Why can't I find a particular thesis in the library catalog?

There are several possibilities:

1. Department Name Change. Theses are listed in the library catalog under both the personal author and the name of the department as "corporate author" (ex. San Jose State University. History Dept.). If your Department changes its name significantly (like Human Performance to Kinesiology) you may have to look under different variants of the name to find all the theses.
2. Not Yet Available. Theses take longer to catalogue and process than regular books. First they need to be bound-see "How long should it take to get my thesis bound?" below. If the thesis is old enough to have been bound already, it may not be catalogued yet.
3. Project or Thesis? Are you sure the item you're looking for is a thesis? Many departments give the option of doing either a thesis or a Master's project. With few exceptions, only the theses are put in the University Library.

Why isn't there a copy of a thesis that I can check out?

The University Library initially receives two copies of each thesis-one to circulate (check out) and another archive copy kept in Special Collections, which does not circulate. Sometimes the circulating copy will disappear (usually stolen).

Where are theses located in the library?

Most theses are located on special shelves in the elevator lobby on floors 6-8 (depending on the "call number"), but there are exceptions. The entry in the library catalog will give you the exact location, and these can be checked out. A second copy (which does not circulate) is kept in SJSU Special Collections.