Research Tools & Services

IN THE LIBRARY: Online access is offered in the Library to the ReferenceUSA Business & Residential database, Testing & Education Reference Center, Biography Resource Center, Mergent Online (Business & Financial Information), Books In Print, and Chilton Library, as well as to the collection of 50 TexShare databases.

REMOTE ACCESS: The Library of Texas and the TexShare databases, as well as Testing & Education Reference Center, Biography Resource Center, Mergent Online, Books in Print, and Chilton Library may also be accessed remotely 24/7 via a login and password issued by the reference staff to TCPL cardholders.

The primary goal of reference service is to ensure access to information resources. Reference questions will be responded to in the order received. In cases of time restraints, priority will be given to in-person requests. Telephone and email requests will receive response as promptly as possible.

If it is not possible to fill the request to the customer's satisfaction with the Library's resources, staff may contact other area libraries on the customer's behalf, refer the customer to outside resources, or recommend the use of the Interlibrary Loan service.

The reference staff is trained to conduct effective reference interviews, to identify sources to meet the customer's information needs, and to assist the customer in the use of these sources; it is not the role of the reference staff to interpret the information found in those sources.

Reference Desk staff: reference@thecolony.lib.tx.us or 972-625-1900 ext. 3.

Live Homework Help™ is an after-school online tutoring service that links students grades 4 through introductory college level with expert tutors in math, science, social studies and English via the Internet. 

The service is available at the Library during its operating hours, beginning at 3 p.m., via the Library’s public access network of 21 internet accessible computers. 

Remote access to Live Homework Help™ is available via the Library’s catalog site www.thecolony.lib.tx.us from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.  For remote access, you must log in with your library card number.

Live Homework Help En Español provides Spanish-speaking tutors for math and science.  It is available at the Library Tuesday through Thursday, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. Remote access is available 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

This project is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the North Texas Regional Library System.

Local funding is provided via a grant from the CoServ Charitable Foundation.

The reference staff may also provide recommendations of reading materials in response to customer requests. In addition, the staff has developed a number of reading lists that are helpful to customers seeking authors whose style is similar to those they have enjoyed, as well as lists on specific subjects. Depending on the request, the staff member may refer the customer to another staff member whose experience may be better suited to addressing the request. In addition to staff expertise and staff-developed tools, the customer may be referred to published readers advisory resources.

Reference Desk staff: reference@thecolony.lib.tx.us or 972-625-1900 ext. 3.

PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERS:  The Library offers free access to 21 internet-accessible computers that also provide the use of Office 2000 programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access).  Library staff will assist in locating web sites and meeting information needs.   Assistance is available to those looking for employment information on the Internet. 

Users log on to the Library's public access computers with their library cards.  Visitors to The Colony may access the computers with a guest card provided by the reference staff.

Alerts:

Wireless access:  Free wireless access is available in the Library's Quiet Room. 

Reference Desk staff: reference@thecolony.lib.tx.us or 972-625-1900 ext. 3.