University Library Offers Educator Courtesy Cards, Community Cards

While resources in Texas A&M International University's Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library may be used in the Library at no charge by anyone in the community, free Educator Courtesy cards and low-cost Community Library Member Cards are available for persons who wish to borrow library materials, said Killam Library Director Rodney Webb.

"You do not have to be a student to use the Killam Library. The facility is open to the public. Anyone may visit the University campus and use our library resources such as encyclopedias, magazines, and books. However, persons who wish to check out books may opt to get a free Educator Courtesy Card or a low-cost Community Library Member Card," Webb explained.

A&M International's free Educator Courtesy Card is available for teachers, counselors, and administrators employed by Laredo Independent School District, United ISD, Webb Consolidated School District, Zapata ISD, Laredo Christian Academy, United Day School, St. Augustine, or other local parochial schools.

Educator Courtesy Card holders may check out up to five books at a time for two weeks. Books may be renewed for an additional two weeks. The Educator Courtesy Card holder must present the card in person to check out or renew books.

Persons who wish to obtain a free Educator Courtesy Card must show proof of employment at a qualifying area school and fill out a brief application form at the Killam Library Circulation Desk. The free A&M International Educator Courtesy Card is valid for one year and may be renewed at no charge.

A low-cost A&M International Community Library Member Card is available for permanent residents, eighteen years or older, of Webb County, Encinal, Zapata, or other nearby cities or towns. The A&M International Community Library Member Card entitles holders to check out up to five books at a time for two weeks. Fee is $25.

To purchase an A&M International Community Library Member Card, qualified residents must show a valid photo I.D. such as a driver's license and fill out a brief application form at the Killam Library Circulation Desk.

Members of the Texas A&M International University Alumni Association may obtain a special library card for free. Former students and graduates of Texas A&I University at Laredo, Laredo State University and Texas A&M International University should contact Alumni Association President Susan E.W. Nichols at 326-2565 or by email at suenichols@tamiu.edu for additional information.

The Killam Library currently holds approximately 116,000 volumes, 814 print periodical subscriptions and 981 additional electronic periodicals, and over 20 public computer workstations to access a variety of electronic information sources including indexing and abstracting databases, journal articles, encyclopedias, income tax information, college catalogs, health and fitness information and the Internet.

For more information on the free A&M International Educator Courtesy Card or the low-cost A&M International Community Library Member Card, please call Circulation Supervisor Lorenzo Rodriguez during normal business hours at 326-2110, or visit the Killam Library Circulation Desk, located on the first floor (east side) of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Administration Building.

Killam Library hours are 7:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Saturday, and 12 noon - 8 p.m. Sunday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu