Distance & Online Learning FAQ
- General
- Borrowing Library Materials
- Journal Articles
- Accessing Databases from Off-Campus
- Course Reserves
1.General
Am I eligible for distance library services?
The Distance and Online Education Program Office provides services to students and faculty who are enrolled in or teach classes away from the Richmond campus. These classes include EKU courses taught online or at the Corbin, Danville, Manchester and Lancaster Extended Campuses or any remote location. This includes KTLN, KET classes, and correspondence courses. All EKU students, regardless of where classes are taken, are always welcome at the main Library or any of its branches.
What services are available to distance students?
All online and extended campus students have full library services available to them. There are a variety of services available to distance students and faculty. They include delivery of library materials (books, articles, etc.) to both extended campuses with the option of home delivery if needed. Off campus access to online journal databases and electronic book collections are included. Library instruction sessions and research assistance are offered to students and faculty in both one on one and in group settings.
If I come to Richmond, what do I need in order to use the library?
You must have your EKU ID card in order to check out books at the library. It is also important, to check the library hours before traveling to Richmond to use the Main Library or any of the branch libraries.
What are the library hours?
The Library Hours website has the current library hours for the main library and all of the branch libraries.
Who can I contact if I have more questions?
Please contact the Library Distance Education Office with any questions.
Toll Free: (877) 420-1978
Email:
distanceed.library@eku.edu
Fax: (859) 622-1174
2.Borrowing Library Materials
How long can library materials be checked out?
Main collection books are loaned for 30 days to undergraduates and staff. Honors Program and graduate students receive loan periods of 4 weeks. Faculty and graduate assistants receive 180 day loans.
There is no limit to the number of books you can borrow at one time. You may renew your books twice. There are several options for renewing your books:
- Renew in person, or
- Renew by phone at (859) 622-1072, or
- Renew online in eQuest, our library catalog
(You must renew your books before they become overdue or the online option is not available).
- Click YOUR LIBRARY ACCOUNT to bring up your record.
- Enter the barcode from your student ID or library card and your last name.
- Click the LOGIN button
- Click in the RENEW box by each item you want to renew
- Click the RENEW ITEMS button and note the new due dates.
How do I get library materials delivered to me?
Students, faculty and staff taking classes at an extended campus can have books and articles delivered to any extended campus. A courier service delivers to the extended campuses on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Library materials are held at the help desk for three weeks and can be picked up there. To request a book or article you must fill out the request a book/article forms on the Distance Education webpage or call (877) 420-1978 for assistance.
Online students can have books and articles delivered to their home via the US Postal Services. To request a book or article you must out the request a book/article forms on the Distance Education webpage or call (877) 420-1978 for assistance.
How do I return library materials to the Main Library?
Journal articles do not need to be returned to the library, they are yours to keep. Books can be returned to the help desk at your extended campus and the courier will return them to the main library. It may take a day or two before your account reflects the return of the books.
Online students can either return materials in person to one of the extended campuses, the main library or may mail them at their own expense to:
EKU Libraries
Distance and Online Education Program Office
521 Lancaster Ave.
Richmond, KY 40475
Are there fines for overdue materials?
Enjoy the Library's no fine policy, but remember - you will receive a bill for any replacement charges if the books are not returned and a hold will be placed on your student account barring you from registering for classes. Overdue notices are sent one day following the due date and again after 2 weeks. If not returned within 30 days of their due date, the item(s) are considered lost and you will be billed for the replacement costs.
What do I do if an item is not held at EKU Libraries?
If EKU Libraries does not own the item you need, we can borrow it from another library through InterLibrary Loan. See What is InterLibrary Loan for more details.
What is InterLibrary Loan?
InterLibrary Loan is a service in which EKU Library borrows library materials that we do not own from other libraries across the country. To place an InterLibrary Loan request, please follow the instructions on the InterLibray Loan webpage. Be aware that delivery in this case usually takes about two weeks from the time of receipt of the request.
3.Journal Articles
How do I know which databases are best for my program?
The databases are grouped by subject so that you can easily see which ones are best for your program area. From the Find Articles webpage, click Databases by Subject.
How can I get help choosing and searching databases or doing other library research?
You can contact the Distance Education Librarian and they will assist your with your research. You can contact them by phone or email.
Toll Free: (877) 420-1978
Email:
distanceedlibrary@eku.edu
What does the "Get More" button do?
The "Get More" button searches the library databases to see if we have an article online in another database. If we don't, it also searches the library catalog to see if we have it available in print.
What is a full text article?
Whenever "HTML Full Text" or "PDF Full Text" appears in your search results, that article is available online. Click on that link and the article will be retrieved. You may then save it, print it, or email it to yourself.
4.Accessing Databases from Off-Campus
Can I access the library's research databases from home or off-campus?
Yes, you can access most of the library's research databases from off campus. When prompted for a username and password, use your EKU email username and password. See the Off Campus Access webpage for more details.
Where can I get help if I am having problems connecting to a database?
Call the ITDS help desk at (859) 622-3000.
5.Course Reserves
How do I find resources my instructor has placed on e-reserve?
You can access e-reserves through eQuest.
- Click Course Reserves
- Choose your Instructor or Course from the drop down menus
- Click on the title under "E-items" that you wish to view
- You will be prompted for a password. The default password is the current semester and year, all in lower case.
How can faculty put materials on e-reserve?
Faculty can place items on reserve by filling out a Reserve List Request Form. See the Electronic Reserves Guidelines for more details.
