Library Services

University Libraries offers a wide range of services to distance learning (extended campus) instructors and students. As an instructor, you most likely use many of these services already. However, you now have a responsibility to make sure your students are aware of the library services that they can access from a distance.

Main Library Links and Contacts:

• University Libraries Homepage: http://www.lib.vt.edu
• Library's Extended Campus Homepage: http://www.lib.vt.edu/help/extended/
• Ask a Librarian Service: (Offering live chats, email service, and access to the knowledge base of frequently asked questions)
• Distance Education Librarian: Dave Beagle, beagle@vt.edu, 540-231-9231

Databases, E-Journals, Reserve Materials:

Most of these materials are restricted to members of the Virginia Tech university community. If you are using a computer that has a Virginia Tech IP address, you can gain instant access. If you are using a different computer, you will need to set up a connection to a proxy server* first and then use your VT PID and password.

• Databases (100's to choose from): http://www.lib.vt.edu/dsp/index.php?action=AllDatabases
• E-Journals: http://www.lib.vt.edu/find/ejournals/index.html
• Materials on Reserve: Web access to documents selected by a course instructor.

Other Services:

• Addison - the library's online catalog: http://www.lib.vt.edu/services/addison.html
• ILLiad* - interlibrary loan: http://ill.vt.edu/
• Electronic Theses and Dissertations: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/
• Answers to Reference Questions: http://www.lib.vt.edu/services/liveref.html.
• General Help / Library Forms: http://www.lib.vt.edu/services/qaf.html.

*If you live outside of Montgomery, Giles, or Pulaski counties in Virginia, you are considered an extended campus library user. As an extended campus user, the library will deliver print materials to your address free of charge. Simply use the ILLiad system to order them.
 

Guidelines and Standards for Distance Learning Library Services

Using the Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education (http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlstandards/guidelinesdistancelearning.htm) and the specific 'Guidelines for Distance Learning Library Services' located at (http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlstandards/guidelinesdistancelearning.htm), VT’s library services are available to students in eLearning courses. The ease of use of the services are assessed by students at the end of each course in the student perceptions of eLearning surveys. The information is used for continuous improvement with the goal of enabling students’ achievement of information literacy learning outcomes.

*The Proxy Server

The library restricts some of its services to the Virginia Tech community only. As distance learning instructors or students, you are certainly part of Virginia Tech. However, the system looks to see if you are using a Virginia Tech computer (IP address) when it decides whether to admit you. If you are not using a VT computer, you will need to access the proxy server to receive authentication. Once you set up a link to the proxy server, it is easy to turn it on and off whenever necessary. To set up the link, go to this page, http://www.lib.vt.edu/help/extended/extproxy.html, and follow the instructions.