Distance Education
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get books and articles that I need for my class?
Some of the books and articles that you need may be available electronically. This can easily be determined from information in the record in the database which you are searching or from records in the online catalog of the LSU Libraries. Full text journal articles in databases include links to the full text in the record. Full text books or journals in the LSU Libraries online catalog are designated by See Electronic Address at the top of the record or a URL near/in the record for the title. (Note: Search the online catalog for the title of the journal rather than the specific author and title of the journal article.) If not available as full text;
Search the online catalog of the site library where you are receiving instruction. The instructor may have put books and articles on reserve or the site library may own the material. If not found;
Search the online catalog of the LSU Libraries. If found, note whether electronic access is available. If only available in print format, complete the special form provided (not the ILL form) and the material will be sent to you. See additional information below. If not found;
Search Ingenta (a document
delivery service) for availability. Click here for more
information. (Note: When setting up an Ingenta account, type your 17-digit
ID in the box to the right of the line beginning New faculty... Do not
click Sign Up.
If LSU Libraries owns any issues of a journal,
you will not be able to order through Ingenta. Articles must be faxed
directly to the student.) If not available through Ingenta;
Request through Interlibrary Loan at the site library where you are receiving instruction. You will be required to show your LALINC card (DE student should be checked) and a picture ID.
You may also request journal articles (not books) through LSU Libraries Interlibrary Borrowing.
What should I do if the book that I need is checked out to another patron?
If the book that is needed is checked out to another patron,
- Place a hold on the book.
- Complete the Materials Request Form AFTER notification that the book is available.
- Type the title of the book in the appropriate box.
- Add (Book on hold for me) immediately after the title.
- You may also add ?Book on hold for me? in the Comments box if you wish.
This will enable library staff to quickly pull the book from the Hold shelf and send it to you without additional searching.
What happens once I request a book or journal owned by LSU?
The DE Student e-mails a request to Middleton Library using the special form provided (not the ILL form)
http://www.lib.lsu.edu/instruction/distance/illform.html
Middleton Library staff retrieves the book or journal volume or copies the journal article as appropriate.
The Middleton Circulation Department checks the book out to the LSU DE student and sends an e-mail to the student when the material has been sent.
The book or copy of the article is sent to the receiving site library using the LANTER delivery service.
The DE student picks up the material at the receiving library (either the Circulation Desk or ILL depending on the library) after showing a picture ID. (The receiving library does not keep checkout records.)
The student returns the book to the site library; the receiving library returns the book to the LSU Library via LANTER. Xerox copies of journal articles do not need to be returned. Books must reach LSU Libraries by the date due. Renew the title online if you are unsure whether the materials will reach LSU Libraries by the due date.
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LALINC
What is LALINC?
LALINC is the Louisiana Academic Library Information Network Consortium. It is a way for students and faculty of Louisiana colleges and universities to borrow materials from libraries other than their own.
Who is eligible for a LALINC card?
Each library determines its level of participation. LSU Libraries issues LALINC cards to LSU faculty and graduate students for use at other LALINC institutions. (It honors cards from other institutions issued to faculty and graduate students, not staff or undergraduates.)
How do I obtain and use a LALINC borrowing card?
The LSU DE student applies for a LALINC card using the online LALINC application form.
Alternatively, a student may mail a print form to:
Elissa Plank
Middleton Circulation
LSU Libraries
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
The Middleton Circulation Department verifies that the student is registered for DE classes and prepares and mails the LALINC card to the DE student.
The DE student presents the LALINC card at the circulation desk of the LALINC library, usually the site library where instruction is received.
Each LALINC library determines the local procedure for using the LALINC card, so each has a unique procedure for checking out materials. Some issue a temporary checkout card, valid for the semester, to the student. Some hold the LALINC card while reserve materials are being used. Students may use a LALINC card at any participating library, but must abide by the policies and procedures of each library.
The level of LALINC library privileges is set by individual libraries, so privileges vary somewhat from library to library. Detailed information about LALINC privileges can be found on the LOUIS Web Page. Although interlibrary loan (ILL) privileges are not usually available to those using LALINC cards, they are available to DE students. If neither the site library not the LSU Libraries owns needed material, the DE student can request it through ILL at the LALINC library. (Ingenta is also available for journal articles.)
Which libraries are LALINC libraries?
Click here for an alphabetical list and a link to more detailed information about each LALINC library.
Can I use my LALINC card to check out books from the LSU Libraries?
No. If you come to campus to check out books, you must have a Tiger (ID) Card.
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LOUIS
What is LOUIS?
LOUIS is the Louisiana Library Network. It combines the resources of Louisiana's public and private academic libraries to form a state consortium.
How will LOUIS help me with distance education?
LOUIS provides quick access to the Louisiana Union Catalog and to library resources at Louisiana academic, public, state, and K-12 libraries. The Louisiana Union Catalog allows you to search any or all of the Louisiana academic library catalogs at the same time. Library resources grouped by type of library provides access to specialized resources such as the K-12 online databases.
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1-800-NUMBER
What is the 1-800 number?
1-800-364-7678
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Contacts
The Distance Education Librarian is available to assist with any problems you might have and welcomes telephone calls and e-mails. You may call the 1-800 number in Middleton Reference (1-800-364-7678) and ask to be transferred to the DE librarian during daytime library hours, 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. E-mail is checked on a daily basis. (If you are actually at your site library, staff at that location can provide research and database help.) Other sources of help are listed below.
Who should I contact ...
... to get my 17-digit ID number?Check your LALINC card or contact the Distance Education Librarian.
... for subject specific research help including how to select sources and search a database?Appropriate subject librarian.
... for urgent research help on nights and weekends?Middleton Reference Services during hours that they are open.
... if I've forgotten my Ingenta password?The Ingenta Connect Complete Password Reminder
... about other Ingenta problems? ... about off-campus access to databases when the Troubleshooting Guide has not helped?Electronic Reference Services Librarian.
... if I do not recieve my LALINC card?Middleton Circulation Services.
... about an unfilled request for books and/or articles?Middleton Circulation Services.
... about Middleton library fines?Middleton Circulation Services.
... about site library fines?Site library Circulation Department.
... if my library privileges have been barred?Middleton Circulation Services.
... if my e-mail to the DE librarian has not been answered within a few days?Telephone DE librarian to see if e-mail received OR
Middleton Reference Services if DE librarian unavailable.
Contact the Office Coordinator at the Center for Electronic Learning, Centers for Excellence in Learning and Teaching.
