Distance Learning Resources and Services
Welcome!
Distance learning students are individuals who take courses primarily online and are only on SAU’s campus 1-2 times per semester. These students usually live more than two hours away. In contrast, on-campus students are on SAU’s campus regularly throughout the semester.
Whether you are a distance or on-campus student, the Magale Library staff members strive to provide the best quality resources and services to support learning both on and off-campus. Our online resources include electronic journals, newspapers, books, and a variety of other materials to assist you with your information needs.
Online Resources Access
Currently enrolled SAU students, faculty, and staff members may access the Library’s online resources both on and off-campus. Off-campus users will need their SAU login to access resources. If you do not have this information, please call the Library at (870) 235-4170 for assistance.
Online Databases
Our online databases include electronic versions of articles from journals and newspapers, as well as images, and many other materials. There are two primary ways to access these materials: search the individual database directly using the “Databases By Title” Web page or search multiple databases using our “Search Online Resources” tool located in the top-right of the Library’s Web page. The “Search Online Resources” tool will help you search resources by subject areas.
Requesting Books and Journal Articles from Magale Library
Magale Library supports SAU distance education students by providing quality information resources through online content as well as print materials. When possible, instruction will be given to distance students on how to locate online resources as primary research resources.
If online resources are insufficient for distance students’ information needs, Magale Library will loan Magale-owned books and articles to these students. Distance students must request items using Magale Library’s online loan form, located on the Distance Learning Resources and Services Web page, and indicate that he/she is a distance student needing the materials for an online class being taken at SAU. Magale will only ship requested library-owned books to SAU distance students. All other students will be required to visit Magale in order to retrieve materials. Items shipped to distance students will be loaned with an extended check-out period of 60 days.
Prior to the end of the 60 day loan period, distance education students will ship the library loaned items back to Magale Library using the original mailer the item(s) were delivered in and provided return label. Additionally, these students will be required to ship all items using UPS or FedEx shipping services since these companies track and insure packages.
NOTE: Interlibrary Loans for Distance Education Students
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) items are items that Magale Library borrows from other libraries. Magale Library does borrow ILL article items for distance students. However, ILL book items will only be borrowed for students if they live less than 2 hours from Magnolia. The library will borrow these items from other libraries, then give the student the option to pick up the items or have the library ship the items to the distance student.
ILL book items are typically NOT loaned to distance students living more than 2 hours from Magnolia due to limited loan periods and extended shipping times. As an alternative, distance students (living more than 2 hours from Magnolia) should make ILL requests from their local library. Magale Library will reimburse the student for any interlibrary loan fees up to $20.00 per interlibrary loan, up to 10 reimbursements per semester. In order to receive reimbursement, the student must provide a receipt with the library’s name, name of patron, name of borrowed material, and the cost listed.
Distance Student Book and Journal Article Request Forms
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