Distance Services

This guide is designed to assist Wilmington University students who receive their course instruction in locations other than in New Castle, DE, including Web-based instructional delivery. We know that access to library collections and services is an important concern for students at all off-campus sites. As such, a number of arrangements and accommodations have been made to ensure access. This list of frequently asked questions helps you through this process. We welcome your suggestions on ways to improve our services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of library collections does Wilmington University own and where are they located?

The Library collections of Wilmington University are housed in two facilities. The R.C. & Dorothy M. Peoples Library is the main Library for the University. It is located in the Robert C. & Dorothy M. Peoples Library Building at the center of the New Castle campus. The Georgetown Site Collection, located in the Samuel Betze Library of Delaware Technical & Community College Owens campus in Georgetown, contains collections in support of Nursing, Education, Counseling and Business. Current total holdings number more than 100,000 items, including approximately 100,000 books and bound serials, as well as approximately 100,000 microforms and audiovisual materials. The Library retains the ERIC document collection, and has over 115,000 microfiche documents beginning with 1968. In addition, the Library currently subscribes to over 200 print periodicals and more than 18,000 electronic journals. Access to information is enhanced by more than 35 online databases, many of which are linked to full-text information in journals and reference books.

What types of information can I find on the library website?

Online access to the resources of the Library can be found on either the Library website or WebCampus. We have grouped a number of information resources on the homepage. There are direct links to the Webcat online catalog and to a variety of databases and electronic collections accessible via the Internet. There are also links to our Journal Locator, to Reference Services, to online forms for submitting interlibrary loan requests, and to information on Library hours, staff and telephone numbers.

How can I determine what books and materials are in the Wilmington University library?

Search the Webcat Online Catalog to identify library-owned materials. Cataloged items include books, audiovisual materials and periodicals. Webcat is accessible from any computer in the world over the Internet. On the World Wide Web, using a browser such as Firefox or Internet Explorer, the direct URL (address) for the catalog is http://webcat.wilmu.edu. The online catalog has a feature that permits borrowers to take a look at a list of items they have checked out and to renew them if they wish. Clicking on the "User Services" button will take you to a screen to enter your student ID number. You can also call or email the Information Desk to renew your materials. There are handouts available from the Library or found on the Library website that explain connections to Webcat in detail. If you have questions or need assistance, please call the Information Desk at 1-800-451-5724, or email to the Library.

How do I borrow books from the Wilmington University library, and how long can I keep them?

The University ID card is also your Library card. If you have not been issued a University ID card, you may use your student or faculty ID number for checking out materials and requesting interlibrary loans. To obtain a University ID card, please contact the Wilmington University UIC at (877) 967-5464. If you have questions about borrowing materials, please contact William Smith at 302-356-6878, toll-free at 1-800-451-5724, or via email at william.l.smith@wilmu.edu.

Loan Period

Most books, audio tapes, audio CDs, and leisure reading books may be checked out for three weeks. Children's Literature, video tapes and DVDs may be checked out for one week. Books can be renewed over the phone, or by the student directly through access to our online catalog. The online catalog has a feature that permits borrowers to check to see what items they have checked out and to renew them if they wish. Clicking on the "User Services" button will take you to a screen to enter your student ID number (library card number)

Overdues

Notices will be sent throughout the year for overdue items. Fines for overdue books are $0.10 per item per day. Overdue children’s literature and DVD/Videotapes are $1.00 per item per day. Failure to receive an overdue notice does not relieve the borrower of the obligation to return the materials in question. If you are returning books to the library, make sure you allow enough time for mailing to avoid overdue fees. We suggest that you renew books checked out to you prior to putting them in the mail. Interlibrary Loan books are owned by another library and may not be renewed.

How can I get books and journal articles mailed to my home?

Many students are unable to come to the New Castle campus. Students enrolled in classes in New Castle should plan to pick up library materials at the main campus Library. Those enrolled in classes outside of New Castle may request that Library materials be mailed to their home. The Library staff will retrieve books from our collection, photocopy articles from owned print journals, and mail materials to you without charge. If you cannot get an item full text online, you can submit your request by using the "Online Form" on the library's website. If for any reason you do not have an ID or borrower's card, our computer system should have the information we need to permit you to borrow by mail, as long as you are a registered student. If you are returning books to the Library by mail, make sure you allow enough time to avoid overdue fees. Renewing books prior to putting them in the mail may help.

How do I obtain a Wilmington University WebCampus account?

All faculty and enrolled students have a WebCampus account to permit them to use many of the electronic resources that the Library makes available. Students are issued their account information upon completing the admission process. Faculty are provided their WebCampus account information during their orientation with the Faculty Development Office. Please call our 24-hour technical support center at 1-877-708-2905 or visit online at esupport.wilmu.edu if you don’t remember your WebCampus login. They will work with you to determine if you already have an account.

What electronic database resources are available to me?

The Library subscribes to over 35 databases and electronic collections, which are accessible over the Internet from the Library website Library Databases link. Off-campus users login using their WebCampus User Name and Password. Below are some of the databases found on the Library database page.

  • From Ebscohost: CINAHL with Full Text, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, SocIndex, and ERIC.
  • From Proquest: Criminal Justice Periodical Index and National Newspapers.
  • Other databases and online collections include: Lexis Nexis Academic, Westlaw, CQ Researcher, ValueLine, Hoovers Online, D&B Key Business Ratios, SMP (Security Management Practices), SBRnet (Sports Business Research), Mental Measurements Yearbook, Regional Business News, and Humanities International Index.

How do I access electronic resources from off-campus?

All of our databases may be accessed from off-campus by logging in to WebCampus. Faculty and students from off-campus must use their WebCampus username and password to connect to these databases. If you do not know your WebCampus username and password, please call our 24-hour technical support center at 1-877-708-2905 or visit online at esupport.wilmu.edu. Our proxy server does not require you to configure your Internet browser for remote access. Most current browsers should work, including Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer and Netscape. In all cases, cookies must be enabled, security settings set to “medium”, and pop-up blockers turned off. Usually, the default setting on your browser will enable cookies. Patrons using the proprietary AOL browser may be unable to connect through our proxy server. Some corporate, agency, or institutional, dial-up, cable, or broadband connections may automatically configure browsers so their own proxy server is used. It's possible these automatic settings, if they exist, could interfere with the use of our proxy server. If these networks have a firewall or preset internet security settings they could interfere with the proxy server. You will need to talk to your network administrator at your place of business or school. Further information on the proxy server can be found at the Remote Access link on both the "Library Databases" and "Journal Locator" pages.

How do I learn what print and electronic journal titles are available?

A complete listing of the print periodicals, journals and newspapers to which the Library subscribes is viewable on the Library website using the Journal Locator. A complete listing of electronic titles available through the Library databases can be viewed by using the database known as “Access Library Electronic Journals”. Please be aware that you must login to WebCampus prior to searching this system. This system provides web links to more than 18,000 full-text electronic journals indexed in Library databases.
Remote access to most of the electronic journals is through the proxy server. Students from off-campus must use their WebCampus username and password to connect to these journals. However, some electronic journal subscriptions will require a separate username and password. Access to these passwords can be obtained from the “Access Library Electronic Journals" link.

How do I limit database searches to specific journal titles?

Limiting your database search to a specific journal title varies according to the database. In Ebscohost databases, click on the tab "Publications" to identify a specific journal. You may also use the Library database known as "Access Library Electronic Journals" to identify specific full-text journals.

How do I access full-text journals?

A complete listing of the print periodicals, journals and newspapers to which the Library subscribes is viewable on the Library website using the Journal Locator. A complete listing of electronic titles available through the Library databases can be viewed by using the database known as “Access Library Electronic Journals”. Please be aware that you must login to WebCampus prior to searching this system. This system provides web links to more than 18,000 full-text electronic journals indexed in Library databases. Remote access to most of the electronic journals is through the proxy server. Students from off-campus must use their WebCampus username and password to connect to these journals. However, some electronic journal subscriptions will require a separate username and password. Access to these passwords can be obtained from the “Access Library Electronic Journals" link.

What other Internet resources has the library collected and made available?

From the Library home page, select "Research", then select “Library Research Support Websites” to view websites that the Librarians have identified as being particularly useful for research. There are sites selected by field of study, including business, education, behavioral sciences, nursing and all other areas of the curriculum. Also on this page are links to APA style helps, search engines, information about evaluating web sites, and guides to using Library databases.

How can I request books and journal articles from other libraries?

Students may request that items not owned or available electronically through the Library be borrowed or copied from other libraries through interlibrary loan. Send Interlibrary Loan and document delivery requests electronically using the Online Forms link on the library web site. Please allow about 2-10 business days for us to order and receive these items. Many articles and chapters are received electronically using the software “Ariel”. Please indicate your email address when submitting a request. Your material will be delivered electronically. Students who prefer hard-copy should plan to pick up interlibrary loans at the main campus or the Graduate Center Library Resource Room. Students enrolled in courses outside of the New Castle area may request that interlibrary loan materials be mailed to you at your home or office at no cost to you. Please contact William Smith, 302-356-6878, or Craig Conrad, 302-356-6876, with questions or use the Library toll-free number at 1-800-451-5724.

How can I get reference and research assistance?

Adrienne Johnson, Outreach Services Librarian, is the principal contact to our off-campus students for reference and research assistance. Her office is in the Graduate Center, and her phone is 302-295-1177. At the request of course instructors, a Librarian will travel to sites such as Dover, Georgetown, Claymont, Middletown and New Jersey, to meet with students and provide instruction on the use of Library collections and services. She also meets with graduate students when they come to campus, either as a group or individually. Please use the online form to request a personal appointment or class session.

In addition to Adrienne Johnson, reference and instructional assistance is provided by James Bradley and William Smith, 800-451-5724 in the main campus Library, Michelle Reyes, 302-295-1177 in the Graduate Center, and from Melissa Jones, 302-342-8620, in the Dover Site Library. All Library staff will be happy to offer assistance or direct your call to another staff member who can help.

What are the library hours, and how do I contact the library staff?

We encourage you to contact the Library in New Castle, Dover, and the Graduate Center for reference consultations, to make suggestions, to ask general questions, and to request interlibrary loans. You may use any email program to contact the campus. Click here for information about Library hours, staff and phone numbers.

What other area libraries may I use?

The Wilmington University Library has reciprocal agreements with several area libraries for use of their collections. In order to borrow materials from these libraries, please obtain a “Letter of Introduction” from the Wilmington University Library’s Head of Public Services. These area libraries include:

  • West Chester State University
  • Delaware State University
  • Delaware Technical & Community College
  • Goldey Beacom College
  • Neumann College
  • Widener University
  • Delaware County (PA) Community College
  • Rider University
  • Rowan University

Other regional college and university libraries can be found at Links to Regional Libraries.

Students who travel to other libraries with whom we do not have agreements may not be permitted to borrow materials. Interlibrary loans are an option in those cases. If you wish to explore libraries in your local area, below are sites that link to different kinds of libraries. Please contact William Smith, Head of Public Services, for a letter of introduction.

Public Libraries in the United States

http://lists.webjunction.org/libweb/Public_main.html

College or University (Academic) Libraries

http://lists.webjunction.org/libweb/Academic_main.html

Specialized Libraries

  • Medical Libraries: The US National Network of Libraries of Medicine has a site called “Find a library that can help you with health information.” You can search for libraries in your state that are open to the public and provide access to books and journals. You can also search for libraries that provide Loansome Doc articles to the public and/or health professionals. http://nnlm.gov/members/
  • Law Libraries: Most of the links on the Internet Library for Librarians Special Libraries site will take you to the homepages of law libraries. http://www.itcompany.com/inforetriever/lib_spec.htm