Mansfield University Home PageInformation on Library Services for Online Education Students
The following information is designed to help students who are enrolled in online programs at Mansfield University.
Online Access to Resources
All library resources are available from the library homepage. Many require that you enter a valid Mansfield University barcode number. You can find your 18-digit barcode number on the back of your University ID card. If you have not been issued a University ID card, you can look up your 18-digit barcode number online.
Online Information and Subject-specific Resources
The Research Guides A-Z webpage can help you determine what resources are best for your interest or topic. There are also some general interest pages that can help you tackle everyday tasks like using dictionaries and encyclopedias.
Reference Services
Librarians at the North Hall Library Information Desk are available to answer phone reference questions during normal library hours at 570-662-4671. You may send questions by email to the Information Desk at libref1@mansfield.edu or by clicking on the Ask Us link on the library web pages, and we will answer your question within 24 hours. You can also use AOL Instant Messenger to contact the library, screen name NorthHallLibrary.
Accessing Books
PILOT, the online catalog for the Mansfield University library, will tell you which books, sound and video recordings, etc. are available in the North Hall Library. As a distance education student, you can request that any of these items from the North Hall Library be sent to you by using Interlibrary Loan.
If there is a book you want that is not available in PILOT, feel free to request it using Interlibrary Loan. We will locate a library to borrow it from and send it to you. Basically, if you want a book, request it and we will figure out how to get it to you.
Please select 'Mail' as the delivery option and include your mailing address. If the item is available, we will ship it to you within 24 hours of your request. Items will be sent to you by first-class mail, so you are only responsible for return postage. Materials have a one month due date. Material that is owned by North Hall Library can be renewed up to three times unless there is an outstanding hold for the item. You can renew materials online in PILOT, the library catalog, logging in with your 18-digit barcode number and your last name. EZ-Borrow books from other libraries can be renewed one time in the same way as North Hall Library materials. Interlibrary loan books borrowed through ILLiad can be renewed if the lending library allows renewals by logging in to your ILLiad account. If you have any problems with renewing your library material, contact the Interlibrary Loan Office, illdept@mansfield.edu, 570-662-4683.
Accessing Books - Sayre Students
Nursing students who are taking online courses or classes on the Sayre campus can make requests for materials in North Hall Library’s collection by filling out an interlibrary loan (ILL) request form, and the requested materials will be sent directly to the student. Please indicate on the ILL request form that you are a distance education student or a nursing student at Sayre, and note in the comments section of the ILL form that the materials that you are requesting are located in the North Hall Library collection.
Materials borrowed from North Hall Library can either be returned to Beck Library during normal working hours at no expense to the student, or the student can mail the material directly to North Hall Library.
If you’re having trouble doing or finding something, consult our handy FAQs. Or you can always ask us--via chat, email, phone, or in person at the information desk if you’re on campus.
Online Books
North Hall Library provides access to a large collection of electronic books through NetLibrary. Students can check out books in the e-book collection to read online once they have created a NetLibrary account. Many e-books can be accessed through PILOT, the online catalog. For a complete listing of available books or to set up an account, go to Mansfield's NetLibrary webpage.
Online Databases: Journal Articles and More
North Hall Library provides access to many databases, most of which are available through the Internet from a home computer. For a complete list of all databases that the North Hall Library subscribes to and to access these resources, please visit the library's databases page.
Online Journals
To determine which journals are available online, you can check the library’s Look for Journal Titles page. This list will tell you what journals are available online, what dates they are available for, and whether or not they are also available in the library in print. The list also provides direct links to the databases that contain the journal.
As a distance education student, any article that is not available online can be requested through Interlibrary Loan. Articles may be mailed, emailed or faxed to you and are yours to keep.
Other Libraries
You can search many of the public, school and academic libraries in Pennsylvania through a shared catalog called Access PA. This can help you determine if material you are interested in is in your area.
The libraries of the State University of New York (SUNY) at most locations extend borrowing privileges to community residents. In addition, public and school libraries in your home area may extend borrowing privileges to the general public.