GENERAL INFORMATION
FOR DISTANCE LEARNING STUDENTS

What Library services are offered to distance learning students?
Most library services are available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can:

• Search the Library Catalog (SetonCat) 

• Access articles placed on electronic reserve by your professor

• Search for and access journal articles in almost any subject area by using online full-text and citation databases in a wide variety of subject areas. 

• Request books and/or articles from journals the Library doesn't own

• Get help on research strategies, how to search databases, or any other research question from reference librarians through our email reference service Ask a Reference Librarian. Reference Librarians are also available to offer assistance on the phone during regular library hours. 

How do I get HELP?

• Reference Desk 973-761-9437 or Ask a Librarian  For help accessing or using SetonCat or any online database, getting started on research, formulating search strategies, or any research question

• Information Technology Help Desk 973-275-2222 Problems with Email ID and password, or other technical issues 

How can I get into the online databases from home? Do I need special passwords?
There are two ways of accessing the databases: through a network connection and through a proxy server. Most databases will allow you to come in by using your SHU email user name and password. Others require a unique password. These unique passwords can be obtained online with your SHU email user name and password as well.

How do I borrow books?

• You will have to come to the Seton Hall Library to check out books located in our collections. 

• You may wish to find out about library privileges closer to home. Many libraries, both public and academic, allow visitors to use books, journals and other materials in the library and/or make copies of them. Your local public library is a good place to start. You may want to inquire about visitor policies at college and university libraries in your area. Borrowing privileges may be free through local cooperative library agreements or by paying a monthly or annual fee. 

• Additionally, Seton Hall University Library now participates in the PALINET Reciprocal Borrowing Program for Academic Borrowers http://www.palinet.org/services/reciprocal.htm. This program allows Seton Hall University faculty and students, including SetonWorldWide students, the opportunity to visit and borrow materials from 75 college and university libraries, most of them located in Pennsylvania. Go to Section VI. List of Participating Institutions, accessible through the above URL, for a list of member libraries. For details about this service, please contact Reference Desk at (973) 761-9437. You will need to present an Academic Library Reciprocal Borrowing Form, signed by a librarian, along with a valid Seton Hall ID and a photo ID, to the lending library. Please be aware that the form becomes invalid one week after authorization. You must abide by the policies and procedures of the lending library. 
  

What is Electronic Reserve? How do I access Electronic Reserve?
Course reserve materials are made available electronically through the Internet to students anytime. Using the Course Reserve module of SetonCat, you can search for reserve material by the instructor's name or the course name. Detailed instructions on accessing this material is on the Distance Learning Page under How to Access e-Reserve.

What is Interlibrary Loan? How does it work? 
Interlibrary Loan is a service that allows you to request books and journal articles that the Library doesn't own. This can be done by filling out and interlibrary loan form online. You can ask that the journal articles be sent directly to your home. As of now, you must pick up books you have requested at the circulation desk at Walsh Library.