Resources for Distance Learners

Distance need not be a barrier to most library products and services. An internet connection is all it takes, in many cases, to connect you to full text articles, electronic books, reference librarians and more.

Delivery of Materials

Are you enrolled in a distance-based course or program? If so, and if your UW-L mailing address is outside of La Crosse County, you may have library materials delivered to you. Please visit our Resources for Distance Learners pages.

Other Libraries

Visit our Other Libraries page for links to local, state, national, and international libraries. People with a valid UW-La Crosse ID can use any UW-System libraries and can check out materials from those libraries. Borrowing privileges for UW-L, for the community, and for local libraries

Books

The Murphy Catalog is fully searchable from anywhere via the web. Find books, videos, etc. in our collection, discover if they're on the shelf, and come in to take delivery. The catalog also allows you to find and request books at other UW libraries, to search other libraries' catalogs, view your fines, overdues, etc. and more.

Universal Borrowing:
Universal Borrowing allows you to search other UW System libraries from the Other Libraries link in the Murphy Catalog. If your search brings up an available item from another UW library, you can request it right from the title screen in the catalog. It can be shipped directly to any UW library that is convenient for you. For more information, check out the Universal Borrowing page.

Periodicals

Murphy Library offers remote access to the full text of thousands of research-quality and popular magazines, journals, and newspapers.

Your first stop is the Murphy home page, where you can find databases and individual online subscriptions filled with full text articles. Some databases cover all subjects, some are subject specific. The database description includes information about access from off campus.

Reference

Ask a reference question via email. Send your request via the Ask a Librarian form at the library website. Or call the Reference Desk at 785-8508 or toll-free at 800-881-4454.

Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery (ILLiad)

Can't find it at Murphy Library? Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a free service that gets books, articles, and more from other libraries. If Murphy Library doesn't own it, we'll get it for you. Read about it and fill out the Interlibrary Loan form, or contact the ILL office at 785-8636.

Web-based forms

The library website has a number of interactive forms to help you complete your library business from home. Place holds on materials, renew materials, set up a reference consultation and more. Don't forget that you can also use the Murphy Catalog, you can also see what you have checked out, view fines, renew books, and more.

User Guides

Need to know how to cite a web page in your paper's bibliography? Need a little help in searching a particular database? Need to know how to tell the difference between scholarly and popular periodicals? These answers and more can be found in the various user guides available throughout the library website.