Conducting Library Research from a Distance

Joyner Library's website is the gateway to library information resources and services for all ECU students and faculty, including those participating in distance learning.

Access to most of Joyner Library's databases and other electronic resources require that you enter your ECU Exchange e-mail user name and password. You are automatically given this account when you register for a credit-bearing course.

To log into library-licensed databases, use your ECU Exchange e-mail user name and password when prompted. For more information about remote access to electronic library resources, see Joyner Library Remote Access Instructions.See the e-mail section of ECU's Online Orientation for more information about your ECU Exchange e-mail account.

Though a vast amount of information is available electronically, much more information is only available in print right now. Currently, some experts estimate that less fifty percent of academic resources are available in an electronic format. Of those, Joyner Library can only subscribe to a limited number of electronic resources due to the cost of the resources. Therefore, some of the most appropriate resources for your research and information needs may not be available electronically. It is recommended that you consider all potential resources for your research and information needs.

Joyner Library can help you access print resources, as well as electronic resources, from a distance. For information about how to identify and receive books, see "Getting Books." For information about how to identify and locate articles, see "Getting Articles."

Public libraries are often the most convenient libraries to use in one's community. However, for the purpose of academic research and study, most public libraries' collection of books and journals are quite limited compared to the wealth of materials available through Joyner Library, or other college or university libraries.

While it may be necessary for you to do research at other libraries, please consult the vast array of electronic resources and services through Joyner Library's website. If you have questions or need assistance with your research, please remember to contact the Reference Desk at Joyner Library, by submitting your requests to the Ask A Librarian web form. Please consider us your first stop for your library services.

If you need research assistance or simply have a question, use our Ask A Librarian web form to ask us a question. Questions regarding local history and genealogy, North Carolina newspapers, magazines, and journals, and North Carolina topics in general, should be directed to the North Carolina Collection's Online Reference Service.Joyner Library also offers a number of self-help options through its website, including:

• How Do I ... guides to various types of library policy and resource questions
• Pirate Source list of resources highlighted by a Joyner librarian as a starting point for your research
• Virtual Reference Desks directories of selected websites

ALL distance education students currently enrolled in East Carolina University credit-bearing courses are entitled to library resources and services. These services include but are not limited to: remote access to databases and other electronic resources; delivery of books and copies of articles to off-campus distance education students who live outside of Pitt County, NC; borrowing privileges at Joyner Library, as well as at other UNC libraries (for on-site visits); and reference and research assistance (provided in multiple ways).

To check out items in person at Joyner Library, be sure to bring a picture ID and inform the person at the Circulation Desk that you are a Distance Education student. You should be in the library's database. You may want to verify your account status prior to coming to campus, by logging into your library record from the Catalog (click on "Catalog" from the library's home page, and then select "check your library record;" be sure to include the dashes in your SSN, which is also your account number). Or you can call the Circulation Desk to ask if you are in the database at (252) 328-4176. If you aren't in the database, but can prove that you are an ECU student (which a tuition bill or class schedule), staff at the Circulation Desk can manually enter you into the database. If you aren't in the database, but can't prove that you are an ECU student, contact Yolanda Hollingsworth, Distance Education Coordinator (hollingsworthy@mail.ecu.edu). She will verify your status with the Continuing Studies office and have you entered into the database. Please note that this process may take several days.

If you live outside of Pitt County, NC, you may use the library by having library resources mailed to your home. You may request books and articles, both those owned by Joyner Library and those not owned by the library, through Joyner Library's Interlibrary Services Department. To make a request, simply register as an Illiad user. You will receive an e-mail message verifying the user name and password that you have selected. Once registered, you can access the electronic forms to request books articles online. Articles may be delivered electronically through your e-mail account. You will receive return postage for all items that are shipped to you and must be returned, such as books. Please observe due dates as closely as possible, especially for items not owned by the library.

If you live outside of Pitt County, NC, you may find it more convenient to use another library closer to your home or workplace. For more details about using other University of North Carolina libraries, please see details below.

If you are an ECU staff, faculty or student and are visiting one of the 16 UNC-system libraries, you can borrow books through the Cooperative Borrowers' system. Generally, students and faculty are asked to show their ECU OneCard. However, most distance education students do not have ECU OneCards. To prove your eligibility, you may have to provide a photo ID, as well as proof of enrollment in a course (such as your tuition bill). Then, you will be asked to verify your current status by logging into your library record (by selecting the "Check Your Library Record" tab in the library's catalog and following the directions on the screen). If you do not have outstanding fines or another block on your account, you will be able to check out circulating books from that library. You can return the books at the library where you borrowed them or at Joyner Library.

Questions? Contact Ask-a-Librarian