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Online & Distance Students

Library services and tips for students enrolled in online and off-campus programs.

Things to Know

Ways to get books and other physical materials:

Search for books in Primo Library Search, login to place a hold and see request and pickup options. Place a local hold request for books owned by Foley Library, or select Request via Summit to get a book through one of our consortia partners. If you live more than 35 miles from campus books can be mailed to you.

See our Summit Guide for more information on how to request books and other materials via Summit.

Materials unavailable through Foley or our Summit partners can be requested through Interlibrary Loan.

 

Getting & returning library materials

  • Books from Foley Library's General Collection are checked out to graduate students until the end of the semester. A book may be renewed three times, with a one year maximum checkout period.  Renewals may not be allowed if someone else has requested the item.
  • Interlibrary loan books have due dates set by the lending library. Renewals are possible, but not guaranteed.
  • If you live 35+ miles from campus and are enrolled in an online program, books you request from the library's collection will be automatically checked out and mailed to you.  You are responsible for return postage for books mailed to your home.
  • If you are coming to Spokane, we can hold materials here until you arrive. Just let us know when you will be on campus by sending an e-mail to ill@gonzaga.edu.
  • Library policies regarding lost/damaged book replacement charges apply to all library users.
  • Overdue on arrival? It happens sometimes. If a library book arrives on your doorstep and it's already past the due date, notify us immediately at ill@gonzaga.edu. We'll give you additional time with the book.

Searching for books in Primo Library Search

If you are looking for a particular book, the fastest way to find it is with a title browse search.

1. On the library homepage, select Browse Search.

Image of the Foley search box with the "Browse Search" button circled

2. Select a List to Browse from the drop down menu, select Title.

3. Type the beginning of the title of the book and hit enter.

A browse search is not quite like a normal search. It will pull up the exact result and anything near it alphabetically in the browse list. What it won't do is show you search results that are close to, but not quite, what you searched for. The best method for finding a title is to type the first three or four words of the title exactly and see what comes up.

A note about articles (the grammar kind, not the journal kind!):

If your title starts with A, AN, or THE, leave the article off and start with the next word. For instance, instead of The Lord of the Rings search for Lord of the Rings.

THIS and THAT are always included in the title, i.e. That Hideous Strength would be found by searching for That Hideous Strength, not Hideous Strength.

On campus returns:
  • Books can be dropped off at the circulation desk, the book drop inside or outside the building, or the return box in the basement of College Hall.
Mailing books for distance learners:
  • If you are unable to come to campus, you are responsible for return postage.
  • Package books to avoid damage - If you received the book via mail, use the same box or envelope they came in if it's in good condition.
  • If the book you are returning is an ILL and the due date is close, send an email to ill@gonzaga.edu to let us know the books are on their way.
  • If you know you will be coming to campus and would prefer to return the books at that time, let us know:
  • A yellow return address label is included when we send the books to you. You can also print the label provided here.

Finding eBooks at Foley Library

  • Search for a book title or keyword from the main "Books and More" search box on the Foley Homepage
  • On the right hand navigation in your results select Availability > Full Text Online  and select Format > Book
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