Library Collections and Services | Research | Help
Library Collections and Services
Hunter Library is committed to providing the same level of access to materials for distance learners as for on-campus learners. Below are some guidelines for obtaining materials if you are taking classes in a location other than the Cullowhee campus or if you are a Cullowhee campus student but are temporarily away from the University. If you have any questions or need any assistance obtaining material, please contact Kevin Unrath, Head of Access Services, at (828)227-3405, unrath@email.wcu.edu.
Books
1) Look up the book in Hunter Library’s Catalog.
Use the Library Catalog to locate books, journals, government publications, DVDs, videos, CDs, electronic books (e-books), and other materials owned by WCU.
2) Is the book available at WCU?
If you are a distance learner located in the Asheville or Boone areas, you may request materials from WCU to be delivered to the UNC-Asheville or ASU libraries. First, verify that the Status box shows “NOT CHK’D OUT” for the item you wish to obtain. Follow the “ABC Express” link from the item record in the catalog. If you are a distance learner in a location other than Asheville or Boone, you may request WCU materials by filling out an interlibrary loan request form. Please indicate that you are a distance learner when placing your request. We will mail all material to you at no cost, although you will need to pay for return postage when you send the materials back.
3) Is the book available to read online? Is it an e-book?
NetLibrary provides access to the full text of thousands of reference, scholarly, professional, and fiction books in electronic or audio formats. The Library Catalog also searches NetLibrary’s holdings. To check books out of NetLibrary for several hours, you will first need to create an account with NetLibrary. You will usually see a link to Create an Account at the right of the NetLibrary page when you pull up a book or other material you want.
4) Is the book available at UNCA or ASU? Can you request it via ABC Express?
- Find the book or journal title in the Library Catalog.
- Verify that the Status box shows "NOT CHK'D OUT."
- Click on the Request ABC button at the top or bottom of the screen. Enter your name and ID number and select a pickup location. Click Submit.
- All materials can be picked up at your Circulation Desk. Books, films, videos and DVDs are held for you for seven (7) days before being returned to the lending library.
- If you are a distance learner not located in the Boone or Asheville areas, please request material at UNCA or ASU through interlibrary loan. Please indicate that you are a distance learner and that the request is for material via ABC-Express. We will mail all material to you at no cost, although you will need to pay for return postage when you send the materials back.
5) Is the book not available as an e-book or through ABC Express?
Use Interlibrary Loan. You will be notified when your request arrives. If you attend classes in Cullowhee, you will need to pick up materials at the Hunter Library Circulation Desk. If you live outside Jackson County and do not attend classes in Cullowhee, the library will mail items to you. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS A DISTANCE LEARNER ON THE INTERLIBRARY LOAN FORM. Materials are mailed or sent electronically to you; please make sure that the contact address we have for you is correct. We cannot guarantee a time of delivery; providing as much information as possible about the material you need (title, source, author, publication date, etc.) and how we can reach you will greatly aid in this process. It is your responsibility to return books and other returnable materials to Hunter Library. If you have difficulty using Interlibrary Loan, please call 1-866-928-5424.
Articles (in Magazines, Journals, and Newspapers)
1) Is the full-text of the article available through an online database or electronic journal?
The first step in finding articles for your topic is to refer to research guides created for your topic or program. These guides will help you find a citation for the article you need.
For article citations that do not have the full text of an article attached, follow the Find Full Text link if available or do a Periodical Title search in the Library Catalog, which will include journals the Library subscribes to in paper or electronic formats. Electronic subscriptions will include links to the journals. You may also browse a listing of electronic journals the library offers through the Electronic Journals A to Z List.
2) Is the full-text of the article not available online?
Use Interlibrary Loan. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS A DISTANCE LEARNER ON THE INTERLIBRARY LOAN FORM. Articles are sent electronically to you; please make sure that the contact address we have for you is correct. We cannot guarantee a time of delivery; providing as much information as possible about the material you need (title, source, author, publication date, etc.) and how we can reach you will greatly aid in this process. If you have difficulty using Interlibrary Loan, please call 1-866-928-5424.
Research:
RefWorks – Before you start using RefWorks, you must sign up for account while you are on the Cullowhee campus.
Research and Reference Help
Library staff members are available to help you with your research needs. You can get research assistance by telephone toll-free at 1-866-928-5424, by email through Ask-A-Librarian or by online instant messaging / chat through the IM a Librarian service. If you need help during evenings and weekends, please call the toll-free Reference Desk line at 1-866-928-5424.
Library staff members who specialize in your subject area are also available to help you. Contact the subject area specialist for your research area directly or call 1-866-928-5424 to be put in contact with that person. Please note, Reference Desk staff members who answer your call at 1-866-928-5424 will be able to answer many of your questions.
Hunter Library is responsible for the research and information needs of all WCU students, whether they reside on or off campus. You can access many of the resources needed for research or class assignments through Hunter Library's webpages. However, other public or academic libraries may be closer or more convenient to use for some students. Most libraries in North Carolina welcome visitors. It is best to call the library you are interested in using to find their hours and services. Any library in the University of North Carolina system will provide the following benefits:
- Checkout of books with a valid WCU ID card (CatCard)
- Access to NC Live databases
- Photocopying or printing articles
- Other services on a limited basis
Persons employed full time in medical fields may also obtain library cards at any AHEC (Area Health Education Center) library. Senior year and graduate level WCU nursing students may use the MAHEC (Mountain Area Health Education Center) Library in Asheville.
**Special note to patrons doing research at our partner universities, UNCA and ASU: WCU only resources are inaccessible from ASU and UNCA campuses due to proxy-recognition issues. However, at UNCA, WCU has three classrooms where WCU only resources can be accessed. These are in the Karpen Hall (rooms KH036, KH037) and Zageir Hall (room ZH101).