Getting Started @ the Library

Library Resources and Services

ALL students, including distance learners, currently enrolled in a course at Wright State University, are entitled to use the University Libraries' resources and services. These include but are not limited to:

• Remote access to databases and other electronic resources of WSU and OhioLINK
• Borrowing privileges from any OhioLINK Institution
• Reference and research assistance
• Access to the books and articles you need
• Online instruction

Connecting from Home (Off-Campus)

Your Wright 1 Card

The Wright 1 Card is just that - the one and only card you will need to confirm your status as a student of Wright State University. Use it to check out books or other materials at any OhioLINK or Wright State Affiliate library.

Your Wright State University Computer Account

Access to many of the University Libraries' databases, electronic journals, and other online resources require that you enter your university computer account's username and password. Go to the CaTS Distance Learning Resources to learn more about the computer accounts.

Computer and Software Requirements

Guidelines for selecting the computer hardware and software best suited for web-based distance education can be found on the Wright State University Computing and Telecommunication Services (CaTS) and Wright State University Distance Learning web sites.

Many of the Libraries' resources, including Online Course Reserves, are available in Adobe PDF (portable document format) files. A web browser and the Adobe Acrobat Reader are required to access these documents. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is available free at the Adobe web site. Please consult the Acrobat home page for system requirements and other technical information.

Use the Libraries' Web Site To Find the Information You Need

The Libraries' web site is your gateway to:

• WSU libraries' collections of books, audiovisual materials, maps, and archives.
• The OhioLINK Electronic Journal Center, thousands of electronic journals, bibliographic and full-text databases, online reference sources and Internet sites.
• Guides for finding full-text databases, journal articles, and selected Internet resources on selected subjects.
• Government documents and resources.
• Online copies of course reserve materials assigned by faculty for classes.
• WSU's Special Collections which contain archival and book collections.

Public Libraries Are Another Place To Find What You Need

Your local library is another place you can go to find books, journal articles, research databases, and reference assistance. While public libraries have some of the resources you will need to do your research, they will not have many of the scholarly books and journals that professors require for your term papers and research projects. These scholarly resources are more easily located in the Libraries' web site.

Get the Help You Need

Ask a Librarian
Chat, call, visit, or email us with your research or reference questions

Staff
Directory of the Libraries' staff by department

Library Tutorials
Get help with researching a term paper, finding articles, or seeing what the library can do for you

Allow Time to Get the Print Resources You Need

Although more and more resources are available electronically, you will still find that some of the books and articles you want are only available in print. Remember that obtaining materials for research takes time. Plan ahead, and allow plenty of time for requested materials to be delivered to you or to a nearby pickup point. If you are a distance learning student, see Getting the Books and Articles You Need for more information.