Distance and Online Services: Home

No matter how close or how far you are from the Spring Arbor University main campus, the White Library's resources and services are for YOU, too!

Research Assistance

Need some one-on-one research assistance?  Set up a virtual or in-person meeting with a librarian!

• We can set up a meeting with you via one of a number of online tools, including Zoom, Webex, Skype, or Google.
• We can also meet with you in person at the SAU Library if you live nearby, or we can also do a research consultation over the phone.
• Librarians help with:
  • database searching tips
  • guidance on the best library resources for your assignments
  • APA and MLA citation assistance
  • any questions you have on using the library

Send us an email, give us a call at 517-750-6742, or fill out a Research Consultation request form.

Scholarly, peer-reviewed articles

Live at a distance and need something fast?  Electronic resources might be the best choice!  The library subscribes to a variety of online research databases.  We also have over 100,000 ebooks in our collection.

• Begin searching for articles on your research topic by choosing a research database in your subject area (Nursing, Education, Theology, etc).  See a full list of library databases.
• If you are looking for a specific journal article, try our Advanced Search page to search by article title, author, journal title, etc.

Notes:

• Some databases may require your SAU login credentials to access.
• Looking for an article you found on another website but can't find it in the library's databases?  No problem!  Fill out the Interlibrary Loan request form.
• If you need an article that is available in the SAU Library Periodical Storage or on microfiche, we can scan it into a PDF and email it to you!  Send an email with the article info to the Interlibrary Loan dept sauill@arbor.edu or fill out the Interlibrary Loan request form.

Ebooks

The library has over 100,000 ebooks in our collection.  Start your ebook search.

• Encyclopedias and reference handbooks are a great place to get an overview of your research topic.
• Ebooks by academic publishers such as Oxford University Press or Elsevier (to name just a couple) often have chapters and essays that are relevant to your topic.
  • The chapters and essays in ebooks can be downloaded and saved as PDF files.  Much easier than reading and/or downloading an entire book and a great option if you have an assignment or project due soon!

FAQ: How do I borrow an ebook?

Print books

Physical items owned by the library can be mailed to distance students and faculty.  The library will ship them to your home and a postage-paid mailing label will be provided for return shipment.  

Seach for books in the library. 

• When you find an item you want to borrow, click on the title.
• Look for the blue "Request this item" button
• If prompted, sign in using your SAU login credentials
• Under Pick Up Options, select "White Library - Mail to my home"
• Use the Notes field to enter your mailing address if it differs from the address in My White Library Account

Email Kami Moyer at kmoyer@arbor.edu if you have any questions about borrowing or returning SAU Library books.

Interlibrary Loan

If you have a little extra time, Interlibrary Loan (ILL) can provide you with research materials not owned by the SAU Library.

Learn more about Interlibrary Loan.

Check on the status of your Interlibrary Loan requests.  Sorry, there is not a way to fast-track or rush an ILL order.  If you don't have time to wait, contact a librarian for assistance finding research materials that are available immediately.

Articles, book chapters, and ebooks can be requested from other libraries and are delivered to your email.  Delivery time is around 1-3 business days, although harder-to-find items may take longer to arrive.  Note about ebooks: Due to publisher restrictions, entire ebooks may not be available through Interlibrary Loan.  Instead, ebook requests may have to be limited to a certain number of chapters or pages.

Print books: The library does not usually order print books through Interlibrary Loan for distance students.  ILL books can take 2 weeks or more to arrive, and they usually have limited loan periods.  Students rarely have the time to wait for an ILL book to arrive before an assignment is due.  Instead, the library provides ebooks and books chapters via email whenever possible because those items typically arrive in time to meet your assignment deadline.  Please do not hesitate to contact a librarian if your research requires print materials not owned by the SAU library and your timeframe allows for the limitations of Interlibrary Loan.

Tip for Michigan residents: Use MeLCat to have print books delivered to your local public library.  Delivery time is around 5-7 days.  Check the list of over 400 MI libraries to see if your local library participates in MeL.

Other Services

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