Distance learners

The Library provides a range of services to support students studying at a distance. These services include the provision of electronic resources which can be used from any location with Internet access. The Library also provides information on access to other libraries. A postal loans service is available to students on specified distance learning courses.

Electronic Library

The Library provides a wide range of electronic resources including over 10,000 electronic journals, electronic books, and bibliographic services that enable you to research literature on a topic. Most of these resources can be accessed from home or work computers with Internet access.

Students studying at a distance are advised to read the help pages on How to connect to electronic information resources before they try to use resources.

You will then be able to use:

  • Find e-Journals for the full-text electronic journals to which the Library subscribes
  • Our MetaLib gateway for online bibliographic databases to enable you to identify literature on a topic
  • The Library Catalogue for the full text of electronic books. You can search for e-books only if you prefer
  • The Electronic Library for links to other relevant online information, including help with searching the Internet and links to Open Access publications

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Using other libraries

Students studying at a distance are advised to check what library resources may be available to them locally. The following may be relevant:

  • SCONUL Access
    Postgraduates, distance learners and part-time students are entitled to use the SCONUL Access scheme which enables limited borrowing from any HE library in the UK
  • LIBER intends to offer a similar scheme for Europe but this is only in the early stages of development. In the meantime if you need access to a European library ask your tutor for an introductory letter, then contact the library you would like to use by email or letter asking about access. It is sometimes helpful to check their website first
  • National libraries are open to all students

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Interlending and Document Supply (ILDS)

Books and articles not held by the Library at York can be requested through ILDS. Articles can be sent electronically using SED as long as you have the correct release of Adobe Acrobat on your PC and can open the files within 14 days. Please note that charges and allocation limits apply for ILDS requests. Photocopies of articles can be posted anywhere in the world but there may be additional postage and packing charges. Books need to be collected in person at the Library.

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Postal Loans Service

This service posts out books (to the UK & Eire only) and photocopies to students on specified distance learning courses. For further information see the Postal Loans Service page.

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University of York theses

University of York PhD and some Masters theses are listed on the Library Catalogue and there is a specific thesis search. Students who can visit the Library can book theses for use in the Library. For distance learners:

  • PhD theses are freely available as PDF files through the EThOS service
  • For photocopies of part or all of a Masters thesis please contact the Photocopying Office

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Paying your Library charges

You will receive emails about outstanding payments and you can check your My Library Account for details.

Any outstanding payments can be made by cheque payable to the University of York, or by credit/debit card (except American Express). There is a minimum payment of £5 for credit cards.

Payments may be made by telephone on +44(0) 01904 323873 during the Library's staffed hours. Payments do not have to be made immediately but you will not be able to borrow or renew books or make Interlending requests if you owe more than £19.99.

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Books requested from you

All books borrowed from the Library can be requested by someone else, and the return date may then be changed to an earlier date. You will be informed of this by email: normally your University email address, unless you have given us a different one. Please contact us if you have a problem returning books on time. We should be able to extend them for a few days.

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Your contact details

  • Please ensure that we are using the correct email address for you by checking My Library Account
  • Also, make sure that you have the correct addresses in your term time and home addresses which can be updated through e:vision, as the term time address is the one used for interlending photocopies

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Contact our staff

If you have any queries concerning Library support for distance learners, please email infodir-distance@lists.york.ac.uk or telephone +44(0) 01904 323873. For general enquiries or to contact your Academic Liaison Librarian for subject specific enquiries see our Contact Us page.