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Services for Distance Education Students

What Do I Need?

  • Registration in an officially designated “Distance Education” program.
  • A 14-digit Library barcode (usually from the back of your campus ID card or call circulation desk at 707-664-2375)
  • A Library PIN
  • A valid email address from an educational institution (.edu)

What Do I Get?

Online access to 100+ databases with over 20,000 online journals
Here’s how:

  1. Have your Library Barcode and PIN on hand
  2. Go to Find Articles & More
  3. Click on database of choice
  4. Enter Library Barcode and PIN when prompted
  5. Start searching!

Delivery of library materials to convenient locations
Books and articles can be sent to a “host library,” eliminating the need for students to come to the SSU campus regularly.  This includes materials from SSU’s Library as well as materials borrowed from other libraries. Generally, book loans are free. There is a 10¢ per page photocopy fee for journal articles, which accumulates on your Library Record. For continuation of library services, this balance must remain below $10.00.

Here’s how:

  1. Make an arrangement with a library near you that is willing to act as your "host library" to receive and hold items for you to pick up. This may be another CSU library, a public library, or a school library.
  2. Fill out the one-time registration for Interlibrary Services.
  3. For each item, log onto InterLibrary Services and fill out request form.
    1. IMPORTANT: For each request, note in the “Special Instructions” box that you are a distance education student and give us the name and address of your host library.
    2. Make sure we have your official .edu email address on your library record so we can notify you of arrivals and due dates.
    3. Provide a complete and accurate reference.

Snoopy Library Catalog
Find books, journals, videos, music, government documents, maps, and children’s books that the SSU library owns. Use above steps (Delivery of library materials) to get materials sent to your host library.    

eReserves
Online access to articles, documents, and notes posted by instructors

Research Assistance
Ask Us - email assistance for finding or accessing needed information
SSU University Library Reference Desk – 707-664-2161
Other CSU Libraries - if you live close to one you may seek research help there. Be advised that any questions regarding database access should be directed to SSU.

Students from Other Universities 
If you are currently enrolled in a distance education program at another campus of the California State University (CSU):

  • You may check out books by showing your current library card or campus ID at the Circulation Desk.
  • CSU students must have a library card or campus ID (from your CSU campus) with a sticker or other indication you are registered for the current term in order to be eligible for services from this library.
  • If you are a student in a distance education program at an institution that is not part of the CSU system, we are unable to offer you library services. Please check with your home institution to see what library services they offer.

Note to SSU Distance Education Instructors   
If you are an instructor of a distance education course sponsored by Sonoma State University, please contact Raye Lynn Thomas (thomasra@sonoma.edu) for an update on the services we can provide you and your students.

  • It is the instructor's responsibility at the beginning of each term to send us a current roster of students enrolled in your courses. Without these rosters we cannot provide services to your students!
  • The rosters should include for each student: name, address, current email address, and host library. Please send or e-mail these rosters to Julie Dinkins (julie.dinkins@sonoma.edu) at the Circulation Desk.