Online / Distance Learners -- Library Research Basics
Connecting to Library Databases
Online Learners have access to all networked library reference resources
and databases. These resources can be easily accessed via the Databases,
Catalogs and More section of the RIT Library
Web.
Online Learners coming from an outside Internet Service Provider
(an Internet address is other than "rit.edu") will be prompted for their RIT computer account user name and password to access the library's research
databases via our Research
Databases Web page. This user name/password procedure
"authenticates" you as a registered RIT student, providing
access to subscription online resources.
Instruction is available for all databases either from within
the database or by contacting the Distance/Online
Learning Librarian, Susan Mee via e-mail, by telephone at (585) 475-2568 or IM at susanamee. FirstClass
e-mail. A select list of database tutorials are available.
DCE Account Information for Distance Learners
What is a DCE Account?
A RIT Computer account is essential for fully accessing the RIT Library resources. If you are a student registered for
a distance learning class and do not have a current RIT Computer account, Information
Technology Services (ITS) will automatically issue you a computer account. Your
Username and Password will be mailed in your orientation package a few weeks
before the beginning of the quarter that you register as an RIT student. If
you need your account user name and password before you receive your orientation information,
contact either the Library Coordinator for Distance Learning, Susan Mee, at 585.475.2568 or Online Learning at 1.800.CALL.RIT (225-5748)
to have an account created.
What can I use my computer account for?
RIT Computer Account Activation
Once you receive your computer account information, do the following:
1. Activate your computer account by and change your password.
Go to: start.rit.edu and click on the "Activate Your RIT Computer Account" link.
Note: The password you choose must be alphanumeric, contain upper and lower case letters, and be a minimum of eight characters in length.
2. After changing your password your computer account will be ready
to use.
FirstClass RIT Library Conference
A special conference has been set up in FirstClass to enable distance learning
students to fully utilize the information services and resources available through
the RIT Library. The RIT Library Conference contains specific information pertinent
to distance learners in an easy-to-use format. The Library Coordinator for Distance/Online
Learning is available by e-mail,
phone 585-475-2568, or via One
2 One Live Chat.
Obtaining
Library Materials From a Distance
Information Delivery Services Department NEWS
IDS Express is RIT Library's online ordering
system for making Interlibrary
Loan (ILL) requests as well as (for Off-Campus
Online Learners ONLY) making requests for materials owned by the RIT Library
or via ConnectNY. Using IDS
Express, you can request books, journal articles, conference papers, dissertations/theses,
patents, and standards - owned by this - or any library. Materials will be sent
to your home or office via FedEx.
IDS Express is powered by ILLiad,
a new interlibrary loan management program; RIT is among the first
libraries to use this new system and the first to implement the
use of ILLiad to provide delivery of library materials to distance
learners. IDS Express has a number
of advantages over our old request system:
- Users fill out a registration form the first time they use IDS Express;
after registering, it is never necessary to fill out personal information
on your request forms again. You can change your registration information
whenever you need to through the easy-to-use customer interface.
- You will have private access to all your request records so
that you can check on the status of any request, any time you
want.
- Articles will be delivered to you electronically.
- The software will allow IDS to operate more efficiently in general,
and will be especially helpful in streamlining our Distance Learner
request processing, thus helping to ensure fast turnaround of
your requests.
IDS Express service is available to all faculty, staff and students
- both graduate and undergraduate. There is NO CHARGE to request
or receive materials; you are however, responsible
for the cost of returning materials to the library.
For complete information on IDS
Express, Interlibrary
Loan, and IDS
Services for Online Learners, be sure to visit our Website at
http://ill.rit.edu. At the bottom
of the IDS Express logon page are links to all the information you'll
need - to get whatever library materials you need - no matter where
they are held. Check it out and register today.
Maintained by: Susan Mee.
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