Library Guide for Distance Students

Distance students are classified by the library as students who do not regularly attend classes on the Shadyside Campus of Chatham University.  Please note that Chatham Eastside is considered part of the Shadyside Campus.

Jennie King Mellon Library Contact Information

Have a question? Ask a JKM Librarian! The Reference Desk is staffed all hours the JKM Library is open.  Using the Subject Guides will provide you with the contact information of your discipline's library liaison who will be happy to assist you in finding and using the best resources for your research. 

• Call: (412) 365-1670
• Email: reference@chatham.edu
• IM (AOL, Yahoo): JennieRef, OR use the box on the right side of this screen!

Finding Articles

Finding Articles in the JKM Library's Databases

You can access the databases by visiting the main page of this wiki at: http://jkmlibrary.pbworks.com/.  Simply choose the appropriate discipline.  Please note that you will be asked to provide your Chatham username and password to access the databases from off campus. 

Trouble accessing the databases?
If you have trouble getting into the databases or encounter any error messages, please call the JKM Library Reference Desk at (412) 365-1670 to report the problem.  The sooner you report it, the sooner we can fix it.

Full-Text

To obtain the full text of an article there are a series of steps to try: 

1. See if there is attached Full Text in the database you are searching.
2. Check our List of Print and Online Journals for the name of the journal where the article is published (not the title of the article!).  This will tell you if the journal is available either online or in print at the JKM Library.
   1. If the journal is available full text in a database the library owns, links to the proper databases will be provided. You can then retrieve the full-text.
   2. If the journal is available in print, you can order specific articles from it through Document Delivery.  Please see the Document Delivery section below for more information.
3. Order it through Interlibrary Loan.  (For more about Interlibrary Loan, please see the Document Delivery section below).

    

Document Delivery

Ordering Materials Not Available Online

If you would like to obtain an article that you cannot access through the JKM Library's databases, follow these steps:

1. If you find the journal title in the Online Catalog and the JKM Library owns the specific volume and issue you need, request the article by e-mailing Lindsay Schriftman at lschriftman@chatham.edu with the full citation.  Make sure to let her know that you are an off campus student.  You should receive a scan of the article in a few days.  

2. If the JKM Library does not own the article you need online or in print, submit an ILL request for the article through the Interlibrary Loan link on the main page of the Online Catalog.  Click on the Journal Articles link and fill out and submit the online form with all available citation information as well as your full name and Chatham ID number (found on the front of your ID card).  Please also indicate that you are an off campus student in the "Other Info" section to ensure that the article is e-mailed to you.  You should receive a scan of the article in approximately 2-7 business days.  Remember, to make the best use of Interlibrary Loan, plan ahead!  For more on this service, see the FAQ section of the Interlibrary Loan page. 

3. If you don't know your Chatham ID number or cannot access the Interlibrary Loan forms, contact the Reference Desk (see contact information below). 

Finding Books

Unfortunately, the JKM Library cannot provide books to distance students.  If you need to get a book for class, try your local library.  They may have it or may be able to get it for you through Interlibrary Loan.