Accessing Periodicals and Other Electronic Materials

ORU Distance Learners Program can electronically browse journals, magazines, newspapers, reference resources, and other materials. Regardless of where ORU students live, or what hours they work; they have access to many of the library periodical materials and other electronic resources whenever it is convenient for them.

Students may easily search the online Journals List to see if the desired periodical title is in the collection.

Searching for Articles

In order to locate articles on the subject of interest, students will need to search in an index to periodicals (journals/magazine, newspapers, etc.). Such databases include EBSCOhost.  This particular database as well as others has many full-text (complete) articles available electronically within the database.

The ORU Library has many such databases available from its library Web page. The Electronic Resource Library Databases link from the library home page is a complete listing of ORU Library's subscriptions to electronic and CD-ROM databases. It has been divided into subject categories to help users identify and search the databases pertinent to their needs.

Accessing the Articles

All validated ORU students, staff, and faculty have permission to access the ORU Library Databases and Journals List. Those who live off campus in the Tulsa area may use the online Library Databases using ORUnet as their Internet Service Provider (ISP). An ORU e-mail account must be established. All questions concerning special computer issues should be resolved through the Academic Computing Lab. Any dial-up connections to the ORUnet will incur long distance charges outside the Tulsa metropolitan calling area. Access through another ISP also allows access to the databases except for CD-ROM products. More detailed information is available on the Remote Access page.

Students living within one hour's drive of the campus may visit the ORU library in person to photocopy desired articles. Coin-operated and Eagle Card-operated photocopiers cost 10 cents per page. Microform reader/printers also cost 10 cents per page. They are found on the 4th floor of the library in the Periodical/Electronic Resources Center (ERC). Full-text articles within the databases may usually be e-mailed or may be copies at 10 cents per page within the ERC.

Process for Obtaining Articles from the ORU Library

If an article is cited within the database being searched, yet the entire article (full-text) is not there:

Perhaps the article is available online in another database. Or, it may be obtained from the ORU Library periodicals collection of print, microfilm, and CD-ROM titles.

Search the Journals List:

Please check the Journals List first before requesting articles. Any journals that are full-text online will list the database(s) and the dates available. Within the Journals List, type the title of the Journal within the title box. (Tip: The easiest way to search may be with the "Title begins with".)

In addition, journals in text (paper), microfilm, and CD-ROM will have a link to the ORU Library Catalog where one can search the title. Withing IPAC see the holdings list in the record (lower section) for the volumes, issues, and dates available.) If needed, be sure to note if there is more than one record in the IPAC to the title being searched.

Articles Not Available at ORU Library

Articles in journals not listed in the ORU Library Catalog may be obtained through ORU Interlibrary Loan. See procedures on Interlibrary Loan Services for Distance Learners.

Students living farther than one hour's drive from Tulsa may wish to visit their nearest public or academic library to use periodicals. Many academic libraries provide open access to their catalogs, reference sources, periodical collections, and photocopy equipment. A list of surrounding Oklahoma library catalogs can be accessed from the ORU Library Catalog button on the ORU Library home page. Other libraries can be searched through the Worldcat database from the ORU Library Database page.

Eligibility for Services

Students and faculty who live further than one hour's drive from Tulsa are eligible for ORU Distance Learning Services. All students are required to complete a Registration Form before receiving library services.

Cost
Copies are 10 cents per page with a minimum charge of $1.00.
Fax charge is $3.00 extra per transaction.
Scanning and emailing is no extra charge.

Payment
An invoice will be included with the material sent. Payment should be sent to Distance Learner Services with checks payable to Oral Roberts University Library. Prompt payment will ensure continuation of library privileges.

Limits on Ordering
Priority in supplying the articles will be given to the first five items requested by the individual within a week's time; others will be processed as time permits.  Five items may be faxed or rushed at one time.

Order Form
Complete the Request Form for Distance Learner Library Materials. Only one item should be included on each form.

Where to Send Form
Requests may be sent electronically, mailed, or faxed to Distance Learner Services.

Our goal is to make your ORU distance learning experience rewarding. Toward that end, we are committed to helping you complete your course of study by providing an academically sound periodical collection. If you have a question or concern, contact Distance Learner Services.

Last Updated: August 7, 2006