Distance Education Frequently Asked Questions

What services are available to students taking University of Arkansas Fayetteville classes from a distance?

Services that are available to on-campus students are also available to students taking distance classes. These include access to online resources, reference assistance, research advice, library instruction, and document delivery. As a distance student, if you are not taking any courses on campus and live more than 15 miles from Fayetteville, you may have books and journal articles sent to you through our document delivery service. This service is not offered to students taking on-campus classes...they must come in to the library to pick up materials.

Am I eligible for distance library services?

If you are enrolled in a UA Fayetteville Distance Education Course, live at least 15 miles from campus, and do not take any classes on campus, you are entitled to distance library services.

What do I need to use these services?

You need a University of Arkansas Fayetteville UARK email username and password; an Internet Service Provider (e.g., AT&T DSL, Cox Cable) to access the Internet; and a browser on your computer such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox.

Are there any charges for distance services?

No. There are no charges for students who meet the eligibility requirements above. However, if you borrow a book through ILLiad Interlibrary Loan, you are responsible for the cost of returning the book to the UA Fayetteville Library. (Fines apply for late materials, and replacement fees apply for lost materials).

Do I need a library card?

Not unless you plan to visit the library to check out books or other materials in person.

Use your UARK username and password to:

  • log into databases and electronic journals remotely
  • to view electronic course reserves
  • to view your library account

If you are a registered student then you are automatically issued a UARK account.

What if I don't know or use my UARK account?

Many distant students, faculty, and staff may not make regular use of their UARK email accounts.  If you have never activated your account, go to the new user page on PASSweb.

What if I have forgotten my UARK password or username?

PASSweb allows you to set up a reminder question and answer.  If you don't have a reminder question and answer, or if you have forgotten the question and answer:

  • Students should visit the Office of the Registrar with your University ID card.
  • Distant students who can't visit the Registrar's Office in person must send a written request with your signature and a phone number where you can be reached for confirmation to:

    Office of the Registrar
    146 Hunt Hall, University of Arkansas
    Fayetteville AR 72701

You may also send your written request with your signature and a phone number where you can be reached for confirmation by FAX to (479) 575-4651. 

Anyone can contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@uark.edu for more assistance.

What if I am affiliated with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, but don't have a UARK Account? 

Researchers with the Arkansas Agricultural Extension Service or the Experiment Station System may apply for affiliated faculty privileges. This status allows patrons borrowing privileges, remote access to library databases and electronic journals, and Interlibrary Loan privileges.

If you are a faculty or staff member in the Arkansas Agricultural Extension Service or the Experiment Station System and already have applied for library privileges, you can still use your last name and UA ID number to log into library functions, including remote access to library databases. 

If you have not yet applied for library privileges, visit our Agriculture Extension Service / Experiment Station information page for details on applying. 

What If I would like to use campus facilities?

If you wish to come to campus and use certain facilities including the library, you will need to get a card from the ID Card Office in the Arkansas Union.

There is a college library near me. Can I borrow books from them?

A number of college libraries in Arkansas have entered into a consortial agreement that allows students to borrow books from member libraries. One of these libraries may be located near you. We can furnish you with a special library card (ArkLink Card) that will allow you to borrow books from any of these academic libraries. For a list of participating libraries, see ArkLink Libraries. Contact us toll-free at 866-818-8115 or e-mail libde@uark.edu if you wish to apply for an ArkLink card.

How do I find books?

Go to the Library's home page and from there you will find Infolinks: The Library Catalog. You can search by subject, author, title, journal title, or keywords, to find books we own. Note the location and call number (i.e.: MAIN, DK52.3 .A36 1999; or FAL, N36.4 A122; etc.) You may use our ILLiad Interlibrary Loan service to request that books be mailed to you.

How do I find articles?

Use Electronic Resources and Databases to find articles. You can search by subject, alphabetically by title, or by keywords. Select an appropriate database and type in your search terms. For assistance, most databases have a "help" button to show you how to search that particular database. Note that some resources provide full-text access to journal articles while others only provide citations. If the article is available in full-text, you can see it right there on your desktop and do not need to request it. In cases where only citations are provided and you want the complete article, search Infolinks to see if the Library subscribes to the journal in either print or electronic format.

I found some books. How do I get them?

If you are a distance student and are not taking any on-campus classes, go to the on-line ILLiad Interlibrary Loan form to request books. There is a one-time registration form to complete. Be sure to indicate your "Distance" status in the drop-down "Status" menu. And change the two drop-down menues that say "Hold for Pick-up" to "Mail to Address." Once we receive a request from you, we will mail the books to you.

I found some journal articles. How do I order them?

If you are a distance student who is not taking any on-campus classes and you find a citation for which you want the full-text of an article, first search Infolinks: the Online Catalog by "Journal Title" to see whether we subscribe to the journal. If you find that the journal is in electronic format (full-text online), you can access the article from your computer. If the journal is not in electronic format, or we do not subscribe to it, request the article using the online ILLiad Interlibrary Loan form. ILLiad has a one-time registration form for you to complete. Be sure to indicate your "Distance" status from the drop-down menu. We will locate a copy of the article and send it, usually electronically, to the e-mail address you specify when you registered with ILLiad.

What happens if the UA Fayetteville library does not own an item that I want?

Any book or journal article which isn't owned by our library may be requested through ILLiad Interlibrary Loan. This involves borrowing from other libraries around the country. These requests take longer to fill than requests for books which we own. Allow two weeks from the time you submit your on-line request for items to arrive at our Interlibrary Loan office. So make sure you order the items you need well in advance.

I'm having trouble using the Library's resources. What should I do?

Contact the library using our toll-free help number (866-818-8115) or e-mail libde@uark.edu for help. If you aren't familiar with searching our catalog or online resources, please don't be reluctant to ask for assistance. We are here to help you. As always, make sure you inform us that you are a distance student.

When I try to use the libraries' online resources, I get a message that says I am not authorized for access. What am I doing wrong?

Most of our on-line resources are restricted to current UA Fayetteville students, faculty, and staff. When you access from off-campus, the resource may not recognize you as being affiliated with the University, so you will be prompted to log in. Type in your UARK username and password. If you still have problems, contact us toll-free 866-818-8115 or e-mail libde@uark.edu and we will help you work them out.

Why is it that some students in my class have materials mailed to them, while I have to come to the library to pick them up?

In some cases, a class is taught in which some students are taking it from off-campus, and others are taking the same class from a classroom on-campus. Our policy is that students who live within 15 miles of campus, or who live further but come to campus to take classes, are not eligible for distance education services. You may fall into that category. If you feel that there has been an error or there are special circumstances in your case, please contact us at libde@uark.edu.

Whom do I contact with other questions?

On-campus students can always come to the Reference desk and ask for help with their research assignments. Distance students are afforded the same type of assistance through our toll-free number 866-818-8115, or e-mail libde@uark.edu. Be sure to indicate that you are a distance student. If you wish, you may ask specifically for: the your Subject Librarian; the Interlibrary Loan Dept.; or the Circulation Desk, depending on your question.

Last updated: 8/11/09

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