Skip to Main Content

Online Students

This page provides useful information to help students taking online courses.

Requesting Books

You can get books from Kent Library, from 60+ Missouri and regional libraries (MOBIUS), or from libraries across the world (Interlibrary Loan), absolutely free. Books can be delivered to your home if you are a web-only student

If you are experiencing extenuating circumstances that prohibit you from accessing or retrieving materials, please contact circulation to request special accommodations.

How to Request Books

Kent Library Catalog

  1. Go the the Kent Library Catalog.
  2. Catalog linkClick the "Catalog" tab. 
  3. Search for a book and click the triangle-shaped "Search" button. 
  4. If you find the item, hit the Request it button, located to the right of the book title. Link to "Request It"
  5. In the form, enter your SE Key and password. If you have recently logged in to another service with your SE Key, such as Canvas, you may be logged in automatically.
  6. Choose a pickup location. 
    • If you are an online-only student, select "Web-Only Student." The book will be mailed to the permanent address you have listed with the university.
  7. Hit the "Submit" button. The other information does not need to be filled out. An email will be sent when you book is available to pick up.

MOBIUS Catalog

  1. If you do NOT find the item you want in the Kent Library Catalog, click the MOBIUS link above the search results to search the MOBIUS catalog.
    • You can also go directly to the MOBIUS catalog and perform your search as you would in the Kent Library Catalog.
  2. Click on the title of the book you wish to request, and then click on the "Request It" button.
  3. In the form on the next page, enter your SE Key and password. If you have recently logged in to another service with your SE Key, such as Canvas, you may be logged in automatically
  4. In the same form, choose where the books should be shipped to in the "Pickup Location" menu.
    • If you are an online-only student, select "Web-Only Student." The book will be mailed to the permanent address you have listed with the university.
  5. Click "Submit." An email will be sent when you book is available to pick up.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Use Interlibrary Loan only if you cannot find the book you need in the Kent Library or MOBIUS catalogs.

  1. At the Interlibrary Loan screen, log in with your SE Key and password.
    • You may be asked to fill out user information the first time you request materials through ILL.
    • That user information includes a dropdown field for "Delivery Location" that lets you send ILL books your home if you select "Web-Only." 
    • You can update your delivery location by going to the navigation list on the left, finding the "Tools" section, and then clicking "Change User Information." 
  2. New Request - BookIn the navigation list on the left, under "New Request," click "Book." 
  3. Fill out the form on the new page.
    • At minimum, you have to include these required fields:
      • Author/Editors
      • Title
      • Not Wanted After Date
    • Any additional fields you can fill out will help us make sure we found the right book and let us get your request to you faster. 
  4. Your book will be delivered to the delivery location in your user information. You will be sent an email when it is ready. 

 

How Books Are Delivered

 

Home delivery of books for web-only students

If you are enrolled in a designated web-only program, you can have your books mailed to the permanent address on file with the university. If you are unsure if you qualify, contact your instructor. 

  • When requesting books, choose the pickup location labeled 'WEB Only Student'.
  • A postage-paid, addressed envelope will be included with your requested materials for return.

Renewing Books

Renew Online

You can renew your books online, including MOBIUS books.

  1. Login to My Library Account with your SE Key and password.
  2. You should see as list of your requested books. Select the "X items currently checked out link" in the left column to change to your checked out books. If you have no requests, you should be taken to your list of checked out books automatically. 
  3. Check the box next to the book(s) you wish to renew.
  4. Click the "Renew Marked" button.
  5. On the new screen asking if you would like to proceed, click "Yes" after verifying the correct book(s) are listed.
  6. You will get a notification on the next page if your renewal was successful.

Renew by Phone

You can also call the circulation desk at 573-651-2232 for renewals, including for ILL books.

Renewal Policies

Length of checkout period and number of renewals is determined by the library circulation policies.

Citing Sources

Citing sources is important because it gives credit to the person who published the idea originally and allows readers to check your evidence.  Your instructor should tell you which style of citation to use (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).

Resources:

Citation Styles Research Guide

Resources on how to cite print and electronic resources for in MLA, APA, Chicago, and other styles. 

Center for Writing Excellence

The Center for Writing Excellence has online reference guides for MLA, APA, and Chicago Styles. You can submit a draft of your paper to the Writing Lab online to receive feedback.