Don't think that because you are a distance student you can't access GFCMSU Library resources. You can...and we hope the information presented here will help you get the library services you need. Please contact the library at any time if you need assistance.

  • How can I access the library from home?
The Library's catalog can be searched anytime if you have Internet access.

Because we are a member of a consortium of Montana libraries, you can check our Library's catalog or search the catalogs of the other consortium libraries. If you find an item in our catalog, you will need to call or e-mail us to send it to you. Please include your student ID number and current address, phone number, and e-mail address. If the item is at one of the other libraries in our consortium, you'll need to send us an interlibrary loan request.

Some library resources are licensed for use just by GFCMSU students, faculty and staff. To access those resources from off-campus, you will be asked for a user name and password.

Several of the databases that are available to you provide full-text access to periodical articles. For those that don't, the details below about requesting materials from another library (interlibrary loan).

For 24/7 access to the library's electronic resources:
use your Desire2Learn username and password
or use your NetID as your username along with your D2L password.

 

  • How do I check out library materials?
To check out library materials, you will need to provide us with:
  1. your student ID number (your Banner number)
  2. your current address
  3. your phone number
  4. your e-mail address

Students not in Great Falls can have photocopies and books mailed to them. If you are in Great Falls, you might want to get a student ID card from Admissions. This will make it easier when you come to the library or go to one of the other MSU libraries. If you don't have a student ID, you will be asked for a picture ID.

 

  • How long can I keep library materials?
We add a week on to our circulation times when we mail items to distance students. Check our Web site for current borrowing policies. We will photocopy journal articles for you as well as information from non-circulating materials such as reference books; these photocopies are yours to keep. Other materials will need to be returned. We pay the postage for any items sent to you; however, you will be responsible for the return postage.

 

  • How do I request materials from another library?
If our Library can't provide an item, you can request it through our interlibrary loan service, ILLiad. Such requests can be placed online at our Web site. To let us know that you are a distance student, change the preferred delivery method on the registration page to "Mail to address." .

**Note: please use this option only if you have plenty of time - we ask our on-site patrons to allow 2-3 weeks for interlibrary loan items, so it may take even longer for a distance student.