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Accessing Materials from Off Campus

On July 17, 2023, UK Libraries began using the OpenAthens platform for managing access to electronic resources.

If you experience any difficulty accessing our collections, please contact our Electronic Resources team at lib-er@lsv.uky.edu.

How do I create links to library content in Canvas and elsewhere?

  • Prefix-style links can be update with a new prefix:

    • Old EZProxy link: http://ezproxy.uky.edu/login?url=[content] 

    • Updated OpenAthens link: https://go.openathens.net/redirector/uky.edu?url=[content]

  • Embedded-style links (e.g., https://sk-sagepub-com.ezproxy.uky.edu/reference/) will need to be replaced with a new link provided by the database

How do I manage my Bookshelf on Proquest's Ebook Central?

Proquest’s Ebook Central "Bookshelf" is a personal account required to download e-books and save settings, such as highlighting text. Users usually register for their bookshelf after they authenticate access. However, ProQuest streamlines this process when the institution uses single sign on options like OpenAthens. The Bookshelf is automatically created and paired with the OpenAthens login. The user doesn’t have to remember a separate login.

Once access is activated:

  • New Ebook Central users won’t need to register for a bookshelf manually
  • Existing Ebook Central users won’t be able to login to their old Bookshelf

If you have lost access to your old Bookshelf settings, you can retrieve them by asking ProQuest to merge your former and your new accounts. The email for the support desk which can facilitate this merger is ebooksupport@proquest.com.

Where do I ask a question or report a problem?

Please contact us at lib-er@lsv.uky.edu.

Distance Learning Services

How do I know if I qualify for Distance Learning Library Services?

Anyone enrolled in classes with a 200-level section number (for example, ENG 401-201) qualifies for Distance Learning Library Services

Do I need a library card to use Distance Learning Library Services?  

A library card is necessary to request physical materials from the library and to set up an ILLiad account to use Interlibrary Loan and Express Delivery Services. You may access databases, e-journals, and other electronic resources without a library card, using your linkblue ID.

To request a library card, please fill out this application form or contact your Distance Learning Librarian.

How do I request physical materials from the library?

If you would like to receive digital copies of articles or excerpts from non-circulating materials, please visit our Express Delivery Services page. If you are looking for materials that are not currently held by UK Libraries, you may be able to borrow them through Interlibrary Loan.

Do I have to pay shipping costs when borrowing books or other physical materials from the library? How do I return materials when I am done?

UK Libraries will absorb the cost of shipping materials to you. 

You may return materials in person or by mail. You are responsible for return shipping costs. We suggest shipping materials via the USPS Library Mail Service, which offers low rates for books and media materials. 

The exception to this rule is when we need to use Interlibrary Loan to acquire materials for you, in which cases we will pay shipping costs both ways.

For more information about borrowing physical materials from the library, contact your Distance Learning Librarian.

If I am taking a mixture of face-to-face and Distance Learning courses, do I still qualify for Distance Learning Library Services?

Yes. In these cases, please contact your Distance Learning Librarian to discuss the best way to set up your library account.

Is there a limit to how many materials I can request?

You have the same privileges as on-campus students and may check out up to 25 items for 126 days. See our Borrowing page for more information.

If I still have questions, who can I ask for help?

Please direct all questions regarding Distance Learning Library Services to your Distance Learning Librarian. We are happy to assist you in any way we can.

Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery Services

For FAQ regarding Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Services (i.e., Article Express), visit our Using ILLiad page.

Resetting Your Password

If you need to reset your Library Account password, please select from the following options based on your affiliation with UK:

  • UK students, faculty, and staff with linkblue credentials should use the linkblue Account Manager
  • Community users should use this password reset form and provide their user ID or registered email address

For any additional assistance with your Library Account, please send an email to refdesk@uky.edu.