Students at a Distance

Guide for Students at a Distance

Students at a Distance

Students at a distance are Wheaton College students who:

• Are studying remotely, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during the 2020-2021 academic year; or
• Are currently enrolled in a Wheaton course or program (or who are registered as thesis continuation), and who live more than 50 miles from campus.

Scanning and Mailing Services

Buswell Library will:

• Scan and email articles or book chapters.
• Mail books to a U.S. address at no charge to the student.
• Provide ReturnMyBooks service at library.wheaton.edu/returnmybooks.  

Note: All library services are provided in compliance with copyright law.  

Requesting Scanning or Mailing Services

Students at a Distance should take the following steps to obtain needed materials:

• First, use the Library Search interface to find journal articles or book chapters.
• Then, use your Wheaton College ILLiad account to place requests for scanned journal articles or book chapters.
• For access to print books, we suggest students try to gain access to the resource at a local public library or other nearby academic institution. Learn more about how to do this. 
• If you are not able to access the resources at a local public library or other nearby academic institution, you should request items using the request option in the Library Search interface.
• Once your items are available at Buswell Library, you will receive an “Item Available” email notification. Forward that email to buswell.delivery@wheaton.edu, directing Buswell to mail the item to you.  Please include:
  • Your name
  • Mailing Address
  • Your phone number
  • The item title(s)
• Buswell will then ship you the requested item(s) and you will receive an email with tracking information.

Shipping and Scanning Tips

• Due dates for items requested through interlibrary loan do not include extra shipping time.
• Staff will scan an entire book for electronic delivery, if necessary, as a “last resort” service for items critical to your research.
• When shipping items back to Wheaton College, remember to allow sufficient shipping time for items to be received by their due dates.

Using Other Libraries

• As a Wheaton College student you have in-person borrowing privileges at any I-Share library. You can check out items at any I-Share library, provided that library is permitting visitors. Contact the library to confirm their current policies.
• If you live near an Atla member library, your Wheaton ID card will allow you to borrow items there, provided that library will permit your entry.  Learn more about this program.
• If you live near any academic library, investigate their policies for services to guest patrons and take advantage of their interlibrary loan service if available.
• Visit your local public library to request items through their interlibrary loan service.