Library Services and Policies for Distance Learning Students

Florida Atlantic University offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate-level courses to students who are enrolled in online degree programs or take only online classes in a semester. The FAU Libraries strive to provide a level of support for distance learning students and faculty that is equivalent to what is provided on its campuses.

Who is eligible?

Any currently enrolled FAU student who enrolled in online degree programs or taking only online classes during a semester.
FAU faculty and instructors teaching online courses.

Library Resources and Services

The OWL Card

The FAU OWL Card is your library card! It is required for entering the library and borrowing items, and has a 14-digit number used to access some library services.

Get Your OWL Card and OWL Card Number

Visit any of the OWL Card offices on FAU campuses.
Online students: Use the online form to make your request.

Online Library and E-Resources

Library Catalog: Find the Libraries' print and online materials, including books, eBooks, online journals, and more; use Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Document Delivery to have books sent to you.

Databases A-Z: The FAU Libraries offer many online e-resources such as newspapers, journals, streaming videos, and more. General (Academic Search Complete) and subject or discipline-specific (MLA International Bibliography, CINAHL).

Research Guides: Don't know which library sources to use for your assignment? These guides have librarian-recommended sources such as books, journals, and databases for various subject areas and topic.

OpenAthens: OpenAthens authenticates current FAU affiliates so they have direct access to using the FAU Libraries' licensed electronic resources. Use Google or go directly to a publisher’s website to access the Libraries' e-resources by using FAU Single Sign-On (SSO)! See Open Athens FAQS for details.

Visit the Libraries' Distance Learning Research Guide for links to other commonly used online library resources and materials.

Borrowing Privileges

FAU distance learning students have borrowing privileges based on their patron category. Undergraduate students have three weeks to borrow their books and can renew them online before their due date.

Borrowing Privileges: See details and specific information about the number of books borrowed, loan periods, and related services.

UBorrow: Borrow books from other Florida state colleges and universities. See UBorrow FAQs for more information.

Florida State College and University System Libraries: With their OWL Card, distance learning students can borrow items at a college in Florida College System or a university in State University System of Florida.

Research Assistance: Ask a Librarian

Get help with your research from Research and Instructional Services Department in the following ways:

Phone: (561) 297-3795

Ask a Librarian / FAQs: Text or email your question; chat and FAQs are available 24/7.

Request a Research Consultation: Get librarian assistance by video conferencing (Zoom, Teams).

Video Tutorials: Brief videos that help with finding information, doing research, using library services, and creating citations.

Interlibrary Loan

Use Interlibrary Loan (ILL) to submit requests for books, journals and other library materials that are not available through the FAU Libraries. ILL also provides branch campus deliveries by providing FAU library materials from one of its campus libraries to another.

First-time Users: Create an account with ILLiad, the Libraries' interlibrary loan system and see these important points:

Log onto ILLiad to check the status of current and past requests.
When making a request, select "Distance Learner" in "Patron Status."
Students are responsible for updating their contact and mailing information in their ILLiad account.
Books that are not owned by FAU but are requested and received through ILL must be picked up at an FAU campus library; select a delivery location preference in your ILLiad account.

More Information: Visit Interlibrary Loan FAQs.

Document Delivery

Through their ILLiad account, distance learners can request delivery of FAU-owned books by U.S. Mail and photocopies of journal articles by e-mail. These materials will be sent to the address provided in their account.

More Information: Visit ILL Delivery.

Course Reserves

FAU distance learning students who need to access online or electronic course reserve materials for their classes will find them on at FAU Libraries Course Reserves. Adobe Acrobat is required to download them.

FAU faculty who are teaching distance learning courses can provide online class materials by using the Course Reserves service.

More Information for Faculty: see Faculty Guidelines for FAU Course Reserves.

Get Help With Library Services and Common Technical Problems