Library Services During the Move to Online or Alternative Instruction: What You Need to Know

The Library & Information Commons (physical locations) are currently closed.

During this time, we encourage users to utilize the many remote services available as much as possible. Many resources are available electronically and Library staff are available to help users navigate our Search Everything and other remote tools via the library's Ask Us! service on the library's homepage.

In addition, NWACC Library encourages all staff and users to review and follow the guidance and information provided on the NWACC Coronavirus (Covid-19) Information Page.

All NWACC Library & Information Commons physical locations in Bentonville and Washington County are currently closed. However, many library services can be accessed remotely during that time, including Reference and Instructional Services, as well as our Ask Us! service. Please see the Library Hours and Events Calendar or this page for any future changes to operations.

When the Library is closed there are many ways we can provide you with expert help and services. We also offering special accommodations for book renewal and returns to extend due dates under special circumstances (see instructions below).

Need to find Internet Connectivity or Software? View our Software and Connectivity for Students guide

Free Access to Course Textbooks Via Redshelf and VitalSource

If you do not already have an account with Redshelf or VitalSource, you will need to create an account with your NWACC email address. Once you have created an account and logged in, you will be able to search for your textbooks via title or ISBN, and check out ebook versions through May 25th for Redshelf and May 24th for VitalSource. For assistance looking for the correct edition of your textbook, visit the NWACC Book Store Find Course Materials page or Ask Us!.

Get Online Help

Last minute citation question? Want help with research? Need to reach us from off campus? Ask us! You can email us, text us, or chat with a librarian from the convenience of your home. Located on the library homepage.

General Reference and Librarian Consultations

Librarians are available for remote consultations via text, email, and chat via our Ask Us! service.

Library Instruction or Embedded Librarian Services

Our faculty guide to information literacy provides best practices and tips for incorporating information literacy into your class. We are still available to create class or topic guides and/or deliver library instruction remotely via screencast software. However, do to the extra time required to create this content, priority will be given to faculty who have already scheduled library instruction, or those who have a library research component. We do need 3 business days advance notice, as well. Please use our regular Schedule a library Instruction Session form to request remote instruction, and we'll work with you to teach your students to effectively locate, evaluate, and use information.

Librarians can also work with you to integrate library/database/research help directly into your online courses. Fill out this form to request an embedded librarian. Again, please allow three business days for content to appear in your online classes. If there is a large demand, priority will be given to classes that were already scheduled for library instruction or have a library research component.

Online Materials and Tools

The NWACC Library has thousands of digital materials available for you if you can’t make it to campus to pick up physical items.

• NWACC Library Search Everything
  Use the filters on the left hand side of the screen to focus on ebooks, journal articles, streaming video, and other online resources.
• Research Databases
  We have 128 databases that provide access to digital articles, video, and more. The vast majority are available remotely.
  *Choice Reviews is only available on campus. 
• Off-Campus Access
  If you are not on campus, log in via the Libraries website, using your MyNWACC credentials to access library databases and other resources.

Interlibrary Loan

We can email journal articles from the library's collections and from other libraries at no charge. This service is available for current NWACC students, faculty and staff only.

• Interlibrary loan and Policy and Link to Request Form

Renew Books Online

You can also renew your books online - just log into Your Library Account. You will see your active loans displayed on the Loans section. Look for the title you need to renew and click renew. You can also renew all your active loans by selecting Renew All.

• Your Library Account - upper right corner of the page. Login with the first part of your email and your student id. If you cannot login, please contact the library at library@nwacc.edu to have your password reset.

Returning Materials

Books and media, including Interlibrary Loan materials, may be returned to the library when we re-open. Once we re-open:

• If an item is due and the borrower does not want to come to campus to return it (due to illness or other extenuating circumstances), they should keep it until they are able to safely return it. We understand that this is a special situation, and special considerations will be made.
• Please do not return equipment (laptops, calculators, headphones, etc.) via the book return in Burns Hall. If the library is closed due to unforeseen circumstances when your equipment items are due, please return them to a service desk the next time we are open and we will amend any fines.

Contact Us

Have other remote needs? New ideas for how the Library can help you off-campus? Send your comments to us.