Are you taking some or all UH courses away from the main campus during the academic term? If so, then you have enrolled in a distance education course. DE courses are available face-to-face, via Interactive TV (ITV), on tape, online, or over TV or cable.
Establishing Remote Access
To access an electronic resource from outside of one of the Libraries, you will be prompted for your LAST NAME and USER ID. Enter your name as it appears on your Cougar 1Card. Your User ID is your myUH (Peoplesoft) id number. For faculty and staff, this is the Employee ID on your pay stub. If you do not know your myUH (Peoplesoft) number, click here for more information. All students, faculty and staff new to campus as of August 2007 MUST use this number. Those who have previously used the number on their Cougar 1Card may continue to use that number.
Identifying Articles and Books
Use the Libraries' Research Tools to identify the databases. Many of these contain full-text articles that you can download or email. Remote access to these databases requires registration for electronic access: see Connect from Home or Office.
Use the UH Library Catalog to identify materials, particularly books that you want to borrow from the University of Houston, UH-Downtown and the UH-Clear Lake. If you don't find what you need, we can request it from other libraries. Books owned by the University of Houston may be borrowed for three weeks. Other libraries set their own borrowing periods.
Requesting Articles and Books
Beginning with the Fall 2002 term, all UH students will use ILLiad to request the delivery of books and articles. ILLiad (Interlibrary Loan internet accessible database) allows you to make requests online, track the processing of your requests, request renewals, and update your personal information.
When ALL the courses you are taking are through UH distance education, then you will use ILLiad's "Distance Ed Requests" link found at the top of the Illiad website. The DE ILLiad forms replace the old DE request system of filling out book and journal online request forms. If only SOME of your courses are through distance education, then you should use the regular ILLiad forms.
You must register on ILLiad to use it. Your Cougar 1Card and a valid email address will be needed.
You only need to register once. The system will store your personal account information (address, phone number, e-mail address, delivery preferences, and status) for future requests. You can also update this information with any changes at any time.
Receiving Articles
If the article you requested comes from the UH Libraries, then a paper copy will be sent to you. If the journal article is supplied by another library, then you may receive it as an electronic copy if you select that option. ILLiad sends you an e-mail notification for each item received. That e-mail will include information about the delivery method.
Receiving Books
You will be notified by phone or email when the book arrives at the DE site you have selected for delivery. Return books to the DE delivery site for shipment back to the UH Libraries. If no delivery site listed on the form is near where you are taking your classes, contact ill@lib.uh.edu. Sorry we can't send books outside the United States.
Reference and Other Services
Can't find what you need? Call for reference assistance from the M.D. Anderson Library, 713-743-1050. Staff can answer short, factual questions or provide guidance on research strategies and library resources.
Also, reference and other services are available by email:
Borrowing Books from other Texas Libraries
You can receive a TexShare Card to borrow books from many Texas academic, community college, and public libraries. Who participates? See Programs and Participants Service Choices for TexShare Members. To get a TexShare Card, email the Access Services Department (circadm@lib.uh.edu) or phone the manager on duty at (713) 743-9710. You will need to renew this card each term.
For more information, contact:
Email: delibrarian@uh.edu
