distance education services

Ruppel Library provides these services to students currently enrolled in the Master of Music Education degree program (note: certain restrictions apply to MECA Students and Students-At-Large), allowing them access to library resources and services equivalent to those provided in traditional campus settings. Services are available throughout the year.

Library Catalog – Access the Ruppel Library catalog to find library materials, renew your materials or to check your account

Off-Campus Access to Databases – How to access password-protected resources from off campus

Requesting Library Materials – Policies and procedures for borrowing materials from Ruppel Library

Research Assistance – Email a Ruppel Library music librarian or call the reference desk at 312-225-6288 ext. 226 or 301.

Library Contacts – List of contacts, phone numbers and email addresses

Off-Campus Access to Databases

Send an email to dwidmer@vandercook.edu to request a list of usernames and passwords for many of the library's subscription databases

Requesting Library Materials

What may be requested?

You may request almost anything that you need for your research: books, journal articles, CDs, DVDs, dissertations, etc. It does not matter if the item is held by Ruppel Library or is available from another library. Materials requested will be sent to your home or office via U.S. mail.

What are the charges for Distance Education services?

Charges include shipping and processing. You must pay in advance by credit card or check. Fill out a payment authorization form.

Returnable Items owned by Ruppel Library (books, CDs, DVDs, etc.): $5.00 per item
Returnable Items not owned by Ruppel Library (books, CDs, DVDs, etc.): $10.00 per item
Photocopies (articles, book chapters, etc.): $.50 per page

You are also responsible for any late charges. Overdue fines for items owned by Ruppel Library will be charged our standard rate of $.25 per day. Items borrowed from other libraries will be charged at the rates set by the lending library.

How do I know if Ruppel Library owns an item I need?

Check the Ruppel Library Catalog

How do I request items?

First, fill out a payment authorization form. After you submit your payment information, you may request materials by filling out a loan request form:

Fill out request for articles or other "non-returnable" photocopies
Fill out request for books, CDs, DVDs, and other "returnable" materials

Loan requests can also be placed directly through FirstSearch. Once you locate an item you wish to borrow in any FirstSearch database, you will notice a link near the top of the page that says ILL (interlibrary loan). Click the link to fill out and submit the form. Alternatively, requests can be submitted through email (dwidmer@vandercook.edu) or by phone (312-225-6288 x.226).

How do I return items?

Items may be mailed directly to Ruppel Library by any standard postal carrier. You are responsible for these return shipping charges. Our address is:

Ruppel Library
VanderCook College of Music
3140 S. Federal Street
Chicago, IL 60616

How long are the loan periods? May I renew anything?

Articles or other photocopies do not need to be returned.

Books, CDs, DVDs, and other materials borrowed from Ruppel Library may be renewed, as long as you are enrolled and another user does not recall them from you. To renew an item from Ruppel Library, go to the Ruppel Library Catalog, click on “My Account,” and enter your account number (Social Security number or library ID). Click the “Checked Out” button to view the items you have checked out. Place checkmarks next to the items you wish to renew. Then click the “Renew” button. Finally, note the new due date for each item to assure that they have all been renewed. Due dates for items will vary. Graduate loan periods are generally four weeks.

If you would like to renew an item borrowed from a library other than Ruppel Library (through interlibrary loan), you must submit your request to a Ruppel librarian (by phone or email) before the original due date has passed. The due dates for these items will be set by the lending library and may be loaned to you for a substantially smaller time period.

Library Policy for MECA Students and Students-At-Large

Because these students attend on a part-time or temporary basis, circulation services are not available. These students still have access to library materials and services within the library during normal operating hours. If you are a MECA Student or Student-At-Large and you wish to borrow materials, you must apply for a Visitor/Alumni borrowing account.

Library Policy for Students Enrolled in Online Courses

Distance education services are available to students enrolled in online courses only if they are currently enrolled in the Master of Music Education degree program at VanderCook College of Music.

Who should I contact with questions about borrowing materials?

Please contact Don Widmer, dwidmer@vandercook.edu, 312-225-6288 x.226

site last updated: November 27, 2007

Ruppel Library Services

distance education services