Washington State University Libraries

Graduate Students (not currently enrolled)

1. What are the unique needs of this user group?

Some of these students have completed their required courses and are working on a thesis or paper from a location outside of Pullman. Others are away from Pullman for the summer (or other period of time) and need research support. Typically, they want delivery of articles or books they have identified delivered to whatever location they are at the time. They may also want reference help.

2. How is this group currently supported by the Libraries?

Interlibrary Loan provides document and monograph delivery to the location of the student. Fees for the service are charged to the GPSA account. GPSA has previously indicated support for this service. Reference service can be supplied via email or telephone inquiry.

3. How is this support communicated and promoted to them?

Currently students are informed of the availability of this service on an inquiry basis only. The exception to this is that Pharmacy students on internships are alerted to services by Health Science librarians.

4. Does this group have an official liaison from the Libraries?

The official liaison for this group is the subject specialist librarian in the department in which the student is studying. In addition, Interlibrary Loan personnel have served as providers of service information to this group.

5. What problems does this group have with accessing library services?

This group experiences the basic problems of being located away from campus. Delivery of articles can be accomplished through electronic delivery if the student has access to the Internet. Delivery of physical items is complicated by additional delivery time and the expense of returning items they have received on loan. There is currently no systematic way that these students are alerted to the availability of services.