Using the Library as a Distance Learner

Find out how to access our library service and resources if you are studying as a distance learner.

If you need to ask for help please email library@cumbria.ac.uk, use the Student Enquiry Point or view our Contacts Page

You will also find more about studying away from campus on our Study at Home webpages.

If you are an RKC student please go to your dedicated resources page.

Using our Library Service and Finding Resources

As a distance learner you will mainly be using our library resources online. We have over 350,000 ebooks available, millions of journal articles online, plus other more specialist materials depending on your course. If you prefer to read print books you can sign up for postal loans.

You will need your university email address and password to access these resources. Our Accessing Online Resources and Troubleshooting page can help with queries and problems about logging on successully.

New students - you will need to activate your IT account before you can access these resources. See our new student page for guidance on setting this up.

If you need help check out our contacts page.

	Onelists	Each module has a Onelist reading list providing access to key texts. The titles included are selected by your tutors and subject librarians to provide a starting point for exploring your assignment topic. Where possible we buy ebook versions of the key titles. To get the most out of using ebooks check out our ebooks page.
	OneSearch and other resources	Do not limit yourself to just titles on your reading list. Tutors like to see you engaging with other material too. Use OneSearch to search for other books and additional resources such as journal articles in one single search system. Check out our guides and videos to help you get the best out of Onesearch. To find additional resources for you subject check out our library subject pages. We also provide suggestions for accessing teaching practice materials, statistics, grey literature, media resources, and newspapers. Our Finding Information page explains more about what type of sources to use and why.
	Postal Loans	If you would prefer to read physical books and you are not near one of our library locations, you can register for the postal loans service. Once you are setup, you find your book title on either Onelist or Onesearch. Click on the title and then onto Request. This video will help you to request items but instead of selecting a campus click on 'Home Delivery'.
	Get More Books	If you find a book that would be useful for your course or dissertation / major project then let us know via our Get More Books scheme.
	Asking for help	During normal staffed library hours, contact our Libraries via library@cumbria.ac.uk, 01228 888888 or via the Student Enquiry point on the Student Hub Between 5pm and 9am during the week and round the clock at weekends and bank holidays you can contact our Ask a Librarian Service Our page can help with queries and problems about logging on to library resources.
	University of Cumbria Libraries	There may be opportunity for you to visit our campuses during your course. We have a range of library facilities throughout our campuses and some offer 24 hour access. Visit Our Libraries to see library locations, opening hours and contacts.
	Cumbria Cards	Your Cumbria Card is your Library card. You will need a card if you do ever visit our campuses or wish to use other university libraries (see below). If you uploaded a photo at registration you should have been sent your card in the post. If not email a jpeg format headshot to library@cumbria.ac.uk.
	Using Other Libraries	The University of Cumbria is a member of the SCONUL Access scheme which allows certain categories of student (including distance learners) to join and borrow from other academic libraries. There are currently 170+ academic libraries that you can use and it's likely that there is one near you. Other libraries may also allow you use their study spaces but be aware that you cannot use their IT facilities nor access their electronic resources. If you wish to use the Eduroam wifi on your visit read up on how to set this up on our Eduroam page. University of Cumbria students living in, working in or visiting London are able to use the Reading Rooms in the British Library at St Pancras. You will need to register for a Reader Pass, details of which are on the British Library website.
	Eduroam Wifi	As University of Cumbria students, you can use the Eduroam wifi network for free internet access. Eduroam is usually available at universities and colleges (including their libraries). Check for participants in your area via the Eduroam Interactive Map. If you wish to visit another university, and use the Eduroam wifi, do read the setup instructions on our page before attempting to connect as you may not be able to access support at that location. In the event of any problems contact our IT servicedesk.

Getting the best from your searching

OneSearch is a good place to start your research. However as you progress through your course you will need to develop your searching skills to incorporate other sources.

Watch the tutorial below for an introduction to searching or access our Finding Information page for more advice.

How to search

Click on the image above or use this link to view the tutorial: How to search tutorial

Study Skills

Academic Skills

Support		Description
	Skills@Cumbria	The Skills@Cumbria website provides support on all aspects of academics skills from finding information, reading and writing to referencing and being critical. It also provides advice about carrying out different types of assignment. Take a look around our website to find out more.
	Skills Support	You can get individual support from our team of Library and Academic Advisers. This might be via the Student Enquiry Point, by using our email service, or by booking an online appointment.

Head Start: study skills courses

Support		Description
	Head Start	We have created a range of self guided online study skills courses to help you understand and develop your academic skills through the different levels of your course. We have courses aimed at specifically at Apprenticeships too.

Support for Postgraduate Researchers

Support		Description
	Postgraduate Researchers	Researching at postgraduate level needs all of the skills of undergraduate courses, but requires a higher level of understanding, greater independence and more specialised knowledge than undergraduate study. Discover the library resources, services and systems available for researchers at the University of Cumbria.

Digital Skills and FREE Microsoft Office

Service		Description
	Digital Skills	There is a lot of help and advice relating to your digital skills
	Free Microsoft Office	Office 365 Pro is available to all students to download and install on up to 5 personally owned devices.
	Linkedin Learning	Free access to over 10000 online courses in subjects that include IT, business and the arts. Gain new skills and evidence that skill by earning a certificate for every short course you complete.

Getting Help - Contact Us

Service		Quick Contact
	Libraries - for all things library including postal loans and access to other libraries (SCONUL) go to our Contacts page or use this quick contact email	library@cumbria.ac.uk
	Study Skills - Skills@Cumbria is here to help you develop your academic skills.	skills@cumbria.ac.uk
	Student Enquiry Point - ask any question about any aspect of student services. You will also find the link on the Student Hub.	STEP weblink
	IT Service Desk for all things related to IT, passwords, logins and access to systems.	itservicedesk@cumbria.ac.uk
	Programme Administration (PAd) for everything related to your course, progress, attendance and assessments.	Contact the PAd

New Students: Getting Started

If you are a new student, everything you need to ensure you are ready to start your studies can be found on our New Student page

Cumbria Card

As part of your registration you will be provided with a Cumbria Card which is your University of Cumbria student ID. If you uploaded a photo during your online registration, then a Cumbria Card will be produced for you and posted out to you if you are a distance learner. If you did not upload a photo, you can email a jpeg format headshot to library@cumbria.ac.uk (from your student email account) and one will be produced and posted to your registered address.

Your Cumbria card will be useful if you do ever visit one of our campuses or if you want to use other libraries which maybe closer to you. Check out the Sconul scheme and other libraries you can access via this page.

Student Hub and Other University Systems

System		Description
	Student Hub	The Student Hub is your starting point for all things University of Cumbria. Log into the Hub for access to all university systems and services, including direct links to Email, Blackboard, OneSearch, ICON and OneDrive. You can access the Student Hub from any university web page (www.cumbria.ac.uk) by clicking on the STUDENTS link (top right) or by bookmarking hub.cumbria.ac.uk. The Student Hub is also available as an app for Android and Apple devices. See our Mobile Apps page for direct links.
	Student Email	Your student email account is the university's first point of contact with you and your email address is used as your username for most university systems. You email address is s(your student number)@uni.cumbria.ac.uk and will look like this: s1234567@uni.cumbria.ac.uk. More information and FAQs about your student email account can be found here: Student Email
	Blackboard	Blackboard is your Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and is where your course content is delivered. All the modules you are currently registered on should appear on the left hand side of Blackboard homepage after you have logged in. If a module is missing, you will need to contact your module tutor.
	OneSearch	OneSearch is your access to our library resources. Use OneSearch to search for ebooks, books, journals, eresources and a whole lot more. You can also reserve items and view your library account.
	OneList	OneList is the university reading list system. The lists have been compiled by your tutors and subject librarians and should be used as a starting point for your research. You will find links to reading lists from each of your Blackboard module sites.
	ICON	ICON is our student records display system. You can view both your course and personal details at any time via ICON. Module results will appear in ICON when they are released and you can update your personal/contact details here (please keep this up to date).
	OneDrive	Your University of Cumbria OneDrive provides a place in the cloud where you can store, share, and sync your university files. You can create, update and share files from any device with UoC OneDrive. Your OneDrive account also gives you access to the online versions of Office 365 (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). More information and FAQs about your OneDrive account can be found here: Student OneDrive
	Mobile Apps	The Student Hub, Blackboard, Outlook (student email), OneDrive and Office 365 (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote) are all available as mobile apps. Visit https://my.cumbria.ac.uk/apps on your phone or tablet to use the direct links to your app store.