What is OhioLINK?
The Ohio Library and Information Network, OhioLINK, is a
consortium of Ohio’s college and university libraries
and the State Library of Ohio. OhioLINK serves more than
600,000 students, faculty, staff and other researchers at 85
institutions.
OhioLINK’s goal is to provide easy access to information and rapid delivery of library materials throughout the state. For more information, please visit the About OhioLINK section of this Web site.
Who can use OhioLINK?
Several are freely available to
anyone via the Internet. To access other OhioLINK
services such as online borrowing, the research databases and
the Electronic Journal Center, you must be a
student, faculty or staff member at an OhioLINK affiliated
institution.
Many of these same databases are also available to all Ohioans through their local public or school libraries. Contact OPLIN, INFOhio, or your local library for more information.
OhioLINK services are provided to Ohio colleges and universities through campus libraries. We do not provide individual memberships or services outside of Ohio.
I need help using OhioLINK resources.
Whom can I contact?
If you need assistance using OhioLINK resources or
conducting research, consult with the staff at your own
campus library. Check your library
Web site or contact your
library for help.
Chat with a Librarian offers online help from librarians at OhioLINK-affiliated libraries.
If you're having problems connecting to OhioLINK databases and other resources from off-campus, please see the remote authentication help page for the most common problems and solutions. Contact your library for more assistance.
If you are not affiliated with an OhioLINK library or have additional questions about OhioLINK, please use this form to contact us. Questions are usually answered within 48 hours.
Is there a fee to use OhioLINK?
No. Students, faculty and staff members of
OhioLINK institutions have access to OhioLINK resources and services at no charge.
How are OhioLINK and library
resources different from those found on the free
Internet
When you need authoritative, scholarly information for
class assignments or research always turn to OhioLINK and
your local library first. While the Internet can also be
useful in the research process, you have to watch out for
broken links, unverified information, questionable results
from search engines and fees for full-text materials. Web
sites suggested by search engines may not provide access to
the information of recognized authority and scholarly,
research literature (such as peer-reviewed journals) that you
need for classes or research.
Why can’t I use the OhioLINK
research databases?
Only current students, faculty and staff members
of OhioLINK colleges and universities may use the OhioLINK
research databases. We must impose these restrictions due to
the licensing agreements we have with database vendors.
Why isn’t “Journal X” available
in the Electronic Journal Center?
The Electronic Journal Center currently contains
journals from the publishers listed here.
OhioLINK has ongoing negotiations with additional
publishers.
Why are issues missing in the
Electronic Journal Center?
Some journals have missing issues, or issues
that seem to be late. To researchers who become used to the
convenience of online journals, missing issues cause
frustration. You can find out the status of missing EJC
journal issues using OhioLINK’s Serials Check In and
Claiming System. The system provides answers to questions
such as: has the issue been claimed from the publisher, what
issues are unavailable and, when applicable, notes of why the
issue is not available. Follow these steps to check for
information on a missing EJC issue:
Unfortunately, OhioLINK staff cannot make any projections about when or if publisher will supply missing issues or articles. If you have a time-sensitive need for the article, or other questions please contact your library for assistance in finding the information elsewhere (print, or interlibrary loan if your library does not subscribe to print).
Can I access OhioLINK from home?
Yes, remote access is available at www.ohiolink.edu. A campus ID
number is required. If you do not know your ID number,
contact your campus library’s circulation department.
If you are having trouble connecting to OhioLINK databases
from your home or office off-campus, please check our remote
authentication help page. Some OhioLINK libraries also
provide remote access through their Web sites; contact your library for more
information.
Where can I pick up OhioLINK
Materials?
OhioLINK users can pick up requested materials
from any participating member library. Users will be asked to
choose which location their items should be delivered to each
time they request items online from the OhioLINK Library
Catalog.
How will I know when my requested
items are ready for pick up?
Generally, OhioLINK items are ready for pick up in 2-3
days. You can check on the status of your requested items by
viewing your personal library record/account. You’ll
need to log into your record/account from your local library’s Web site.
Please contact your library if
you have questions about checking your account/record.
October 2005