Frequently Asked Questions

What is OhioLINK?

Questions that it's best to talk with your campus library about

Who can use OhioLINK’s library materials?

Accessing OhioLINK’s databases, electronic journals, and e-books online

Questions about the Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) Center

 

What is OhioLINK?

OhioLINK is a consortium of 115 academic libraries and the State Library of Ohio. OhioLINK was established in 1992 to improve the return on investment in higher education by lowering costs, increasing efficiencies, and providing the widest access to a core collection of high-quality scholarly materials across Ohio’s 4-year and 2-year institutions. OhioLINK pools funding to leverage negotiations for affordable and stable library resources, manages expert teams collaborations, and provides technological expertise for electronic management and access to shared resources. OhioLINK is a member of the Ohio Technology Consortium, part of the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

OhioLINK's central office has a dedicated team of librarians and technologists who work to support its member libraries.

My instructor said, “go to OhioLINK.” How can I find resources for course assignments or projects?

It’s always best to start with your own library, as it likely has resources beyond OhioLINK’s. Your institution’s librarians are available to help students navigate information resources and develop effective search strategies. They would be excited to work with you to address your information needs.

What if I can't find what I'm looking for?

If you are looking for information not available through OhioLINK libraries, please talk to your library’s Interlibrary Loan librarians.

What if I have questions about requests or a problem with a requested item?

It’s always best to start with contacting your own library. Your institution’s librarians are available to help students navigate all information resources and develop effective search strategies. They would be excited to work with you to address your information needs.

What if my OhioLINK account isn't accurate?

Please contact your local library. OhioLINK staff cannot access individual library accounts/records or help with fine disputes.

What materials can I get through OhioLINK?

You can discover OhioLINK’s shared print and digital materials by searching OhioLINK’s Central Catalog.  Note that the Central Catalog only includes materials that are share-able among our libraries. It does not include every item that every library has.

If you are looking for journal articles, see OhioLINK Databases or Electronic Journal Center

If you are looking for e-books, you can also search OhioLINK’s Electronic Book Center. E-books can also be found by searching in the Central Catalog.

If you are looking for information not available through OhioLINK, please talk to your institution (or public) librarians because OhioLINK resources are only part of what is available through your institution or public library. Your librarians are available to help people navigate their information resources and develop effective search strategies.

Who can borrow items or use OhioLINK’s digital resources, such as electronic journals, books and databases?

Students, faculty, or staff at OhioLINK member institutions can fully access both printed materials and OhioLINK’s digital library through their library. Employees of the State of Ohio staff can access them through the State Library of Ohio.

People with a library card through one of the SearchOhio public libraries can borrow circulating OhioLINK institution books, some audiovisual items, and other print materials through their libraries.

What if I want to borrow something not available through a SearchOhio library and am not a university staff member or student?

Many OhioLINK institutions libraries have walk-in policies that allow the public to visit and access OhioLINK’s digital library on-site. Check with your preferred OhioLINK institution library because individual library policies differ.

What is “authorized use" of OhioLINK resources?

Most OhioLINK resources are available only to faculty, staff, students of OhioLINK member libraries for educational, research or teaching purposes. Please consult your library staff if you need help understanding authorized use. Transfer of digital content to non-authorized users is prohibited, as is commercial use. Unauthorized use of OhioLINK resources may result in loss of OhioLINK privileges.

How can I use OhioLINK’s digital library resources?

Students, faculty, and staff at OhioLINK member institutions can access OhioLINK’s digital library of databases, electronic journals, and electronic books through their library. Employees of the State of Ohio can access these resources through the State Library of Ohio.

What if I’m not a student or staff at a college or state agency? Is there any other way?

Many of OhioLINK institutions libraries have walk-in policies that allow the public to visit and access OhioLINK’s digital library on-site. Check with your preferred OhioLINK institution library because individual library’s policies differ.