The mission of the Paul N. Elbin Library is to enhance and support the university’s curriculum by providing a diverse range of resources. Recognizing the importance of meeting students’ varied needs, the Paul N. Elbin Library offers over 80,000 physical items and an extensive collection of electronic materials accessible through more than 150 databases.

To help you best use our resources, please see our Resource Guide below! This tutorial is designed to help you navigate and make the most of the wide range of materials and services available to you. Whether you’re looking for academic articles, e-books, research databases, or multimedia resources, our library has something to support your learning and research needs. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to efficiently access and utilize these resources, ensuring that you can find what you need with ease. Let’s get started on unlocking the full potential of our library’s offerings!

Resource Guide:

Step 1: Access the Library Website

1. Open your browser and go to the West Liberty University Library homepage: https://westliberty.edu/library/.

Step 2: Locate the Search Boxes

1. Once on the homepage, you’ll notice the search interfaces located in the middle of the page.
2. The best place to start is with Electronic Resources.  Select “Browse our Electronic Resources Here!”  This will bring up our Summon Discover Service  https://westliberty.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/

Step 3: Search for a Journal article or eBook or Chapter title

1. In the search bar, enter the title of the article or eBook you are looking for. You can also search for authors, keywords, or other types of resources depending on your needs.
2. Once you have typed in your search query, press Enter or click the Search button.

Step 4: Refine Your Search

1. After entering your query in the search box, you will see a list of results. These may include different types of resources (e.g., books, articles, and eBooks).
2. On the left side of the page, you will find various filters to help you narrow your results:
   • Content Type (articles, books, eBooks, etc.)
   • Publication Date Range (to find recent publications)
   • Language (if you need resources in a specific language)
3. You can click these filters to refine your search based on your needs.

Step 6: Access the Full Text or Citation

1. If you find an article or eBook you are interested in, click on the title to view more information.
2. This page will show full citation details and, if available, a link to the full-text resource. Depending on the resource, you might be redirected to the publisher’s website, where you can view or download the full text.
   • Some eBooks may have a read online or download PDF option.
   • Some articles may require logging in with your West Liberty University credentials (student, faculty, or staff login) to access the full text.

Step 7: Access Additional Resources

1. In addition to using the main search box, you can access other helpful tabs in the middle of the homepage for specific needs:
   • Online Catalog- Books: Search for books and physical resources available in the library.
   • EZ Borrow- Books: Borrow physical resources from our partner libraries for up to 16 weeks with an interlibrary loan.  (You must have an active Elbin Library Account to use this tool)
   • A-Z List of Databases: Find specific databases for different academic fields.
   • Interlibrary Loans: Fill out a form for full access to electronic or physical items with our partner libraries.  Electronic materials may arrive in 2-48 hours and physical items generally take 3-10 business days depending on the location of the lending library.

If you have trouble finding the resource you need or need help with your search, reach out to our library staff at elbinlibrary@westliberty.edu.