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Music Distance Education - Frequently Asked Questions
How do I Find articles online?
When you come to the Music Library homepage, follow the link Find articles and more via Indexes, Databases (you can also reach this resource through the Find Articles using Databases link on the Library's top page). Once there, you may browse the entire list or limit by subject, such as music. On the music subject page, each resource is categorized into more specific subject areas with short descriptions on what each resource encompasses. If you find a citation that does not allow you to open the article in full text within the database, use the eJournal Locator. This will search for full text access to the journal you need through our other subscription databases.
Where can I get passwords for an online resource?
It is advisable to navigate to BU's online resources through BU library pages. If you are getting asked for a password from a resource itself, back out and re-navigate, beginning your navigation from within the library's website (and not, for instance, as part of a Google search). Typical starting places might be the Databases page or via the eJournal Locator page. When you click a link to a resource on a library page, you will be asked to supply your BU username and Kerberos password. This is a new and easier way to login to the proxy server.
How can I find out if a journal article is available to me online?
To find if you have access to a particular journal title, use the eJournal Locator. This tool searches across our many subscription databases to supply you with links to the resource and dates covered (if we have online access to the title) as well as a link to search the Library's catalog for print or microform.
How can I get an article that is not online but that is in a journal that the library owns?
The Music Library can sometimes supply articles and short book chapters from materials that we own. Be sure to search the eJournal Locator first to ensure that you do not have online access. Then you will need to search the Library Catalog to verify that we do indeed own the title and the specific issue you are looking for. Once you have completed these step, send an email request to musiclib@bu.edu with your complete contact information, and as much information about the article as possible (we need full citations). Keep in mind that this is a service we offer to all music distance education students, so please be aware of the number of requests that you send. Please do not use Mugar Library's Interlibrary Loan system to make article requests.
How can I get an article that is not online and not owned by the library?
To find resources near you, do a search on http://worldcat.org. Once there you can search for the material you need and then enter your zip code to find what institutions close to you have this item. Be advised that if you decide to visit any non-public libraries, you will need to call them for hours and walk-in policy. Also, contact your local public library to see what services they can offer you such as Interlibrary Loan. Please do not use Mugar Library's Interlibrary Loan system to make article requests.
How do I search the content of a specific journal?
Many databases that offer full text allow you to search within a journal; use the eJournal Locator to determine if BU has link to that journal. However, when that is not an option, you should refer to Ulrich's Periodicals Directory found on our database page. Ulrich's not only tells you where a particular title is indexed, but also if the journal exists in electronic format (NB: not the same as if BU subscribes to the online journal) and if it is peer-reviewed or refereed.
How can I get a copy of dissertation?
You may download free copies of BU dissertations from 1997 via Dissertation Abstracts (ProQuest Dissertations & Theses) found on the Database page. At that same web site you may purchase non-BU dissertations at reasonable cost. You may also search http://worldcat.org to see if a library near you has the dissertation or contact your local public library to see if they can obtain a copy for you through Interlibrary Loan. Please do not use Mugar Library's Interlibrary Loan system to make dissertation requests.
Do you have any eBooks?
You do have access to eBooks via library package subscriptions. In addition, there are also open access eBook resources as well as personal subscriptions on the web. To view a list of these resources, visit our eBook page.
Will BU loan me a book that is in its collection?
At this time, no. Your options as a distance education student are approaching but not identical to those of campus residential students. To obtain additional resources, work through the interlibrary loan services of your local public library. You should also make contact with any local institutional libraries to see if any of them have walk-in privileges. Please do not use Mugar Library's Interlibrary Loan system to make book requests.
Can I use the Library's Interlibrary Loan system?
While we are currently working to resolve this issue, distance education students cannot use the Library's Interlibrary Loan system. At this time, you will either need to use http://worldcat.org or locate your local public and institutional libraries to obtain resources near you.
Can my local public library really help me?
The local public library is a vital tool to the online student. While your public library may not have the items that you need on hand, many public libraries are a part of a larger consortium and nearly all of them support Interlibrary Loan borrowing. There are many online tools to locate your local libraries including Libweb, the Department of Education's Public Library Locator and Publiclibraries.com.
How do I get reference help?
Reference help is always readily available. First, you can use the Ask a Librarian service. Please identify yourself as a distance education student when using this service. At any time, you may also email the music library directly at musiclib@bu.edu. The Music Library can help you with identifying on-site, electronic, and external collection resources, navigating and interpreting online catalogs, locating articles where online full-text doesn't exist and obtaining a specific article or source. Please be sure to supply as much information as possible including your full name and address and any additional contact information such as phone number, e-mail address, and fax where applicable. Both services offer timely responses to your questions.
Do I have to contact the library through e-mail or can I speak to a person?
If you are more comfortable on the phone, please don't hesitate to contact us at (617) 353-3705. Please note our hours of operation as the Music Library keeps different hours than Mugar Library. If you are sending an article request, use musiclib@bu.edu.
Do you have any additional tips?
The Music Library web site and the Boston University Libraries web site are full of information to help you on your search for resources. Please spend some time exploring our pages; the answers to many of your research questions may already be answered on these sites.