Distance Learners and UF Online

You need to download, install, and run the UF VPN to access online library resources.

In order to access any of the online resources that the UF Libraries offers, you need to download, install, and turn on the VPN. You can find these resources at vpn.ufl.edu.

Once installed, the VPN software is called Cisco AnyConnect. When you open Cisco AnyConnect, you will be prompted for a user name and password. Enter your Gatorlink username (without @ufl.edu) and password to connect.

The Computing Help Desk is available 24/7 to answer questions and help you install and run the VPN properly.

Links:

Download the VPN

Call (352) 392-HELP (4357)

Email helpdesk@ufl.edu

Library staff are available to answer questions whenever the libraries are open.

As you are trying to figure out the millions of things UF throws at you during your first year, feel free to reach out to us with your questions. Library staff are available in person as well as via email, chat, and text.

Common questions include:

Where is the [insert name] building?

What are peer-reviewed journal articles?

I'm having trouble finding this book for my class. Can you help?

Links:

Ask the Libraries for Help!

Hours for Library Services

UF Libraries provide FREE access to books, articles, and other resources to UF Online students.

UF Online students may borrow most  materials available at the main UF campus and materials not owned by the UF Libraries by using the InterLibrary Loan. Requests are mailed or emailed to off-campus locations and arrive within one day to several weeks, depending on whether UF owns the item or whether it needs to be requested from another university. You should be able to access most electronic resources by using the VPN (see tip #1).

Note: ILL service does not apply to textbooks!

Links:

ILL Services for UF Online/Distance Learners

FAQs for UF Online/Distance Learners using ILL

Every student can ask expert librarians for help with finding information.

Did you know every major on campus has a librarian assigned? We call these librarians "subject specialists" because of their expertise in each subject. This means you have an expert to help you find information for papers, projects, or other assignments.

We are available to answer questions via email, phone, and Zoom. These one-on-one consultations between students and librarians are common. Consultations can be as simple as one question via email or as complex as an hour-long consultation spent locating sources for an undergraduate thesis. We are here to help!

Links:

List of Subject Specialists by Major

LibGuides = Research Help

Each major is different, which means finding information related to each major requires different resources. LibGuides (short for Library Guide) are one way subject specialists try to help you find scholarly resources for your coursework.

For example, if you are doing historical research for a paper on the history of the Everglades, you may need to find books, newspapers, government documents, and special collections housed in archives. However, if you are pre-med and doing a paper on health disparities in communities of color, you will need original research articles as well as public health information from large datasets.

Links:

List of LibGuides by Major

The UF Online LibGuide has resources just for you!

This is a lot of information. We made a guide just for UF Online students that goes in depth on some of these topics.

Links:

Using the Libraries for UF Online Students