Studying Away

While studying away, you should always try to use your host institution library first. However, you do still have access to many Williams Libraries resources and services:

• Library Catalog

  You can access the library catalog from anywhere you have an Internet connection. When you're off campus, signing in to the catalog expands your options for searching and managing your results.  Learn more.

• Indexes and Databases

  Many of the resources on the Indexes & Databases page are accessible anywhere you have an Internet connection. However, you will need to authenticate into the databases as a Williams student in order to get access.

  There are two ways to access our databases remotely:

  • authenticate using Shibboleth
  • use the proxy server

  Some of these databases have the full text of articles, so you don't need to worry about whether the library at your host institution has the journal or magazine.

• E-Books

  All e-books listed in the library catalog are available from anywhere you have an Internet connection. To access e-books you find in the catalog:

  1. Sign in to the catalog. You'll be able to access most e-books directly, or from a link in the catalog record.
  2. If you're unable to access an e-book directly from the catalog after signing in, try connecting through the proxy server.

• Research Assistance

  You can get help with research questions through our Ask a Librarian service.

• Print Materials at Williams

  Journal articles not available at your host institution but available at Williams may be requested through interlibrary loan. Please indicate in the comments box that you are studying away and unable to come to campus.

  For books not available at your host institution but available at Williams, we may be able to make copies of a few selected pages. Use interlibrary loan to place the request. In accordance with copyright guidelines, we can only send selected pages and a maximum of one chapter per book. Please indicate in the comments box that you are studying away and unable to come to campus.

  Unfortunately we cannot send you entire books or audiovisual materials while you are studying away. Check with your host institution to see if they can borrow the items for you.

• Interlibrary Loan

  Copies of articles not available at your host institution or Williams may be requested through interlibrary loan. Please indicate in the comments box on the request form your mailing address or FAX number if you are not able to access PDFs electronically.

  Unfortunately we cannot send you interlibrary loan books or audiovisual materials while you are studying away. Check with your host institution to see if they can borrow the items for you.