Guides & Services
Library Liaison
Programs		 Guides &
Tutorials		 Off-Campus
Library Services


Bridgewater State College
Maxwell Library
Services for BSU Distance Learning Students



Distance Learning Library Services

The Maxwell Library provides many services and resources that can be used off-campus. The goal of off-campus Library Services is to provide library materials, resources, and services to BSU students who are currently registered in distance learning courses http://www.bridgew.edu/Distance/, and who are not registered for any courses that meet on the Bridgewater Campus.

As registered BSU students, off-campus learners have access to library materials, both print and online, and library services such as Circulation, Reference, Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery Services, and other services. Off-campus students may conduct research by using the Maxwell Library's materials and databases and also by accessing resources at many other libraries.

Visit Maxwell Library in Person

The Maxwell Library always welcomes you. See this month's schedule or call (508) 531-1749 for the most current Library hours.

Maxwell Library is located on Shaw Road in Bridgewater. Your BSU Connect Card and a valid BSU email account are all that you will need to access our electronic resources and borrow library resources. You may obtain a BSU username and password for an email account by going to: https://www.bridgew.edu/services/claimaccount/.

Visit online at http://www.bridgew.edu/library

Catalogs and Databases

Maxwell Library - The Library's Web Page provides information on library services and staff, electronic resources, and library collections. It includes information about Massachusetts-area library catalogs, Internet resources organized by subject as well as informational handouts.

Webster (Maxwell Library's online catalog) Maxwell Library's online catalog contains the holdings of Maxwell Library's collections. It is accessible from any computer with web access, either on or off campus. Use Webster to search for books, videotapes, DVDs, CD, and journals. Books may be renewed one time. Online renewals must take place prior to the actual due date.

Virtual Catalog, If Webster does not include the specific item you are seeking, click on the Virtual Catalog link to pursue your search in the collections of other libraries in the region. The Virtual Catalog works for books and media, but is not set up to include journal articles.

The electronic databases are available from off-campus too. To access databases from off-campus, you will need to have a BSU user account and log in from the Use the Library from Home page. After logging on, the system will bring you to the page where you can begin online searching of databases.

Journals, to check to see if the library subscribes or provides access to a journal or magazine, go to the library home page, click Journals on the gray tool bar, and type the name of the journal you are seeking in the find box.

Finding Out What Other Libraries Have

Maxwell Library's off-campus services includes agreements that allow current BSU students and faculty borrowing privileges, reference services, access to periodicals, and photocopying services at participating libraries. Participating libraries include: Massachusetts state community college libraries, state college libraries, and state university libraries as well as those of Dean College, Stonehill College, and Wheaton College. There are no charges to students for borrowing privileges at these libraries. Please be aware that participating libraries may require a valid BSU Connect Card or other proof of registration at Bridgewater State College. Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery Services (ILL/DDS) are not available through the participating Libraries. Interlibrary Loan Services are available through the Maxwell Library and you may also check your local public library and ask the public library for interlibrary loan services.

Print-Based Resources Off-Campus

If the participating library nearest you does not have the resources you need, you may request Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery Services from Maxwell Library. For Off-Campus Services, this includes materials found within the Maxwell Library as well was materials from other libraries. Requests may be made by completing an ILL/DDS Request Form. Please use the online form, being particularly careful to complete the information accurately. There are no charges for off-campus document delivery of resources. Off-campus students are entitled to up to fifteen ILL/DDS requests per semester. Additional requests must be approved by the Head of Access Services.

Sending Requests

For each book or specific periodical article needed please complete an ILL/DDS request Form. Students should check in Journals before requesting articles. See details below for further information regarding receiving and returning items. To ensure accuracy, telephone requests cannot be accepted.

Receiving Books/Articles

Material available at Maxwell Library should take approximately one week from the date the request is received at the Library to the date it is received by the off-campus user. Material located at Wheaton College, Stonehill College, or the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth will usually take two weeks or less. Most other material should be received within three to five weeks. Books will be mailed to the address of your preference. Photocopies of periodical articles will be sent electronically or mailed to the address of your preference. Copies are generally yours to keep.

Returning Books

Returning books to the Maxwell Library is the borrower's responsibility. A return mailing label will be enclosed for your convenience. It is recommended that you save the mailing envelope for returning the book to Document Delivery Services. You may call the Document Delivery Services office for information if you have not received notification by the end of two weeks. (Phone: 508/531-1706)

Additional Off-campus Maxwell Library Services

Circulation Services

The Circulation Department administers the Library's Loan policy and procedures including borrowing privileges, loan periods, and fees.

Educational Resources Center

Resources and Services to support professional education and related programs at Bridgewater State College including: ERIC Microfiche Collection, Kindergarten through Grade 12 School Textbooks, Standardized Tests, TIM (Tests in Microfiche), Curriculum Guides, Kraus Curriculum Development Library, Children's Books and Periodicals, Professional Books in Education (Methods and Activities), Reference Books in education, and Teaching Kits.

Reference Assistance

Ask a librarian for help with research strategies or with finding appropriate research materials. Professional librarians staff the reference desk for most of the hours that the library is open each week.

There are several ways to receive off-campus reference assistance from the Maxwell Library.

  • E-mail us using our Ask A Librarian service. You can expect to receive a response within 24 hours, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
  • Call 508-531-1394 during library hours.

Last Modified: May 17, 2011