Research Fellows Program

About the Program

In order to support its commitment to lifelong learning, the Emerson Library is pleased to offer the Research Fellows Program. Begun in 1999, the program provides "main-campus" library resources and services to Research Fellows of Webster University worldwide. Please read the following information to learn more about the resources and services available to participants in the program. Then complete the application form that accompanies this program. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Ellen Eliceiri, Head of Public Services, at (314) 968-6950 (800-985-4279) or via email at eliceiri@webster.edu.

Resources for the Research Fellows Program

Through Passports, the library's integrated research system, we are able to provide access to resources not freely available elsewhere on the Internet. Passports resources include:

• 100+ leased databases, many of which provide substantial amounts of full-text
• Full-Text sources--thousands of full-text sources covering numerous subject fields
• Full-text reference works, such as online encyclopedias and information from various directories and factual sources
• Statistical compendiums, such as Stat-USA, which provides access to current economic analysis and trade information in the National Trade Data Bank
• Investment reports and financial data on U.S. and international companies.
• Records on more than 39 million books and other materials owned by over 25,000 libraries worldwide

A complete list of the databases accessible through Passports is provided on our Online/Full-text Databases page. See the Alphabetical List of Databases page for descriptions of the individual databases.

Training and Support

The Emerson Library staff has created an online training program for users new to Passports and the Internet. Our Research Guides provide access to several concise tutorials as well as faculty resources and customizing software for the classroom. In addition, our Internet Help page connects you to important information concerning software needed for Internet use, tip sheets on searching our databases, etc.

Additional Passports Features

Since the Internet is unmediated, the quality of the resources varies widely. In the same way that librarians select books and journals for the library, additional Internet resources are selected and evaluated by the library's subject specialists and arranged in subject lists on Passports. See our Web sites and Search Engines page for a list of our electronic bibliographies.

Students and faculty using these lists will find resources that are authoritative and timely. Those who wish to do a more comprehensive search of the Internet may use one of the many search tools which are conveniently listed on Passports. Several search engines and directores are linked on our Internet Search Engines and Directories page.

Services for the Research Fellows Program

Through Passports, we are able to offer various services to support your research needs. The following are provided free of charge to participants in the program:

• Access to the Eden-Webster Library System's online catalog of over 268,000 volumes. Search the catalog to find books, journals, and media materials owned by the library.
• Document Delivery of journals and books (up to 25 per month) owned by the library system to home or office. Journal articles are posted to a secure site on our web server and notification is sent by email. Books are delivered via UPS. All document delivery, including return shipping, is free of charge.
• Ask a Librarian, a service providing professional reference assistance with research questions, answers requiring brief facts, statistics, addresses, etc. and advice on database selection and resources to consult for your project. Responses provided within 24 hours Monday through Friday.

Please note that services are subject to certain conditions and schedule changes may occur at various times of the academic year. For more details, see the information for the Ask a Librarian and Document Delivery services.

Use Restrictions

The educational licences of the Passports database vendors restrict usage of their databases to current Webster faculty, staff, and students (including Research Fellows). Use of these databases is restricted for your own personal use. Your personal University ID may not be shared with others. This institution reserves the right to revoke Research Fellow privileges and refund the pro-rated fee if, in its judgment, compliance is not met.

Many alumni may not need the extended resources and services offered through the Research Fellows Program. If you want to borrow books from the System libraries, a library card is available. See our Alumni Services page for more information.

The databases offered through Passports are available to alumni who visit the Emerson Library. A reference librarian may need to log you into some of the resources that require an identification code. For alumni who need remote access to limited database resources, you may want to consider an individual subscription to HighBeam Research (http://www.highbeam.com/library/index.asp). Another possible resource is Google Scholar (http://scholar.google.com/). In addition, check with your local public library to see if it offers online database access to qualified residents.

Application Procedures for the Research Fellows Program

• Eligibility: Alumni of Webster University in good standing may apply.
• Fee: $300/year. This fee includes access to the databases leased through Passports as well as the services described above. The fee does not include other costs incurred by participants, such as Internet service provider fees, software acquisition, etc.

Application Procedure:

• Request an application from the Emerson Library's Reference Desk (314-968-6950) or complete the online form at http://library.webster.edu/resfellowfm.html.
• Send a copy of the form with a check or money order for $300 made payable to the Webster University Library to the following address:
  

  Webster University Library

  Attn: Ellen Eliceiri

  470 E. Lockwood Avenue

  St. Louis, MO 63119

• Following approval of your application and payment to the library, your membership will be processed and you will receive notice when your access has been activated. You will receive an identification number (which in some cases may be your previous university ID number) that you will need to use the databases and services offered through the program. If you have any technical questions about access, please contact Rick Kaeser at (314) 968-5994 (800-985-4279) or via email at docdel@webster.edu.
• Renewal notices will be sent out a month before your membership expires.