Information for Off-Campus Students

The GW Libraries provide resources and services to off-campus students to meet you where you are! We're committed to filling your library and research needs, even when you physically can’t come to us. 

• Get Help
• Finding Information
• Borrow and Return Physical Library Materials
• Connect Remotely to Specialized Software
• Visit the Libraries

Get Help

Ask Us staff provide quick assistance for basic library questions via phone and chat. Make an appointment for an in-depth remote research consultation with a librarian or for help with statistics, coding, and data. 

Library Tutorials (“How Do I?”) give online step-by-step instructions for searching library resources, getting materials, and constructing your research topic. Research Guides created by GW librarians point you in the right direction for your specific topic.

Finding Information

Begin your research at the GW Libraries website for access to millions of books and thousands of journals, databases, and other materials. We recommend that off-campus users connect to the GW VPN before starting library research to avoid multiple login prompts. Please note: two-step authentication is required to connect to the GW VPN.

• Search for books, e-books, media, and articles in our online library catalog to discover and request items at GW and our local Consortium library partners.
• Browse our Research Databases arranged by subject area.
• Learn more about finding e-books via the GW Libraries.
• Find specific journals, newspapers, and magazines by title or browse the list of journal titles under broad subject areas.
• Connect Google Scholar to your GW credentials to enable more full-text discovery.
• Use our Interlibrary Loan service (ILL) to request books, articles, book chapters, and more that are not available in our library databases. Our staff will search for you across our national and international lending network.
• Browse digitized GW publications, manuscripts, and themed collections from our University Archives.

Borrow and Return Physical Library Materials

Borrow Print Books 

Most library materials that aren't available online can be borrowed. A book retrieval and pick up service is available at the Gelman, Eckles, and VSTC Libraries. If you are an Online-Only/Distance Learning community member, you may request library books for delivery to your home or preferred address.

Plan ahead! The turnaround time for print materials varies, depending on availability and owning library circumstances. Expect 1-2 business days for GW items, 3-4 business days for local Consortium partner library items, and 1-2 weeks for Interlibrary Loan (sometimes longer for rare or very popular titles). Home delivery adds shipping time to your location. 

Borrowing Loan Periods and Renewing Books

Off-campus students share the same library borrowing and due date policies as their on-campus residential undergraduate or graduate peers.

Log into your Library Account to view and renew your currently checked-out items and to check the status of your requests in process.

Return Books to the GW Libraries

You are responsible for the prompt return of library books and media when items are due. There are no fines for late books, but you may be charged if a book is overdue more than 40 days. The GW Libraries welcome returns to our physical locations' service desks and book drops, as well as returns by mail.

• Return items to the Gelman Library (Washington, DC)
• Return items to the Eckles Library (Washington, DC)
• Return items to the Virginia Science & Technology Campus Library (Ashburn, VA)
• Return items by mail - package items securely and use a trackable shipping method if possible. 

Connect to Software via Remote/Virtual Computing

Many GW courses and research projects require specialized software for coding, data analysis, GIS, and more. You might also need general productivity applications or programs for photo and media editing. Connect to software remotely, available to GW users for free.

Visit the Libraries

Getting to the Libraries

• Gelman Library (Foggy Bottom Campus, Washington, DC)
• Eckles Library (Mount Vernon Campus, Washington, DC)
• VSTC Library (Loudoun County; Ashburn, VA)

Entrance Policy

Entrance to the library buildings requires an active GWorld Card; the only exception is for Carry Out book pickup appointments. If you need to obtain a GWorld card as an online or distance student, or if you need to replace a lost/stolen card, visit the GWorld Card Office website for instructions.

View our current library entrance policy (subject to change in accordance with pandemic phased reopening plans). 

Study Spaces & Reservations

Gelman and Eckles Libraries have a variety of individual and group study spaces throughout the buildings. Gelman also has reservable study rooms. The VSTC Library offers a small number of study rooms available on a first-come, first-served basis. Open seating is also available at each location without needing an appointment.

Library Wireless and Computers

Connect to GWireless onsite at any of our library locations.

Library computers enable full Web browsing and offer a variety of productivity and specialized software. Wireless printing is available at our onsite kiosks. You may wish to download the print driver specific to your mobile device prior to your library visit.