Alumni Services

Can UW-Madison alumni or past employees access the library’s electronic resources?

We are often asked if UW-Madison alumni or past employees can access our electronic resources remotely. Due to licensing restrictions only current UW-Madison faculty, staff and students can access electronic resources such as databases, e-journals or e-books remotely. However, we hope some of the following options may help you.

I’ve heard that becoming a member of the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) may give me access to electronic resources. Is this true?

Yes, you may be happy with the many benefits of WAA membership. While you will not be able to access all of the library’s electronic resources the Project Muse and Proquest ABI/INFORM databases may serve your needs. More information about these databases as well as WAA membership is available at their Online UW-Madison Library Access page.

In addition, you may request up to three items per week (articles or book chapters) with the caveat that UW-Madison libraries must own a print copy due to licensing restrictions.

I’ve heard campus library borrowing cards may give me access to electronic resources. Is this true?

Unfortunately, again due to licensing restrictions, the campus library borrowing cards do not provide access to electronic resources. However, you may find that the UW-Madison libraries’ Courtesy Card Holder intended for qualifying Wisconsin residents or the Annual Fee Card intended for all Wisconsin residents are desirable.

I live in Madison. What are my options to access electronic resources?

If you are in the Madison area,  you can visit Ebling Library or any other campus library to access our print and electronic resources.

I live in Wisconsin, but not near Madison. What are my options to access electronic resources?

We recommend using BadgerLink to access electronic resources. BadgerLink will connect you to a collection of databases and full text articles that are unavailable through search engines. To access BadgerLink, you need to login with your Wisconsin library card number. Once at BadgerLink, navigate to the Health resources to find some full text articles from scholarly journals.

Note that we offer fee-based article delivery for health professionals and non-profit groups. Consult http://ebling.library.wisc.edu/materials/delivery-services/services-for-non-affiliates/ for more information.

I want to visit a campus library and check out books. How do I do this?

See information at http://ebling.library.wisc.edu/services/borrower-services/ on how to borrow books from campus libraries including Ebling Library.

I live in Wisconsin but I am not near to campus. How do I check out books?

If you are not local, you may place requests for books and articles through your local library. Refer to your library for more information about interlibrary loan services.

I relocated outside of Wisconsin. What are my options?

Out-of-state alumni or past employees may find nearby medical libraries through the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM).

I have additional questions. What are my options?

Please contact us for more help. We are available by chat, phone, email or in person.