- Can you help me with my library ID and password?
- User ID: Enter your 9-digit student ID number.
- Password: Enter your birth date in MMDDYY format. For example, enter January 1, 1980 as 010180. Note: This is different from your SOAR password.
- Watch our short video tutorial on Library Passwords for additional login information.
National Polytechnic College of Science
- User ID: 6 digit assigned NPCS User ID
- Password: Birth date as MMDDYY
National University Academy
- User ID: Assigned ID in the form of librarynnnn (e.g. library0001)
- Password: Birth date as MMDDYY
WestMed College
- User ID: library
- Password: Last 4 digits of social security number
If you still have problems logging in, please note:
- You must be a currently enrolled at National University or a be a student of an affiliate student or currently employed by National University as faculty or staff.
- If you are alumni, you must be enrolled in the National University Online Library. For details on enrolling, contact Alumni Services.
- You must log out of SOAR and/or your online course before logging into the Library.
- Common problems that can interfere with access:
- Pop-up blockers. Disable any browser pop-up blockers, including those in toolbars such as those provided by Google and Yahoo.
- Firewalls. Many workplaces (military, schools, banks, etc.) block access to sites that require authentication. Check with your administrator.
- A wireless connection. Wireless access can be intermittent. Try connecting your computer directly via cable to your router or high-speed modem.
- If these tips do not solve your problem, please consult the Troubleshooting Guide. If you continue to have problems, please contact our Library Systems Analyst, Richard Schiff, at rschiff@nu.edu or (858) 541-7912 during business hours.
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Do you have my textbook?
- Students are expected to purchase all books and supplies necessary for the course in which they are enrolled. Consequently, the Library does not collect textbooks. You can find information about purchasing your textbook at the student bookstore, NU TextDirect.
- For instructions on finding other books that may be used in class assignments, see "How can I find a book?"
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- How can I find a book?
- From the Library home page, choose the link Find Books.
- If you know the author or title, click on “Browse,” enter the author (last name first) or title of the book that you are looking for, and click on the Author or Title button underneath the search box.
- Look for your author or title in the results list. If you see it, click on it and it will tell you if it is currently available in our circulating stacks. If the title is followed by “[electronic resource]”, you can view it instantly by clicking on the BLACK URL icon.
If you do not see the book you are looking for, the library does not have it in our collection. You can request the book using Interlibrary Loan.
- If you are located off-campus, you can request a book to be delivered to you by using Books Direct. For further assistance contact the Library Help Desk during business hours at (858) 541-7900, (866) NU-ACCESS x7900, or refdesk@nu.edu.
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How can I find an electronic book?
- From the Library home page, choose Find Books.
- Choose the link Power Search, which you can find underneath the search box.
- Choose Electronic Book in the drop down box "type"
- Now you can search for a book by subject, word or phrase, etc. and all of the results will be electronic books.
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How can I find the full text of an article?
- Watch this seven-minute tutorial on finding full text.
- For further assistance, please contact the Library Help Desk during business hours at (858) 541-7900, (866) NU-ACCESS x7900, or e-mail refesk@nu.edu.
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- How can I find a peer-reviewed article?
This varies by database.
When searching in ProQuest databases, select: "Scholarly journals, including peer-reviewed."
When searching in Gale databases, such as Academic OneFile, first click on more search options, 
Then click the box to limit your results to peer-reviewed publications 
In EBSCOhost databases, such as Academic Search Premier, select the Scholarly (Peer reviewed) Journals option. 
You can verify the title of the journal for peer-review status in the Serials Directory or Ulrich's Periodicals Directory.
For more information on how to use these directories see our Peer Review Guide.
Some common characteristics of peer-reviewed (sometimes called refereed) articles:
- Footnotes or a list of references at the end of the article (endnotes).
- An author identified as a scholar and researcher in the field.
- The purpose of the article is to publish the results of research.
- Illustartions are typically statistical tables and charts supporting the research.
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How can I get an article when the database tells me that "This title is held locally?"
The Library offers a free service to deliver these articles to you electronically called Journal Direct. For more information, consult the Journal Direct page.
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How can I get an article or a book that the Library does not have either full-text access to or a copy on the shelf?
You can request these items through interlibrary loan, as long as it is not a textbook. For more information and the request form, consult our Interlibrary Loan page
How can I get more help with my research?
To get one-on-one help with your research, request a consultation with a librarian: Consultation Request Form.
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Where is the Library?
National University Library
9393 Lightwave Ave.
San Diego, CA 92123
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What are the Library's hours?
Monday - Thursday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Hours are Pacific Time.
For holiday hours consult the Library home page as the holiday draws near.
How do I contact the Library?
(858) 541-7900
(866) NU-ACCESS x7900 / (866) 682-2237 x7900
RefDesk@nu.edu
Leave a message when the Library is closed and a library staff member will contact you as quickly as possible after the Library re-opens.
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More...
Collection Development policies
Public Service and Access Service policies
Giving to the Library
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How can I get a book from the library if I do not live nearby?
The library offers a free Books Direct delivery service.
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How can I reserve a group study room?
Four group study rooms are available at the Library for groups of two to six people. Call the Library Help Desk at (858) 541-7900 to reserve a room or stop by the Help Desk. Room reservations are subject to availability.
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Can you help me with my citations?
Quick guide to APA Style.
Quick guide to MLA Style.
For further assistance, please contact the National University Writing Center.
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May I place a “hold” on a library book?
- If the book is checked out, click on “Place Hold” in the white box to the left of the catalog record.
- If the book is listed as, “available in Circulating Stacks” and you live more than 30 miles from the library, you can have the book delivered to you by placing a Books Direct request for the book. Click on “Books Direct” in the upper right corner of the catalog page.
- If you live within 30 miles of the library, you can place a "Books Direct" hold and choose "National University Library at Spectrum Business Park" as the pickup location. Be advised, however, that it may take up to 24 hours for the circulation staff to locate the book and place it on the hold shelf for you.
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How can I find a video for my class?
- This service is not available for students. From the Library home page, choose Find Books.
- Choose Power Search located under the search box.
- In the search box next to Series, enter your Course Number (i.e. PED 673).
- In the location drop down menu, select ‘AV Collection’.
This will provide a list of videos previously used in the course.
To search for videos on a particular topic, search a term by ‘word or phrase ’.
To have videos sent to you, complete the Request Form.
For more information, consult the Faculty Guide to Videos.
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How can I order a video from the library?
- Video booking is only available for current faculty (including adjuncts faculty).
- For more information, see our Video Booking page.
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What do I need to know to submit my thesis to the library?
Please consult our Thesis Guide to binding and submitting your thesis to the library.
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Who may borrow from the library?
- Currently enrolled students of National University or a National University System affiliate.
- Alumni enrolled in the National University Online Library. For details on enrolling, contact Alumni Services.
- Faculty and staff at National University or an affiliated institution.
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How long may I borrow a book?
Books circulate for 4 weeks.
- You may borrow up to 10 books at a time.
- You may not borrow materials in Periodicals, Reference, Special Collections, Audiovisual, CRC display materials or reserve materials.
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May I renew a book?
- Yes, up to three times unless a "hold" has been placed on the item.
- You can renew your books online if the due date has not yet arrived. Go to Find Books on the Library home page and click on the "My Account" link in the grey bar above the search box.
- Choose "Renew My Materials" and enter your Student/Faculty ID into both boxes.
- If you have trouble renewing, or if the book has reached or passed its due date, please contact the Library Help Desk at (858) 541-7900 or (866) NU-ACCESS x7900 for assistance.
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What are the fines if my book is late?
- Book: 20¢ per day
- Reserve: 50¢ per day
- Test kit: 20¢ per hour
- Once fines reach $5, borrowing privileges will be suspended and a block will be placed on your grades.
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What if I lose a book?
There is a charge of $30 per book plus a $10 processing fee for a total of $40 per book. If you find the book and return it, the $30 is refundable.
For more information, consult our circulation policies.
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