Frequently Asked Questions

Click a Download or Download PDF or button or link if one is present on the eBook page you are looking at. 

Read the PDF on your computer as usual, or download Adobe Digital Editions for free to read a PDF or EPUB file as an eBook while offline.

If you have any questions about the initial setup of your device for downloading books or any problems downloading, please contact us or view our eBook guide.

Enter the Miller Nichols Library through an entrance to the Miller Nichols Learning Center. The ground floor library entrance is not available. To use the ground floor entrance for accessibility reasons, call (816) 235-1675 when you arrive.

The Health Sciences Library is located inside the School of Medicine Building, which requires card swipe for entry. If you are affiliated with UMKC and have not been previously granted access to the School of Medicine Building, you can request access for the purposes of using the Health Sciences Library via the online form.

To return library materials without entering the library, use the 24-hour book return. The book return box at the north entrance of Miller Nichols Library, inside the entrance vestibule, is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Place items in the box through the slot. You can enter the vestibule to return items without entering the library.

Books coming from Missouri Academic libraries (through the MERLIN or MOBIUS systems) are delivered within 3-5 business days. For books coming through the InterLibrary Loan system that allows us to borrow from libraries around the world, 40% of books arrive within 5 business days, 65% within 10 business days, and 70% are delivered in 15 business days.

Visitors to the UMKC campus can connect to campus wifi with a guest password. 

• Network: UMKCWPA
• Username: UMKC-visitor
• Password: The guest password is reset weekly.

Stop by a library service desk for the current week’s password, or contact the UMKC IS Technology Support Center at (816) 235-2000 for the password.

For device specific instructions, see UMKC Wireless Connectivity.

Non-UMKC users are welcome at the Miller Nichols Library so long as they abide by health and safety protocols and the Safe & Respectful Environment agreement.

• No guest computer logins are available at this time as priority use of library space is reserved for UMKC-affiliated users. See information about library resources and services for UMKC alumni and retirees during COVID-19.
• Guests at the library can connect to the UMKC wifi with a guest password, but it does not provide access to electronic library resources.
• Members of the Guest Borrower Program can check out books at the Miller Nichols Library.

Members of the Guest Researcher Program should contact the InterLibrary Loan department to arrange library computer access by calling (816) 235-1586 or emailing ill@umkc.edu.

Yes, contact us to learn more.

Connect to the UMKC campus wifi network, UMKCWPA, and use your UMKC username and password to log on.

Adjust the wireless network settings on your phone or laptop using the instructions for your type of device. 

For assistance setting up wifi on your device contact the UMKC IS Technology Support Center at (816) 235-2000.

Classrooms 151, 351, 352, 451, and 452 are all on the learning center side (called MNLC) of the Miller Nichols Library and Learning Center. Classrooms 121, 325, 420, and 422 are on the library side of Miller Nichols Library and Learning Center. Check out our Miller Nichols Library Floor Plan map or the Health Sciences Library Floor Plan map to find the study rooms and classrooms you need.

During COVID-19, services for guest library users - including alumni - are limited. Alumni are welcome at the Miller Nichols Library so long as they abide by health and safety protocols and the Safe & Respectful Environment agreement. 

• Limited guest computer logins are available to UMKC alumni and retirees for the purpose of using UMKC databases with a minimum of one business day of advance notice. Email circulation@umkc.edu to arrange a time. Priority use of library space is reserved for UMKC-affiliated users.
• Guests at the library can connect to the UMKC wifi with a guest password, but it does not provide access to electronic library resources.
• Members of the Guest Borrower Program can check out books at the Miller Nichols Library.

Members of the Guest Researcher Program should contact the InterLibrary Loan department to arrange library computer access by calling (816) 235-1586 or emailing ill@umkc.edu.

Yes, students, staff, or faculty affiliated with a UM System school may use Miller Nichols Library.

• To log on to a computer at UMKC, users with an account on another campus domain may need to follow these steps.
• Printing is not available.
• UM System affiliates on the UMKC campus can log in to the eduroam wifi network using their UM System Single Sign On (SSO), in the form of SSO@umsystem.edu, and password. 

For assistance with a UMKC campus computer or wifi, contact UMKC Information Services at (816) 235-2000.

No, to decrease many people handling the same surfaces, iPads, headphones, chargers, and other technology and equipment is not available for checkout. 

The library's research resources are almost all available online through our website, and library services are available remotely. Meet with a librarian on video, or ask questions on live chat to learn more about how search our online databases, or take advantage of services remotely.

The library offers pickup and returns outside the building for books and materials if needed because you are in a high-risk category. See the library's Accessibility page for details on setting up your account for outside pickup and making requests.

Yes, masks are required to be worn at all times by the UMKC campus policy, except when you are actively eating or drinking. Masks must cover your mouth and nose. Masks must be worn at all times, including in library study rooms and when seated six feet apart. You may remove your mask briefly to eat or drink but must put it back on immediately after your bite or sip.

Yes, the Robot Cafe in Miller Nichols Library sells food and beverages including a variety of coffee drinks.

The Robot Cafe is open for a portion of the library's open hours when classes are in session: Robot Cafe hours. Vending machines in Miller Nichols Library and the School of Medicine Building (where the Health Sciences Library is located) also offer some coffee drinks. 

Yes! Use library catalog to find items you want, click Request, and choose UMKC Health Sciences Library as your pick up location.

Library materials are quarantined for four days after they are returned. Library employees sanitize their hands before retrieving materials for a library user, disinfect their own work stations where book handling occurs every hour, and use alcohol-based spray to sanitize electronics. 

Yes! The computers on the first floor of Miller Nichols Library have built-in webcams that pop up from the top of the monitor. Bring your own headphones.

At Miller Nicholas Library, the computer in the Presentation Practice Room MNL 108A has a webcam. The room can be reserved up to one week in advance. Reserve the Presentation Practice room online.

To see if other UMKC campus labs have computers with webcams, check with UMKC Information Services. 

• The Library puts all returned items into quarantine before another person can check them out.
• Campus Facilities Management cleans and sanitizes the library buildings, and library staff do additional sanitizing of high-touch surfaces in the libraries throughout the day.
• Sanitation stations are placed regularly throughout all floors of the Libraries for users to take advantage of.
• Masks are required at all times in the Libraries, and are worn at all times by library staff.
• Plexiglass shields work to protect staff and students at all service desks, and furniture has been carefully arranged to promote the recommended six feet of physical distancing.

You can request books and articles from any library in the world by placing an Interlibrary Loan request. 

Log in with your UMKC username and password and request the item you need. You'll get an email when your book or article is on its way. 

MOBIUS is the combined online catalog of 60+ libraries in Missouri, listing all of their books and materials. You can request items by selecting MOBUIS from the A-Z list of Databases, or by using the link in the UMKC Catalog that says New MOBIUS Request. Select Miller Nichols or UMKC Health Sciences Library as your pick up location.