Circulation FAQs
1. What if I just need the book for an hour or two?
- In that case, there’s no need to fill out a check-out card. Feel free to consult the book wherever you’d like within the library, and leave it on a reshelving cart when you are done.
2. I've found a card on the shelf instead of the book I'm looking for - help!
- Take a look at the information written on the card. If it matches the book you are looking for, find the person's name and check their shelf for the book. The card should stay where it was on the shelf. Student shelves are located on the 3rd floor along the perimeter, and in the two PhD study rooms. The Fellows room is on the fourth floor.
- It's nice to leave a note or let the person know when you are temporarily taking something from their shelf to consult. If you can't read what's on the card or find the shelf or book you are looking for, let a library staff member know and we will help you.
3. Why are books that are signed out to student shelves marked as “Available” in WorldCat Discovery?
- Books on student shelves are only signed out on paper using the check-out cards. This means that they are still marked as “Available” in the catalog. If everyone in the community is participating in the system, then all of these books will be available for you to find and use without needing a library staff member’s help.
4. I've found a book in the catalog that says it's "Checked out." What does that mean, and can I still access it?
- We electronically check out books when they are being taken to faculty and staff offices. If the book you need to see is checked out, let a library staff member know. We will recall the book from the patron for you so that you can access it.
- Note: Books checked out to faculty and staff will not have a check-out card on the shelf; if a book is not on the shelf and there is no card, be sure to check its status in WorldCat Discovery.
5. I've checked the stacks, the reshelving carts, and the student shelves, but there's no sign of the book I need. What should I do?
- Let a library staff member know! We will help you look for it.
- If we cannot find the book, we will mark it as “Not Available” in the catalog and add it to our list of items to search for. We will then work with you to find an alternative, whether that’s a copy in another library, ILL, an ebook version, or purchasing a second print copy for the library.
6. The book I need is marked "Not Available" in WorldCat Discovery. What should I do?
- Let a library staff member know! If we are aware that you need access to an item that is missing or otherwise unavailable, we will work with you to find an alternative, whether that’s a copy in another library, ILL, an ebook version, or purchasing a second print copy for the library. Replacement copies are not automatically purchased for missing items.
7. What do I do with library books I’m no longer using?
- Please place them on a reshelving cart. Library staff members will reshelve the books and remove the corresponding shelf cards.
- Course reserve books are the exception to this rule. Please return these books to the correct course reserve shelf when you are done using them.
