Help FAQ: Answers!

Borrowing Books

The item I'm looking for is not where it's supposed to be. What should I do?

Unfortunately, books and other library materials occasionally go missing or turn up in the wrong place. This can happen for a number of reasons, not all of them preventable. When an item is missing, you can report it with one quick step.

Request it: If the item you want is not checked out, but you can't find it in the stacks, request a search for the item by clicking the "Request" button in the online catalog record.

This will notify the Circulation staff, who will conduct a search for the item within 24 hours. If the book or item is not found, but it is available through the MOBIUS catalog, the Circulation staff will request a copy for you through MOBIUS and notify you when it arrives.

If the item you want is listed as MISSING, LOST, or SEARCHING in the catalog, you may also order it yourself through MOBIUS or Interlibrary Loan.

Of course, you can also ask someone at the Help Desk in Olin Library (Level 1) for help in locating the item. For other libraries on campus, ask at the main checkout desk for assistance and someone will help you.

For an explanation of all status messages in the library catalog, see this list.

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