FAQ

The University Library strives to fill requests for academic materials for our patrons which are not available in the Library collections. We can often obtain journal and newspaper articles, book chapters, books, DVDs, CDs, and more. However, not everything can be borrowed. Libraries can refuse to loan materials or place limitations on the use of their materials. Please read below for some common material types that may be difficult for us to obtain.

Material published or released within the current or past year -- Libraries sometimes take months or longer to acquire newly released titles. Many libraries will not loan their newly acquired materials or they simply may already be checked out by other patrons. If we cannot borrow a newly released title, the request may need to be considered at later date.

Popular Fiction or Recreational Materials -- Most of these materials are held by public libraries which have limited loan periods. Check with your local public library for access.

Current Textbooks -- Many libraries do not loan textbooks of any kind or shorten their loan periods if they do loan.

Theses/Dissertation -- These materials are sometimes only owned by the college or university library where the degree was granted. Newer ones may be available online from those campuses or through the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Full Text database. Older and theses outside the US may not be possible to borrow.

Audio/Visual Materials -- Media formats are increasingly easier to borrow than in years past, although there are still libraries that do not lend their media.

Microforms -- Microforms (mainly historical newspapers) are increasingly easier to borrow than in years past, although there are still libraries that do not lend their Microforms.

Specialized Journals -- Journals, periodicals and magazines are usually impossible or highly costly to replace if they are lost or damaged, so most libraries will not loan them.

Artworks and Exhibition Catalogs -- Often these materials are only owned by one library and few copies exist elsewhere. They are too valuable, historically significant, or irreplaceable to risk having them shipped

Rare books, Genealogical and Archival research materials -- Rare books, genealogical works, and archival papers are often not loaned by libraries. These items are typically owned by few libraries and are irreplaceable if lost or damaged.