How do I check out a book? How do I request a book from another library or storage?

The UMN Libraries have a lot of books (almost 8 million) and other stuff you can check out with your UCard. Here are quick step-by-step directions on how to check out a book. 

Step 1: Find the book you want to check out. 

• Search Libraries search by the title, author or subject of the book (watch a 3 minute how-to video). Next, write down the call number or take a picture of it and go find it on the shelf in the library (double check campus library) OR use the Get it service and we will move book(s) to your closest library in 1-2 days. We will send you an email when it is ready to pick up.
• Most our collection uses the Library of Congress (LC) classification system to shelve the books. It is an alpha-numeric system so "LA" would be shelved before "LB", "LC" before "LD", etc. And numbers work the same way so a  call number of "LA2" will be shelved before "LA4."

Bonus: Or do you need to check out headphones, a camera, charger or other object? 

Step 2: Check out with UCard 

• Grab your UCard and bring your item to a service desk to check it out. 
• You can check out an unlimited number of items (yes, unlimited!) at a time. One you check it out, it will show up when you login to your My Library Account page. Use that page to keep track and check due dates.
• Most items are check out for 13 weeks but automatically auto renew for up to 6 months. Login to My Library Account for a list of what you have checked out and due dates. We do NOT charge late fees but will charge a lost fee if you lose an item. If you do lose something, just contact us and we can talk through options.

Step 3: Read the book

Step 4: Return the book to a library

When you are ready, return the book to any campus library at a service desk or book return. It does not need to be the same library you check it out. For example, you can return a book you checked out from Wilson Library on west bank to Walter Library on east bank. Or return materials to "exterior" book returns at:

• West bank - Wilson Library, book return is to the left of the front entrance,
• East bank - Walter Library, book return faces Pleasant Street, in the loading dock,
• St. Paul - Magrath Library, book return faces Buford Ave, or
• St. Paul - Natural Resources Library, book return faces Upper Buford Circle.

We are happy to help with any questions!  

Find out more details, how long you can keep items, and policies. 

We have a lot of libraries on campus and around the state (and world). Although you might not know it -- books are being moved around between campus libraries (e.g. Wilson to Walter), libraries around the state and even around the world.

Let's say you found a book you want at Wilson Library on west campus but you don't ever go to west bank - don't worry, we will move it for you! You tell us which book you want and we will send it to a closer library (or to your home). 

Step 1: Find the book you want to check out. 

Search Libraries search by the title, author or subject of the book (watch a 3 minute how-to video). If that books isn't in a convenient location, you can click "sign in to get complete requests and to request items - Sign in." Then sign in with your UMN Internet ID/email and password.  

Step 2: Click "Get it." 

You will see "Get it." Click Get it" 

Step 3: Select "pick up location" or get it sent to an address.

Click drop down next to "pick up location" and select a library. We will move the book or item to that library. You can pick it up at the service desk in that library location with your UCard. Scroll down to select mail delivery, enter mailing address. Office delivery is available for faculty, instructors and staff. Repeat for additional books as needed.

Pro tip: If you would prefer to not go to the stacks to locate a book on the shelf -- you can use "Get it" to have books pulled for your (for example - request books from Wilson Library be picked up at Wilson Library)

Step 4: Go to library to check it out.

We will move the book to the location of your choice. We will send you an email when the book is available in that location. Generally this takes 2-3+ days. Home or office delivery takes 5-10+ days. If you are picking it up in a library, go to the service desk with your U Card to check it out. 

• You can check out an unlimited number of items (yes, unlimited!) at a time. One you check it out, it will show up when you login to your My Library Account page. Use that page to keep track and check due dates.
• Most items are check out for 13 weeks but automatically auto renew for up to 6 months. Login to My Library Account for a list of what you have checked out and due dates. We do NOT charge late fees but will charge a lost fee if you lose an item. If you do lose something, just contact us and we can talk through options.

The UMN libraries is a large library system and although our goal is to have has much stuff available on our shelves for students to see for themselves we do have items in storage. Some of these materials might be restricted to "in building use" only but this guide is designed to tell you more on how to request items to get books out of storage.

In general, books and items which are older tend to be in storage or items from Libraries that have moved or changed such as the Health Sciences Libraries are examples. 

NOTE: If you only need part of a book -- like one or two chapters -- you can request for them to be scanned and we will send you the PDF. To request this, use our Interlibrary Loan and Digital Delivery request form. Complete the form with the information about the book and the chapter or pages you would like -- we will work to scan them and email them as a PDF in 3-7+ days. 

How do I know if a book is in storage? 

There are some codes to look for in Libraries search:

• TC MN Library Access Center (Storage)
• TC Printing Services (Storage)
• TC Wilson Library Annex (Storage)

After you find a book or item in Libraries Search -- click on the title. 

Step 1: Sign in to see request and pick up options.

Click "sign in to request Sign in." Then sign in with your UMN Internet ID/email and password.  

Step 2: Click "Get it." 

You will see "Get it." Click Get it" 

Step 3: Select "pick up location" or get it sent to an address.

Click drop down next to "pick up location" and select a library. We will move the book or item to that library. You can pick it up at the service desk in that library location with your UCard. Scroll down to select mail delivery, enter mailing address. Office delivery is available for faculty, instructors and staff. 

Step 4: If needed, go to library to check it out.

We will move the book or item form storage to the location of your choice. We will send you an email when the book is available in that location. Generally this takes 3-5+ days. Home or office delivery takes 5-10+ days. If you are picking it up in a library, go to the service desk with your U Card to check it out. 

• You can check out an unlimited number of items (yes, unlimited!) at a time. One you check it out, it will show up when you login to your My Library Account page. Use that page to keep track and check due dates.
• Most items are check out for 13 weeks but automatically auto renew for up to 6 months. Login to My Library Account for a list of what you have checked out and due dates. We do NOT charge late fees but will charge a lost fee if you lose an item. If you do lose something, just contact us and we can talk through options.

There are some codes to look for in Libraries search:

• TC MN Library Access Center (Storage)
• TC Printing Services (Storage)
• TC Wilson Library Annex (Storage)
• IN STORAGE: MN Lib Access Ctr
• TC Offsite
• TC Health Sciences Library Storage

Reach out for help with Get It materials and delivery at getit@umn.edu. Or chat with a librarian 24/7.

Many items in Andersen Library Archives and Special Collections or in rare books are NOT loanable but ARE available for research. 

If you see an item you are interested in -- which is labeled "policy: not loanable" simply _______________________________.

What about HathiTrust?

Some historic items (out of copyright) have been scanned and are available in the full text online. Simple click the link - "Full text available in HathiTrust" to view.  

Step 1: Find the book you want 

Search Libraries search by the title, author or subject of the book (watch a 3 minute how-to video). Click "sign in to get complete requests and to request items - Sign in." Then sign in with your UMN Internet ID/email and password.  

Step 2: Learn about request options 

If you seen an item you want -- click on "request from other libraries." This means we do not own the item but you can request it using our Interlibrary Library Loan service. 

Step 3: Request physical item or chapter 

When it says "No available services for this item" that means we don't own it. Instead use the blue boxes to request a copy of the physical item be send to a convenient campus library (e.g. Walter or Wilson) or your home. Office delivery is available for faculty, instructors and staff. You will get an email when the item is available at the service desk in the library. Generally you will get the item in 5-10+ days.

OR 
You can request to get a chapter of the book scanned and sent digitally as a PDF. You can look up the table of contents using Google, Amazon or a publishers website. Complete the form with the chapter title and information. Generally you will get the PDF via email in 1-2 days. 

Step 4: If you have a physical item, return the book to a library

When you are ready, return the book to any campus library at a service desk or book return. It does not need to be the same library you check it out. For example, you can return a book you checked out from Wilson Library on west bank to Walter Library on east bank. Or return materials to "exterior" book returns at:

• West bank - Wilson Library, book return is to the left of the front entrance,
• East bank - Walter Library, book return faces Pleasant Street, in the loading dock,
• St. Paul - Magrath Library, book return faces Buford Ave, or
• St. Paul - Natural Resources Library, book return faces Upper Buford Circle.