Borrowing & Self-Pickup

Yes. Our libraries are now open for browsing and retrieving materials. 

You can also use the "Request" button in the ALICE Catalog if you prefer contactless self-pickup.  You will be notified by email when your materials are ready, which will typically be within 5 business days for items from your home campus.  Items requested from other campuses may take 1-2 weeks to arrive at your home library.

Hours and directions vary by campus location and are listed in the FAQ below.

Visit our How to Pick Up Requests page for details.

No, OhioLINK borrowing is on hold until the end of the semester due to a transition in the statewide courier service. 

Yes, items from the Annex and Music & Dance Library will be delivered to the pick up location in Alden Library or to a regional campus library. 

Note that OhioLINK borrowing is on hold until the end of the semester due to a transition in the statewide courier service, so we are unable to ship materials between campuses. 

OhioLINK borrowing is on hold until the end of the semester due to a transition in the statewide courier service, so we are unable to ship materials between campuses at this time.

Interlibrary Loan is operating as normal.  Items can be picked up at the 4th Floor Service Desk in Alden Library.

If you have questions about Interlibrary Loan, please email ill@ohio.edu.

Email library.borrowing@ohio.edu(opens in a new window) for assistance with Athens Campus materials.

Email careynev@ohio.edu(opens in a new window) for assistance on the Lancaster Campus.

Email cecil@ohio.edu for assistance on the Eastern Campus.

Return the item in the nearest book drop or simply leave it on the pickup shelf.  

Faculty/Staff Delivery is now available again. 

Yes. The Libraries are pleased to be able to offer access to our collections and OhioLINK services through our contactless self-pickup service to the Emeriti community.  If you have issues requesting items through ALICE, contact the Libraries at library.borrowing@ohio.edu for assistance.

Yes, Alden Library is now open to the public. 

Library materials can be returned to any Ohio University campus library book drop, or any open OhioLINK library’s book drop within the state. 

If you have any questions or trouble returning your materials, please reach out to us.

Yes.  The Libraries offer electronic delivery via PDF of journal articles and book chapters through our Document Express (from OHIO owned items) and Interlibrary Loan (from other libraries) services.

1. Place a request through Interlibrary Loan - ILLiad.
2. Library staff will scan the item for you or request a scan from another library.
3. You will receive an email when your PDFs are ready to view.

Contact your subject librarian with questions about locating content.

Contact us for assistance locating materials to fulfill assignments. 

There are some items in our collection that do not circulate and typically cannot be checked out.  However, these are extraordinary times, so please contact us with the details of what item you need, and we will do our best to arrange a way for you to use the item. 

If you are near an OhioLINK member library, you can use the pick-up anywhere feature to have items sent to that library for you to pick up. Some OhioLINK Libraries are not providing pick-up service at this time, so be sure to contact your local OhioLINK Library first. If you are not near an open OhioLINK member library or are outside of Ohio, your subject librarian can help you establish a relationship with a local library near you. Typically, it is easier and faster to borrow from somewhere close to you, but if that is not possible, we will work with you to get the materials to you.