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Using the Library Catalog

Request options

Requesting an item from within an individual record

Physical items can be requested from within their individual records in the catalog by selecting the green "Request an Item" button. Users must be logged in to see full requesting options.

All physical items have a consistent upfront experience by seeing the "Request an Item" button, but options after clicking the button may be slightly different, depending on the item's availability/unavailability, circulation status, and location.

 

Requesting an available item

Items which are available and circulating will have three options after clicking Request an Item: 

  • Email me a chapter or section
  • Pick up, with a dropdown box of on-campus pickup locations
  • Mail it via Books by Mail

After choosing an option, users then click an additional green button to place the request.

This interface looks the same whether items are available and circulating from an on-campus location or from LIBRA, the off-campus storage facility.

individual record for The Joy of Going Somewhere Definite. The Request an Item button has been toggled open, revealing the ability to request a scan, to request pickup, or to request Books By Mail.

 

Requesting an item which is checked out

Items which are unavailable, but would normally circulate, display an alert which says, "This item is unavailable from the Penn libraries and will be sourced from another lending institution." Beneath it will have the same three options after clicking Request an Item: 

  • Email me a chapter or section
  • Pick up, with a dropdown box of on-campus pickup locations
  • Mail it via Books by Mail

After choosing an option, users then click an additional green button to place the request. Behind the scenes, this request will trigger an interlibrary loan request from another library and users will be notified via email when their item is ready.

individual record for la philosophie du mont blanc. the request an item button is toggled and a red alert box says "This item is unavailable from the Penn libraries and will be sourced from another lending institution." below the alert box are the options to request a scan, request pickup, and request via books by mail

 

Requesting an item which is on reserve

The language for items on reserve is being updated for clarification as of 9/16/2024.

 

Requesting an item from special collections

Items which are available but non-circulating, such as items from special collections, have a different process. After clicking the "Request an Item" button, an additional button appears to "Schedule Visit." This allows users to fill out the Aeon form for special collections materials so that the item can be retrieved and used within a special collections reading room. 

This process is the same for items with the LIBRA Special designation.

Individual record for The birthday goat. It has the "Available in person" status, notes the location as from the Kislak Center for Special Collections, and shows the toggled Request an Item button to reveal the ability to schedule an appointment to see the item in person.

 

Requesting an item from HSP and the Athenaeum

Items which are available but are non-circulating and housed in our partner institutions such as the Historical Society of Pennsylvania or the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, have a request process similar to that of our special collections materials. After clicking the "Request an Item" button, an additional button appears to "Schedule Visit." This allows users to connect to the request form from the partner library so that the item can be reserved and used on-site at that location.

Individual record for The Pine Barrens. It has the "Available in person" status, notes the location as from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and shows the toggled Request an Item button to reveal the ability to schedule an appointment to see the item in person.

 

Login for best results

The most accurate availability display and request options appear when logged into the catalog. Users can login at the upper right of the screen.

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