Services for Undergraduate Students
A network of libraries serves Washington University. These are the John M. Olin Library with collections in social sciences, humanities, and engineering, and 13 specialized departmental and school libraries including the Bernard Becker Medical Library located on the Medical Campus.
- Reference and Research Assistance
- Access to Information Resources
- Circulation
- Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
- Arc: Library Technology Center
- Quiet Study Rooms, Group Study Rooms, and Lockers
- EndNote information
Reference and Research Assistance
Ask at the Olin Library Help Desk (Level 1) or the reference/circulation desk in any campus library. We're here to ensure that your information needs are met and to answer your questions about library services, collections, and policies. If you wish, you can consult a Subject Librarian for the topic you are researching.
Access to Information Resources
The Libraries' website offers an organized approach to a wide variety of resources. Most notable are the catalogs of the Washington University Libraries and the Mobius consortium that includes St. Louis University, the four campuses of the University of Missouri, and most of the other academic libraries in Missouri, in addition to WU. Through the WU and Mobius catalogs, you may submit requests for books from any of these libraries except the WU Medical Library. The requested items will be delivered to the campus library you designate.
Circulation
Undergraduate students with current WU identification cards may check out library materials from any WU library. Loan policies may vary from library to library. In Olin Library undergraduate students may borrow books for 4 weeks, videos for 3 days, and PopLit books for 2 weeks. Through the My Catalog function of the online catalog, you can see when your library books are due, renew items, and cancel holds.
Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
When you need library materials that are not available at WU or any of the other Mobius libraries, one option is to turn to the Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery Service (ILL). ILL obtains books, copies of journal articles, and other materials from libraries and commercial document suppliers. You may submit ILL requests by filling out ILLiad online forms or by using the ILLiad request function in many of the journal article databases available via the Libraries' website (ILLiad request is one of the options in the window that opens when you click on 'WU Full Text Options'). For more information, see the ILL homepage, or call (314) 935-5442.
Arc: Library Technology Center
Located on Level A, the Arc houses many computers with word processing and spreadsheet software, and many other specialized applications. Please click on 'About the Arc' on the Arc homepage to view lists of hardware and software available in each area. A Washington University ID is required to enter the Arc.
Quiet Study Rooms, Group Study Rooms, and Lockers in Olin Library
Quiet study rooms are located on Levels B, A, 2, and 3; please see these floor maps for the locations. Please note that A34 has been designated a 'keyboard-free' room - no laptop or other keyboard devices are allowed, to enhance quiet study.
There are five group study rooms on Level 2 along the East side. These rooms are for groups of three or more people. Individual users will be asked to leave if a group wants to use the room.
Day lockers are available on Levels B, A, 2, and 3, near the restrooms and drinking fountains. Keys are available at the Check-Out Desk on Level 1.