University Libraries

Options When Biology Library Doesn't Have What You Need

Please ask, call 935-5405, or email to biology@wulib.wustl.edu for help or contact the Interlibrary Loan Unit, Olin Library. For a similar, simpler web page see Obtain Materials Not At Washington University.

First, search for the item(s) you need in the Libraries' Catalog

Material is in the Catalog
Or
Material is NOT in the Catalog

• "not checkd out" but you cannot find it
• LOCATION is WestC (West Campus Library)
• LOCATION is not Biol... and not WestC
• "due ..." (checked out)
• "due ... at bindery"
• "being processed"
• "on order"
• the volume you want is not listed in the holdings

• "not checkd out" but you cannot find it
  • Use REQUEST feature in Catalog. More info.
    Or
  • Ask for help locating the item
• LOCATION is WestC... (West Campus Library)
  Approx. turnaround: 1-2 working days
  • Use the REQUEST feature in the Catalog - probably your best choice. More info.
    Or
  • Use Request a delivery from West Campus Library form
    Or
  • Go there:
    Info about West Campus Hours, Location, etc.
    Shuttle info
• LOCATION is not Biol... and not WestC..
  • Go there; Info about Libraries' Hours, Locations, etc.
    Or
  • Use REQUEST feature in Catalog. More info .
• "due....." (checked out)
  Use REQUEST feature in Catalog. More info.
  Turnaround time is unpredictable since it depends on the current user. If you need the item quickly, please speak to a staff member and/or consider using other options, such as Mobius request or Interlibrary Loan.
• "due... at bindery" - Materials are usually back in the Biology Library 4-6 weeks before the "due date" If you need it sooner than it will be back, use other options, such as Interlibrary Loan.
• "being processed"
  Use Request an in-process item; approx. turnaround: 1-2 weeks
• "on order"
  Use Request an on-order item form; turnaround unpredictable since acquisition is sometimes complicated. You may want to consider other options, such as Mobius request or Interlibrary Loan.
• the volume you need is not listed in the holdings
  Use other options, such as Mobius request or Interlibrary Loan.

Item you need is a book, video, dissertation or government publication
OR
Item you need is a journal article

• MOBIUS request if item is listed and "available" in Mobius catalog. Average turnaround for available items is 3-5 days. Note: MOBIUS does not include Becker Medical Library.
• Use ILLIAD
  Or
  use "Get it!" link within a database search, such as World Catalog, to submit a request via ILLIAD. More info.
• If available, borrow from Becker Medical Library; search Becker Catalog and go there: Becker Medical Library Info and Shuttle info
  Note: Graduate students, faculty and researchers may borrow materials at the Medical Library. Undergraduates must stop at Olin Library Circulation Desk for a special form first.
• Suggest for purchase

• Use ILLIAD
  Or
  use "Get it!" link within a database search, such as Medline or Web of Science, to submit a request via ILLIAD. More info.
• Locate in Becker Medical Library (Catalog); if available, either go there and photocopy or request via ILLIAD or Biology Library's Request for Photocopy Delivery from Becker Medical Library form.
• Search for fulltext copy. Most fulltext availability is listed in the Catalog, but there are exceptions. Other sources to try include:
  Full-Text Journals
  BioMedical Ejournals (Becker)
  Biology E-Journals
• Order direct from a document delivery vendor and pay yourself, usually with a credit card. Note: We do not recommend or endorse any of these services:
  ILLiad at Becker Medical Library (document delivery service)
  Ingenta
  CISTI Document Delivery
  Document Supply Centre (British Library)
  UMI Dissertation Express (dissertations only)
  Several publisher, journal and association websites are beginning to offer these services also.