University Libraries Virtual Tour
Lending Services
When you find a book, video, map or other material that you would like to check out of the library, you need to come to the Circulation and Interlibrary Loan desk. Penn State affiliates will need to bring a current Penn State ID to the desk to register for borrowing privileges and/or check out materials. Pennsylvania residents also have borrowing privileges with the presentation of a current Pennsylvania driver’s license or identification card.
Lending Services staff will assist you with any questions or problems that you might have concerning your account. This desk is also the location for “Lost and Found” items. You may return books here or put them on the returns conveyor belt just to the left side of the desk.
You may request and pick up books from other library locations and annexes at this desk as well. If a catalog record shows “Annex” as the location of the item, it is housed in a storage area off campus. Staff will help you send a request to retrieve the item, usually within 48 hours of submitting a request.
Interlibrary loan (ILL) requests are also handled at this desk. If you need a book from another library, staff will help you fill out a request form. It is also possible to fill out Annex, Recall or Interlibrary loan requests online in the CAT, using the “I Want It” or “Request” buttons. If you provide the Libraries with an email address, you will receive timely notifications of the arrival of any requested materials.
All circulating library materials are subject to recall if requested by another borrower. The recall process may take ten days to two weeks from the date a request is made for an item. Details of this service can be found in the Lending Code, copies of which are available at the Circulation desk.
Self-checkers are located throughout the library. Simply swipe your borrowing card in the slot provided and follow the directions for swiping the book along the track. The book is automatically de-magnetized when it is swiped, and the book is then checked out. Place the printed receipt inside the book.