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Loyola University Chicago Libraries

Library Services: How do I get a book?

Overview

Cudahy Library and Lewis Library stacks are open. If you need help locating a book, please ask at the circulation desk. 

Electronic resources, including e-books and databases, as well as streaming videos, are also available. Information regarding off-campus access can be found here.

Interlibrary loan is available for current Loyola undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff. For more information, check the ILL section.

There are several options for getting access to a book:

  1. Come in and browse the stacks or request an item through the library catalog and pick it up at the circulation desk.
  2. Use an e-book from our collection, available via the library catalog.  
  3. If the item you need is not available through the University Libraries, use interlibrary loan to request a book or scans of chapters from a book.
  4. Place a purchase request.

Finding Books

How can I search for books?

Library Catalog - Look for books, DVDs, ebooks, and electronic articles at Loyola.

Where is my book?

 Lewis Floor Maps and Cudahy Floor Maps 

  • Stacks - Your book is on a shelf in either Cudahy or Lewis.
  • Reserves - Your book is at the circulation desk of Lewis or Cudahy. 
  • Library Storage - Submit a request and someone will get it for you!
  • Reference - Your book is shelved in the reference area.

You don’t have the book I need.

Request a book, book chapter, or article with our InterLibrary Loan Program (ILLiad).

E-Books

The LUC Libraries provides access to several different e-book collections. Not all e-book titles are available in one online resource but many are held in the Online Catalog and in a program also used to located e-journals. Please see the E-books Subject Guide for complete information on all the libraries’ e-book collections and use the links below for access.

  • Library Catalog
    To find e-books in the catalog, enter search terms as normal. Once you receive your search results, you may filter to Books on the left hand side of the screen and Full Text Online.
  • Other e-book collections
    A listing of other available e-book collections.

Looking for an e-book that the LUC Libraries do not currently have? Please use the Purchase Request form and select "Book/E-book" in the Resource Type field and "electronic" in the Preferred Format field.

Guide on the Side

Requesting Items

The Information Commons, Cudahy Library, and Lewis Library are open and Loyola students, faculty, and staff have access to the library print collections. 

Books from any Loyola campus can be pulled from the shelf and held for pick-up at any circulation desk. Search for the item in the library catalog, and click "Get It" below the book’s record. If you are not logged into your Library Account, you must first sign in using your Loyola username and password. Click "Loyola Copy", and select the circulation desk where you would like to pick up the book to complete the request.

Books should be available within 2 business days and will be held for 10 days. Patrons may request up to 10 books per day and will be notified by email when books are ready. (Please allow extra time for delivery to or from the Health Sciences campus.)

We are currently fulfilling requests from the Library Storage Facility on a case-by-case basis. If a user requests an item that is damaged, requests will be canceled and the user notified. 

Request a DVD for pickup

Requests for audiovisual materials are processed Monday - Friday between 8:30 am - 4:00 pm.

To request a DVD please fill out this form. You will need the following information when filling out the form:

  • Title
  • Call Number (begins with 046)
  • Date Needed and Alternate Date

An email will be sent once the item is available to schedule a contactless pickup appointment. 

Please allow 2-3 business days to process requests for material at different campuses.

Status Loan Materials
Faculty & Graduate Students 5 days
Undergraduate Students & Staff 5 days

You can also find the DVD request form in the library catalog, as shown below: 

Intercampus Loan

You can request books from Lake Shore or Water Tower Campus, through your Library Account. 

Intercampus mail currently takes 1-3 days to arrive. 

Finding Course Reserves For Your Class

To find items on reserve for your class:

  1. Go to the Course Reserves Search in the library's online catalog.
  2. You can type in your course name (Example: History of American Education).
  3. Click on the title for the item you want to access.
  4. For electronic reserves, click on the "View Online" link in the item record.

Please note: Electronic items for your class may be available through Sakai rather than the Course Reserves Search.

Renewing Items

To view due dates and materials checked out, please use My Library Account. 

 

 

Book Return Locations

Lake Shore Campus
You can return library books to the book drop located next to the doors on the west side of Cudahy Library (across from Dumbach Hall). You can also use the book drop located in the foyer of the Information Commons during opening hours.

Water Tower Campus
When the Corboy Law Center is open, you can use the book drop located in the lobby.