Borrowing from OhioLINK

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Membership in the OhioLINK consortium entitles Oberlin faculty, staff, and students to request books and some other library materials (sound recordings, videotapes, microfilm, software) directly from other libraries through the OhioLINK library catalog. The materials are delivered to the Main Library and most requested items arrive within 3 business days.

Making A Request

1. If Oberlin does not own the item, or our copy does not have the status AVAILABLE, you may be able to request the item from another OhioLINK library
2. Use the button to execute the same search in the OhioLINK catalog
3. At any point, you may use the REQUEST ITEM button to make your request
• If you wish to see whether copies are available for request, display the full record for a specific entry
• Select #NN OhioLINK libraries have this item. Items with the status AVAILABLE may be requested. Items with the statuses LIBRARY USE ONLY, LOCAL USE ONLY, or LOCAL CIRC ONLY may not.
4. To request an available copy, click on REQUEST THIS ITEM
5. Choose Oberlin as your affiliated institution
6. If you wish to have the item delivered somewhere other than Oberlin, change the pick-up location.  Once you have chosen a delivery location, you cannot change it.
7. Enter your name and library barcode number (on the back of your OCID)
• Please note that if you have never checked out books at the library, the barcode number printed on your ID many not yet be in our database.  Please stop by the circulation desk at any of the college libraries to have us update your records, or e-mail your Tnumber and barcode number to main.circ@oberlin.edu.
8. Answer y to "Process request?"

For help searching OhioLINK and requesting items, consult a reference librarian.

Tracking Your Requests

You can check on the progress of your OhioLINK request by viewing your circulation record in OBIS.

1. View your library record in OBIS.
2. Enter your name and library barcode number when prompted
3. Select # Requests (holds) outstanding
   
   • A status of REQUESTED means that the item has not yet been sent; you may cancel some or all items still having the REQUESTED status by selecting either Cancel All or Cancel Selected Items.
   • A status of IN TRANSIT means that the item has been shipped from the lending library
   • A status of RECEIVED means that the item has been checked-in at the Main Library; it is either on the hold shelf or is currently being processed for you
   • A status of CANCELLED means that no OhioLINK library is currently able to supply this item

If you have questions about specific requests you have made, consult the Interlibrary Loan Supervisor or the circulation desk staff.

Loan Periods

The OhioLINK loan period for books and microfilm is 3 weeks.  An item may be renewed up to 4 times, for 3 weeks each time, as long as the item has not been requested by another borrower.

The OhioLINK loan period for media materials is 1 week and these materials may not be renewed. Note that not all OhioLINK libraries permit circulation of non-print items, and few circulate all of their non-print and/or media materials.

Borrowers receive an e-mail reminding them of the upcoming due dates of OhioLINK materials. 

Requesting Renewals

View your library record in OBIS and select " # Items currently checked out".   

Choose the items to renew by checking the boxes in the "Renew" column.

Select "Renew Selected Items".

The page will update with the following responses:

• If the renewal is approved, a new due date displays.  Please note this due date on the OhioLINK bookband.
• If you have already renewed the item the maximum allowable times, TOO MANY RENEWALS displays.  This will always be the response for media materials.
• If the item is needed by another borrower, Renewal denied:  Item needed at owning library displays.  Please return this item promptly when due.
• If the due date is more than 1 week in the future, TOO SOON TO RENEW may display.  This protects you from renewing items too soon, and shortening your overall use of the material.  Try again closer to the due date.

Fines & Blocked Privileges

Fines are $0.50 per day for each item.

OhioLINK requesting is blocked if you:

• are not a currently enrolled student or an employee of Oberlin College
• request an item that is AVAILABLE at Oberlin
• request an item that is not eligible for off-campus circulation at any OhioLINK library
• request an item that has no AVAILABLE copies and already has a hold on it for another borrower
• have 25 items currently requested using OhioLINK (100 for faculty/staff)
• have a total of 50 OhioLINK items associated with your record (requested, received, checked out, or recently returned) (200 for faculty/staff)