Search for Materials Not on the Shelf
If you need a book or a journal that is not on the shelf, please go to the Circulation Desk to fill out a Search Form. The library staff will search for it and you will be notified when the item is found. If the library catalog indicates that the same book is available at another library, ask at the Circulation Desk about options for obtaining the book.

Recall Materials Currently Checked Out
If you need a book that is currently checked out to another person, you can recall the book for your own use. Recall the book using the Library Catalog Book Request. Library staff will notify the person who has the book that is has been recalled and allow time for its return. This process may take as long as two weeks. If there is a waiting list, the process may take longer, because each person on the waiting list will be allowed to keep the book for two weeks.

If you have checked out a book and it is recalled for another person, library staff will send you a notice, which may indicate a revised due date. If you provide us with an email address, we will send notices to you by email. Otherwise we will use the mailing address provided by you at your initial library registration. Late fees and other charges may be assessed if the item is not returned on time, even if you do not receive notice of the new due date. Please notify us if your email or mailing address changes to ensure that we can deliver recall notices to you in a timely manner.

Finding Alternative Sources
We cannot guarantee that search and recall services will provide the materials you need in a timely way. For this reason, it may be helpful to find other sources that provide similar information. If you would like someone to help you find good sources, please ask at the Information Desk, call 713-221-8187, or use our Ask a Librarian service.

For more information about the library's circulation services, please see Borrowing Library Materials.