Retrieve Materials from Storage or Special Collections

Some books, journals, etc. are in on- or off-campus storage locations. The Wesleyan Library Catalog lists their location as "OLIN LIBRARY Storage." Items in Special Collections & Archives are in closed stacks, meaning that you cannot access the stacks to retrieve a book you want. These are listed as being in "SPECIAL COLLECTIONS Stacks." Most books in Storage can be checked out. Items in Special Collections & Archives cannot be checked out; they must be read in the SC&A reading room.

To request an item from Storage:

• In the Library Catalog, find the record for the item you want (note: if you are on the "Results" screen [a list of one or more titles your search brings up], click the title to get to the record for the item you want).
• Click the "Request" option at the top of the screen.
• Log in with your Wesleyan ID number and last name.
• In the drop-down menu, select the "Request Item in SC&A, Storage or Missing" option and click "OK."
• Select volume or copy number or add comments as appropriate, enter your Wesleyan ID number, and click to "Submit Request."

You will receive an email when the item is ready for you to pick up at the front Circulation desk in Olin Library. Storage requests are normally available the next day, but may take up to 72 hours.

To request an item in Special Collections & Archives:

• In the Library Catalog, find the record for the item you want (note: if you are on the "Results" screen [a list of one or more titles your search brings up], click the title to get to the record for the item you want).
• Click the "Request" option at the top of the screen.
• Log in with your Wesleyan ID number and last name.
• In the drop-down menu, select the "Request Item in SC&A, Storage or Missing" option and click "OK."
• Add comments as appropriate, then enter you Wesleyan ID number and click to "Submit Request."

You will receive an email when the item is ready for you. Special Collections requests are normally available in their reading room within 24 hours.

Some older items in storage which are listed in the card catalog do not have a record in the online Library Catalog. If you found an item listed in the card catalog and the card states that the item is in a storage location, look in the online catalog to see if you can find a record for the item. If the item is listed in the online catalog, use the "Request" function in the online catalog to request a retrieval. If you cannot find a record for the item in the online catalog, please ask at the main circulation office in Olin Library or ask a reference librarian for assistance.