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How to request a book

There are times when you will need to request a book (or other materials): when the book is checked out to another person, when the book is located in another library, when you want the library to purchase the book, when you are not a local resident, or when the Virginia Tech Libraries do not own the book. 

Request an available book

Books listed as Available in Newman Library can be requested and will be pulled and held for you at the Circulation Desk on the second floor. These books must be in their regular location (that excludes books in Reserve, on display, or on the new books shelf). Books are pulled twice a day: once in the morning and again in the late afternoon. Check My Library Account for the status of your requests; books listed with a status of ON HOLDSHELF are probably waiting for you.

Request the library purchase a book (or other material)

The Virginia Tech Libraries seriously considers all purchase suggestions. We ask that you check Addison to ensure we do not already own the book in question before submitting your request. Submit your request online.

Extended campus user access to books

If you reside outside of the New River Valley (outside the New River Valley counties of Montgomery, Giles, and Pulaski), then you are eligible to use ILLiad to have library materials (books, articles, and more) directly mailed to your home address. When you submit your request through ILLiad, interlibrary loan will fill the request from the University Libraries' collection or from the collections of other libraries (like common interlibrary loan requests are filled). Virginia Tech materials will be checked out to your library account; checkout periods will vary with your status.

If you login to My Library Record before you begin searching Addison, when you locate a book (that can be checked out), you'll see a link to request the book through ILLiad in the External Links box on the right side of the screen. Use this link to login to ILLiad and then be presented with a fill-out form to request the book. If the status of the book is Available, it should be picked up and mailed to you quickly. If the book is currently checked out, ILL will initiate a recall and mail the book once it has been returned.

Request a book not owned by the Virginia Tech Libraries

If you find a book (or other material) that you need for your research that is not owned by the Virginia Tech Libraries, you can submit a request to interlibrary loan, who will search other libraries for the book. If the request can be filled, the book will be mailed to the interlibrary loan department who will check it out to you. Borrowing periods and renewal options depend on the lending library.