Library courier service
Description | How Do I Request Materials? | Library Courier Request Form | Frequently asked questions | Information on Library Materials
What is the Library Courier Service
The Library Courier Service delivers materials owned by University Libraries to the on-campus Virginia Tech branch libraries.
Requests for materials that are located at Newman Library are processed by the courier service and delivered to the appropriate branch library for pick up.
Library Courier Service also retrieves books from the return bins located across campus. The bins are checked several times a day and books are checked in as they are received.
Questions, comments, or suggestions regarding Library Courier Service can be directed to delivery@vt.edu, or you may call 540-231-6340.
How Do I Request Materials?
To request items from Storage or the branch libraries, complete and submit a Library Courier Service Request Form on-line. There is a limit of 15 items per person per day that can be requested. The request will be electronically mailed to the library where the requested item is located. Once received, the item will be searched, pulled, and delivered to the library pickup location of your choice.
Who Can Use the Courier Service?
The Library Courier Service is open to all patrons of the Virginia Tech Libraries. This includes all Virginia Tech Faculty, Staff, Students (Undergraduates and Graduates), Virginia Tech Extension Agents and Virginia Residents.
How Long Does It Take? / What is the Delivery Schedule?
Storage material requests and on-campus branch library requests usually require a 48 hour processing time to be delivered to the selected on-campus pick up location. Occassionally requests may take up to 5 business days to process due to request volume or citation problems. There are no deliveries on Saturday or Sunday.
Items delivered from the Northern Virginia Center Library in Falls Church usually take 7-10 days to be delivered to the on-campus pick-up locations.
Deliveries are made to Newman Library and the other on-campus branches once a day with all deliveries completed by 5:00pm.
Where Can I Have My Requests Delivered To?
Courier requests can be delivered to the Circulation Desk at any of the branches listed below.
On-Campus Library Branches:
- Carol M. Newman Library. Located between the on-campus University Bookstore and Squire's Student Center on The Mall.
- Veterinary Medicine Library. Located in the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine on Duck Pond Drive.
- Art and Architecture Library. Located on the first floor of Cowgill Hall.
Off-Campus Library Branch:
- Northern Virginia Center Library. Located in Falls Church, Virginia. Items requested from this branch are delivered via UPS. Patrons who wish to have materials owned by other branch libraries delivered to the Northern Virginia branch need to submit their requests using ILLiad.
What Materials Can I Request?
Library material that can be checked-out (i.e. circulates) can be delivered to you at one of the library pickup locations. Items that can be requested vary for the branch libraries and Storage. Items requested from Storage vary depending on which library department owns the item. The Storage facility contains books, journals, Special Collections items, and media items. Items that are currently checked-out can be recalled, but should not be requested through the library courier service.
Books, Journals
Books that are located at any Virginia Tech branch library and are listed as Available on Addison can be delivered from one branch library to another branch library. Items that are checked out can be recalled or held for you upon return.
Journals that are located in Newman library, the Vet-Med library, the Art + Architecture library, and the Northern Virginia Center library are not allowed to circulate. As a result, these items must remain in their respective buildings. The branch libraries do not offer a photocopy service, so patrons must use these materials at the appropriate branch library.
Storage Material
Books and journals that are located at Storage can be delivered to any University Libraries branch. Storage books and journals may be checked out. For more information about the Storage Facility, please visit the Storage Facility web page.
Special Collections Material
Items from Special Collections that are housed at Storage can be requested using the Library Courier Request Form. These items are not allowed to circulate and must be viewed in the Special Collections Reading Room.
Media Items
There are media materials such as filmstrips, multimedia kits and phonorecords housed at Storage. Filmstrips and multimedia kits can be requested by faculty only. Phonorecords may be requested by faculty, staff, and students.
The best way to confirm where an item is located and if it is available, is to check ADDISON the online catalog. If you need instructions on using ADDISON, please see the ADDISON help page.
