Circulation/Reserve services
Request a checked out book | Renew books | Schedule media materials | Foreign language cassette duplication | Proxy borrowers authorization | Retrieve materials from branch library | Can't find a book? | Self-Check station | Browsing Baskets
Request a book that is currently checked out
There will be times when the materials you need are already checked out to another patron. You may request that the current user return materials prior to the originally assigned due date. The material will then be held for you at the branch library of your choice. Please note some items, such as DVDs, cannot be requested.
To request materials, search for the title in Addison. Select the request icon (a green checkmark) at the top of the screen. Complete the form and click submit.
Requests cannot be placed on items with a status of AVAILABLE unless they are located in Storage. Patrons are asked to retrieve these items from the bookshelves. Requests can be placed only on items with a status of: currently checked out, on order, at bindery, or on hold.
ALL patrons are fined $1.00 per day per item for overdue recalled items.
Renew your books online
You can renew your books online using My Library Record. The system will display the new due dates or alert you if an item can't be renewed; the text displays in red beside each title.
Schedule media material for class use
Instructors who wish to use media materials (videos, 16MM films, DVDs, slides) in their classes may schedule them for a period of up to two weeks. Media can be picked up at the Circulation/Reserve Desk. Requests can be made anytime prior to the date the media is needed, but requests should be made as far ahead of time as possible to ensure the item is here when you need it.
Items can be renewed providing that there are no pre-existing requests for the item. To renew, contact the Circulation Desk at 231-6340 or by email. Media cannot be renewed on using My Library Account.
To access titles and call numbers for specific items, please consult Addison.
An online Media Booking Request Form is also available on our forms page.
Foreign language audiocassette duplication
Circulation/Reserve maintains the Foreign Language audiocassette collection, which is used in conjunction with the foreign language courses offered at Virginia Tech. You will need to bring in blank tapes of the appropriate length to Circulation/Reserve. Processing of copy requests usually takes 48 hours.
To find out the appropriate tape length for your text, consult the Foreign Language Audiocassette listings.
There is no charge for the duplication of foreign language audiocassettes.
Proxy Borrowers:
Authorize a proxy for your library account (faculty and staff)
A proxy borrower is a Virginia Tech student or staff member who has been authorized by a Virginia Tech faculty or staff member to checkout library materials in their name for educational purposes. The authorizing party is responsible for all materials checked out and will be sent all overdue or recall notices and bills for charges concerning such materials.
Requirements for Proxy Privileges:
The authorizing party must be:
- Employed as faculty or staff member by Virginia Tech
- At least 18 years of age
The person you name as a proxy must be:
- Either employed as a staff member or be currently enrolled as a student of Virginia Tech
- At least 18 years of age
Proxy Borrower Authorization forms are available online or at the Circulation/Reserve Desk in Newman Library. You will need to provide your name, ID number, address, phone number and the same for the prospective proxy borrower. Additionally you will need to select the length of time you wish to grant proxy privileges to your proxy borrower. Two academic semesters is the maximum duration for proxy borrowers. You must submit a new proxy borrower form for each academic year.
Note: Other branch libraries may require different documentation for proxy privileges.
Retrieve materials from Storage or a Branch Library
You may request materials from the Storage facility or a branch library to be delivered to the pick-up location of your choice.
If a book is located in Storage, you will either see a "Request item" link next to it or a Request icon 
in the navigation icon list at the top of the Result page. Click on the Request icon, and Addison will ask you to enter your patron information (name and ID number). You can then choose the item(s) that you wish to request, and submit your request.
To request AVAILABLE materials from a branch library for delivery to another branch library, use the Branch Library Request Form.
Requests require a 48 hour processing time to be delivered to on-campus locations. Occassionally requests may take up to 5 business days to process due to request volume or citation problems. Items requested from the Northern Virginia Graduate Center will take 7-10 days. Items that normally do not circulate from other branches are not available for courier service and must be used within that branch. For additional information, please see the Library Courier Service webpage.
Can't find a book on the shelves?
There may be times when you can not find a book on the shelf where it is supposed to be. What to do?
You first want to check the status of the book on Addison. Does it list a due date? Missing? Damaged? If so, the book is unavailable for checkout. However, if the book is checked out, you may place a request for the book by clicking on the green checkmark located at the top of the item record in Addison. Missing or damaged items can be requested through ILLiad (Interlibrary loan).
If Addison says available, you need to double check the location of the item. Is it in Newman Library? Art & Architecture Library? VetMed Library? Or is it in a special section within Newman Library such as Folio, Maps, Docs, or Special Collections?
If you still can not find a book after following the tips above, you may request the library conduct a search for the material by completing the Search Request Form.
3M Self-Check Station
Newman Library has a 3M Self-Check Station available for our patrons. Just as the name implies, the Self-Check stations allow you to check out library materials yourself. The station is located at the Torgersen Reference & Information Desk. The station is available for use anytime Newman Library is open.
The Self-Check station is designed to accept Hokie Passport cards with barcoded ID numbers. IDs without a barcode (such as temporary Hokie Passport cards, driver's licenses, and some University Libraries' Borrower Cards) can not be read by the Self-Check Station.
Why I might not be able to use the 3M Self-Check Station?
- no barcode on ID card
- barcode on ID not readable
- your library account is blocked due to fines or overdue materials (you will be redirected to the Circulation/Reserve Desk to resolve your account)
- book has no barcode on it
- book has unreadable barcode
Browsing Baskets
For our patrons' convenience, the Library is providing browsing baskets. The baskets are helpful when you need to collect and checkout a quantity of books. After retrieving your books, simply bring them to the Circulation/Reserve Desk in Newman Library.
The baskets are located on all floors, just beside the elevators.
