Borrow and Request Materials

Search for the item in Catalyst.

• Click “Get It” to see the options available for requesting the item, regardless of availability
• If the item is available at your home library, you may find item in the stacks
• If you would like scans of chapter(s) or articles from an item at the Libraries Service Center, place a request through Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery

If the item not available from a JH library, then check Borrow Direct first. If it is not available via Borrow Direct, you may request it via Interlibrary Loan.

Library items are retrieved from any JH Libraries location for pickup at various locations. JHED login required.

• You will receive an email when the item is ready for pick up. Items in our collection are usually ready for pick up within 24 hours. Check books out with your J-Card
• Faculty, graduate students, senior staff, and students with disabilities may choose “JHU Homewood Office” to have items delivered to their office. Items are usually delivered within 1-2 business days
• Do you live closer to one of our other Hopkins Libraries? You can pick up there as well
• Do you live further away? Non-resident Homewood students and online students, contact circmail@jhu.libanswers.com for more information regarding delivery options

Items that show a location of Libraries Service Center (LSC) are owned by JH Libraries and held offsite. They available upon request through Catalyst by selecting “Get It” from the item listing.

Print items are often ready for pickup within 24 hours.

Scans of articles, chapters, and microform may be requested using the forms on Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery.

• Library users with community borrower cards can request LSC items by signing in with their barcode and pin number
• Those without borrowing privileges may request delivery of LSC items for use on-site at any JHU library or scans of articles, chapters, and microfilm (up to 60 pages) by emailing LSC@jhu.edu

The fastest and most efficient way to find books not available through JHU.

Search and request books and AV materials from libraries in the “Ivy Plus” network, which includes Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Harvard, JHU, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, University of Chicago, UPenn, and Yale. Expect delivery in 3-5 business days. JHED login required.

• Search BorrowDirect
• Choose pickup location
• If item is not available in BorrowDirect, then click to request via Interlibrary Loan
• For more information, read the BorrowDirect FAQ

Find articles, books, and other library items not owned by JHU or the BorrowDirect schools. Requests are sent out to libraries worldwide. Expect delivery in 2-4 weeks. JHED login required.

• Log in to Interlibrary Loan and select “Articles or Book Chapters” for page scans or “Book or Other Loan” for ebooks and other digital materials
• Provide as much information as possible to expedite turnaround time. WorldCat is an excellent tool for gathering bibliographical information
• Scans are delivered electronically. Print loans are delivered to your chosen pickup location
• For more information, check the Interlibrary Loan FAQ
• Still have questions? Email circmail@jhu.libanswers.com or call (410) 516-8910

The forms on Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery can also be used to request scans of book chapters and articles from other JHU libraries and the Libraries Service Center.

Physical items on reserve for classes are not available for online request or recall.  They are checked out on a first come first serve basis at the MSE Library Annex Service Desk. Please have the call number ready upon arrival. See Course Readings for more information.

Overdue items are subject to fines.

Request use of DVDs, Blu-Rays, International DVDs, VHS tapes, CDs, microfilm, and microfiche through Catalyst.

Two microform readers are available in the MSE Library Annex.

Students/Staff/Hopkins affiliates: 16 weeks with unlimited renewals.

Faculty: Fixed to June 30th with unlimited renewals.

Other Users: 6 weeks with 2 renewals. 50 item limit.

• All items are subject to recall from other patrons. Guaranteed loan period of 10 days for recalled materials. This period may be shortened if the item is needed for course reserves.
• Privileges are blocked when a recalled item becomes 5 days overdue.
• Items owned by other libraries may have a different loan period.
  • Borrow Direct: 16 weeks with no renewals.
  • Interlibrary Loan: Varies depending on lending library and subject to recall. Renewals vary based on library.
• Items on reserve for classes have a shorter loan period.
  • Books: Either 2 hour, 24 hour, 3-day, or 1-week loan depending on item with 1 renewal.
  • AV Materials: 4 hour loan with 1 renewal.
• Non-book items and particular collections may have different loan periods.
  • DVDs are limited to 10 items at a time and checked out for 7 days with unlimited renewals.
  • Current Popular Fiction & Non-fiction books are checked out for 14 days with 1 renewal.
  • Current Popular DVDs are checked out for 7 days with 1 renewal.
    • Checkout limit of 5 simultaneous Current Popular collection items.

Payment accepted via cash and check. If a student fine is more than $10, the fine is transferred to Student Accounts. For more information, see the Fine Payment FAQ.

• Overdue recall: $1/day
• Overdue Reserves: $1/hour
• Lost Item Replacement: $100/item
• Questions about fines and requests for waivers should be addressed to circmail@jhu.libanswers.com. Fines will not be negotiated by telephone

Email circmail@jhu.libanswers.com to request a borrowing card that includes access to print resources with a limit of 50 items.

Alumni

JHU alumni can request a library card to borrow items from any JH library. Please visit the library that served you while you were a student to sign up for a card.

Spouse & Dependents

Spouses and dependents age 18-26 of current Hopkins students, faculty, staff, and retirees can request privileges at no cost. Photo ID required.

Retirees

Present retiree card to continue the same employee privileges.

Email circmail@jhu.libanswers.com to request a borrowing card. Includes onsite access to digital resources. Limit of 50 items.

Community Borrowers

Members of the public can purchase a library card for one year for $100 during the library renovation. Payment is currently accepted by check only. This card allows for requesting eligible physical items. Beginning in June 2024, all borrowed items must be requested from Catalyst for pickup.

JHU Non-credit students and OSHER participants

Eligible for privileges for the length of class enrollment. Must present contract letter or proof of enrollment.

Local Universities & Non-Profit Organizations

Reciprocal borrowing agreements exist with some local universities and non-profit organizations. Email circmail@jhu.libanswers.com for more information.

Borrow Direct Institution Patrons

Current students, faculty, and staff of Borrow Direct libraries receive other users level borrowing privileges free of charge. Log in to home Borrow Direct account required.