State Library of Ohio

Circulation FAQ

This FAQ contains information about the circulation policy at the State Library of Ohio. Obtaining a library card, maintaining and viewing your patron record, and receiving requested materials are among the topics covered.

General

• 1.  Do I need a library card to check out books?
  Yes. You need to be registered in order to receive a library card.
  State of Ohio employees may register in one of three ways:
  • On–line via our State Employee Registration form
  • By phone (614-644-6950)
  • By sending in a patron registration form
  Ohio residents may register in one of two ways:
  • On–line via our Ohio Resident Registration Form
  • In person at the library.
  Ohio residents must bring a picture ID (license, State ID, etc.) to the library to pick up their card.
  
  [Back to the top]
• 2.  What is my Patron ID number?
  Your patron ID number consists of the last nine digits of your barcode. It is located on the back of your library card.
  
  [Back to the top]
• 3.  Will my State Library card work at my public library?
  No. The State Library is not connected to any of the public library systems within the Columbus metro area.
  [Back to the top]
• 4.  What libraries accept my State Library card?
  The State Library of Ohio's patron card along with a picture ID will work at any of the academic libraries participating in the OhioLINK consortium.
  [Back to the top]
• 5.  How do I view my patron record?
  Visit the State Library's OPAC main page. Scroll down and click on View Your Patron Record. This will take you to the Patron Information Form. Enter your first and last name and your unique patron ID number, which is the last nine digits of your barcode, then, select the submit button. If you would like to check the status of requested items, click on the Requests icon.
  [Back to the top]

Requesting Items

• 6.  How do I request State Library materials through the on-line catalog?
  Visit the State Library's OPAC main page. From here you can search our catalog and request materials. Simply click on the Request icon and you will be prompted for your first and last names and your nine digit unique patron ID number, which is the last nine digits of your barcode, located on the back of your library card.
  [Back to the top]
• 7.  How do I request materials through OhioLINK?
  If you searched for an item on the State Library catalog and no results were found, from the results page of your search, click on the OhioLINK Central icon and your search will be performed in the OhioLINK catalog. After selecting the record of the item you want, click on the REQUEST THIS ITEM icon. Choose State Lib Ohio, as the institution you are affiliated with, then enter your first and last name and your nine digit unique patron ID number. Choose the institution where you would like the book sent (in most cases State Lib Ohio, unless you would like to pick it up at a different OhioLINK library), and then choose a location at the institution you would like it sent and click on submit.
  [Back to the top]
• 8.  How many items may I check out?
  State government patrons have no OhioLINK item limits. In other words, there is no limit to the amount of State Library materials you may check out. However, if you are an Ohio resident patron, you may only have 5 OhioLINK items on your record at one time. This includes items being returned or requested.
  [Back to the top]
• 9.  How will I know when my items come in?
  Books for state employees will be sent directly to their offices through interdepartmental mail, unless the patron has informed the circulation desk of the desire to pick up the materials at the library. Ohio residents will be notified by phone when their books arrive. These will be held ten days for pickup. All patrons are encouraged to use the View Your Patron Record utility available via the on–line catalog to track the status of their requests.
  [Back to the top]
• 10.  Will you send books to my public library for pickup?
  No, books will not be forwarded to a public library for pickup unless the request was submitted to the State Library by the public library following standard interlibrary loan practices. However, you may specify a different OhioLINK institution for pickup when requesting books through the OhioLINK Central Catalog.
  [Back to the top]
• 11.  Can I renew my books on-line?
  Yes. Select the View Your Patron Record form option (see, Question 5) from the on–line catalog and then select the Checked Out Items icon. Select the materials you would like renewed, then click on RENEW SELECTED ITEMS, or select the Renew All icon. State Library books have unlimited renewals, provided no other patrons have placed holds. OhioLINK books are limited to one renewal.
  [Back to the top]
• Question 12.  Is there a renewal limit?
  State Library items have unlimited renewals as long as there are not other requests on the item.
  OhioLINK books are checked out for 21 days, and have one 21 day renewal.
  OhioLINK videos and DVDs are checked out for 7 days with no renewals permitted.
   
• Question 13.  I ordered a book I no longer need, how do I cancel the request?
  Go to the View Your Patron Record form (see, Question 5), then click on the Requests icon. Here you can view the status of your request(s). To cancel a hold, select the item(s) you wish to cancel, and then click on the Cancel Selected icon. If you would like to cancel all requested items, click on the Cancel All icon. A request cannot be cancelled if the status is in transit.
  [Back to the top]

OhioLINK

• Question 14.  Can I use my State Library card to request books through OhioLINK?
  Yes. Requests may be submitted through the OhioLINK Central Catalog for books not available at the State Library. Ohio resident patrons are limited to 5 OhioLINK items at one time. Typically, it takes between two and four workdays to receive requested items.
  [Back to the top]
• Question 15.  I am a State Library patron, why can't I access the OhioLINK databases from my home or office?
  Only State Government patrons have remote site access to OhioLINK databases (meaning access from home or office). Ohio resident patrons do not have remote site access to OhioLINK databases, however, you may view the databases at any OhioLINK library.
  [Back to the top]
• 

»Circulation Circulation Faq
revised: 03/08

 

What’s New  | Ohio Libraries  | Ohio Residents  | State Government  | Home  |