Faculty Resources: Circulation Info

For details, see our Circulation Policies.

• A valid Miami University ID card is required to borrow items from the Libraries.  
• The Loan period for faculty members is 1 year.  
• Items, such as DVDs, from the Instructional Media Center (located in King Library) are loaned for a three week period.  
• Library materials are a shared resource. All items may be recalled after a minimum three week loan period if another Miami University patron requests them. Items needed for course reserves will be recalled immediately.

Look under "My Account" from the Libraries' webpage to review the items you have checked out and their due dates.

If you would like to put materials on reserve for a course, please see Reserves Information for Faculty for complete details and instructions.

Miami University Libraries is a part of OhioLINK, Ohio's Academic Library Consortium. From the main library homepage, you can search for an item that we do not have to see if it is available via OhioLINK.  To request an OhioLINK item, you will simply need to enter your unique id and password and designate which MU Library you would like to pick up the item.  These items can take a week or longer to receive depending on where the item is being requested. You will receive an email notifying you that the item is in and on hold at the particular circulation desk. Items for faculty members are checked out for a 6 week period with a maximum of 6 renewals.

For details, see our OhioLINK loan period policies and other FAQs.

If neither MU Libraries nor OhioLINK have an item, you can request it through Inter-Library Loan. Items can be borrowed for 3 weeks with a maximum of 6 renewals. Be aware that depending on the item, it could take 3 or more weeks to receive your requested item. Go to this link to submit a request:

https://ill.lib.miamioh.edu/illiad/logon.html

What is OhioLINK?

It is a consortium of 89 Ohio universities, colleges, community colleges, and the State Library of Ohio. The central catalog allows users access to the holdings of all member libraries.

Who Can Use OhioLINK?

Anyone affiliated with those libraries, including faculty, staff and students, can request materials from another participating library, free of charge.

What Materials are Available for Borrowing

OhioLINK is primarily designed to lend books. Some libraries, however, may loan other formats such as videos.

What Can't I Borrow Through OhioLINK?

Currently, patrons cannot request journals or journal articles through OhioLINK. Most libraries will also not lend microfiche or microfilm items. Materials that are available at Miami and are not checked-out cannot be ordered through OhioLINK, and some materials may be labeled For Use in Library Only and can also not be ordered through OhioLINK.

How Do I Get Copies of Journal Articles?

Journal articles that Miami does not own may be requested through Miami's Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Office. An online form for requesting these materials is available from the Library homepage or directly at https://ill.lib.miamioh.edu/illiad/logon.html

How Long Will OhioLINK Materials Take to Arrive?

OhioLINK materials generally arrive within 4-5 working days.

How Do I Order Materials Using OhioLINK?

First look up the item in the online catalog on the Library Homepage (http://www.lib.muohio.edu). If the item does not appear in our catalog, or our copy is checked out, click on the link for OhioLINK. Once you find your item in OhioLINK, click on the green Request button. If all the copies are checked out or none are available for borrowing (i.e. Library Use Only), the system will tell you so immediately. If the item is available, you will be asked which university you are affiliated with. You will then be asked to enter your username (uniqueID) and password. Lastly, it will ask you at which library branch you'd like to receive the item. You can also have materials sent to any other OhioLINK library, if one is more convenient for you than Miami. The item should arrive at the location you chose in about 4 working days. If there is a problem and the library is unable to fulfill your request, you will be notified via e-mail.

How Will I Know When My OhioLINK Item has Arrived?

You will receive an e-mail notification when your item arrives. It will be sent to the primary e-mail address that is registered for you in Miami's Electronic Directory (i.e. uniqueid@miamioh.edu). To check on the status of your OhioLINK requests before your notification arrives or if you do not use your Miami e-mail account, you will need to access your circulation record. The link to your circulation record is on the Library Homepage (http://www.lib.miamioh.edu/) where it says My Checkouts (on the right side of the black header bar), or go directly to https://holmes.lib.miamioh.edu/patroninfo.html. You will need to enter your unique ID and password and click on the link which indicates the items you have on Hold. (Requesting an item from OhioLINK is the same as putting a hold on an item.) The status indicates the progress of your OhioLINK request. The status will change from Requested, to In Transit, to Ready. When the status says Ready, it is available for you to pick it up at the main desk of whichever library it was sent to. It will be held for one week before it is returned to the lending library. If you have difficulties with this process, you can check on the progress of your request by calling the library where you requested the item be sent (numbers listed below).

How Long is the OhioLINK Loan Period and How Many Times May I Renew Something?

The standard OhioLINK loan period is 3 weeks from the date you check it out, and students may renew items up to 3 times. For non-book items, however, the loan period is 7 days, with no renewals.

How Do I Renew Library Materials

You can renew items using the My Checkouts link, just as you check on the status of OhioLINK requests. Select My Checkouts from the library homepage (http://www.lib.miamioh.edu/) and click on the link to display Checked Out items. You can check the box to the left of each item you wish to renew or click on a link to renew all your items at once.

Where Do I Return OhioLINK Materials?

You can return OhioLINK materials at the main desk in any of Miami's libraries.

What Happens if I Return Them Late?

OhioLINK charges everyone, regardless of rank, a $.50 late fee for each day the item is late.

Who Do I Call if I Have Questions About Using OhioLINK?

If you wish to see if an item has arrived, call the main desk at the library where you requested it be sent:

• King Library: 513-529-2433
• Art & Architecture Library: 513-529-6638
• Hamilton Campus Library: 513-785-3235
• Middletown Campus Library: 513-727-3222

If you have questions about using the system or requesting an item, come into any of the campus libraries. You can also contact us through telephone, email, or chat services. You can also contact your department's subject librarian directly. 

The form may be filled in online but must be printed and signed by both parties and include their Banner+ numbers. Faculty are responsible for all materials checked out by the person designated, and are responsible for timely returns and renewals.

The Richard & Dorothy Duncan Faculty Reading Room is located in Room 119

Faculty members can sign out a key at the King Library Circulation desk to use this shared space for the day and complete this online form linked to this site to request a locker.

Miami University is a member of the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD).  Miami participates in the NDLTD through a statewide consortium of graduate schools and submits its theses and dissertations through OhioLINK.

Search for ETDs