Updated August 6, 2020
In an effort to keep our communities safe and following university coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols, University Libraries has closed all facilities and moved to a virtual services model. A phased return to services began on July 13. The services are as follows:
Contact-free book returns
Thompson Library
The Thompson Library book drop opened on July 13 for contact-free return of library materials. All University Libraries facilities remain closed to the public.
All returned materials will be quarantined before being checked in and made available to other users. If you or a member of your household are ill, we ask that you continue to renew your materials and wait to return them until you have been symptom-free for 72 hours.
Contact-free pickup
Thompson Library
Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Patrons affiliated with The Ohio State University can submit requests for physical materials through the online catalog. Click here for directions and procedures for scheduling contact-free pickup.
Once your request is ready, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to schedule a time to pick up your materials. All pickups will take place at the Oval entrance to Thompson Library. All University Libraries facilities remain closed to the public.
Materials from University Libraries collections will become available for contact-free pickup as facilities reopen. Those dates are as follows:
- July 15: Thompson Library
- July 20: Architecture Library, Biological Sciences/Pharmacy Library, Book Depository, FAES Library & Student Success Center, Geology Library, Health Sciences Library, Law Library and Veterinary Medicine Library
- August 10: 18th Avenue Library, Fine Arts Library, Music & Dance Library, Lima Library, Mansfield Library, Marion Library, Newark Library, Wooster ATI Library and Wooster OARDC Library
Scanning and electronic delivery of materials from Thompson Library Special Collections, University Archives and Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum resumed on July 20. You may submit requests via the email addresses listed below.
- Thompson Library Special Collections: thospcol@osu.edu
- University Archives: archives@osu.edu
- Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum: cartoons@osu.edu
Scanning of articles and chapters from the Thompson Library print collections through ILLiad Article Express service resumed on July 20.
Borrowing physical items from other libraries via Interlibrary Loan will begin August 17, but users can now recommend purchase of e-books for the OSU library collection and their use.
OhioLINK borrowing of physical items from other locations will begin August 10.
Due to increased requests, and additional precautions to protect both you and our employees, it may take longer than usual to fulfill your request for materials. You will receive an email as soon as your materials are ready.
Our extensive collection of digital materials remains available, and the majority of library services are accessible remotely. For answers to common questions regarding borrowed materials, circulation and more, please visit our FAQ page.
Questions?
PHONE
Phone services are available by calling 614-292-6785 during the following hours:
Sunday: 2 - 6 p.m. EST
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST
Saturday: 2 - 6 p.m. EST
CHAT
Live chat is available during the following hours:
Sunday: Offline
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST
Saturday: Offline
CONTACT FORM
If phone services and live chat are not available, please use the "Contact Us" form and a University Libraries team member will respond to your question shortly.
Online Resources
University Libraries provides access to a wealth of virtual resources including journals, eBooks, articles and more. Use Discover to search all virtual Libraries content.
A searchable list of databases containing scholarly articles, many of which may be available as full-text. Additional full-text resources will be found under many of the subjects or formats listed.
Guides containing recommended library resources and services by academic subject.
A comprehensive guide created by the Teaching & Learning department to help instructors find affordable, virtual course materials.
Selections from University Libraries Special Collections
Materials from our Special Collections, digitized and made available online.
Online Journals and eBooks List
Locate a specific online journal or eBook title, browse a list of online journals or eBooks or identify online journals or eBook titles by subject.
The Knowledge Bank provides a permanent online home for the scholarly output of the university, including articles, journals, scholarly monographs, proceedings, presentations, reports, audio/video content and more.
Borrowing Materials
New procedures for pick-up and drop-off can be found at the top of this page.
Course Reserves
Access to physical course reserves is suspended.
University Libraries is eager to assist you with your eResource needs. Please contact Zane Smith directly with questions.
Interlibrary Services
Scholarly articles and chapter PDFs for Ohio State and non-Ohio State collections can be requested through Article Express. Delivery of physical items is currently suspended.
Knowledge Bank and Publishing Services
The Ohio State University Libraries Publishing Program and Knowledge Bank services remain available and are open for business virtually. Please reach out to us via email at libkbhelp@lists.osu.edu with questions, consulting needs, to set up a meeting or for information about making your work openly available via the Knowledge Bank.
Special Collections
Onsite access to special collections is not available at this time. Visit our “Ask Us” page to schedule a virtual consultation or request electronic resources.
HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service
HathiTrust has opened emergency temporary access to copyrighted material in their digital library to member institutions with copies of those items in their physical collections.
Books available through HathiTrust which are also in The Ohio State University Libraries collections have been made available online without the additional step of requesting a digital scan. This action from HathiTrust allows digital access to nearly two million volumes corresponding to print collections at Ohio State. Click here for additional information.