Finding Physical Materials
Search for items in Catalyst. Note each item’s library, location, and call number to locate it in the library stacks. Our maps can help you find the correct floor and shelving area:
- Rolvaag Library Maps [link out to Building Maps page]
- Halvorson Music Library Map [link out to Building Maps page]
If you have trouble finding an item, stop by the library’s front desk. We’re happy to help you locate materials or retrieve them if needed.
Finding Online Materials
Search for items in Catalyst, where you will find direct online access to electronic books, online periodicals, streaming videos, subject databases, and more. Additional information can be found below:
- Database A-Z list: list of direct links to online resource collections like JSTOR and Proquest
- Ebooks user guide: help in using various platforms and finding ebooks
- Libkey Nomad: browser extension for finding library materials
- Newspapers online: highlights of online access to current newspapers
- Reporting a problem: to get help with online materials
- Specific subject and course guides: curated lists of resources from librarians
Borrowing
All students, faculty (current and emeriti), and staff have borrowing privileges. Materials available for checkout include physical books, DVDs, scores, periodicals, board games, technology, and more from St. Olaf and Carleton Libraries.
- Check out materials at the library’s front desk. All borrowers need to show their Olaf ID at checkout. Visitors from Carleton must show their Carleton College OneCard. And local visitors must have their community member/Bridge card. View additional information on getting a community card
- Learn about loan periods, renewals, and borrowing policies: LINK TO secondary page (Borrowing pOLICIES)
- Any item checked out for more than 5 days may be recalled by another user. If this happens, you’ll receive an email with a new due date. Once the item is returned, it will be placed on hold for the requesting user.
Requesting
Most items from St. Olaf and Carleton Libraries can be requested for pickup at the library’s front desk so you don’t need to retrieve them yourself. This service is available at both Rolvaag Library and the Halvorson Music Library.
- Most library materials can be requested, though some collections (such as Special Collections and Course Reserves) are not eligible. View instructions on how to request items from St. Olaf and Carleton.
- You’ll receive an email when your item is ready for pickup. Most requests are available within 1–2 business days.
- Requested items are held for two weeks. If the requester does not pick them up within that timeframe, they will be returned to the shelves.
- If an item is currently checked out, you can place a recall request. The current borrower will be given a new due date, and the item will be held for you once it is returned.
- Requesting and recalling is available to current students, faculty, and staff. Community borrowers cannot place requests but are welcome to contact us for assistance.
Viewing & Renewing Loans
You can review your current checkouts, pending requests, and past checkouts by Logging into your Library Account.
Instructions for renewing items online are also available:
- Renewing Library Materials (Students, Staff, and Faculty)
- Renewing Library Materials (Community Members)
Overdue fines and late fees can also be viewed on your library account, but are not paid on the account. Students: These charges are sent to the Student Accounts office every two weeks and added to your tuition bill.
Resource Sharing
If neither St. Olaf or Carleton have the book or article you need, you may request to borrow them from other libraries through Resource Sharing (sometimes known as Interlibrary Loan or ILL).
- Digitized copies of articles or book chapters are typically received within 24-48 hours or submitting the request
- Physical items are typically received within a week of submitting the request
- These items are placed on the hold shelf upon arrival
- This timeline varies depending on where it is sent from
Borrowing Equipment
St. Olaf students, faculty, and staff can check out laptops, iPads, cameras, audio and video equipment, and other technology at no charge. Equipment is picked up and returned at the Rolvaag Library Equipment Desk. You may reserve equipment through the WebCheckout reservation system.
Course Reserves
Course Reserves is a service that provides short-term access to high-demand or high-cost course materials. Course Reserves materials are kept at each library’s front desk, where students can ask to borrow them. These materials include textbooks, books, videos, and other print resources.
Because many students may need to use the same materials, physical reserve items have short loan periods: 4 hours or 1 day. This allows more students to access these materials during the semester.
Learn more about course reserves. [LINK]