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U-M Library Basics

How to use U-M library resources: finding books, using databases to locate articles, and tools and resources to assist with creating citations.

Where to find books and journals

Status

To see if a book is available, checked out, lost, or has recently been ordered, view the holdings information at the bottom of the catalog record. The holdings information also lists which library or libraries hold the item.

Holdings information can also be found in the results list of any catalog search:

 

Call Number
Write down the call number. It acts as the "address" of an item in the library. To find out which floor to go to in U-M Library you can:

  • Use one of the library maps that shows the call number range for each floor, or

  • Ask at a Reference Desk, or

  • Use the Library Navigator.

Checking out Books

To check out a book, bring it to the Circulation Desk. The loan period varies from library to library (the UGL loan period is three weeks). You will need a valid MCard to check out books.

The Circulation Desk is also the place to renew or return books. You can also renew books by going into My Account

If the book you want is checked out, you can ensure that you will be next in line to get it. You can submit a recall online using "Get This".