If an Item Is Not Delivered

If the book or periodical requested is not available, the call slip will be returned to the researcher with a report indicating the reason. For further information on the meaning of the report, consult a staff member at the book service stations.

If a call slip comes back marked "N.O.S." (Not on Shelf), double check the call number and bibliographic information for accuracy, completeness, and legibility. If the item was an issue of a periodical, consult a reference librarian to find out whether the Library has received the issue and whether it has been bound. Then take the response to the Book Service desk in the Main Reading Room or on the fifth floor of the Adams Building and fill out a Special Search form. Library staff will then conduct a comprehensive, long-term search for the missing item over a 30-day period. Staff can also help gain access to materials that are charged to offices within the Library or are assigned to a reference collection or other location. Reference staff may also be able to identify other area libraries which have copies of an item in their collections.