English 1213: Composition II: Books

To find a book in the OSU Library, we use the Library Catalog.

The OSU Library collection contains more than just books. We can use the Library Catalog to find:

• Journals, magazines and newspapers the Library subscribes to
• Full text journals, magazines and newspapers
• DVDs
• Government Documents
• Maps and Atlas Collections
• Special Collections and University Archives (information about the history of OSU, etc.)

The OSU Library Catalog is called BOSS and can be searched on the library homepage. The video below will show you how to find a book using BOSS.

Once you have found some books in the OSU library catalog, you will need to find them in the Library.

All books have a call number and the library catalog will tell you a book's call number. It will also tell you if a book is "available" or not. If the library catalog tells you that a book is available, print out or write down the call number (make sure to note the entire number - letters, numbers, and decimal points included.)

Next, we need to determine which floor of the Library the book is located on. The Edmon Low Library has a collection that numbers around three million volumes, spread out on 6 floors. You can use this chart to find out which floor houses your book.

If you still aren't sure, can't find the book where it is supposed to be, or need any other help, stop by the Circulation and Information desk on the first floor and we'll be glad to help you.

If the book you need is checked out, you can request a recall or an interlibrary loan.

• To recall a book, fill out the recall form. We will contact the person who has that book checked out, and we will ask them to return it within two weeks. (Note: if you have a book checked out and we notify you about the book being placed on recall, know that the date due for the book may have changed.) Please pay attention to due dates which change for books that are recalled. Overdue fines for recalled books are $5 per day.
• To interlibrary loan a book, make your request using our interlibrary loan system. This will alert library staff to find the book in another library and ask to borrow a copy for you.

Learn more: Circulation Information

YES!

You may check out any book you find in the library (with exceptions for reference books, bound journals, special collection items and others). Students can check out as many as 50 books at any given time!

Books can be checked out for 30 days at a time. Books are renewable, provided no one has requested a recall on that book.

To check out a book, take it to the Circulation and Information Desk on the first floor and show them your OSU ID card. Be sure to remember your due dates!

Overdue fines are 25 cents per day, per book. You can renew books by phone (405.744.9741), in person, email, and you can even renew them yourself by logging into your library account!

Learn more: Renewal of Library Material Information

Visit our tutorials page to find tips and tricks for every part of your research process.