Borrow Books, Media, and Equipment
This page provides an overview of where to find materials, how to check them out, and how to renew them.
Finding articles and books
Visit the Find Articles & Books page for help finding materials through our databases, catalog, research guides, and more.
If there is a book that we do not have and you would like to recommend that OU Libraries add to their collection, visit our Request to Purchase Materials policy.
How to find books in the building
To locate items on the shelves, visit our Book Locations page. This page provides an overview of how to read Library of Congress and Dewey Decimal call numbers and links to the Bizzell floor maps.
Where to check out materials
To check out the materials you would like to borrow, visit the Circulation Desk at Bizzell or our branch libraries. You will need your Sooner Card (physical or digital) or special permit with you.
In Bizzell, you can also use the self-check machine located in the Loveridge Computer Lab across from the main Circulation Desk.
Types of equipment & technology available for borrowing
OU Libraries offers a variety of equipment and technology for borrowing. Equipment includes media (DVDs, VHS tapes, etc.), calculators, and even 3D printed bones. Visit the Technology Lending page to learn more.
Reserves
Select textbooks and other course materials are held at the circulation desks and are available for short check-out periods. Visit the Materials on Reserve and Textbooks on Reserve pages to learn more.
Interlibrary Loan & SoonerXpress
Interlibrary Loan is a service that provides research materials not owned by OU libraries to current OU students, faculty, staff, and Professors Emeritus of the Norman campus. These materials are borrowed from other libraries throughout the world and can be picked up at Bizzell Memorial Library or delivered through SoonerXpress.
Sooner Xpress is a free document delivery service for OU faculty, staff, students, and Professors Emeritus of the Norman and OU-Tulsa campuses. Sooner Xpress provides digitized copies of journal articles and book chapters. Books from the OU Libraries' collection can also be retrieved and held for pickup at Bizzell Memorial Library or delivered to a branch library, your home, or office.
Visit the Request Materials/Delivery page to learn more.
How to renew items
Most material may be renewed online 24/7 in My Account. You may visit any circulation desk for assistance. We are unable to renew items at the circulation desks unless we have the item in hand.
If you would like to request a renewal for your ILL book, login to My ILL and click the red renew button next to the item. Not all requests are eligible for renewal.