The Virtual Catalog provides a single, searchable catalog of books owned by participating libraries of the Boston Library Consortium. Qualified patrons of these libraries may directly request material from the other participants. UConn students, faculty and staff (including retirees) may search and request material from the following libraries:

• Boston University
• Boston University Medical Center
• Brown University
• Marine Biology Laboratory-Woods Hole Ocean. Inst.
• Northeastern University
• Northeastern University School of Law
• Tufts University
• Tufts University Health Sciences
• Tufts University School of Law and Diplomacy
• Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine
• University of Connecticut
• University of New Hampshire
• U Mass-Amherst
• U Mass-Boston
• U Mass-Dartmouth
• U Mass-Lowell
• U Mass-Medical (Worcester)
• Wellesley College
• Williams College

Who can use the Virtual Catalog?

Anyone may search the Virtual Catalog by typing "guest" in the "Patron ID" field.

In order to request material, you must sign in with your University ID number. Each participating library determines which of its patrons may submit borrowing requests, and the way they will be handled at that library. Current UConn students, faculty and staff (including retirees) may submit borrowing requests. Please take care of any overdue items before using the BLC Virtual Catalog service.

What material may be borrowed on the Virtual Catalog?

Each participating library determines which items in its collection are eligible for borrowing on the Virtual Catalog. In general this includes books and other materials that normally can be checked out. You may not be able to request books that are already checked out, or that are in reference, course reserve, audio-visual, or other special collections. If your request is accepted by the Virtual Catalog, then the system has identified at least one copy that can be requested. If the book you want cannot be borrowed on the Virtual Catalog, place an interlibrary loan request for the title.

Is there a fee for borrowing titles through the Virtual Library?

Borrowing through the Virtual Catalog is a free service.

When should I use the Virtual Catalog?

The Virtual Catalog should be used when you know the title or author of the book you want and have already determined that it is not owned by any of the UConn Libraries.

Can journal articles be requested through the Virtual Catalog?

Journals and other serials/periodicals are not included in the Virtual Catalog at this time, and journal articles cannot be requested using its borrowing service. Instead, submit your article requests through the Document Delivery - Interlibrary Loan office.

How do I request multiple volumes from the same title in the Virtual Catalog?

If you are in need of more than one volume from a multi-volume set, you must place a separate request for each volume needed and mention the volume number in the "Notes for Librarian to Review" box on the request form. For example, if you need volumes 3, 6 and 9 from a title that contains 13 volumes, you will need to place a total of three separate requests for the title. Please note that entering information in the "Notes for Librarian to Review" box does slow down the processing of your request.

How long does it take to get a title requested through the Virtual Catalog?

The Boston Library Consortium libraries are committed to rapid delivery to other BLC libraries. If the title you request is on the shelf at the first library identified, it should be ready for pickup at your chosen UConn library in about a week.

Where do I pick up and return Virtual Catalog material?

You will receive an email notice when the material arrives at your chosen UConn library pick up location. Go to the circulation desk at the specified UConn library; you will need your UConn ID card to check the material out. Please return material to the same circulation desk where you checked it out on or before the due date. The pickup locations you can choose include the Circulation Desks at all of the following:

Homer Babbidge Library (Storrs)
Avery Point Regional Campus Library
West Hartford Regional Campus Library
Stamford Regional Campus Library
Torrington Regional Campus Library
Waterbury Regional Campus Library

What happens if my Virtual Catalog request is not filled?

If your request cannot be filled, you will receive an email message explaining that your request could not be filled by a Virtual Catalog library. In the email message, you will be invited to place an interlibrary loan request using the UConn Libraries Interlibrary Loan request form. The Document Delivery/Interlibrary Loan office will attempt to obtain the title you need as soon as possible from other area libraries.

What are the Virtual Catalog loan policies?

Loan period for Virtual Catalog materials: 28 days
Renewals: Sorry, not permitted
Limits: 25 items
Fines and replacement billing: the same as for UConn library material

Why am I having trouble locating needed titles in the Virtual Catalog?

There are a few reasons why you may be unable to locate resources on the Virtual Catalog. Here is a brief list of potential problems and their solutions:

• Problem/Solution #1: The title needed is not owned by any Virtual Catalog libraries. UConn Faculty, Students and Staff (including retirees) may place loan requests through the Document Delivery/Interlibrary Loan Office online.

• Problem/Solution #2: You are looking for a periodical title, and/or a photocopy of a periodical article. Currently the Virtual Catalog does not support periodical photocopy requests. UConn Faculty, Students and Staff (including retirees) may place requests for periodical/journal articles through the Document Delivery/Interlibrary Loan Office online.

I want to borrow a title through the Virtual Catalog, but when I enter my University ID, I can't get in. What am I doing wrong?

In order to use the borrowing feature in the Virtual Catalog, you must log in using your University ID. If your University ID is not accepted:

2. You have entered your University ID incorrectly. Solution: Try entering your ID (without the dashes) again.

3. Your library record has expired or you have an overdue recalled title. Contact the UConn DD-ILL office, speak to a Circulation Desk staff member at the Homer Babbidge Library Circulation Desk (860-486-2518) on the Plaza Level, or contact your Regional Campus librarian.

4. You have reached the limit for items checked out. Speak to a Circulation staff member at the Homer Babbidge Library Circulation Desk (860-486-2518) on the Plaza Level or at your Regional Campus library.

Contact the UConn DD-ILL Office with any questions.

Using The Virtual Catalog

Enter your 9-digit University ID number in the log in box at the top of this page.

From the Patron Main Menu, if you wish to search the catalog for desired material, click on the "Searching/Requesting" button. To check the status of requests you have already submitted, click on "Review Your Requests."

On the Search Menu, enter author, title, or ISBN, and specify whether you are performing an author, book title or ISBN search; click on "Start." Note: Currently, it is not possible to search for journals and other serials on the Virtual Catalog.

If what you searched for is found in the Virtual Catalog, you will see your search results on the Combined Results Screen.

If more than one item is retrieved, you may sort the list by author, title or date. Click on the "Next Page" button, if one appears, to be sure you see all your search results. Click on the underlined blue title to see more information about an item.

When you find something of interest that is owned by more than one library, use the pull down menu of the Details screen to select a library. Then click on the "Show Availability" button to see its location, call number and status.

At any point in your searching you may press the "Request" button to initiate a borrowing request. If a copy is available for Virtual Catalog borrowing, the Request Screen will be displayed. Fill in the form as directed, and click on the "Submit Request" button.

1. Create Request: The system will ask you to verify your name. Be sure to click the correct button.
2. Pick up location: Use the pull down menu to make your pickup location selection.
3. Enter the "Need by" date that is appropriate for this request.
4. Notes for librarian to review: Entering a note here forces this request to be reviewed by a staff member and may cause a slight delay in the borrowing process. However, some notes are necessary. For example, each volume of a multi-volume set must be ordered separately. You should note the specific volume you need in this field.
5. Email address: Include your UConn email address in order to receive notification concerning your request.
6. Request Confirmed will display the title information and a Request Number. You may wish to print this for your records.
7. An Email Status Report will also be sent to you when your request is accepted by the system, when the material you want is received at your specified pickup location, or if your request cannot be filled.
8. Check request status: On the Patron Main Menu, click on the button labeled Review Your Requests. You will then be shown a summary of all your outstanding requests. Find the appropriate request number/item and click on the title link. Status and Due Date are toward the bottom of the Request Details screen.
9. Log Out: Make sure to click on the Quit button on the BorrowDirect menu to ensure your privacy and the security of the system.