Requesting Books, Articles, & Media

ISU Libraries allow students, faculty, and staff members to place holds for physical items (e.g., books and media) to pick up at the library of your choice. You may also request scans of single book chapters and articles that the library owns.

Searching in OneSearch

OneSearch (the main search box on the ISU Libraries homepage) includes books, videos, and other items that the library owns. To request these items for pick-up:

1. Identify physical book, video, or other item available at ISU Libraries. Hint: Look for the "Location" information for the item
2. Click "Retrieve Catalog Item." This will redirect you to the catalog record for the item 
3. Click the "Request" link near the top of the catalog record. Look for the red checkmark icon
4. Log-in with your 9-digit Bengal ID and last name
5. Choose your delivery option 
   • Pick up location: You may pick up your item from any ISU library location free of charge. Select Main Library (Pocatello), Idaho Falls, or Meridian
   • Mail: You may have an item mailed to your address on file for a fee
     • Please double check your address in your account before submitting this request
     • Need to update your address? Call the ISU Libraries Circulation Department at 208-282-3248
6. If there is a date that would be too late to receive your item, update the "Cancel if not filled by" information
7. Click "Submit"

You will receive an email to your @isu.edu account when your item is available to be picked up

Searching the ISU Libraries Catalog

1. Search the ISU Libraries Catalog for an item. Click "Library Catalog" from the library's homepage and search by keyword, title, author, etc.
2. In your results list, click the "Request" link for the item  you would like to request. Note: "Available online" links will redirect you to an electronic copy
3. Log-in with your 9-digit Bengal ID and last name
4. Choose your delivery option 
   • Pick up location: You may pick up your item from any ISU library location free of charge. Select Main Library (Pocatello), Idaho Falls, or Meridian
   • Mail: You may have an item mailed to your address on file for a fee.
     • Please double check your address in your account before submitting this request
     • Need to update your address? Call the ISU Libraries Circulation Department at 208-282-3248
5. If there is a date that would be too late to receive your item, update the "Cancel if not filled by" information.
6. Click "Submit"

You will receive an email to your @isu.edu account when your item is available to be picked up

ISU Libraries will scan single book chapters or articles from physical items in our collection and deliver them to you electronically. Use your Interlibrary Loan account to place the request. 

1. Starting from the library homepage, hover over "My Library Account" in the top menu and select "Interlibrary Loan Account." This will redirect you to your Interlibrary Loan Account. 
2. Log-in using your 9-digit Bengal ID and last name. If this is your first time logging into your account you will need to complete the registration form
3. In the ILL system, click "New Requests"
4. Choose the type of material you would like to request from the dropdown menu
5. Fill out as much of the form as possible
   • Note the required fields
   • Make sure to provide accurate information. The accuracy of your request may affect the turn around time!
6. Click "Submit Request"

You will receive an email notification when your document is ready to download from your Interlibrary Loan account

Here are some of the most common questions about requesting ISU Library materials.

You may also want to review the full FAQ about Requesting ISU Materials.