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Course & Subject Guides

Tips for Navigating Owen Library - Johnstown Campus: Borrowing from Other Libraries

Don't get lost in Owen Library! Learn how to find and access various resources & services available at Owen Library or through Pitt's University Library System.

If the material you need is unavailable at Owen Library . . .

If Owen Library does not have a particular book, article or other resource, you may be able to borrow it from another Pitt campus or local, national or worldwide library through one of our free interlibrary loan (ILL) services.

Start your research early for best results! Most requests usually take between 2 to 10 business days to be filled, depending on how far away the item is. When your requested material arrives, you will be notified through your PITT e-mail and have 10 days to pick it up at the Owen Library Information Desk. Most ULS books have a term (i.e., academic semester) loan period and E-ZBorrow books have a 6-week loan period (with one renewal). The loan period for all other books is determined by the lending library.

When submitting your requests, be sure to select Johnstown as your pickup location!

Questions or requests for assistance regarding borrowing from other libraries, can be directed to the Owen Library Information Desk (814-269-7300) or ILL staff (814-269-7292).

Ways to Borrow

You can request material through PittCat using Get It, even for material that we do not own. You must be signed in, then click on the item you need to see the full menu of options available.

Use 'Request' to receive print materials from a Pitt library or ULS - Thomas Blvd. for No-Contact Pick-Up or Home Delivery.

To make a request:

  1. Sign into your account in PittCat
  2. Find the item you want and click on the title
  3. Look for the Get It, Request options for the title.
  4. Follow the on-screen options to request your item
  5. You will be notified via your Pitt email address when the item is available

Additional questions? Please contact us so we can work with you to try and get the material you need.

You can request material through PittCat using Get It, even for material that we do not own. You must be signed in, then click on the item you need to see the full menu of options available.

Use 'Request' to receive a scanned book chapter or an article from print material.

To make a request:

  1. Sign into your account in PittCat
  2. Find the item you want and click on the title
  3. Look for the Get It, Request options for the title.
  4. Follow the on-screen options to request your item
  5. You will be notified via your Pitt email address when the item is available

Additional questions? Please contact us so we can work with you to try and get the material you need.

If you identify an item in PittCat that is not available through our collections, or if PittCat indicates that we have access to an item in error, you can request it through our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service.

ILL services are available to Pitt students, staff and faculty with a valid Pitt ID and Pitt computing account

• Articles can be downloadable from your list of requests 
• Loan periods and renewals vary depending on the lending institution
• A one-time user registration is required before making an ILL request.  You will not need to re-enter personal information every time you make a request

More Information

Additional Questions? Please contact us so we can work with you to try and get the material you need.