Local Catalog
The Local Catalog is where you'll search to find the items that OU Libraries own, such as books, ebooks, textbooks, videos, etc.
- Can search by title, if known, or by keyword to see the wide range of owned items.
How to Read Call Numbers
Books in OU Libraries are organized by a classification system called Library of Congress. This system organizes books by subject rather than by author's last name or by book title.
- Physical location is given by call number.
- Call numbers can also be used to find similar books.
- Can also use call numbers to request a book from Library Storage Center, ILL, or Sooner Xpress.
Call Number Locations
With five floors in the Bizzell Memorial Library alone, that is a lot of floors to cover to find the books you need for your research.
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Call numbers and separate collections in BizzellUse this link to find how our floors are divided with Library of Congress call numbers, and where certain call numbers will be more numerous in different branches.
Sooner Xpress & InterLibrary Loan
With over 2 million books in Bizzell alone, plus all of the others in our branch libraries and the Library Service Center, you may not have time to go looking for the book you need. You can place a Sooner Xpress request to have books collected for pick up at one of our locations, or mailed to you (you will have to pay for return shipping). If you select pickup, the books are usually ready in under 24 hours. If they are mailed to you, the delivery time will depend on shipping.
- To request a book, find it in the catalog.
- Click on the book's title to view the full listing.
- Look for the "Request this item via Sooner Xpress" link. This will automatically fill in the form for you.
- Check that it filled in correctly and choose a delivery method, then submit your request.
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Sooner Xpress Info PageMore information about Sooner Xpress can be found here.
InterLibrary Loan (ILL)
Libraries all over the country are willing to send you copies of articles you need or loan you a book from their collection, if you can't find in OU's collection. As you're looking through our databases or our local catalog and find that there is an article or book you need and we don't have it, you can request an ILL to have another library send it here to Bizzell in order to have access to it.
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Interlibrary Loan and Sooner XpressBook listings in the catalog will have a "Request this item via Sooner Xpress" link that will automatically fill in the form, but you can also go directly to the Sooner Xpress or ILL request form here. Be sure to fill in as much information as you can.
Help @ the Circulation Desk
Within Bizzell Memorial Library, you can find circulation desks at both the west and south entrances to the library. Here, employees are on hand during all hours of operation to process materials, answer questions, and connect you with services throughout University Libraries. The main circulation desk is also the primary contact point for departments like Billing and Interlibrary Loan, and where you can check out materials on short-term loan, ranging from textbooks to laptops to even bike locks!
