Borrow and Request

Borrow from WMU Libraries

View your library account and see items you have currently checked out, confirm due dates and renew items. Guest borrowers are provided access when given their guest borrower’s card.

  • Picking up at Waldo Library
    • Within the item description in Library Search, click the "Place Hold, Reserve or Recall Item" link in the Physical section, leaving the “Ship to my address” field blank.
    • Once you have placed your online request, University Libraries will retrieve the item, package it for pick up and hold it at Waldo Library.
    • You will receive a notice through your wmich.edu email account when the item is ready for pick up.
  • Shipping to you

    If you are a WMU student, faculty member or staff member, we will ship items borrowed from WMU Libraries to you. Guest borrowers must pick up items at Waldo Library.

    • Within the item description in Library Search, click the “Place Hold, Reserve or Recall Item" link in the Physical section.
    • Add your complete mailing address to the "Ship to my address field," including zip code and/or apartment or building number. Items cannot be shipped to a PO Box.
    • Your item will be shipped to this address within 2-4 business days.

Other borrowing info

Borrow from other libraries

  • Borrow an item from one of 70,000 libraries worldwide if we don’t have what you are looking for. Simply sign in with your Bronco NetID and password. You’ll automatically be asked to create a new Interlibrary Loan account if you don’t have one.

  • Picking up at Waldo Library
    • Log in to your Interlibrary Loan account.
    • Select request form in menu on the left, complete the form and submit the request.
    • Once your item has arrived at Waldo Library, you will receive a notice through your wmich.edu email account when it is ready for pick up. 
  • Shipping to you
    • Log in to your Interlibrary Loan account.
    • Select request form in menu on the left and complete the form.
    • Add your address to the Notes section in the form and submit the request.
    • Your item will be shipped to this address. 
  • Fees

    Most items ordered through Interlibrary Loan are free. Occasionally, requests may involve a fee. 

    We’ll pay the first $15 of every request. You are responsible for anything over that.

    We will send you an email seeking approval for charges before proceeding with the request.

  • Find and order books, music, audio and more from Michigan libraries. Use your Western identification number (WIN) as the library card number when logging in. You will receive an email when your item is available for pick up at Waldo Library.

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Request items

Guest borrowers

A guest borrower may borrow up to 10 items from WMU Libraries excluding course reserve and audio/video items. You may obtain a guest borrower's card if you:

  • Live within a 50-mile radius of Western Michigan University, and
  • Are at least 18 years of age, and
  • Present a photo identification with an address and proof of Social Security number.

A guest borrower's card is valid for one year. To renew a card, stop by Waldo Library.

For more information on obtaining a guest borrower's card, call Waldo Library at (269) 387-5059 during open library hours or stop by our service desk in the first-floor lobby.

WMU alumni

WMU alumni in good standing may also obtain a guest borrower's card. Verification of alumni status may be required.

Need help?

  • Need help borrowing or requesting an item?