University Libraries

Borrow and Request

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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 (all library users)

All library users may request an item be held for pickup 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 and hold it at Waldo Library.
You will receive a notice through your wmich.edu email account when the item is ready for pickup. Please allow 1-2 business days.

Shipping (WMU users outside of Kalamazoo and Portage)

If you are a Western student, faculty member or staff member residing outside the Kalamazoo and Portage areas, 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.

Intercampus mail delivery (WMU faculty and staff)

If you are a Western faculty or staff member, we will send items borrowed from WMU Libraries to you through intercampus mail.

Within the item description in Library Search, click the “Place Hold, Reserve or Recall Item" link in the Physical section.
Add your mail stop code to the "Ship to my address field."
Your item will be sent through intercampus mail within 2-4 business days.

Borrowing Policy Lost Item Policy

Borrow from other libraries

Interlibrary Loan account

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.

Accessing articles and book chapters (WMU users)

If you are a Western student, faculty member or staff member, you may request an article or book chapter be delivered electronically through Interlibary Loan.

Log in to your Interlibrary Loan account.
In the New Requests menu item at the top, select the Article/Book Chapter request form and complete the form.
You will receive an email through your wmich.edu account with a link to the PDF for download. You can also log in to your Interlibrary Loan account and find a link to download the item in the "Electronically received articles" section on the homepage. Please allow 1-2 business days.
Article and book chapter links will remain available for 30 days after receipt.

Picking up at Waldo Library (WMU users)

If you are a Western student, faculty member or staff member, you may request an interlibrary loan item be held for pickup at Waldo Library.

Log in to your Interlibrary Loan account.
In the New Requests menu item at the top, select a request form, 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 pickup. Please allow 5-7 business days.

Shipping (WMU users outside of Kalamazoo and Portage)

If you are a Western student, faculty member or staff member residing outside the Kalamazoo and Portage areas, we will ship interlibrary loan items to you.

Log in to your Interlibrary Loan account.
In the New Requests menu item at the top, select a request form 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. Please allow 7-10 business days for the item to arrive.

Intercampus mail delivery (WMU faculty and staff)

If you are a Western faculty or staff member, we will send items borrowed through Interlibrary Loan to you through intercampus mail.

Log in to your Interlibrary Loan account.
In the New Requests menu item at the top, select a request form and complete the form.
Add your department name and mail stop code to the Notes section in the form and submit the request.
Your item will be sent through intercampus mail within 5-7 business days.

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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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.

Alumni

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

Retirees and emeriti

Western retirees and emeriti retain a permanent Bronco Card. This card can be used to check out materials from Waldo Library as long as the card remains active. Retirees and emeriti can also request items from another library through Interlibrary Loan using their Bronco NetID and password. An annual password change is required to retain account access.