Services

What is Express Retrieval?

A free service where we pull items from our shelves and place them on the hold shelf for you. It is available at the Main, Science-Engineering, Fine Arts, and Arizona Health Sciences Libraries.

Who can use it?

UA students, faculty, staff, President's Club and Friends of the University Libraries' Alexandrian Circle members. All accounts must be in good standing.

What items can I request?

Books, DVDs, videos, and CDs

The Main Library media collection is a closed stack area. To assist with browsing the collection, view our Finding Films, Videos and DVD page.

For instructors wanting to stream a video for a class, refer to Video Streaming.

Request articles through Document Delivery

What items cannot be requested?

Any items from the Law Library, Special Collections, or CCP Volkerding Study Center

"Library Use Only" items

Laptops and other equipment

Atlases, bound journals, current journals, maps, mirco-film/fiche, newspapers, other media (laserdiscs, 16 mm films), and reference materials

How many items can I request?

There is no limit, but we reserve the right to process no more than ten items per person per day when there is heavy demand

How long does this take?

Turnaround time is 24 hours, but items are usually on the hold shelf sooner

Items are pulled 3 times a day Monday - Friday and twice on Saturday and Sunday

How do I request items?

Search the catalog

From your results list, click on the title you wish to request

Click the RECALL / EXPRESS RETRIEVAL button

You may be prompted to login with UA NetID and password

Click REQUEST SELECTED ITEM button

Make sure to click on the LOGOUT button when finished

How do I know when my book is on the hold shelf?

You will receive an email saying your items are "Ready for Pickup"

You can also go to My Account and see if the items are "Ready for Pickup." If it says "Available" or "In Library", then the items have not been pulled yet.

You can also get text message alerts for "Ready to Pickup" items. Instructions for setting up text message alerts.

Where are the Hold Shelves located?

Main Library: 2nd Floor, to the left of the entrance

Science-Engineering Library: 2nd Floor,  to the right of the Information Desk and next to Mens Restroom

Fine Arts Library: Across from the Information Desk, center shelving unit

How long will items stay on the hold shelf?

Items will stay on the hold shelf for seven days

If not picked up, the items will be returned to the regular shelves or moved to the next patron hold

Why does my receipt say the book is due back in seven days? I usually get three weeks.

If there is another hold on your item or if the item has been recalled, you receive a shortened check out time

Make sure to check your receipt for your correct due date

Why did I receive an email saying that my hold was cancelled?

If the item cannot be found on shelf, library staff cancel the hold to make the item MISSING. Library staff then do a search for the book, and if found, will reactivate your hold. During the search process, you can request the item through Interlibrary Loan.

You will receive a cancellation notice if the item you requested cannot be retrieved or put on hold

 Questions?

Call us at (520) 621-6406 or send us an email