Introduction to the Health Sciences Library

Current OSU faculty, staff, and students have automatic access to library collections. You do not need to apply for a library card, and can check out items from any OSU Library location with a photo ID.

You can view your library record at My Library Account.

You can request items from any OSU library, including regional campus libraries, to be delivered to you at the HSL. Delivery from Columbus campus locations typically takes 1-3 business days. You will receive an email at your name.#@osu.edu email address notifying you when your item is ready for pickup. Items are held for 10 days.

Use the HSL website, or follow the link in this guide to search the OSU Library Catalog. Simply enter your keywords to search, or use the  button for more advanced searching.

When viewing the records for print books, you will see which library owns that particular book.  With the exception of items whose location is "Health Sciences Library Reserve", all of the HSL's print collection is located off-site and must be requested in advance. You can click on  to have an item delivered to the HSL, or to the local OSU Library of your choice.

Health Sciences Library print reserve collection, located at the Public Services Desk on the 1st floor of Prior Hall, consists of high-demand physical materials (books, DVDs, kits, etc) that are available for shorter checkout periods. Course materials may be included in this collection at the request of instructors.

The following policies are in place for print reserves:

• Print reserves check out for shorter periods and can vary from item to item. Loan periods are as follows
  • 2 hours
  • 1 day
  • 1 week
  • 3 weeks
• Items are available on a first come, first served basis. Hold requests and loan renewals are NOT permitted.
• Library visitors may check out TWO print reserve items at a time and use outside of the library is permitted.
• Returns must be made at the Public Services Desk at HSL, not at another OSU library or at the book drop.

For information about short-term reserves, see our Reserves Guide.

In addition to the OSU catalog, you have the ability to request items from hundreds of other academic institutions and public libraries in Ohio for delivery here at the HSL, via OhioLINK and SearchOhio.

You can use the above links to search the catalogs directly, or, if you have done a search in the OSU Library Catalog and found that the item either isn't owned or is unavailable at OSU, the search can be automatically transferred to the OhioLINK Central Catalog by clicking the  button. Once in the OhioLINK catalog, you can extend your search to the SearchOhio catalog by clicking the button.

For any items, including books, journals, and articles, that are unavailable through the OSU, OhioLINK, or SearchOhio catalogs, you can use Interlibrary Services to request a copy be sent to you. Access Interlibrary Services directly through the OSU Catalog by clicking the  button.

Circulation periods vary depending on library location, patron status (faculty, undergraduate, graduate, etc.) and type of item (book, journal, etc.). Typical borrowing periods are:

Ohio State

• Undergraduates: 6 weeks (unlimited renewals)
• Graduate Students: 17 weeks (unlimited renewals)
• Faculty, staff: 17 weeks (unlimited renewals)
• Courtesy cardholders: 3 weeks (up to 6 renewals)

OhioLINK

• Faculty, staff: 6 weeks (up to 6 renewals)
• Students: 3 weeks (up to 6 renewals)
• Courtesy cardholders: 3 weeks (up to 6 renewals)

SearchOhio

• SearchOhio items: 3 weeks (up to 3 renewals)       
• SearchOhio DVDs: 1 week (up to 3 renewals)

You may be charged fines for unreturned items, or items turned after their due date/time. For more information on fines, see OSU Libraries.