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.

The Health Sciences Library's print collection is located behind the Public Services desk and is not open for browsing, however the items are still available for checkout. Visit the desk to request staff pull the item, or use Libraries Search to place a request for pickup at HSL, or other locations across OSU and the state of Ohio.

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 search bar at the top of the HSL website, or follow the link in this guide to find library materials using Libraries Search. 

In addition to items owned by HSL and other OSU libraries, you can use Libraries Search to request items from hundreds of other academic institutions and public libraries in Ohio for delivery here at the HSL via OhioLINK and SearchOhio*. These requests are typically delivered within 3-5 business days.

*SearchOhio lending is temporarily paused due to a system transition and will resume in Fall 2025.

The 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.

For any items, including books, journals, and articles, that are unavailable through the OSU, OhioLINK, or SearchOhio collections, you can use Interlibrary Services to request a copy be sent to you. 

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 returned after their due date/time. For more information on fines, see OSU Libraries.