About Available to Order items

Our Available to Order service enhances the way we currently acquire books for the Library’s permanent collection by inviting you to participate in our collection building. Librarians curate selections of books beyond our usual purchases, which are then made available as Virgo catalog records. Should you choose to order these items, the Library will purchase them to become part of our collection. 

This service allows you to choose books you need for your research and scholarship from right inside the Library catalog.

What are Available to Order books?

  • Curated lists of English language monographs selected by our Library collection staff that appear in Virgo as “Available to Order” items. You may prompt the Library to purchase these items from within Virgo.
  • Books that enhance our current collection development efforts.

What are the benefits?

  • Increases your access to scholarly materials
  • You help us build a Library collection that best supports your research and scholarship
  • We more directly support your research needs
  • We can focus our funding on books you need

What happens when I request an Available to Order book?

As soon as we receive your request, we’ll purchase the item. Available to Order books tend to arrive in about 14 business days. A hold will be placed on the book for you, and you’ll be able to pick it up at a library, or if you’re eligible for LEO delivery, it will be delivered to you.

Can I still place an ILL request for a book?

Yes! You can always place an Interlibrary Loan request for a book that isn’t in Virgo, or Ask a Librarian to learn about other options for obtaining what you need.

Who should I contact with questions?

  • For general questions about using this service or obtaining materials contact us via Ask a Librarian
  • For questions about how the Available to Order service is administered, email Beth Blanton-Kent