Frequently Asked Questions

Turn Around Time for Orders
Turn around time from receipt of your order request to when item is ready for checkout depends on format and availability of item. The Library Acquisitions Department also experiences a high volume of order requests at the beginning of each semester which delays processing orders. More information regarding order formats, special handling and out of print books is listed below.

Format
Books
Orders received in Acquisitions will be sent to the library vendor for fulfillment within one week. If the book is in stock at the publisher, we will receive shipment approximately nine weeks after placing order. The item will be processed and placed on our New Book Shelf within two weeks after that.
Usual turn around time from order to checkout: 11 weeks

Videos & DVDs
Orders for video and DVDs will be sent to the library vendor within two weeks of request. If item is in stock, the average delivery time is three weeks.
Usual turn around time from order to checkout: 7 weeks

Music CDs
Orders for music compact discs will be sent to the library vendor within two weeks of request. If item is in stock, the average delivery time is five weeks.
Usual turn around time from order to checkout: 10 weeks

Music Scores
Requests for music scores will be sent to the library vendor within three weeks of request. If item is in stock, the average delivery time is eight weeks.
Usual turn around time from order to checkout: 23 weeks

Software and Multimedia
Orders for software will be sent to vendor within four weeks of request. Your liaison librarian and the Systems librarian review all software orders for compatibility. All orders require final approval from the library director.
Usual turn around time from order to checkout: 12 weeks

Journals
Requests for new journals can be submitted year round. New subscriptions will be considered during the Periodicals Add/Drop Season which begins approximately January 15 each year. Final decisions will be made by the end of spring semester. Selected new titles will begin in the following calendar year.

^ top

Special Handling
Needs by Date
If an item is needed by a specific date, please note this with your order request. We will take this into consideration when placing your order with distributors.

Rush Orders
Rush orders are for items that are needed sooner than can be obtained through our usual library vendors, as stated above. Be sure to let your liaison know your 'need by' date. Rush orders are placed with supplier within one day. To fulfill your request, items may require express shipping. The increased shipping costs are added to the purchase price, which impacts your library funds. Delivery time can range from one day to three weeks depending on supplier and stock on hand. Once item is received in the library, it is rushed through cataloging in 24 hours. Circulation will hold for you at the desk and notify you it is available.

Hold/Reserve
Let us know if you wish to have an item held for you after library processing. We will notify you when it is available and hold it at the Circulation desk for pick-up.

Additional Order Information
Out of Print Books
The average publishing life of a book in the United States is six months. If a publisher notifies us that your book is out of print, we will automatically try to locate another source. We will notify you of any additional delays via email. Orders submitted for out of print items take an additional one-to-two weeks to process as we will need to locate an out of print dealer. These book dealers vary in their turn around time and may be overseas.

^ top