Like it or not, there will be times when the material you seek is either not owned by Tisch Library or is owned but unavailable when you need it. The following suggestions should help you decide how to proceed when you encounter either situation.

 If you cannot locate the needed materials on the shelf, FIRST ask yourself: would another book or article that we own on the same topic be useful?

• If yes, search the catalog or periodical database again to find similar titles.
• If no, double check the catalog to make sure we own the material.

• Are your books not in the catalog?
• Are your periodicals not in the catalog or E-Journals?
• Are your books in the catalog but not on the shelf?
• Are your periodicals in the catalog but not on the shelf?

• Check the WorldCat database to see what libraries have the book. The Reference staff can show you very quickly how to search WorldCat.
• If the book is at a library in the Boston area, you could visit that library and look at the book. If you can wait a week or more, consider completing a book document delivery request and we will borrow the book for you. Books borrowed from other libraries are delivered to the Tisch Circulation Desk. There is no charge for this service.

• Check the World Cat to see what libraries have the journal. The Reference staff can show you very quickly how to search the World Cat.
• If the periodical is at a BLC library, you can visit that library and photocopy the article. If you have about a week or more until the time you need the article, you can complete a periodical article document delivery request and we will request a copy of it for you. There is no charge for this service.

• Double check the catalog to make sure the status is AVAILABLE and that you've taken down the call number correctly.
• Make sure you are in the right location. If your book is marked Reference, it will be on the 2nd level, not the 1st level.
• Double check the shelves near where your book should be. Occasionally, books are inadvertently reshelved in the wrong location.
• Make sure you are at the correct shelf location. For example, if you are looking for a book labeled B809.6 .A74 1991, go to the shelves where you will find books with B800 call numbers, not B8000 call numbers. Reading call numbers correctly can be tricky! Always ask for help at the Reference and Information Desk if you're unsure.
• Check the Book Reshelving Area, located on the first level.
• When all else fails, complete a book trace form at the Circulation Desk.

• Double check the catalog to make sure you have taken down the call number, format (microform or paper), and location correctly. Note that current periodicals in Tisch are shelved in alphabetical order and bound (older) periodicals are in call number order. Also, current issues of many science periodicals are in the Biology Reading Room in Barnum Hall.
• Double check the shelves near where your periodical should be. Occasionally, periodicals are inadvertently reshelved in the wrong location.
• Make sure you are at the correct shelf location. For example, if you are looking for a periodical labeled QH301.S753, go to the shelves where you will find periodicals with QH300 call numbers, not QH3000 call numbers. Reading call numbers correctly can be tricky! Always ask for help at the Reference and Information Desk if you're unsure.
• Check the Bound Periodical Reshelving Area, located on the first level.
• Check the photocopiers. Patrons sometimes leave periodicals there.
• When all else fails, complete a periodicals trace form at the Periodicals Desk.