Research hint no. 3: What to do if the item you need is checked out, lost, damaged, isn't on the shelf or is otherwise unavailable

As the end of term draws closer, one is faced with the grim realization that the resources that one needs to complete (or even begin) a project are unavailable. They may be checked out, they may be overdue, they may be lost, they may be damaged, or they should be on the shelf but aren't. What to do? (besides panic, of course). If the book is checked out, you have the option of recalling the item at the JKM circulation desk (the current borrower has 7 days to return it, however). If the item is lost, missing, or damaged, you could place an interlibrary loan but you need the book now. Here's an option of which you might not be aware ...

For example, you're writing a paper on the theology of creation and you need a copy of Jurgen Moltmann's God in creation:

Unfortunately, the book has the status of "Item missing not on shelf" (which, in effect, means that the book should be on the shelf, but isn't, and that library staff have searched for it). The WorldCat database can come to your rescue at this point. Login to the FirstSearch databases by clicking on the FirstSearch link on the toolbar of the JKM webpage and inputing the authorization and password. The Advanced Search screen will appear, with WorldCat as the default database. Search the WorldCat database for God in creation using the Title Phrase search option, as follows:

Left-click on the Search button to perform the search, and — after selecting the record with the most holdings — the full record will appear:

Note the Libraries worldwide that own item link. 569 is the number of libraries worldwide that own this particular edition of Moltmann's work. Left-click on the link and the list of libraries that own this item will appear, with those libraries in Illinois that own the item appearing at the top of the list:

Note that the names of almost all the libraries are in blue and underscored. Each of those names is a link which will (or, in some cases, at least should) take you to the online catalog for each respective library. (In case you're wondering, the names of Chicago Theological Seminary and the Passionist Academic Institute are not links because they do not have online catalogs). Since Catholic Theological Union (CTU) is conveniently nearby, click on the CTU link. The record for God in creation — as it appears in the CTU online catalog — will appear, and with it the CTU call number and an indication of its on-the-shelf status (checked in or checked out):

Were you to decide to go to CTU and check out their copy of Moltmann's God in creation, be sure 1) to take your McCormick or LSTC i.d. with you; and, 2) that your ACTS borrower card is current (current cards expire on 31 December 2009). If your ACTS borrower card is not current, stop by the JKM circulation desk and request one before visiting CTU or any other ACTS library or the University of Chicago.