Recall Materials

A recall is a request to the library to ask another user who has an item checked out to bring it back to the library by a specified date.  Place a recall to get access to a book or other item within a defined time period.  When the item is returned, you will be notified to pick it up.

Some items (e.g., Media and Reserve materials) cannot be recalled. Someone from our team will inform you if an item you request for recall cannot be placed.

You must be an IU Bloomington affiliate to recall and item.

Recalls vs Delivery Service

Request Delivery Service

Before you submit a recall request, you may wish to check to see if there is a copy available at another IU campus. It may be quicker to use Request Delivery to obtain the item from another IU campus rather than placing a recall request. Request Delivery typically takes 4-7 days, whereas a Recall may take up to two weeks to fulfill. 

Request Recall

If an item you wish to obtain is showing as checked out on IUCAT, you can place a recall request as described on this page to ask the current user to return the item for you to use. 

Instructions for Recall

  • All books charged out are subject to recall for another library user after 10 DAYS of initial use, regardless of the library user status (i.e., faculty, graduate student, undergraduate student, staff, Indiana resident).
  • IUB students, faculty and staff: If the item is held only at Bloomington and our copy is checked out, you may place an Interlibrary Loan request for the item.
  • Be sure to specify the library where you would like to pick up the material when it becomes available.
  • Provide your Indiana University-affiliated email address.  You will receive a copy of your request via email.
  • Your Library Identification Number is the barcode number found on your IU ID card or borrower's card.  It begins with a 2, followed by a zero, and other numbers. Please provide the entire number.
  • The call number of the book is found on the IUCAT record.
  • Media and Reserves materials are not eligible for recall.

Returning a Recalled Book

If you are subject to a recall on an item you have borrowed you will receive an email from the Libraries with a new due date and instructions for where to return it. Borrowers who do not return the item by the specified due date will be fined $25.

Questions?

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Reach out to a specific library branch for more information