Getting Started at the Library: Using the Library Catalog

The majority of the LHL collection is in Closed Stacks. This area is not accessible to the public; items must be requested via the online catalog:

1. Sign into Primo with your library account using the email token or social authentication*.
2. Conduct a search in the library’s catalog.
3. Click on the Title to display the full record. Check if the item is Unavailable or Not Loanable.
4. Under the Get It section, click Request (if the item is a journal or part of a multivolume work, click Request Other Issue).

The Terms of Use will be automatically populated with the appropriate checkout period. You can add in a Not Needed By date, and/or provide additional information in the Comment section. Hit the Send Request..

You will get an email when the item is available at the Reference Desk.  Turnaround time is usually 10-15 minutes.  If a request cannot be filled, you'll be notified via email.

* Complete the online application if you do not have a library account.

Patrons with a Primo account can request scanned copies of certain materials:

1. Sign into Primo with your library account using the email token or social authentication*.
2. Conduct a search in the library’s catalog.
3. Click on the Title to display the full record. 
4. Under the Get It section, click Digitization (if the item is a journal or part of a multivolume work, click Digitize Other Issue).
5. Complete the lines for Chapter/Article Title, Pages, etc., as completely as possible. You can add in a Not Needed By date, and/or provide additional information in the Comment section. Hit Send Digitization Request.

The scanned document(s) are saved to a secure server. You will get an email when the item is available to be downloaded.  Turnaround time for most requests is 24-48 hours.  If a request cannot be filled, you'll be notified via email.

Registered patrons are allowed a limited number of requests at no charge.

* Complete the online application if you do not have a library account.

Open Stacks items are generally published after 1980. They are shelved on the 2nd Floor, which is open to the public.  As such, they cannot be requested for retrieval in the online catalog; patrons can pull these items themselves.

Linda Hall uses the Library of Congress classification system to assign call numbers by subject, focusing on materials in the Q (Science)  and T(Technology) class schedules. A printed copy of the LC classification system is available at Reference Desk, for your information. 

A map is provided to help navigating the Open Stacks area.

The Themed Collections section in Primo are LHL materials organized around a subject, event or format. Included are electronic versions of:

• Incunables: items printed before the year 1501, housed in the History of Science Library
• Expurgated and Censored Books, also from the History of Science Library
• A sub-collection of science and technology journals from Central and South America; and more.

Themed Collections also includes items that may not be eligible for total digitization due to publisher restrictions or U.S. Copyright Law. They can be requested for in-library use; for partial digitization, or through interlibrary loan through the Document Delivery

• For questions about digitization services or interlibrary loan: requests@lindahall.org.

A Reference Specialist is available during library hours, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST.

Contact us:

• Phone: 800.662.1545 or 816.926.8701.
• For questions about the collections or resources: reference@lindahall.org, or complete the Reference Request Form.
• For questions about library accounts or renewals: circ@lindahall.org.
• Check one of the Reference Guides that may provide additional help.

Click to Get Started at Linda Hall Library.