About the Biology Library

Borrowing Privileges

UW-Madison students, faculty and staff may use their valid University ID as their library card for the purpose of borrowing material from the Biology Library. All others must use a General Library System Deposit Card or GLS Courtesy Card obtained from the Memorial Library Card Application Window, or a Zoology/Botany Runner Card (application can be obtained at the Biology Library).

If you have additional questions about borrowing privileges, or need to determine which borrowing category best suits your needs, call the Memorial Library Circulation Office at (608) 263-1721.

Obtaining Materials

  • Use the online catalog (MadCat) to determine the call number of an item you wish to use. Check the Status line in Madcat to determine whether the item is available or has been charged out. If it has been charged out please skip items 2 and 3, and go to item 4 below.
  • If the item is on the shelf, take it to the Circulation Desk and have it charged out to you.
  • If the item is not on the shelf, ask staff for assistance.
  • If the online catalog indicates that the item is checked out, you may recall it for your use by using the "Place Requests" feature from the catalog record. You will be notified by mail when the item is available for your use. It will be held at the Circulation Desk for 10 days.
  • If the item you need is not available in any of the UW-Madison campus libraries, you may want to obtain it from an off-campus library using Library Express/Interlibrary Loan.

Returning Materials

Most Biology Library books may be returned to ANY of the libraries on campus that are participating in OPEN RETURN. A list of participating libraries is available at the Circulation Desk. You may also return materials from these libraries at the Biology Library in the bookdrops marked "Open Return" or at the Circulation Desk. For more information about Borrowing/Returning materials, see: http://www.library.wisc.edu/borrowing/

Renewing Books

A book with a 28 day loan period may be renewed TWICE, with each renewal extending the due date by 28 days, if the item has not been requested by another patron. All other Biology Library items cannot be renewed. You must renew or return all Biology Library items by the due date to avoid overdue charges. How to Renew a Book Checked Out from the Biology Library:

  1. Online: Follow the instructions for instant renewal of items through MadCat, the library catalog.
  2. In Person: Bring the charge receipts from the backs of the books or the books themselves plus your currently valid UW-Madison ID or Memorial Library card to the Biology Library's Circulation Desk.
  3. By Telephone: Call (608) 262-2740. Have the following information ready: your ID number; the barcode number, call number, or title of the book to be renewed.

Recalls & Holds

How to Place a Recall

If you see on MadCat the status message "Checked Out. Due mm/dd/yy." for a Biology Library book, you may recall it by one of 3 methods. You must have a currently valid UW-Madison ID or Memorial Library card to recall items.

  1. Online: Follow the instructions for placing recalls in MadCat, the online catalog.
  2. In Person: Request a recall at the Biology Library Circulation Desk by presenting your currently valid card and the call number of the desired item.
  3. By Telephone: Call (608) 262-2740. Have the following information available: your ID number; the call number of the desired item.

How to Place a Hold

You may place a hold on a New Book at the Biology Library by one of 2 methods. You must have a currently valid UW-Madison ID or Memorial Library card to recall items.

  1. In Person: Request a recall at the Biology Library Circulation Desk by presenting your currently valid card and the call number of the desired item.
  2. By Telephone: Call (608) 262-2740. Have the following information available: your ID number; the call number of the desired item.