Library Services
The Karrmann Library and its staff exist to serve on-campus and distance students, university staff and faculty, and area residents in support of UW-Platteville鈥檚 mission. Departments and services include administration, acquisitions, collection development, cataloging, circulation, government publications, interlibrary loan, outreach, reference, resource sharing, serials, and the Southwest Wisconsin Room.
Select services are highlighted below. Click on each question to expand more information.
Cataloging (Search@UW)
What should I know about cataloging (Search@UW) services?
The Search@UW catalog provides access to the library鈥檚 physical and digital collection of over 300,000 books, articles, media, newspapers, magazines, government documents, and more. You can use the catalog to browse, search, locate, and request these items. For full access to Search@UW and its features, sign in with your UW-Platteville username and password.
What information does the catalog provide?
The catalog provides the following information via bibliographic records:
- Description of the item including author, title, publisher, and copyright date.
- Analysis of the item's content.
- Subject heading(s) established by the Library of Congress (a standardized, controlled vocabulary that enables you to locate materials by a subject search)
- Classification of the item (an assigned call number that draws like materials together on shelves) using the Library of Congress classification scheme, Dewey Decimal System, or another classification scheme
- Location of the item within the library
- Status of the item (availability and due date, if applicable)
Who do I contact about cataloging?
Cataloging staff are responsible for the creation, maintenance, indexing, and integrity of the鈥痗atalog. For questions, call 608.342.1643 or contact Jessica Donahoe, collection development librarian and technical services coordinator, at donahoej@uwplatt.edu or 608.342.1348.
Circulation (Checkout)
What should I know about circulation (checkout) services?
Circulation encompasses the lending of library materials. In addition to the Karrmann Library鈥檚 collection, you have access to the collections of other UW System libraries through Search@UW (called resource sharing). Students also have access to items on reserve, which are set aside by their instructors to use for a specific class. You can find the circulation desk on the second (main) floor of the building.
Who can borrow library materials?
University faculty, staff, and students with a UW-Platteville campus ID card (including the Baraboo Sauk County campus community and distance students with a username and password) may check out library materials. Area residents may also check out materials with a special borrower鈥檚 card, which they can apply for at the circulation desk (valid photo ID and email address required). After the card is approved, up to five (5) items may be checked out at a time.
What materials are available for borrowing?
The library鈥檚 collection includes audiobooks, current reading, DVDs, graphic novels, leisure reading, oversized books, periodicals, reference collection, and serials. Other items available for checkout include a bike pump, calculators, coloring utensils, dry erase markers, a handheld video camera, headphones, microphone, storage lockers (keys), a tripod, and umbrellas.
How long is the loan period for borrowed items?
The standard loan period is 28 days for books; for faculty and staff, this loan period is extended until the end of the semester. The loan period for media and DVDs is 14 days for all borrowers. An exact due date will be established at checkout, and you will receive an email confirmation.
How do I borrow/request an item?
You can check out an item at the circulation desk with your UW-Platteville campus ID card. Bring the item(s) you wish to borrow to the desk and let the staff know you are ready to check out. You will be prompted to swipe your campus ID card (or present an alternative form of identification). The item(s) you are borrowing will be scanned and desensitized. Staff will inform you of the due date, and you will receive an email confirmation.
Alternatively, you can request an item for pickup. To request an item: Go to Search@UW. Sign in with your UW-Platteville username and password. Enter a search term(s) in the search bar, then click the search button. Select the item you want to request. Under Get It, click Local Request (from the Karrmann Library), if available, otherwise click Request from UW System (takes 3-4 days). On the form that pops up, choose your pickup location: Elton S. Karrmann Library or Baraboo Campus Pickup. Click Send Request.
You will receive an email notification when the item is ready for you to pick up at your pickup location. For Baraboo Sauk County borrowers, allow 7-10 additional business days for delivery; you will receive one email notification when the item arrives at the Karrmann Library and a second notification when the item is ready for you to pick up at the Baraboo Sauk County campus. Note: If an item is not available at the Karrmann Library or other UW System libraries, you will be prompted to ask for assistance or request it via interlibrary loan.
Alternatively, you can request an item for pickup. To request an item: Go to Search@UW. Sign in with your UW-Platteville username and password. Enter a search term(s) in the search bar, then click the search button. Select the item you want to request. Under Get It, click Local Request (from the Karrmann Library), if available, otherwise click Request from UW System (takes 3-4 days). On the form that pops up, choose your pickup location: Elton S. Karrmann Library or Baraboo Campus Pickup. Click Send Request.
You will receive an email notification when the item is ready for you to pick up at your pickup location. For Baraboo Sauk County borrowers, allow 7-10 additional business days for delivery; you will receive one email notification when the item arrives at the Karrmann Library and a second notification when the item is ready for you to pick up at the Baraboo Sauk County campus. Note: If an item is not available at the Karrmann Library or other UW System libraries, you will be prompted to ask for assistance or request it via interlibrary loan.
How do I place a hold on an item?
If an item available at the Karrmann Library is already checked out (the catalog will indicate the title is 鈥渙n loan鈥 along with the due date), you can still request to borrow it by placing a hold. The current borrower will be sent a recall notice requesting that the item be returned by the due date. Upon return, you will have the opportunity to check out the item.
To place a hold: Go to Search@UW. Sign in with your UW-Platteville username and password. Enter a search term(s) in the search bar, then click the search button. Select the item you want to place on hold. Under Get It, click Local Request and choose your pickup location. Click Send Request. You will receive an email notification when the item is available for you to check out at your pickup location.
Note: Unless an item is needed for reserve, a recall will not be sent until the current borrower has had the item for at least 14 days.
To place a hold: Go to Search@UW. Sign in with your UW-Platteville username and password. Enter a search term(s) in the search bar, then click the search button. Select the item you want to place on hold. Under Get It, click Local Request and choose your pickup location. Click Send Request. You will receive an email notification when the item is available for you to check out at your pickup location.
Note: Unless an item is needed for reserve, a recall will not be sent until the current borrower has had the item for at least 14 days.
Where do I return an item?
Return items can be handed directly to the staff at the circulation desk or dropped off in one of the library鈥檚 convenient book return boxes. Return boxes are clearly marked and accessible from the following locations:
For Baraboo Sauk County borrowers, items delivered to the Baraboo Sauk County campus should be picked up and returned at the same designated location.
- On either side of the circulation desk
- On the north side of the building to the left of the second floor (main entrance) doors
- On the south side of the building to the right of the first floor (back entrance) doors
For Baraboo Sauk County borrowers, items delivered to the Baraboo Sauk County campus should be picked up and returned at the same designated location.
What happens if an item is not returned by the due date?
An item not returned by the due date established at checkout is considered overdue and subject to fines and fees. When an item reaches 28 days overdue, you will be billed for the replacement cost of the material plus a per-item processing fee. You will receive a late notice prior to this point.
Two overdue items or a total of fines and fees that exceed $210.00 will block all library privileges. Blocks will remain until the account is paid in full. Failure to pay fines and fees may result in other penalties or collection procedures.
Note: Fines and fees are non-refundable. However, the replacement cost may be refunded upon return of the overdue item (not the processing fee).
Two overdue items or a total of fines and fees that exceed $210.00 will block all library privileges. Blocks will remain until the account is paid in full. Failure to pay fines and fees may result in other penalties or collection procedures.
Note: Fines and fees are non-refundable. However, the replacement cost may be refunded upon return of the overdue item (not the processing fee).
How do I renew my loan on an item?
Most materials may be renewed if not placed on hold/recall by another borrower. By renewing a loan, you are extending the original due date. There are several ways to renew an item:
- Visit the circulation desk.
- Contact the circulation desk at 608.342.1679 or circulation@uwplatt.edu.
- Go to Search@UW. Under Menu, click My Account. Sign in to your account using your UW-Platteville username and password. Under Loans, click Renew for the individual item you wish to renew or click Renew All to renewal all items. A new due date will be established upon renewal, and you will receive an email confirmation.
What materials can be placed on reserve?
The following materials may be placed on reserve by instructors for students to use for a specific class:
- Books from any of the library鈥檚 collections.
- Photocopied material in accordance with copyright laws.
- Personal items (at your own risk; all reserve items are required to have an attached barcode and assigned number, and the library is not responsible for any damage to or loss of the material).
- Textbooks in low supply (at the discretion of the Textbook Center).
How do I place an item on reserve?
If you are an instructor who wants to place an item on reserve, deliver it to the circulation desk. You will be required to complete a reserve form with the following information, if applicable:
- First and last name
- Department
- Course name and number
- Item title and author (exactly as it is provided to your students)
- Item ISBN and edition
- A loan period if different from the standard two-hour policy
- Date item can be removed from reserve
Note: It takes approximately two (2) business days to process a reserve item (up to 4-5 business days if received at the beginning of the semester).
How do I checkout an item on reserve?
You can check out an item on reserve at the circulation desk with your UW-Platteville campus ID card. Let the staff know the title and author of the item you want to check out. You will be prompted to swipe your campus ID card (or present an alternative form of identification). The item you are borrowing will be retrieved from behind the desk, scanned, and desensitized. Staff will inform you of the loan period and any instructions; the standard loan period for reserve items is two (2) hours within the library (item cannot leave the building).
How long is the loan period for reserve items?
The loan period for reserve items is established by the instructor. Typically, reserve materials have a loan period of two (2) hours during which you may use the material in the library; items on reserve are not allowed to leave the building unless specified by the instructor.
Collection Development
What should I know about collection development services?
The university community actively participates in the building of the Karrmann Library鈥檚 collection. All UW-Platteville faculty, staff, students, and area residents with a special borrower鈥檚 card may request items to be considered for purchase from available library funds. A portion of library funds are also allocated to academic departments for the purchase of materials, so our librarians work closely with faculty and staff to meet their academic needs.
How do I request an item for purchase?
Submit a Karrmann Library Purchase Request to request an item for purchase. This includes all academic and non-academic requests from faculty, staff, students, and special borrowers.
If you are faculty requesting the purchase of a new electronic resource, complete the Electronic Resource Selection Checklist with the assistance of a librarian.
Learn more about Collection Development Policy and Procedures.
What is the library鈥檚 gift policy?
For donations to the Karrmann Library, deliver the gift to the circulation desk. You will be asked to complete the Donor Form. The following policy applies:
- The library receives many gifts of books, periodicals and other library materials from both individuals and corporations. Upon receipt, these materials become the property of the State of Wisconsin.
- The Collection Development Librarian determines which gifts are suitable for adding to the collection.
- Those gifts that are not suitable for the collection are disposed of according to the library鈥檚 disposal procedures.
- When an acknowledgment letter is sent, all items donated by the individual are listed, whether or not the library plans to add the material to the collection.
- The Collection Development Librarian determines which gifts are to be acknowledged.
Who do I contact about collection development?
Acquisitions and collection development staff are responsible for the selection, ordering, processing, and payment of library materials. For questions, contact Jessica Donahoe, collection development librarian and technical services coordinator, at donahoej@uwplatt.edu or 608.342.1348; or Molly Banfield, technical services assistant, at mcgrawmo@uwplatt.edu or 608.342.1647.
Government Publications
What should I know about government publications services?
The Karrmann Library receives approximately 10 percent of U.S. Government documents distributed to depository libraries as a member of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). The library is also a Wisconsin State Document Regional Depository. Government publication materials are arranged on the shelves by document classification鈥痑nd may be borrowed for the standard 28-day loan period.
What resources are available through the FDLP?
Every depository library is required to have a basic collection of essential titles 鈥 鈥渧ital sources of information that support your right to know about the workings and essential activities of the Federal Government鈥 鈥 accessible for immediate use. Learn more about the FDLP Basic Collection.
Interlibrary Loan
What should I know about interlibrary loan (ILL) services?
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a free system for requesting and obtaining materials from other libraries, providing access to materials around the world. If an item is not available at the Karrmann Library or other UW System libraries, you can request it through ILLiad (UW-Platteville username and password required).
Who can use interlibrary loan?
Only university faculty, staff, and students with a UW-Platteville campus ID card (including the Baraboo Sauk County campus community and distance students with a username and password) may request library materials. Area residents with a special borrower鈥檚 card do not have interlibrary loan privileges.
What materials are available through ILL?
Materials available for request from other libraries include books, journal articles, copies of newspapers and periodical articles, newspapers on microform, government publications, and media such as video and sound recordings (at the discretion of the lending library). Materials usually not available for request include reference books, high demand materials, rare materials, fragile or bulky items, some current year monographs, computer software, CD-ROMs, some VHS/DVDs, tests and material with local circulation restrictions.
How do I request an item through ILL?
The are several ways to request an item through interlibrary loan:
- Visit the circulation desk.
- Contact the circulation desk at 608.342.1679 or circulation@uwplatt.edu.
- Go to ILLiad. Sign in with your UW-Platteville username and password, if prompted. Under New Request, select the type of item you are requesting. In the request form, enter the information for the item. Click Submit Request. You will receive an email notification when the item is delivered.
- For article requests: Go to Search@UW. Sign in with your UW-Platteville username and password. Enter a search term(s) in the search bar, then click the search button. Select the item you want to borrow. Under Get It, click We can get it for you (document delivery/ILLiad). You will be redirected to ILLiad, where a request form will auto-populate with the item鈥檚 information. Click Submit Request. You will receive an email notification when the item is delivered.
When will my ILL item be delivered?
ILL requests take approximately 7-10 business days for physical materials (up to 21 days for out-of-state requests) and 1-4 business days for articles. You will receive an email notification when the item is delivered.
How do I obtain/return an ILL item?
You can pick up a physical ILL item from the circulation desk with your UW-Platteville campus ID card (or alternative form of identification). The item must be returned to the Karrmann Library before the due date, which will be indicated on the ILL slip attached to the item, like any other borrowed material. For Baraboo Sauk County borrowers, items delivered to the Baraboo Sauk County campus should be picked up and returned at the same designated location.
Articles will be delivered electronically via the Odyssey sub-system of ILLiad or by PDF via e-mail to your UW-Platteville account. Electronic articles are available to view for 30 days. In some cases, a print photocopy of the article may be available. PDFs and photocopies do not need to be returned; they are yours to keep or discard.
Articles will be delivered electronically via the Odyssey sub-system of ILLiad or by PDF via e-mail to your UW-Platteville account. Electronic articles are available to view for 30 days. In some cases, a print photocopy of the article may be available. PDFs and photocopies do not need to be returned; they are yours to keep or discard.
How long is the loan period for a physical ILL item?
The loan period is usually 2-3 weeks but varies according to the rules of the lending library. The due date will be indicated on the ILL slip attached to the book. Note: Lending libraries may recall materials at any time and do not typically grant renewals.
Reference
What should I know about reference services?
Reference librarians are available to answer your questions and help you navigate information resources, including the library鈥檚 collection and electronic resources. You can schedule an in-person or virtual consultation to refine your search, develop a search strategy, and find and evaluate relevant resources. Our librarians can also provide on-demand instruction for students or instructors.
How do I contact a reference librarian?
There are several ways to contact a reference librarian:
- Visit or call the circulation desk at 608.342.1679 and ask to speak to a reference librarian.
- Email reference@uwplatt.edu.
- Submit an Ask a Librarian form.
- Use the live Library Chat feature.
How do I request instruction from a librarian?
You can request a variety of curated workshops and presentations on demand through the Presentations on Demand SharePoint page. For a presentation customized to a specific topic or assignment, select the Customized Library Instruction option on the request form.