Depending on where you live, you have different options for accessing library books. See the tab corresponding to your location in the box below for information.
Video tutorials for using OhioLINK and WorldCat.org are at the bottom of this page.
If you have questions or need help at any time, please contact the SSU Library at 740-351-3255.
If you live near Shawnee State University and want to come to Clark Memorial Library to check out books, you are certainly welcome to do so. Bring your SSU Bear Card (ID card).
You also have the option to use both OhioLINK and SearchOhio. OhioLINK is a network of Ohio academic libraries. A student is able to borrow books (and some other materials) from member libraries’ collection (such as Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University, University of Cincinnati, etc.) and have that item delivered to either SSU or another participating Ohio library. It’s a free service. Go to the OhioLINK Frequently Asked Questions page for more information. Also, see the video below for information about OhioLINK and help requesting books from OhioLINK.
SearchOhio is similar to OhioLINK but contains collections of Ohio public libraries. At the top of an OhioLINK result page you’ll see a “SearchOhio” icon. Clicking this takes you to a SearchOhio result page. Unlike OhioLINK, which allows you to pick up the item anywhere, you must pick up a SearchOhio item at Shawnee State University.
If the SSU Clark Memorial Library or OhioLINK/SearchOhio does not have access, you can request a book via Interlibrary Loan. The Iink to the Interlibrary Loan form is on the library homepage. We do not mail books to students, so you must pick up your Interlibrary Loan books at the Clark Memorial Library.
The YouTube video Finding Books in the Classic Catalog and OhioLINK below demonstrates how to find and request books through OhioLINK.
If you visit an Ohio college library, you can borrow books that are part of that library’s collection with your Shawnee State University Bear Card (ID card).
You can also utilize OhioLINK to access books from our library as well as the other academic libraries in the state of Ohio. OhioLINK is a network of Ohio academic libraries. A student is able to borrow books (and some other materials) from member libraries’ collection (such as Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University, University of Cincinnati, etc.) and have that item delivered to either SSU or another participating Ohio library. It’s a free service. Go to the OhioLINK Frequently Asked Questions page for more information. When you request an item, you will use the “pick up anywhere” option. This allows you to borrow a book through the OhioLINK website using your name and SSU ID number and pick up that book at an Ohio academic institution near you. (A few public libraries also serve as pick-up locations.)
When you go through the OhioLINK request process, you’ll see “Please select your school or institution.” Select Shawnee State University here. Then, on the next page, you’ll see the option for “Pickup location.” Select the library at which you’d like to pick up the book. When that library receives the book and has it ready for you to pick up, they will send you an e-mail.
The YouTube video Finding Books in the Classic Catalog and OhioLINK below demonstrates how to find and request books through OhioLINK.
If you live outside the state of Ohio, make use of WorldCat.org to identify a library near you that has a certain book in their collection. See the “Using WorldCat.org” YouTube video below for help with this.
You may be able to get a visitor's card at an academic institution near you. You can then borrow books from that library under their guest card privileges. See a library staff member at that library to see if that's an option.
You can also see if a book is available through your local public library.
