Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Oak Grove Library Center?
The Oak Grove Library Center (OGLC) is a state-of-the-art climate- and temperature-controlled high-density shelving service center that ultimately will house 1.9 million items in 12,000 square feet of space.
Where is the OGLC located?
The OGLC is located in Waukegan, IL, about an hour north of Evanston.
Is the OGLC open to the public?
There is no reading room or access to the OGLC by the public. Items must be requested for pick-up at another Northwestern library. If it is not possible to identify the exact volumes to request, please consult with a librarian.
What kinds of materials are housed at the Oak Grove Center?
Collections at Oak Grove will include low-use print materials, many with online equivalents, from Northwestern University Library, Galter Health Sciences Library and the Pritzker Legal Research Center. Oak Grove will provide a safe, secure environment for these materials.
What factors go into the decision to send an item to Oak Grove Library Center?
Various factors have been considered in selecting materials to be housed in the Oak Grove Library Center. These include frequency of use and the availability of a digital equivalent. Many of the items being sent to Oak Grove have already been in storage or secondary locations on the Chicago and Evanston campuses.
Will any items ever be permanently withdrawn (and disposed of) from Oak Grove?
At this time, there are no plans to withdraw library materials stored at Oak Grove.
How will items stored at Oak Grove appear in the online library catalog?
Item records in both NUcat and the Library Resources search will indicate that an item is at the Oak Grove Library Center. An example of each is shown below.
Who can request items from Oak Grove?
Any Northwestern-affiliated patron or registered guest can place a request.
How do unaffiliated users request publications housed at the OGLC?
An unaffiliated user can place a request through the circulation desk. It will be processed as a library guest request and the patron will be notified when the item is available for pick up.
Can I make a request for an item located at the Oak Grove Library Center online?
Yes. Books and journals can be requested by completing the appropriate form (http://www.library.northwestern.edu/item-request). For scans of articles or book chapters from materials held at Oak Grove Library Center, please use your Interlibrary Loan/Article Scan and Deliver account (http://www.library.northwestern.edu/services/getting-materials/materials-scan-delivery).
Can I make requests from the OGLC by phone and by regular e-mail?
Yes. Please call the Main Library Circulation desk 847-491-7633 or email circulation@northwestern.edu
How long will it take to get something from Oak Grove?
Items requested by 11 a.m. Monday – Friday are generally available at the Main Library’s circulation desk the next business day. Please allow at least another day for office delivery or delivery to other libraries.
What days of the week are items from Oak Grove delivered?
Materials are delivered Monday – Friday.
What are the loan periods for items at the Oak Grove Library Center?
Loan periods vary based on the category of requester such as faculty, staff, student, alumni, or guest and are the same as for items from the other Northwestern library locations. Some categories of library materials do not circulate. Users requesting such items from the OGLC can make arrangements to use them onsite at the library to which they are delivered. A detailed description of our loan periods can be seen here: http://www.library.northwestern.edu/services/circulation-basics/loan-periods-and-item-limits.
What is the limit on the number of materials that can be requested per day?
There is no limit at this time. This policy will be reevaluated periodically; a limit may be put in place at a later date as requests for materials at Oak Grove increase.
Who can request items from Oak Grove?
Any Northwestern-affiliated patron or registered guest can place a request.
How do unaffiliated users request publications housed at the OGLC?
An unaffiliated user can place a request through the Circulation desk. It will be processed as a library guest request and the patron will be notified when the item is available for pick up.
Can I make a request for an item located at the Oak Grove Library Center online?
Yes. Books and journals can be requested by completing the appropriate form (http://www.library.northwestern.edu/item-request ). For scans of articles or book chapters from materials held at Oak Grove Library Center, please use your Interlibrary Loan/Article Scan and Deliver account (http://www.library.northwestern.edu/services/getting-materials/materials-scan-delivery ).
Can I make requests from the OGLC by phone and by regular email?
Yes. Please call the Main Library circulation desk 847-491-7633 or email circulation@northwestern.edu
How long will it take to get something from Oak Grove?
Items requested by 11 a.m. Monday – Friday are generally available at the Main Library’s circulation desk the next business day. Please allow at least another day for office delivery or delivery to other libraries.
What days of the week are items from Oak Grove delivered?
Materials are delivered Monday – Friday.
What are the loan periods for items at the Oak Grove Library Center?
Loan periods vary based on the category of requester such as faculty, staff, student, alumni, or guest and are the same as for items from the other Northwestern library locations. Some categories of library materials do not circulate. Users requesting such items from the OGLC can make arrangements to use them onsite at the library to which they are delivered. A detailed description of our loan periods can be seen here: http://www.library.northwestern.edu/services/circulation-basics/loan-periods-and-item-limits.
What is the limit on the number of materials that can be requested per day?
There is no limit at this time. This policy will be reevaluated periodically; a limit may be put in place at a later date as requests for materials at Oak Grove increase.
How do I request an electronic copy of an article or chapter?
Articles and book chapter requests may be placed through your Interlibrary Loan account (http://www.library.northwestern.edu/services/getting-materials/materials-scan-delivery ). Please provide us with citation information for the item you are requesting and we will fill your request as soon as possible. All scanned materials will be delivered through your Interlibrary Loan account.
What if I don't know the exact volume I need? How do I request a run of a journal or multiple volumes of a reference set?
If you are having trouble identifying and placing requests for materials you need, please contact Access Services staff at circulation@northwestern.edu or 847-491-7633.
If a patron requests a long run of a serial, can we accommodate use of the serial within the library?
Yes. Runs of serials from Oak Grove can be placed “on hold” at the Main Library circulation desk for use within the library for your convenience. Available space to hold long-term, multi-volume runs of serials may vary at other pick up locations. If you are interested in this option, it is best to consult the individual library where you wish to hold the items, and they will do their best to accommodate your needs.
Articles and book chapter requests may be placed through your Interlibrary Loan account (http://www.library.northwestern.edu/services/getting-materials/materials-scan-delivery ). Please provide us with citation information for the item you are requesting and we will fill your request as soon as possible. All scanned materials will be delivered through your Interlibrary Loan account.
What if I don't know the exact volume I need? How do I request a run of a journal or multiple volumes of a reference set?
If you are having trouble identifying and placing requests for materials you need, please contact Access Services staff at circulation@northwestern.eduor 847-491-7633.
If a patron requests a long run of a serial, can we accommodate use of the serial within the library?
Yes. Runs of serials from Oak Grove can be placed “on hold” at the Main Library circulation desk for use within the library for your convenience. Available space to hold long-term, multi-volume runs of serials may vary at other pick up locations. If you are interested in this option, it is best to consult the individual library where you wish to hold the items, and they will do their best to accommodate your needs.
DeliveryWhere can I pick up items delivered from Oak Grove?
When you request an item from Oak Grove, you can choose to pick it up at the Main Library circulation desk, Schaffner Library, Pritzker Legal Research Center, Galter Health Sciences Library, or the Mudd Library circulation desk.
Can I go to The Oak Grove Library Center to pick up what I want in order to get it faster?
No, items must be requested for pick up at another Northwestern library.
Will faculty book delivery be offered for items in Oak Grove?
Yes, Evanston faculty can have circulating materials from Oak Grove delivered to their Evanston campus office by selecting that option in the “Pickup Location” section on the “Item Request form”.
How will I be notified when my item arrives from Oak Grove?
For books and journal volumes, you will be sent a notice from the relevant pick-up location that the items are available. For up-to-the-minute pick-up availability, login to your library account online through our catalog. The title will appear under “Items Available” as soon as it arrives at the pick-up location. For electronically delivered documents you will receive an email notice when your document is accessible through your Interlibrary Loan account.
Is there weekend delivery of materials from Oak Grove Library Center?
No. Delivery, including the scanning of articles and book chapters, is available Monday – Friday.
What is the turn-around time for requests made over weekends and during the holidays?
The Oak Grove facility is staffed and operated Monday through Friday with the exception of university-wide holidays. Requests placed on weekends or holidays will be processed on the next business day and sent out as soon as possible. If we anticipate that your request will take longer, we will contact you to let you know.
Will I be able to check out the item I requested once it arrives at the pickup location?
The vast majority of items at Oak Grove can be checked out. However, there are some materials that do not circulate. If an item cannot be checked out, the catalog will note “This title does not circulate.” Such items can be requested from the OGLC for in-library use.
Where do I return items that I get from the Oak Grove Library Center?
Oak Grove Library Center materials can be returned to any Northwestern University Library circulation desk or book drop.
What are the fines for overdue items checked out from the Oak Grove Library Center?
Fine policies for items kept at Oak Grove will be the same as for items from other Northwestern libraries.
