The SWOSU Libraries are taking action to keep students, employees, and guests safe while visiting the libraries. These actions include:

• Providing complimentary face masks and hand sanitizer at the libraries' entrances.
• Installing transparent barriers at service desks and in classrooms.
• Frequent sanitizing of door handles, furniture, keyboards, and other high-touch surfaces.
• Sanitizing library materials returned from loans.
• Signs throughout the buildings to reinforce the message that it is critically important to socially distance,  wear a face mask or face cover, wash hands often, and stay home if feeling unwell.

To protect the health of SWOSU students, employees, and guests, everyone must follow these guidelines while in the Al Harris Library and the Oscar McMahan Library:

• Library visitors are highly encouraged to wear a mask or face cover while in the building.
• Employees and visitors should practice social distancing. This includes while waiting at the Circulation Desk, using the computer workstations, and sitting at tables, chairs, and sofas.

Library Facilities

The Al Harris Library is currently open to the public. The McMahan Library will reopen on Monday, August 16th, 2021. Updates to both libraries' schedules are posted here.

Online Resources

The library has access to over 100 online resources, including journal articles, ebooks, and streaming media. All of these resources are available online 24/7 to students and employees. More information about off-campus access to library resources is available here.

• Subject Guides - library resources by discipline or subject area
• Find Books and DVDs - find books, ebooks, and DVDs
• Find Articles - find articles in a wide variety of subject areas
• Journal Finder - find journals by title and subject
• News and Newspapers - news coverage of current and past events
• Streaming Media - movies, documentaries, audiobooks, and streaming music
• Primary Sources - online resources for finding primary source materials

You can contact library employees by email; see our employee directory for contact information. For help with class assignments and research projects, contact us via Ask a Librarian.

Placing Holds on Print Books and DVDs

To request a DVD or print book, first find the item using Discovery Search. Then use the Place Hold button to request the item. (View a tutorial on placing holds.) You'll be notified when the item you've requested is ready to be picked up.

If you're taking all of your courses online, we can mail most library books and DVDs to you. (Exceptions include reserve materials, reference books, and print journals. See the Course Reserves and Interlibrary Loan sections below for these items.) You are responsible for mailing back to the library the books and DVDs that you borrow. We can only mail items to SWOSU students and employees with U.S. addresses. Please contact the Circulation Department if you need help or have any questions.

Renewing Materials

Login to your Discovery account with your GoSWOSU username and password to see what's checked out to you. Questions? Email the Circulation Department.

Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary loan requests for digital copies of articles and book chapters will continue. See the Interlibrary Loan page for details. We'll also attempt to fill interlibrary loan requests for books, DVDs, and other physical items. If we're successful filling your request your loan will be shipped to you. You'll be responsible for shipping the item back to the SWOSU library. Please contact the library if you have questions about interlibrary loan.

Course Reserves

If you need a book or article on Reserve and you're unable to visit the library please use our Copy Services Request Form to request a copy of the item. Students are not charged for this service. (This service's ZIP code restrictions will not be enforced during the pandemic.)

Writing Center

For information on the Writing Center go to swosu.mywconline.com.

Ask a Librarian

Submit a question any time and we'll respond ASAP.

Consultation

Schedule an online consultation with a librarian.

Call Us

Al Harris Library Circulation Desk
580-774-3730
(book requests, interlibrary loan, reserves)

Al Harris Library Reference Desk
580-774-7082
(research assistance)

McMahan Library Circulation Desk
580-928-5533
(book requests, interlibrary loan, reserves)

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Get answers to frequently asked questions.