The Virtual Catalog at Boston University

  • Enter your Boston University ID number (on a Terrier card, it begins with U...).

  • Use guest to search without placing requests.

BU ID number:
Library: Boston University

What is the Virtual Catalog? The Virtual Catalog provides a single, searchable catalog of books owned by participating libraries of the Boston Library Consortium (BLC). Qualified patrons of these libraries may directly request material from the other participants. To find material in the library collections at Boston University, please use the Boston University Library Catalog.

BLC libraries participating in the Virtual Catalog:

  • Boston University
  • Brown University
  • Marine Biological Laboratory-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
  • Northeastern University
  • Tufts University
  • University of Massachusetts/Amherst
  • University of Massachusetts/Boston
  • University of Massachusetts/Dartmouth
  • University of Massachusetts/Lowell
  • University of Massachusetts/Worcester
  • Wellesley College
  • Williams College

Who can use the Virtual Catalog? Anyone may search the Virtual Catalog by typing guest in the Patron ID field. In order to request material, you must sign in using your BU ID number. Current and eligible students, faculty, and staff of Boston University may submit borrowing requests. Please contact the Circulation Department (617-353-3732 or mugcirc@bu.edu) if you have questions about your eligibility.

What material may I borrow through the Virtual Catalog? To find material in the library collections at Boston University, please use the Boston University Library Catalog. When you search the Virtual Catalog, you will find materials in the collections of the participating libraries. You will see BU library holdings in your search results, but you will not be able to request these BU library items through the Virtual Catalog. Each participating library determines which items in its collection are eligible for borrowing through the Virtual Catalog. The Virtual Catalog includes books and other materials that normally can be checked out. Generally, you will not be able to request journals, items that are already checked out, or items that are in reference, course reserve, audio-visual, or other special collections. If your request is accepted by the Virtual Catalog, then the system has identified at least one copy that can be requested. If the book you want cannot be borrowed through the Virtual Catalog, it may be available through our Interlibrary Loan Service.

How long does it take to get something? If the material you requested is available at the first library identified, it should be ready for pickup approximately a week after your original request. 

Where do I pick up and return material? There are two pickup locations at Boston University: Mugar Memorial Library and the Medical Library. If you choose Mugar when placing your request, you should pick up all material at the Mugar Memorial Library Circulation Desk. If you give your e-mail address when you place the request, we will send you an e-mail notice when the item is ready for pick up. If you don't give an e-mail address, we will send you notification by regular mail to your home address. You will need your Terrier Card to check the item out. When you are done using it, please return material only to the Mugar Library Circulation Desk. If you use the Medical Library as your pickup location, please see the Medical Library's Virtual Library Catalog page for its policies and procedures.

What are the loan policies?
Loan period: 28 days 
Renewals: Sorry, not permitted 
Limits: 25 items 
Fines: $.50 per day for all users
Items billed: $100.00 per item
Billing fee: $30.00 per item		 Who do I contact for help?
Circulation Desk
phone: 617-353-3732
e-mail: mugcirc@bu.edu
Mugar Memorial Library
Boston University
771 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215

How do I use the Virtual Catalog?

Getting Started

     Virtual Catalog logo
  • Click on the Virtual Catalog logo.
  • In the Patron ID box enter your Boston University ID number (on a Terrier Card, this is the 9-digit number beginning with U...).
  • If you have problems logging in, please contact the Circulation Desk at 617-353-3732 or mugcirc@bu.edu.
  • From the Patron Main Menu, if you wish to search the catalog, click the Search/Request button. To check the status of requests you have already submitted, click on Review your Requests.

Searching

  • On the Search Menu screen:
    • Select the catalogs you would like to search.
    • Choose the type of search (Title, Author, Subject, or ISBN).
    • Enter your search Term.
    • Click on Start.
    • If your "Search terms resulted in NO items found," look in the Results column to see if your search timed out. Some searches, and especially Subject searches, may require more time than the system will allow. If your search times out, you will need to revise your terms and try again.

  • If your search finds items in the Virtual Catalog, they will be displayed on the Combined Results screen:
    • You may sort the list by author, title or publication date.
    • Click on the Next page button, if one appears at the bottom of the list, to be sure of seeing all results.
    • Click on the title link to see more information about any item, including location and availability.
    • When more than one library has an item, use the scroll bar on the Details screen to select a library. Then click on Show Availability to see the Location, Call Number, and Status of the item.

  • If you cannot find a particular item in the Virtual Catalog, you may be able to request it through our Interlibrary Loan Service.

Requesting

  • At any point in your searching, you may click on the Request button to initiate a borrowing request. If a copy is available for borrowing, the Create Request screen will be displayed.

  • Fill in the form as directed.
    • Choose your Pickup Location, Mugar Memorial Library or the Medical Library, using the scroll bar.
    • Adding Notes will slow the request process.
    • Use Notes to indicate a specific volume from a set.
    • Place a separate request for each volume needed from a set.
    • If you don't enter an e-mail address, we will send you notification by regular mail to your home address.
    • Click on Submit Request.

  • The Request Confirmed screen will display the title information and a request number. Use this number when reporting problems.

  • If you give your e-mail address when you place the request, we will send you an Email Status Report when your request is ready for pick up, or if there is a problem and your request cannot be filled. If you don't give an e-mail address, we will send you notification by regular mail to your home address.

  • If the book you want cannot be borrowed through the Virtual Catalog, it may be available through our Interlibrary Loan Service.

Review your Requests

  • On the Patron Main Menu, click on the button labeled Review your Requests.
  • You will then be shown a summary of all your outstanding requests.
  • Find the appropriate request ID number/item and click on the title link.
  • Status and Due Date are toward the bottom of the Request Details screen.

Log Out

  • Click on the Quit button on the left frame menu to ensure your privacy and the security of the system.

Questions or Problems

  • If you have questions about or problems with the Virtual Catalog, please contact the Circulation Desk at 617-353-3732 or mugcirc@bu.edu. Remember to have your Request Number handy when you have a problem with a particular request.
771 Commonwealth Avenue |  Boston, MA  |  02215  |  617-353-2700  |  Boston University