Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can't find a reserve book?
1. Search for the item by Title by going into "Search/Holds"
2. Check the due date for the item
If the item's due date says anything other than "AVAILABLE," explain that the item is currently unavailable or checked out. If the item is checked out, you can tell the patron when the item is due to be returned so they can check back but do not tell them who checked the item out.
If the item's due date says "AVAILABLE," move on to step 3.
3. Make sure that you haven't been tripped up by a tricky title! Click here to check how the item should be shelved and to see how items are commonly misplaced.
If you still can't find the item, move on to step 4.
4. Check the item's location
If the item is a book and the location says anything other than "smres" or "smrno", the book is not a reserve item at McCabe. The most commonly mistaken locations and where they can be found are:
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- smhon/smhex: these items are active/inactive Honors reserves. They can be found in the Honors section on the first floor (to the left of the main stairs). The books are arranged by class and then alphabetically by title.
- sm: these items are in the regular stacks in McCabe. Write down the call number for the patron and have them look in the regular stacks.
- sc...: any items that start with "sc" are housed in Cornell (the science library). Instruct the patron to go to Cornell.
- su...: any items that start with "su" are housed in Underhill (the music and dance library). Instruct the patron to go to Underhill.
- smhon/smhex: these items are active/inactive Honors reserves. They can be found in the Honors section on the first floor (to the left of the main stairs). The books are arranged by class and then alphabetically by title.
If the item is a film and the location says anything other than "smvrs" or "smvro", the film is not on reserve at McCabe. The most commonly mistaken locations and where they can be found are:
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- smvff/smvft: these items can be found in the feature films section on the third floor of McCabe. These items are arranged alphabetically by title.
- smvtv/smvtt: these items can be found in the TV section on the third floor of McCabe. These items are arranged alphabetically by title.
- smvid/smvdt: these items can be found in the documentaries section on the third floor of McCabe. Make sure to write down the item's call number and have the patron look in the regular stacks.
- sc...: any items that start with "sc" are housed in Cornell (the science library). Instruct the patron to go to Cornell.
- su...: any items that start with "su" are housed in Underhill (the music and dance library). Instruct the patron to go to Underhill.
- smvff/smvft: these items can be found in the feature films section on the third floor of McCabe. These items are arranged alphabetically by title.
5. If the item is listed as "AVAILABLE" and the location indicates that it should be in general reserves but it cannot be found, tell the supervisor on duty. If the supervisor is not available, leave a note on their desk that includes the following information:
Patron's name
The title of the missing reserve item
The barcode of the missing reserve item
Your name