Animal Science Research Guide

The easiest way to search for books (both print and online) in the ISU Library collection, is to use Quick Search.

Tip: After you perform your search you can "Tweak my results" by choosing different filter options on the right side of the screen. For example, you can limit results to Physical Items or Full Text Online.

Tip: In your search results, click on the title of a book you want to borrow and you can Request to pick it up at the main service desk in Parks Library or Vet Med Library.

For more information about online books in the library collection, view this guide:

Request Books Using WorldCat

Interlibrary Loan is a free service that is useful for acquiring copies of books and other library resources that the ISU Library doesn't own. One way to do this is to first find the item in WorldCat.

1. Using WorldCat, search for the title you are looking for.
2. In the search results, click on the title of a book you are interested in. This opens the item record.
3. Click on View access options on the right side of the item record.
4. Click on Get It @ ISU.
5. You will now see an item record for this title in Quick Search. Click on Request Book from Interlibrary Loan.
   • Note: If the ISU Library owns the book, you can Sign in and then Request ISU's copy — the option for Interlibrary Loan will not appear.
6. The Interlibrary Loan request form will appear with some information already filled out. Confirm required fields are completed accurately and click on the Submit Request button.
7. You will receive an email when the book arrives — usually within a week.

Alternate method

Another way is to simply log into Interlibrary Loan with you ISU Net-ID, fill out and submit the request form, and wait a few days for it to arrive.

FastTRAC Libraries

FastTRAC is a consortium of multiple academic libraries in Iowa. Requests through FastTRAC are usually fulfilled a little faster than through Interlibrary Loan. Follow these steps to request your book from a FastTRAC partner library.

Search for a book using Quick Search.

1. If you don't find the title you are looking for in the results, try to see if it is available from one of our partner libraries through the FastTRAC network. On the Quick Search bar, click on ISU Library and select FastTRAC Libraries from the drop down menu (see below).
2. Do the search again and click on the title of the book you want.
3. If the book is an ISU Library book, you can Request it. If it is at another library, click on the name of the library (see below).
4. Wait for the information to load from that library's catalog and you will be able to Request the item from their collection (see below). If this option doesn't appear, you need to Sign in to the Library website using your Net-ID.
5. Click on Request and then select Parks Library or Vet Med Library and you will be notified in a few days that the book is ready for you to pick up.