Locating Books and Periodicals in Metropolitan Area Libraries

If you can't find your book or periodical (i.e., magazine or journal) at the University because it is in use, missing or not owned by the University Libraries, don't give up. Perhaps one of the many excellent libraries in the Twin Cities has the publication.

Locating Periodicals: MULS (Minitex Union List of Serials)

If you need to locate a periodical, check MULS via the MULS link or the WebPALS online catalog. MULS lists periodicals owned by libraries in Minnesota and North and South Dakota. The codes on the back of this sheet identify local libraries by MULS and/or PALS codes.

To use MULS online: from the U of MN libraries home page, click on BooksandMore, then click on MULS. Another option is to use WebPALS. If you use WebPALS, You will see a "Select Library and Resources" screen. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Additional Resources. On the Additional Resources page, click in the circle to the left of MULS and then click on the "Go" button. Type in the title of the periodical you're looking for on the MULS search screen and click on the "Go" button.

To access WebPALS directly, http://www.pals.msus.edu. Click on "Search PALS" to get to the "Select Library and Resources" screen. Follow the directions above. You can also use the MULS fiche located in the reference room. Ask the reference staff for help if you can't find a periodical title or need assistance using MULS.

Locating Books

If you need to locate a book, search WorldCat, which lists items in libraries in the U.S. and other countries. To use WorldCat: from the U of MN libraries home page, click on BooksandMore, then click on WorldCat. You can also search the individual public library catalogs, CLICnet, or PALS. Please note: Hennepin County Library books will be included in WorldCat starting in 2001.

Circulation and Check Out Policies

Most of the area libraries belong to one of three area networks--MELSA, CLIC or PALS. These networks have varying policies regarding circulation (see below). See reverse side for telephone numbers and addresses and call ahead for information.

• PUBLIC: MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency) consists of public libraries (county and city) in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. All Minnesota residents can check out materials from MELSA libraries. If you live outside the metropolitan area, bring along your home library card. You may obtain a library card by showing proof of residence (driver's license, checkbook, etc.). Circulation policies vary from library to library. Be sure to call to find out if magazines can be checked out. MELSA library catalogs available via BooksandMore: Minneapolis Public, St. Paul Public, and county library system catalogs for Anoka, Carver/Scott, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington counties.
  
  
• PRIVATE ACADEMIC: CLIC (Cooperating Libraries in Consortium) libraries include most of the four-year private colleges in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. CLIC libraries will generally only lend to their own students, staff, and alumni. They will, however, allow others to use their collections in the library and photocopy articles from journals. Call the individual libraries for their lending policies.
  
  
• ACADEMIC, SPECIAL: PALS (Public Access Library System) has 125 member libraries and branches, including Minnesota state universities, community colleges, private colleges, state agencies. State agency libraries are loosely organized into CALCO (Capitol Area Library Consortium). Several libraries (including Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, James J. Hill Reference Library) are reference libraries and do not allow books and magazines to be checked out. PALS libraries will generally only lend to their own students, staff, and alumni; others can use collections in the library.
  
  

ILL: Interlibrary Loan

The Interlibrary Loan office can borrow books and get copies of articles for University of Minnesota students, staff, and faculty, but this may take three or more weeks. The ILL office is located on the 1st floor of Wilson Library, near the Circulation desk. From the libraries’ home page, click on BorrowingServices for Interlibrary Loan forms.

Metropolitan Area Libraries by WorldCat/MULS Code and (PALS Code)

Note: Minnesota Library Codes have the letters MIN preceding them in MULS

Page comments: Gwen Schagrin