Catalog and Borrowing FAQ's
MOBIUS, Arthur and MOSL Catalogs
- Where do I start my search of the library catalog?
- What is MOBIUS?
- What is Arthur?
- Why should I use Arthur? Why not just search MOBIUS?
- Who can borrow from Missouri State Library (MOSL)?
- When will I receive my MOSL patron card?
- What’s the card for?
- What is my Unique ID?
- Why does the registration form ask for my home address and phone number?
- Where can I get help searching the catalog?
- Can I get training for me or my office?
Borrowing
- How do I borrow books from MOSL?
- How do I borrow books from other libraries?
- How do I request books through the online catalog?
- How do I have books delivered to my office?
- How do I pickup books I've requested?
- Can my staff borrow or pickup library materials for me?
- How long will it take to get my books?
- Why can't I borrow books when visiting some MOBIUS libraries?
- What is a visiting patron?
- Can I borrow from Missouri River Regional Library (MRRL)?
- Can I use my MRRL card at MOSL?
- Is my personal information safe?
MOBIUS, Arthur and MOSL Catalogs
Where do I start my search of the library catalog?
Missouri State Library patrons should begin their search at the State Library catalog. To begin searching our collections point your browser to http://arthur.searchmobius.org/search~S6.
If you are not able to find what you want in our collection, search the entire Arthur catalog or limit your search to another library in the Arthur cluster. To search libraries within Arthur, point your browser to http://arthur.searchmobius.org/.
Expand your search to all library collections in the MOBIUS Consortium by pointing your browser to http://searchmobius.org/.
Finally, if you are still not able to find what you need, fill out our Interlibrary Loan form online or contact us and we’ll find it for you.
What is MOBIUS?
The Missouri Bibliographic Information User System (MOBIUS) is a consortium of academic libraries, Missouri State Library, and cooperating partner libraries. There are currently over 60 member institutions.
MOBIUS is responsible for The Common Library Platform project, which creates a “one-stop” interface that allows faculty, students, and other patrons to search collections of member libraries and request materials online.
Requested materials are delivered within one or two days of the request.
For information about the MOBIUS Consortium and system, please visit http://mobiusconsortium.org/general.
What is Arthur?
Arthur is a cluster of libraries located in central Missouri that share a common catalog. Arthur is one of 11 clusters that, along with cooperating partner institutions, make up the MOBIUS Library Consortium.
The Arthur Library Catalog is a publicly accessible on-line catalog that contains the collections of the following libraries:
- Columbia College
- Lincoln University
- Missouri State Library
- Stephens College
- Westminster College
- William Woods University
You may also restrict your search to any of these institutions.
Why use Arthur? Why not just search MOBIUS?
Advantages of using the Arthur catalog:
- View your account, save your searches, and create email alerts for new items
- Limits your search to nearby institutions,
- Material requested through Arthur may arrive more quickly than if requested through MOBIUS.
- Arthur may contain or circulate materials that MOBIUS does not.
Who can borrow from Missouri State Library (MOSL)?
Upon registering as MOSL borrowers, Missouri state employees, Missouri state elected officials, and interns are eligible to borrow materials from Missouri State Library, the Arthur libraries mentioned above, and other MOBIUS institutions.
Missouri citizens who are not employees or officials of the state are still encouraged to register as MOSL-only borrowers. Borrowing privileges are limited to the Missouri State Library collections and do not extend to any other library in the Arthur Cluster or the MOBIUS Consortium.
When will I receive my MOSL patron card?
If you have already registered, your Missouri State Library patron card will be mailed out to you soon, usually within 1-2 days of receiving your registration.
What’s the card for? What is my ID?
The Missouri State Library patron card and a state-issued photo ID identify you as a registered Missouri State Library borrower.
On the back of each card is a unique barcode number that also serves as your ID or “Campus ID”. When placing requests for materials or viewing your library account online, the system will prompt you for your name and the ID number followed by your "Location Code" or “Campus Code”. The code for Missouri State Library patrons is “M”.
State employees and elected officials, upon presenting the card and a photo ID, may visit and borrow materials from other libraries in the MOBIUS Consortium. Each library determines whether it will lend materials to visiting patrons.
State employees and elected officials may also use the ID number to access Missouri State Library databases and e-journals from any location with Internet access. Look for the Remote Employee Login link.
Why does the form ask for my home address and phone number?
Missouri State Library retains this information for contact purposes only. All Missouri State employees, elected officials, and interns must provide a home address and phone number. As a member of the MOBIUS Consortium, Missouri State Library is accountable for the return of materials loaned to our patrons by other MOBIUS institutions.
Where can I get help searching the catalog?
For assistance in searching the Arthur or MOBIUS Union catalogs, visit the Arthur Help or contact a reference librarian for assistance.
Can I get training for me or my office?
Missouri State Library offers training for your agency or office. Training may cover services and resources we offer, basic search techniques, or it can be customized to fit your needs. Contact us to discuss and schedule your session.
Borrowing
How do I borrow from MOSL? How do I borrow from other libraries?
Any Missouri citizen may use or borrow materials from Missouri State Library. To register, fill out our online form or visit the library. Print and return the form by fax, mail, or visit with a copy of a valid state-issued photo ID.
State employees and elected officials can borrow material through the MOBIUS Consortium by requesting items online or by phone.
How do I request books through the online catalog?
State employees and elected officials may begin requesting books as soon as they receive their MOSL patron cards.
To place a request,
- Locate the book you want,
- Choose "Request":
- Enter your ID and pickup location
- in the MOSL and Arthur catalogs, choose request button from the menu at the top and bottom of the screen.
- in the MOBIUS Union catalog, select the "REQUEST THIS ITEM" link that appears below the book title.
If you registered for a card but have not yet received it, use our request forms for books or articles and our staff will request them for you.
How do I have books delivered to my office? How do I pickup books I've requested?
The Pickup Anywhere feature allows state employees and elected officials to have requested materials delivered for pickup at any MOBIUS institution across the state. This feature is only available for requests placed through MOBIUS.
Materials requested through Arthur may be delivered for pickup at any Arthur institution.
If you are a Missouri State employee or elected official outside the Office of Secretary of State and you chose Missouri State Library as your pickup location, all items you request will be mailed to your office from Missouri State Library via Interagency Mail.
If you chose Missouri State Library as your pickup location and wish NOT to have your books mailed to you, please contact us or indicate “LIBRARY PICKUP” in the comments at the time of your request. Your items will be held for you at the Missouri State Library Circulation Desk.
Can my staff borrow or pickup library materials for me?
All items will be placed on the account associated with the patron card. If you do not wish to request items online and you require that your staff come to borrow items for you, please contact us in advance AND send with him/her your patron card.
How long will it take to get my books?
The MOBIUS Delivery System provides for at least one stop per day, Monday through Friday (except holidays), for every MOBIUS member institution. Most requested items are delivered to your library within 48 hours after placing the request.
Why can't I borrow books when visiting some MOBIUS libraries? What is a visiting patron?
State employees, elected officials, and interns have privileges to place online requests through the MOBIUS Union Catalog. However, not all MOBIUS institutions allow those patrons to borrow when visiting the library.
Walk-in visitors affiliated with one MOBIUS institution who wish to borrow from a second MOBIUS institution are referred to as visiting patrons.
e.g., A state employee places, through the MOBIUS Catalog, a request for available materials from Springfield-Greene County Library. The state employee may choose to pick up the requested materials at SGCL or any other MOBIUS institution.
To borrow additional materials while visiting SGCL, the patron must also be a SGCL patron.
As of April 2005, MOBIUS Cooperating Partner libraries (including Springfield-Greene County Library and Missouri River Regional Library) do not recognize visiting patrons.
Check the library's borrowing policies or contact us for assistance.
A state employee, elected official, or intern wishing to borrow as a visiting patron must present the MOSL patron card AND a state-issued photo ID.
Can I borrow from Missouri River Regional Library (MRRL)? Can I use my MRRL card at MOSL?
See also visiting patrons
MRRL Patrons (not state employees) may:
-
Request books remotely on MOBIUS and pick them up at MOSL with their MRRL card (Pick Up Anywhere).
-
Visit and borrow books from MOSL by obtaining a MOSL card.
State Officials and Employees may:
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Request books remotely on MOBIUS and pick them up at MRRL using their MOSL card.
-
Visit and borrow books directly from MRRL by obtaining a MRRL card. **
**MRRL card registration policy as of April 2005
Check the MRRL borrowing policies or contact us for assistance.
Is my personal information safe?
MOBIUS libraries share patron information with each other for contact purposes and efficiency only. Missouri State Library and the Arthur Cluster do not retain a history of items borrowed by a patron once the patron has returned the items. MOBIUS libaries do not share patron information with anyone else.