Search It

Learn about our research tool: Search It

Library Research Guide

Accessing Online Resources

When a resource is available online through Search It, it will either have the status of "Available Online" below the title of the resource, or a direct link to the resource (typically as a PDF). For some periodicals (journals, newspapers, etc.), the issue contents are also directly linked so you can easily explore the other items published in that specific issue.

location of available online link for ebook record

direct access options including the option to download the PDF

If you do not see a direct access option, you can click the "Available Online" link and you should be directed to the resource (in rare instances, you may be taken to an intermediate page).

Alternatively, you can click the title of the item to be directed to a details page. On the details page, you will see options for saving, sending, printing, etc.

options to send, print, cite, etc.

Bibliographical information about the item will also be listed.

bibliographical details

Accessing Physical Resources

When a physical resource is owned by K-State Libraries and is not currently checked out, below the title of the resource there will the words "Located at" followed by the location and call number. Clicking this call number will open the item record to the "Find it at the Library" section which has more information, e.g., information about multiple copies of a book, loan periods, etc.

available item

  • K-State students, faculty, and staff unable to travel to K-State Libraries may use Interlibrary Loan to obtain materials held by K-State Libraries or other libraries. Visit our interlibrary loan webpage for more information about our services for distance users.

Request Retrieval and Interlibrary Loan Requests

Request Retrieval

To request retrieval of a library-owned item, follow the directions below:

1. Search for the item in Search It
2. Once you have located the item, sign into your account by clicking "Sign In" in the upper right-hand corner of the page.

Image calls out the location of the sign in feature, from the Search It page

3. Once you're logged in, click on the item's title, which will take you to the "Find it at the Library" section. Then you can click "Request Retrieval"

request retrieval of library item

4. Fill out the request information and click "Request Retrieval." 

5.  This is not a recall process, so if the item is checked out, it will not be retrieved for you until the current loan has ended. Please note that retrievals will take approximately 1 business day to process, though items from the Annex (off-site) may take up to a week. When the item is ready to pick-up, you will receive a notification email.

Interlibrary Loan Requests

When a physical resource is owned by K-State Libraries but is currently checked, the status below the title of the the resource will say "Not available - Loan." If you click on the status, the item record will open to the  "Find it at the Library" section.

Item that is unavailable due to being on loan

From "Find it at the Library" section, you can place a retrieval request (for when an item has been returned) or request a copy through interlibrary loan.

Option to request item from interlibrary loan

When K-State Libraries does not have access to a resource, the status will say "Not Available Online. Click for other options" or "How to get it."  Similar to above, if you click on the status, an item record will open to the "How to get it" section and you can request a copy through interlibrary loan.

Image depicts status of item the library does not own, "click for other options"

Image depicts where to click on the record for an unavailable item to place an interlibrary loan request