Circulation Policy for General Collections
General guidelines and policies for library circulation
Materials from the Getty Library are intended for use within the Getty Center or Getty Villa and typically do not circulate beyond these campuses.
The majority of the collection is in off-site storage and materials must be requested in advance (see chart below). Please note that you must be registered as a Reader to request library materials.
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Requesting Items and Self-Checkout
To request items or to use Self-Checkout on library computers, you will need the patron ID number assigned to you during Reader registration. Detailed instructions for requesting items are available in Library Catalog Help.
Please be aware that there is a limit of 20 items that can be requested per day.
Checkout Instructions
Plaza Readers
- Request all general collections items that are not available in the Plaza Reading Room through the Library Catalog.
Stack Readers and Extended Readers
- For open stack items, first retrieve books from the shelves. Then use Self-Checkout on a library computer before taking items to designated areas.
- For all other items that are not open stack, make requests through the Library Catalog.
Circulation Paging Schedule
Requests are processed Monday through Friday. Same-day availability depends on request timing (see chart below).
To check on the status of your items, log in to the Library Catalog and review your “Loans” listed under “My Account.” Please note that items may appear under “Loans” before they are physically available at your designated pick-up location.
| Library Catalog request made | Item will be available |
|---|---|
| by 10am from Storage | after 11am at your designated Getty Library hold location OR after 2:30pm. at the Villa Library OR after 3:30pm at your designated Getty Center hold location |
| by 10am from the Library Annex | after 2:30pm at the Villa Library OR after 3:30pm at your designated Getty Library or Getty Center hold location |
| by 8am from the Villa Library (Tuesday and Thursday only) | after 3:30pm at your designated Getty Library or Center hold location |
| after 10am on Fridays | the following Monday |
Loan Periods
All general collections items may be renewed and are subject to recall. The loan period and hold location vary depending on the item and Reader level.
Plaza Readers
- 1 month loan period
- Must use items in the Plaza Reading Room without taking them outside the library
Stack Readers, Extended Readers, and Docents/Volunteers
- 1 year loan period for items requested through the Library Catalog Items are held on L2 reserve shelves and should be used in designated reading areas.
- Circulation staff will return any items found on L2 reserve shelves or in carrels to their designated location if not borrowed through Self-Checkout.
Returning Items
Please do not reshelve items yourself. Return all items—checked out or not—to one of the following locations in the Getty Library:
- Circulation Desk on L2 level
- Book drop on L3 level
- Book truck in the Plaza Reading Room
Recalled Materials
If someone requests an item that you have checked out, circulation staff will remove the item from reserve shelves or carrels and leave a notice.