Hold Pickup and Campus Mail Delivery

Patrons with a current CU Boulder library account may request materials via the library catalog for pickup (information about borrowing privileges). Items may be returned at several library locations (see a map of bookdrops). If you cannot return the items to a service desk or book drop, you may mail them to us via the post (i.e., USPS). Please do not return items via campus mail (more details about returning items).

Questions? Contact libraries@colorado.edu.

Requesting items & pickup locations

Most materials held at Norlin Library, Gemmill Library, Earth Sciences and Map Library, the Music Library, the Business Library and PASCAL may be requested. When you place the request in the library catalog, you can choose whether you'd prefer to pick up at Norlin Library, Gemmill Library, Earth Sciences and Map Library, the Music Library, the Business Library, the Law Library or the Bartlett Center (east campus). Options for pickup locations may vary depending on the item you request; for example, Rare and Distinctive Collections materials may be requested only for use in their reading room. 

Faculty, staff and graduate students who have a campus mailbox may have library materials delivered there via campus mail (information about My Campus Box delivery). 

Hold pickup

You may pick up your holds anytime after receiving your hold notice, during open hours. Appointments are not necessary.

  • Once materials are paged (approximately two business days), you will receive a hold notice via email. 
  • What to expect
    • You’ll need to scan your Buff OneCard or library card at the point of checkout.
    • At Norlin Library, materials are made available in the east entrance lobby (near the Sundial Plaza). Self checkout machines are available adjacent to the hold shelves. Instructions for using the self-checkout machines are available on-site. Library staff are available and happy to assist if needed.
    • At other library locations, ask at the service desk for materials on hold. 
  • Items not retrieved during the 14-day hold period will be returned and reshelved. 

My Campus Box – Delivery by Campus Mail

CU Boulder faculty, staff and graduate students with a campus mailbox may have CU Boulder library materials delivered to their campus mailbox.

Please review the following before choosing My Campus Box: 

  • Materials are delivered to the campus box listed in your library account. Please make sure your account is up to date.
  • Materials can take around two weeks for delivery.
  • Materials are checked out to you before they go in campus mail. By choosing the campus box delivery option, you accept responsibility for lost or damaged materials.
  • You will receive an email notifying you when items have been checked out to your library account and are in route to your campus mailbox.

To receive materials faster, select any campus library location as your pickup location.

Last updated December 2023