Traces

What is a Trace?
When you cannot find an item on the shelf or in the sorting area, a request can be placed at the Circulation Desks for staff to start searching for the requested item. The minimum time for a trace is one week. To place a trace, you must present a valid ID and the call number for the item you need. The desk attendant will fill out a trace slip, and give you a receipt.

How will I know when it's found?
Once a trace is found, it is handled like a recall. You will receive notification via your GSU-student, email account. This will not work with other e-mail accounts. Also, you can call the Circulation Desk at 404-413-2820, and ask the desk attendant to check your library record. Or you can follow the steps under Accessing Your Library Record. If the item has been located, it will appear as a HOLD or a PICKUP on your library record.

IMPORTANT:
This is a slow process, because we check everywhere for the item being traced. If it is not found, the item will be declared lost.

OPTIONS:
Please be sure to check the sorting areas which are located on every floor, and if it is a new book, please check the New Book Shelves on LN1. Otherwise, you may be able to go to another library or request the item from another library through Interlibrary Loan (Please ask at the reference desk for more information about these options.)

Page Author(s): Malia Cargile (mcargile@gsu.edu), Denita Hampton (dahampton@gsu.edu), Cory Schlotzhauer (cschlotzhauer@gsu.edu)
Page updated on: August 21, 2007