Library Services
Discover a wide range of library services designed to support your academic success, research, and lifelong learning at the J.D. Williams Library.

Circulation & Access Services
Borrowers are responsible for returning materials by the date (or date and time) due. Borrowers are encouraged to return items in person; that is, to not give them to another person to return. You are responsible for the safe return of all library materials checked out in your name.
- Items may be returned to either the West or East Circulation Desks in J.D. Williams Library or the Science Library.
- A Library Book Drop is available near the library. If the Book Drop is full do not place items on the ground where they can be stolen or damaged.
- Short-term loan materials, such as items placed on reserve, need to be returned to the service point where the item was checked out. They must be checked in on time, there is no grace period on fines for reserves.
West Circulation Desk
Located inside the west doors (fountain side) of J.D. Williams Library, this is the primary circulation and access service point. Services include:
- Checking materials in and out
- Renewals
- Paying library fines
- Addressing access issues
- Providing general directions
This desk also serves as the Reserve Desk and headquarters for Collection & Stacks Maintenance. It operates whenever the library is open, except during Finals Hours when it closes at midnight.
East Circulation Desk
Located inside the east doors (Lyceum side) of J.D. Williams Library, this is a secondary service point for checking out and renewing library materials.
The Science Library Circulation Desk
The Science Library provides circulation services for:
- The School of Pharmacy
- The Department of Chemistry
- The Department of Biochemistry
- The Natural Products Center
Services and policies align with J.D. Williams Library, but materials are picked up, delivered, and checked out at the Science Library.
Book Drop Location
A secure Book Drop bin is located at the corner of Dormitory Row North & Dormitory Row West.
Do NOT place:
- Interlibrary Loan materials
- Reserve materials
- Video materials
Ensure books fall inside the bin. Do not leave books on top of or beside the Book Drop if it is full.
Digitization Request
Need a digital copy of library materials? Use this form to request the digitization of eligible items from our collections. Whether you need a chapter from a book, a journal article, or archival content, our staff will review your request and provide a scanned copy when possible. Please allow time for processing, and note that copyright and condition of materials may affect availability.
Please request what you need and a staff member will retrieve it for you. The item will be checked-out to you and left at the Access Services Desk for pick-up. You will be notified when the item is available.
If you have any questions or need assistance to complete this form, please contact us at libadmin@olemiss.edu or 662-915-7091.
Access the library from anywhere with our distance learning services
We provide numerous services to off-campus users. These services are available to all off-campus/distance learners currently enrolled in UM-Tupelo, UM-DeSoto, UM-Booneville, UM-Grenada, Ole Miss Online, Independent Study or completing coursework in a doctoral program.
To access electronic resources off campus, use your Ole Miss Web ID and password to access databases and other e-resources.
Using Our Electronic Services is simple
The University of Mississippi Libraries provide access to several types of electronic resources for the university community and researchers. The electronic resources we offer include:
Basics
You can access databases from the database page or any other place links or search boxes are made available.
A database is a collection of organized information. Academic Search Premier is an example of a database. The UM Libraries provide access to many databases, some full-text and others bibliographic. Full-text databases contain complete works whereas bibliographic databases contain citations and/or abstracts.
Choosing which databases to search
If you are looking for articles on general topics, you may want to use general databases like Academic Search Premier, LexisNexis Academic, or JSTOR. If you want to search subject specific database, then take a look at the subject listing on the database page.
Printing and saving articles from databases
Many databases provide the option to print within the database; just look for the print icon. Using the in-database option will save you from printing unwanted and redundant pages. If there is no print option within the database, you can also use the print options available for your Internet browser.
Many databases also allow you to save articles. However, some databases may place restrictions on the number of articles you can save at one time.
Our “One Search” discovery service, by Ebsco, provides a simple, discoverable search experience by combining the catalog with the search of most of our databases, journals, and digital collections.
Basics
You can access databases from the “One Search” from the library homepage, or any other place links or search boxes are made available.
One Search is a discovery service which combines the library catalog with most of our database content, plus other library content to give you a more simple yet complete search experience.
Filtering your search results
Your can filter your search results by checking off categories on the left sidebar of your search results screen. For example, you can limit by date or date range, specific subject or material type.
Accessing content shown in “One Search”
When you find a result you would like to see, take a look at your presentation options. If it say’s “Full Text HTML” or “PDF”, you can just click on those and access the item right away. You will also see a “Find It” button. Use that if the item is not available in Full Text HTML or PDF.
“Find It” will help you locate the item. If it we have it in more than one format, links will be shown to other formats or you may be taken to a publisher site. If we don’t have the item here, you will be offered the opportunity to have it sent by Interlibrary Loan.
A digital collection is an archival collection that has been digitized and placed online.
Basics
You can use Digital Collections to search for archival primary source materials. Materials are arranged by “Collections” which can all be viewed from the Digital Collections homepage.
Finding and using items in a collection
There is an advanced search feature at the top of the page, it can search all collections or specific collections. Digital Collections can also be searched using “One Search.”
Meet the Distance Learning Librarian
As Head of Research and Instruction Services I support teaching and learning at all levels on the Oxford and distance campuses with a team of librarians and students in the Department of Research and Instruction.
Melissa Dennis
Head of Research & Instruction Services and Associate Professor