Ask Business

You can email a Business Library reference librarian at askbusiness@library.wisc.edu.

Typical questions are:

  • Does the library own a particular book or journal?
  • What is the address/phone number of a company?
  • How can I obtain an article from a journal that the libraries on campus don't own?

Questions that can be answered using standard resources in the Business Library collection will be answered by the end of the following business day.

We are unable to answer lengthy and involved research questions through this service. In-depth research questions are best asked in person at the Reference Desk.

Borrow or Renew Items

Books and annual reports can be checked out by anyone with a valid UW-Madison ID or a current borrowing card issued at Memorial Library.

  • Undergraduates and special students:
    • check out materials for 28 days
    • option of 2 renewals.
  • Graduate students:
    • check out materials for a semester
    • option of 2 renewals
  • UW-Madison faculty, staff
    • check out materials for a semester
    • option of 6 renewal

Items that can be checked out for 28 days or more can be returned to any campus library participating in Open Return.

Items can be renewed in MadCat, the online catalog, by clicking on My MadCat Account. Enter your 11 digit ID number and last name.

From the list of Items Checked Out you can mark the items you wish to renew.

Be sure that the due date on the screen changes after sending your request. Some library materials can’t be renewed and in that case the due date will not change. 

For additional assistance in renewing materials, see: http://madcat.library.wisc.edu/help/renew.htm

Reference books, journals and most audio-visual materials can't be checked out. They must be used in the library.

If you have questions about loan policies, renewals or recalls, please email Deb Ahrens, Circulation Librarian.

Interlibrary Loan

If the item you need is not owned by a campus library, you may be able to borrow it from another college or university.

In MadCat, click on UW System Search to see if an item is owned by another UW System library. Click here for more information on how it can be delivered to the campus library of your choice.

If an item isn't owned by any UW library, you can search WorldCat and request books from anywhere in the world. Find the record for the item you want and click on "Get Through Libary Express".

Recall Items

If you need an item that is already checked out, you can recall it from the current borrower. For online assistance in recalling materials checked out to another user, click here.

If you wish to recall items that are In Transit or On Hold in MadCat, ask a staff member for assistance.

Retrieve Items From Campus Libraries

You can request books from any campus library and have them delivered to your campus library of choice. Click here for additional information.

You can request electronic copies of journal articles owned by UW—Madison. There is a $2.00 service fee. Log in to Library Express and click "Request an Article or Other Copy".

Research Assistance

Reference Librarians know where to find the information you need. During the semester they are available:

  • Monday - Wednesday: 9 am to 10 pm
  • Thursday: 9 am to 9 pm
  • Friday: 9 am to 8 pm
  • Saturday: 11 am to 3 pm
  • Sunday: 1 pm to 10 pm

You may come to the Reference Desk or call (608) 265-6202 during the hours listed above.