CAUTION! This guide is under construction in preparation for the new term
Learning how to use the Library and do research is an important aspect of your college education.
The Library Staff is here to assist you. Please feel free to ask question. We will gladly instruct you in the use of the Otis Library online catalog (OPAC), computer programs and databases.
Below are the typical circulation limits for the largest groups of patrons.
| Type of Borrower | Max. items | # Renewals |
|---|---|---|
| BFA Students | 10 | 1 |
| MFA Students | 15 | 2 |
| Faculty | 15 | 2 |
| Staff | 10 | 1 |
| Extension: Certificate or Access Student | 5 | 1 |
| Alumnx | 5 | 1 |
Below are the typical circulation limits for the largest groups of items and patrons.
There may be additional limits depending on the type of item and borrower.
| Type of Item | Loan Period |
|---|---|
| Books/CDs | 3 weeks * |
| DVDs/Videos | 1 week |
| Materials | 1 week |
| Periodicals | 1 week |
| Puzzles & Games | 2 weeks |
* 2 weeks for Alumnx, Certificate Students, and Access students
Log into OwlCat BEFORE the due date. View instructions
August 2023: These policies are being revised.
Think of the Otis Librarians as your partners in teaching.
The Teaching / Learning Center (TLC) provides help with teaching and instruction. They offer many different workshops, events, and trainings.
Please visit their website for more information.
Otis Faculty place materials on Reserve in the Library for their students. Reserves are really an extension of the classroom. They include books, copies of chapters from books, and articles from journals and newspapers.
Individual faculty members initiate the process of placing items on Reserve by bringing materials to the Circulation Desk and filling out a Reserve Form, available online or from the Circulation Desk in the Library. The Reserve item is then prepared for circulation and a record for it is created in the Library's catalog. Finally, the item is placed behind the Circulation Desk, where students can check it out for a period of time stipulated by the professor, ranging from Library Use Only (recommended) to overnight. The whole process can take up to three days to complete so please plan ahead. For questions regarding reserves, please contact Vickie Thomas.
In addition to Traditional Library Reserves, some materials may be available through the College's Learning Management Systems on a 24/7 basis:
Videos are generally only put on reserve for the week(s) needed. Faculty may check out the videos to play in the classroom; students are limited to Library Use Only. Please send your screening list and any other questions to Derek McMullen.
The Library collects items primarily related to the art and design curriculum. Requests are welcome.
Otis does not offer an Inter-Library Loan (ILL) Program. However, we are happy to assist students and faculty in finding the resources that they need. Students and faculty are encouraged to request books and other materials that they find lacking in the collection. The reality is that is it often cheaper and faster to buy the needed material than to order it through inter-library loan.
There are many other Los Angeles-area libraries available that the Otis Community may find useful.
Privileges at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) William H. Hannon Library: More information coming soon
This service is only available to current Otis faculty.
If you wish to participate:
Make sure to return any materials you have borrowed on time. If you incur any unpaid fees or fines that are billed to the Millard Sheets Library, we may add those charges to your Otis account and/or limit borrowing privileges.
Faculty from participating institutions:
To reserve Millard's group study room (including same day use), please fill out this form:
Otis College of Art and Design | 9045 Lincoln Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90045 | MyOtis
Millard Sheets Library | MyOtis | 310-665-6930 | Ask a Librarian