The OPAC has been migrated to a new system, OwlCat
Some links to opac.otis.edu are currently not working. More information
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 circulation limits for the largest groups of items and patrons. More details for all patron trypes and items types will be posted soon.
| Type of Item | Loan Period |
|---|---|
| Books/CDs | 3 weeks |
| DVDs/Videos | 1 week |
| Materials | 1 week |
| Periodicals | 1 week |
| Puzzles & Games | 2 weeks |
| Type of Borrower | Max. items |
|---|---|
| BFA Students | 10 |
| MFA Students | 15 |
| Faculty | 15 |
| Staff | 10 |
Log into OwlCat through the Dashboard BEFORE the due date. View instructions
Think of the Otis Librarians as your partners in teaching.
The Teaching / Learning Center (TLC) also provides help with teaching and instruction. 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 or Shelley Forbes.
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.
Otis Graduate Students may, on a limited basis, acquire check-out privileges at the Loyola Marymount Hannon Library. Please contact Shelley Forbes at the circulation desk for details regarding eligibility.
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 | Otis Dashboard
Millard Sheets Library | Library Dashboard Site | 310-665-6930 | Ask a Librarian