Finding and Getting Books: Griffin and Summit

Griffin

Griffin is the online library catalog for Washington State University (WSU) and is named for a mythical beast similar to a combined WSU Cougar and EWU Eagle mascot. The Griffin catalog can be used in any WSU library or accessed from home or the office on the web at http://griffin.wsu.edu/search.

Loan periods and fine schedules vary depending on your status at WSU and the type of materials borrowed.

Summit

Summit combines the library catalogs of academic libraries in the Pacific Northwest. Anyone may search Summit on the web at http://cascade.lib.washington.edu, and authorized individuals (current students, faculty and staff of participating institutions) may borrow books from any of the libraries (except WSU Energy Library) without charge. Items in Summit are checked out for 21 days with one renewal allowed. Be aware that fines and replacement costs are substantially higher than those at WSU.

REQUEST ITEM

Request Item is a service for WSU students, faculty and staff that brings many of the materials you find listed in Griffin to your nearest library circulation desk for pickup. Books can be delivered from four WSU campuses (Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver). Items with short due dates or that do not normally circulate are not included in the service. There is no charge for this service.

Request This Item is used in Summit to allow authorized individuals to borrow books from its libraries and functions much like Request Item in Griffin. Always search in Griffin first when you are looking for books, but if you cannot find the material you need in Griffin, try Summit.

PIN (Personal Identification Number)

Your WSU ID number and your PIN function together to create a personal login that are unique to you alone. This personal login may be used to view your library record, request items from cooperating libraries through Griffin or Summit, access our online indexes and electronic journals from off-campus, or use Electronic Reserves placed in the system by professors.

You choose and create your own PIN using the Your Library Record/Renewals button on the Griffin search screen (). Your PIN may be any combination of letters, numbers, or symbols and can be from 1 to 30 characters long.

If you get the message saying INVALID PIN when trying to create one, you already have a PIN in the system. This means that you have created a PIN for yourself at some point in the past. If you cannot remember your PIN, we cannot tell you what it was; however, we CAN delete your old PIN, giving you the chance to create a new one. To have your old PIN deleted, take your WSU ID card to the WSUV library circulation desk.

USING REQUEST ITEM IN GRIFFIN

If the book you want is listed in Griffin but not available at your local WSU library, you can place a hold on the local copy or have a copy from another WSU or EWU library delivered to you.

  • When you see a book that you would like delivered, click on the Request Item button at the top of the screen.
  • Enter your name, WSU ID number (with leading zeros to make nine digits), and your PIN.
  • Select the circulation desk where you would like to pick up the item. WSU distance learners and faculty or staff at the extension centers can also use this service by selecting one of the "delivery" options from the menu.
  • Click on Submit Above Information.

Your book should be delivered to the circulation desk you have chosen within a day or two. You will be notified by mail when the book is available, or you can check the status of your request by using the Your Library Record/Renewals button on the Griffin search screen. Items will be held for pickup for seven days.

USING REQUEST ITEM IN Summit

If you have searched Griffin and the item you want is not at any WSU location, click on the Search Summit button to look for the same item at another Cascade library. You can also search Summit directly at http://cascade.lib.washington.edu.

  • When you find materials that you need, choose the Request This Item option.
  • Identify your home institution.
  • Provide your name, ID number and PIN, and choose a pickup location.
  • Click on Submit Above Information.

Your book should be delivered to the circulation desk you have chosen within a few days. To learn if your book has arrived, check the status of your request by using the Your Library Record/Renewals button on the Griffin search screen. Items will be held for pickup for seven days.

If you have questions, please ask at the WSUV Library reference desk.