Howard-Tilton Memorial Library is an "open stack" library, which means that books on the shelves are freely accessible to all readers. There are public terminals located throughout the building to access the library catalog. This is the on-line catalog of the libraries at Tulane University, with the exception of the Law Library.

• Write or print the call numbers that you need
• Consult a call number floor guide (available at the Reference Desk) to determine on which floor books in that classification are shelved. Location Charts are also displayed near throughout the building.
• Go to the appropriate floor and shelf to get your book. If it is not there, examine other books in the same classification to see if a substitute will be satisfactory. Also check the reshelving area on each stack level. If no substitute is acceptable, ask at the Circulation Desk for assistance in locating the book, or recalling and reserving it for your use.
• Present the book and your ID card at the Circulation Desk. A book which is to be removed from the building must be charged out at the Circulation Desk in the first floor lobby.

• When the library is open, a book should be returned to the drop at the Circulation Desk. Ask for a receipt, as proof that you returned the book.
• When the library is closed, a book depository is avalable to the right of the main entrance for your convenience. However, General Reserve books are still subject to fines if not returned to the General Reserve counter.
• Do not return a checked-out book to the shelf or place it on any of the book trucks throughout the building as the loan record is not cancelled until the book is returned to the Circulation Desk from which it was borrowed (or until it is dropped in the after-hours Book Depository.) A book will be subject to fines for any delay involved in its return to the Circulation Desk if it has been placed incorrectly in one of these areas.

Renewals are possible provided another patron has not requested the book. Renewals can be done online through the library catalog, if the item is not overdue. Books may not be renewed by telephone or by e-mail.

The Library suggests that you do not borrow a book from the Library on your library card for another person. You are the responsible party for the book, and will be held responsible for any overdue or lost book charges.

Library materials are subject to recall after they have circulated to a patron for at least two weeks. Materials needed for Reserve are subject to immediate recall.

These materials may be checked out only by Tulane faculty members or to students assigned a carrel. The loan period is two weeks, and these materials may not be renewed. Other students and non-faculty borrowers may use these materials in the Library only.

All books which are assigned as required reading and placed on "Reserve" at the request of the faculty are available at the Reserve Book Counter at the Circulation Desk. Because reserve books are in such great demand, they are circulated for limited periods of time according to the faculty member's wishes. The loan periods are: strict 2 hours, one day or three days. These books must be returned directly to the Reserve Book counter bin. Books which are placed on a reserve reading list are subject to immediate recall from any borrower.