About Prospector

What is Prospector?

Prospector is a regional union catalog that includes participating libraries within Colorado and Wyoming. This catalog allows patrons to request items from any participating library and have them sent via courier to their local library for pickup. This service is free for all members of participating Prospector libraries.

Who can request Prospector materials?

Currently, Prospector service is provided to enrolled and active Anschutz students and employees (faculty & staff) from Anschutz campus Schools/Colleges.

What can be requested?

Most bound volumes and many physical items including books, AV/media, CDs, DVDs, etc. which circulate at the owning library. Patrons will be notified via email if a request is not available for loan. Each Prospector library has its own restrictions.

This service does not include photocopies. If you have article level requests and are a campus user, you can use your ILLiad account with interlibrary loan services. Access your ILLiad account here
If you do not have an ILLiad account, access more information about this library service here.

How to search and request items using Prospector:

Patrons can connect to this service by clicking on the Prospector icon located on any member library catalog. Generally, you want to do a search in the member library catalog first, then look for the icon on the item you want to request.

Patrons can search items by authors, titles, keywords, subject headings etc. To request an item, choose the "Request Item" option, select your library affiliation (ours is Alliance - UC Health Sciences), type in your name and institutional ID number, select a pickup location, and submit the request. 
CU Anschutz affiliated users, your institutional ID is your student or employee number. If you have any difficulties logging in or requesting an item, please contact us through AskUs or call the Service Desk at 303-724-2152.

When will the materials arrive?

Most requests take approximately one week to arrive at the borrowers library. You will be notified via your campus email when the item(s) arrive. To ensure your library registration is active and that we have a current email address for you, call the Service Desk at 303-724-2152.

How do I pick up my items?

Materials will be delivered to the Strauss Health Sciences Library where they will be held for 10 days in a secure locker for pickup after your email notification.

What is the loan period?

The initial checkout period for Prospector books is 42 days with no renewal. Other items such as AV media and special volumes may be 7 day loan period only with no renewals. For more information, contact Andrew Gagnon, Access Services Specialist, by email at andrew.j.gagnon@cuanschutz.edu or call the Service Desk at 303-724-2152.