I can never find what I need. Half your books are missing or misshelved.

Patricia Selinger of the Preservation Department, who oversees book shelving, replies..
If there is a specific book you are looking for, please complete the Item Request Form at http://www.library.vcu.edu/forms/itemreq.html
This form initiates a search and a replacement decision if the book is missing. VCU Libraries has appointed a work group to plan for an inventory of the collections so we can record missing books in the catalog. Much of the misshelving is due to overcrowded conditions in the stacks. The Libraries has recently installed compact shelving in the basement where lesser-used materials will be shelved. Stacks staff is planning to shift books this summer to alleviate overcrowding and books can be placed in order.

It's also possible that the missing books are in use by others in the building. Our collection use and gate counts are higher than ever. Be sure to check the sorting area on the 3rd floor, where books have Normal Loan status but are not yet on the shelves. Interlibrary loan is another solution for getting the book you need. In most cases, books borrowed from other libraries will arrive within a week. Use the Illiad form at http://lib-w2k3.uls.vcu.edu/illiad/.