Register
You must be a registered UW Library user to use RACER.
You may register at a Library Circulation Desk or you may Self-Register using our online form (see forms menu at top of Library home page).
Login to RACER (Video)
Login = your barcode number
Password = your last name (all in lower-case)
Your Library = Waterloo
Request books or copies of articles
There are two options:
Login to RACER.
Use the default Standard Search for Title Keyword searching. Select Advanced Search for other search fields (e.g., Author, ISBN, Subject Heading).
Enter your search terms. Do not use abbreviations for journal titles.
Select Collections you wish to search. Always include TUG or search Primo first. Selecting all Collections will slow down your search. Choose Collections based on subject coverage, or use a subject Profile (a group of Collections sharing a common subject strength).
Note: Items held by any of the TUG libraries, even if in use, cannot be requested from RACER / Interlibrary Loan. Request such items by searching Primo and placing a hold/recall. In addition, other libraries may not lend Reserve or Reference books.
When you see the results of your search, click Details to verify that an item is the one you want. If you find no matches, try selecting different Collections, or try OPTION B.
Click Get it! for your desired item. Details will automatically transfer to a request form. Selecting a record that includes an ISBN or ISSN will result in faster delivery.
Complete any blank **required fields and click SUBMIT. Please request one item per form (e.g., do not request two articles using one form).
To return to your results list, click Search Results. Do not use the browser’s back button. To start a new search, click Standard Search or Advanced Search.
Logout from your account when finished.
Login to RACER.
Click Create Request on the left side of the screen.
Select Format (Journal Article, Book, or Other).
For Journal Articles, choose Photocopy. For Books, choose Borrow.
Fill in all **required fields for the item you need. Do not use periodical title abbreviations. Click SUBMIT. Please request one item per form. (e.g., do not request two articles using one form). Providing the ISBN or ISSN will result in faster delivery.
To make another request, click Create Request, Standard Search, or Advanced Search. Do not use the browser’s back button.
Logout from your account when finished.
The item has arrived.
Additional information is needed.
The request has been cancelled because the item is located in one of the TUG libraries.
The request has been cancelled due to the policies of the lending library.
Under the "My Requests" feature you can cancel a request you previously made by using the Cancel icon. ZPORTAL displays the request details. Click Cancel Request to cancel the request. ZPORTAL confirms the request is cancelled. In the My Requests Search Results ZPORTAL shows Request No Longer Required.
You may also cancel or change a request by contacting Resource Sharing (519 888 4567 ext. 32598 or raceradm@library.uwaterloo.ca) with the request number (found under My Requests).
Login to RACER.
Click My Requests. A list of your current requests (including any TUGdoc requests) will be displayed.
If an item is no longer listed, click in the box that says "Show everything." This will display all your requests, including those that have been completed.
Below is a list of Status codes and their meanings.
Idle – We will process your request shortly.
Pending – Your request has been sent to a lending library.
Shipped – Lending library has begun the process of shipping your item.
Not Supplied – Local library staff are searching other libraries for your item and may contact you if needed.
Conditional – A lending library has indicated they will supply your item as soon as some condition is met (e.g. a specific delivery method is required).
Received – Your item has arrived at the library and will be available shortly. Check your email for further details. Note: You will only see this status for books and other loans.
Returned – Item is being sent back to the lending library.
Checked In – Lending library has the item back.
Cancel Pending – We are in the process of cancelling your request.
RACER seems to respond better when accessed using the Internet Explorer browser, at least version 5.5. Netscape Navigator/Communicator seems to be less reliable, but will also work with VDX if version 4.7 or higher is used.
Whatever browser you use, it is a good idea to clear cache and refresh every time. (This is a good idea generally, but particularly if you are a frequent RACER user.) Java and cookies must be enabled.
In Netscape, go to Preferences, Advanced, Cache. Then clear the memory cache, the disk cache, and compare the document in cache to document on network "every time".
In Internet Explorer, go to Tools, Internet Options, General. Hit the Delete Files button. Then go into Settings, and choose to Check for newer versions of stored pages on Every visit to a page.
Use the RACER buttons for navigation rather than your browser's back button. Your browsers back button will not always retrieve the page previously visited, because data may have expired.
Change of RACER patron information must be done in the Library's circulation system. Patrons can change their information by contacting any UW circulation desk, in person or over the phone, or by filling out a web form http://tug.lib.uwaterloo.ca/trellis/regist.html.
It will be the next day before changes take effect or a newly registered user can either 1) log in to the proxy server or 2) submit TUGdoc requests in Primo or interlibrary loan requests in RACER.
Suggest
Additions to this Help Page
Email Samantha Gibbon to suggest additions to this help page.
Contact Library Reference staff or your Liaison Librarian for further assistance.
University of Waterloo Library
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
519 888 4883
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