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How to Use Aeon

Learn how to request rare materials.

Aeon is the Huntington Library's online request system. An Aeon account allows you to:

  • Register for in-person research and remote access.
  • Request rare materials (items with the status RARE - PAGE AEON in the library catalog).
  • Request Imaging Services.
  • Track the status of requests.

Create an account or log in to your account to begin placing requests. Not sure if you have an account? Contact us for assistance.

Note: Aeon is not a search tool. For more information on searching the collections, visit the Library Resources guide.

To manage requests for General Collection materials (items with the status ON SHELF or PLACE REQUEST), refer to the My Library guide.

Retrieval Schedule and Request Limit

Materials may be requested in Aeon prior your visit or upon arriving at the library. Requests are retrieved according to the schedule below:

Retrieval Schedule

  • Monday, Thursday, and Friday: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday and Wednesday: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
  • Requests submitted after the final retrieval time of the day will be retrieved at 9:00 a.m. the next business day.

Materials are typically delivered to the reading room within the hour. Requests can be tracked online on your account homepage. Restricted materials are subject to extended delivery time.

Request Limit

Up to five requests may be on hold in the reading room at a time. One request typically represents one volume or one box of materials. Use the Save Request for Later feature to create a list of submissions beyond the five-item limit.

How to Request Rare Materials

Rare materials with the status RARE - PAGE AEON may be requested from the library catalog record:

1) Click on the Request item via Aeon button. Aeon will open in a new tab or window.

Request item via Aeon link in library catalog record.

2) Log in to your Aeon account when prompted.

3) The request form will auto-fill with the information from the catalog.

4) Schedule a retrieval date by clicking on the calendar icon.

Request Information box with the calendar icon highlighted.

5) Click Submit Request.

N.B. Rare materials with the status NOT AVAILABLE are closed and unavailable for paging to the reading room until processed by the cataloging department. Please contact the library for more information.

Rare collections with the status RARE - PAGE AEON and a finding aid may be requested through the Online Archive of California (OAC).

If you have found a collection in the catalog with a finding aid, click on View finding aid and request materials. The finding aid will open in a new tab or window.

View finding aid and request materials.

1) Review the available inventory or contents list.

2) Click on the Request items ↗ button.

Request items through the OAC.

3) Log in to your Aeon account when prompted.

4) Click Expand All to see the full content list. Select a series from the content list and select the checkbox next to the item(s) you wish to request. If no boxes are checked, the request will not submit. A separate request will be automatically submitted for each box you check.

Content list menu with the Expand All link highlighted.

5) Schedule a retrieval date by clicking on the calendar icon. 

Request Information box with the calendar icon highlighted.

6) Click Submit Request.

You may use a blank Reading Room Request form if you have a reference or citation that is not available in the library catalog.

1) Log in to your Aeon account.

2) From the menu at the top of the page, click on New Requests, then select Reading Room Request from the drop-down menu.

3) Fill out the form with the bibliographic details available to you.

  • Optional: In the Request Information section, fill out the Special Requests/Questions? box to help us identify and locate the item.

4) Schedule a retrieval date by clicking on the calendar icon.

Request Information box with the calendar icon highlighted.

5) Click Submit Request.

N.B. Contact the library for help identifying items not recorded in the library catalog.

An item may be restricted due to its rarity, fragility or for preservation reasons. These requests require a curatorial review and extended delivery time. If approved, these requests will be brought to the reading room by a curator.

Collections or archives are occasionally restricted at the donor's request or due to copyright. These collections may also require curatorial approval and extended delivery time. The library will contact you by email if more information about the request is needed.

All requests for restricted materials may be placed by following the steps for requesting through the library catalog.

Track Your Requests

You can find a list of your outstanding requests on your account homepage. Aeon tracks and updates the status of requests in real time:

  • Awaiting Request Processing: Your request has been submitted and will be pulled at the next retrieval time.
    • Awaiting Request Processing - Restricted: Restricted requests require curatorial review and extended delivery time. The library will contact you if more information about the request is needed.
  • Awaiting Curatorial Approval: Your request requires curatorial review and extended delivery time.
  • Saved for Later: The request is in your "Saved for Later" list. The request must be manually activated before it is officially submitted.
  • In Retrieval: Your request is being pulled for the reading room.
  • In Reading Room: Your request is ready for viewing in the Special Collections (Ahmanson) Reading Room.
  • Item on Reserve: Your request is ready for viewing in the Special Collections Reading Room, but is being held in the reserve space. It may require a few minutes of retrieval time.
  • Item Checked Out: The request is currently checked out to you.

Save Requests for Future Submission

Use the Save Request for Later feature to create and add to a list of requests that exceed your limit of five. You can use this feature to ready requests for future visits. Once you've filled out a reading room request form, click the Save Request for Later button to add the request to your "saved" list.

Save Request for Later.

These requests are not automatically submitted and must be manually activated. To activate a request:

1) Log in to your Aeon account.

2) Click My Requests from the menu at the top of the page, then select Saved for Later from the drop-down menu.

3) Click the Actions button next to the item you wish to request, then select Submit Request from the drop-down menu.

The request is now submitted and will appear on your account homepage with the status Awaiting Request Processing. The item will be pulled at the next retrieval time.