This page tells you how to request articles and books through ILL. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me!
To request an article, please fill out the article request form. When we receive the article, we will email it to you. The turnaround time is largely dependent upon the loaning institution. Therefore we can't tell you when you will receive the article. However, most article requests are filled within a week.
When filling out the article request form, be careful to complete the information accurately. If you need help reading your citation (e.g., identifying the journal title, volume number, etc), please watch the Reading Citations tutorial or contact a librarian.
You can request books through our virtual catalogs or by filling out an ILL form for books. The Boston Library Consortium catalog is a good place to look for academic titles while the Massachusetts Virtual Catalog is a good place to go to borrow fiction and best sellers.
As with article requests, the turnaround time is largely dependent on the loaning institution. However, a virtual catalog request typically takes 3 to 5 working days, while a request submitted through the ILL form takes about week.
When your book arrives, you will receive an email notification. You will pick up your books at the Circulation Desk, which is located on the library's first floor.
You can obtain a Boston Library Consortium card at the Library's Circulation Desk or by emailing Online Support. This card grants you access to several academic libraries in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire.
Note: You need a UMass Pass before we can issue you a Boston Library Consortium card. See the Library Cards page for details.
