Greenfield Community College

How do I get a book or article from another library?

Books, videos, etc.    |    Articles

Books, videos, etc.
While doing your research in the GCC online catalog, you may discover that a book or video is not available in the GCC Library. You might search by subject and find that the GCC Library does not have a book on your subject or that all of the books are checked out.

The next step for locating an item or searching by subject is to check the larger catalog for all of the libraries in western Massachusetts by clicking on the arrow next to GCC. Use this drop-down menu to select "All Western MA libraries" at the bottom of the list of libraries and click on the search button to do the search again. You also have the option to search an individual library or all of the academic libraries in the system.

If you find an item of interest in the larger catalog, click on the blue button labeled "Request" at the top of the screen and follow the instructions given by entering your name and library card number and choosing a pickup location with the drop-down menu provided. If you have already set up a personal account, type your PIN in the blank window and "Submit". The item will be delivered to the library you chose. If you have not yet set up an account, you will need to do so in order to request from the catalog. See View my account/renew & request books for more information on how to set up an account.

If your search in the catalog for western MA libraries is unsuccessful, you should click on the blue button at the top of the screen labeled "C/W MARS Union Catalog." This combined catalog of the holdings of the member libraries in both western and central Massachusetts will broaden your search to include the libraries in central MA. You should always check the catalog for western MA first before broadening your search to the Union Catalog.

The screen will be split, with the GCC catalog or western MA catalog on top in blue, and the union catalog screen below in green. Conduct your search in the boxes provided. When you have located and selected a title, the catalog will provide a link saying how many libraries have the item as well as a link to request the item. To see where the item is, click on the link indicating the number of libraries that own the item. To immediately request the item, click on the link for "Request this item." You will be asked to select the region of your home library. GCC is part of the Western region. You will then be prompted to enter your name and library card number, and to specify a pick-up location. Click on "Submit", and your request has been placed.

It is also possible to search only the libraries in Western or Central Massachusetts, or to search by type of library within each region. These choices can be made from the main page of the catalog by selecting "Other Libraries."

You can also search the holdings of other Massachusetts libraries by using the Massachusetts Virtual Catalog, but always check the C/W MARS catalogs first because materials within the local system will be received more quickly. See the Locating and Requesting Books and other Materials handout.

If the item you want cannot be found anywhere in the C/W MARS system, the item can be requested for you through interlibrary loan. It may be difficult to obtain certain items such as videos or cds. You have several options for accomplishing an interlibrary loan. You can ask at the Circulation Desk for an interlibrary loan form in order to place your request, you can print the form yourself from the library website, or you can request the book electronically from the library website. It can take several weeks to receive a book through interlibrary loan, so be sure to allow enough time in your research process.

Articles
If you are unable find a periodical article in the GCC Library in print format because the library does not own the periodical, an electronic version may be available through one of the electronic periodical databases to which the library subscribes. Check the title lists within the databases most likely to index the periodical based on the subject matter to determine whether the full text is available. If you need assistance, ask the Reference Librarian to show you how to check the title lists of appropriate databases to determine if an electronic version of the article is available. If the article is not available electronically at the GCC Library, ask for an interlibrary loan form at the Circulation Desk or access the form from the library website to place a request for a photocopy of the article from another library.