Find the Book In Our Discovery Search
The first step is to find the book in our Discovery Search. Please use the Advanced Search:
- Put the title in the first line of the search and change the box to TI Title.
- Put the last name of the author in the second line of the search and change the box to AU Author.
- Click Search.
Example:
Review the results to find the book and format you'd like to use.
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Search Tip: If you are having a problem finding the author by just last name, you can search for the specific author using this: AR "Last Name, First Name." In this case, you'd put AR "Butler, Octavia" in one of the fields, but keep the field type as Select a Field (optional). |
Books are available electronically and in print. Depending on the format and availability of the item, how you will get access to it is different.
Ebooks
If we have the book available electronically, the record will have UMass: Link to resource above the Location field.
Example:
Once you have clicked on the link, you may be prompted for your NetID and password. We purchase ebooks from many vendors and the interfaces work differently.
It's Not Working!
Please note that if the Status field is Internet and the UMass: Link to resource is not showing, it means that we do not have electronic access to the book. There are ebooks in the catalog that are only available to members of Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke or Smith. These are shown by the location of Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke or Smith. This is due to vendor licensing restrictions.
If we do not have an electronic version of the book, please submit an interlibrary loan request for the book and indicate if you'd like an electronic or print version of the book.
If you have any questions or problems accessing an ebook, please use our chat box or question form to the right to get help.
Print Materials
Check the Due Date field.
Example:
| Due Date Field Says | What's Available To Me? |
|---|---|
| Available | Come to the library, request the item or home delivery; see below for instructions |
| Requested | Recalls are not available; submit a request via Interlibrary Loan |
| There's a date in the field | Recalls are not available; submit a request via Interlibrary Loan |
| Missing or something else that is not Available or Requested | Recalls are not available; submit a request via Interlibrary Loan |
Request an Item
If the Due Date is Available, and you'd like to have the item held for you, you can do the following:
- On the item's page, click on the Request Item button above the Location field.
- If you are not already logged into your account, you will be prompted to log in.
- Select the library you'd like the item to be delivered to.
- Complete the request.
Please note that non-circulating items and items on Reserve cannot be requested. If you try to do so, you will get an error.
Delivery to Your Home Address (Library Express)
Available to current students and current and retired faculty and staff
Delivery is available to any address off campus in the continental United States
If the Due Date is Available, and you'd like to have the item mailed to you, please use the Library Express service. To do this, please:
- Log into your ILL account. If this is your first time placing a request, you will be prompted to fill out some information, including the address where materials should be mailed
- Make sure your mailing address is up to date by clicking "My Account" (under Tools on the left menu)
- Place your request by clicking "Book, Film, Etc." under New Request on the left menu. Fill out title, author, and ISBN fields and indicate that you are requesting Library Express in the Notes field.
Questions?
If you have any questions, you can do any of the following:
- Contact the librarian for the subject using Find Your Librarian, and they will help you find materials.
- Send your request directly to us using the question form to the right of this answer on the page.
- Email us directly at ask@umass.libanswers.com.