Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a service that allows you to borrow materials from libraries around the world by going through the MHC library.
Log in to your ILL account using your MHC username.
All currently enrolled students, faculty and staff of Mount Holyoke College, as well as emeriti faculty, may use this service free of charge. Simmons West students should use Simmons University’s interlibrary loan.
What can I get through interlibrary loan?
- Books and videos that are not in the Five Colleges (for items in the Five Colleges, please use Discover advanced search).
- Journal articles
- Conference papers, dissertations, book chapters, and more.
Please note that items obtained through interlibrary loan are intended for personal use or research only (see 17 U.S.C. § 108(d) and (e) for more detail). If you would like to request a journal article or book chapter for course reserves, please place a course reserve request online or at the Circulation Desk.
How do I make interlibrary loan requests?
To submit a request, log in to your ILL account. If it's your first time, you'll need to enter your first and last name after you log in. Then, you can select a request form for the type of material you need: article, book, book chapter, or video.
You can also request items from our online databases. If you find something that you would like to request, use the blue MHC Get It button 
. If the item is not available at MHC or in the Five Colleges, select Request document via ILLiad. This method will populate the form for you. Please check for errors and add any other necessary information.
When the item has arrived, you will be notified by email. Books and videos can be picked up at the Circulation Desk. Materials will be held for seven business days. Articles are emailed to you electronically.
How long do interlibrary loan requests take?
Requested articles usually take 1-2 weekdays to arrive, and are often filled within just a few hours. Books and videos generally take 1-2 weeks to arrive. Please plan accordingly.
How can I search for materials at other libraries?
Use WorldCat to search for materials in libraries across the U.S. and even internationally. You can also find articles in journals not owned by MHC through Discover and our article databases.
How do I renew ILL books?
Renewal of interlibrary loan items depends on the approval of the lending library. Log in to your ILL account to request a renewal. Select Checked Out / Renew Items on the left menu, then select the Transaction Number of the item you would like to renew.
The lending library will approve or deny the renewal, and you will receive an automated email notification. Please remember to request your renewal before or on the due date.