Requesting Items
In and Outside of Massachusetts
Requesting Items in Massachusetts (Resource Sharing)
If you want an item which is currently out or only available at another CW/MARS Network Library, you may request the item in person at the the Information, Reference, or Children's Desks, by phone at 789-1550, or by e-mail at reference@agawamlibrary.org . We will notify you by e-mail or phone when your item arrives at the library.
Also, you may only request three items a day by phone or at the library. You can place more than three requests at a time online; however, there is a limit of 10 requests on your library card at one time.
Requesting online
You may also request the item online. Begin by visiting the Agawam Library catalog at http://bark.cwmars.org/eg/opac/home?loc=150. Once you have found the materials you are looking for, click the Place Hold button and follow the on-screen instructions (make sure to have your Library Card handy for this step).
If this search didn't yield the results that you were hoping for, try searching the whole state of Massachusetts by using the Virtual Catalog at http://mblc.state.ma.us/books/catalogs/vc/index.php. Begin by typing in your library card number, followed by where you would like to pick up any material you find while searching. Click the Searching and Requesting button, and start your search. After finding the materials, you are looking for, click the Request button and fill in the Create Request Screen. Once this is complete, click the Submit button.
Note: Your Virtual Catalog request may be denied for many reasons; one could be that you have requested material that is not available for loan across the state and this is at the discretion of the owning library. The material could be non-circulating (part of the Reference or Special Collections), the item could be checked out, or that the material is already available locally in Central or Western Massachusetts.
Requesting Items Outside of Massachusetts - Inter-Library Loan
To borrow something not listed in our library catalog, nor available from the Virtual Catalog, place an Inter-Library Loan (ILL) at the Reference Desk, in person, by phone at 789-1550 ext. 8853, or by e-mail at illag@cwmars.org. A valid Agawam Public Library card is required for ILL services. ILL service is available only to Agawam residents. Inter-Library Loan service is NOT available to non-resident or reciprocal card holders. You should be aware in placing an ILL request that it can frequently take 2 - 4 weeks or more to receive the desired material from another library. Also, please note that Audiovisual (DVD/CD) materials, equipment and Reference materials are typically not available for loan.
Many libraries, particularly academic libraries, charge borrowing and/or photocopying fees of $15 to $25 when supplying items through ILL. We will make every effort to borrow requested items from libraries that do not charge for this service. When this is not possible, and with your prior agreement, any charges incurred will need to be paid by you before checking out or using the material at the library.
