Requesting Items
In and Outside of Massachusetts
Requesting Items in Massachusetts
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 ext. 112, or by e-mail at reference@agawamlibrary.org . We will notify you by e-mail or phone when your item is being held for you at the library.
Please note the library does not accept requests for the Agawam Library's DVDs and videocassettes. 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 20 requests on your library card at one time.
Requesting online
You may also request the item online. First start off by looking in either the Agawam Library Catalog or the Western Massachusetts Regional Catalog . Once you have found the materials you are looking for, click the Request button and follow the on-screen instructions (make sure to have your Library Card handy for this step).
Don't see what you're looking for? Broaden your search to include Central Massachusetts in the Union Catalog or by clicking Others on the top of the screen. Again, after you have found the materials you are looking for, click the Request button and follow the on-screen instructions (make sure to have your library card handy for this step).
If these two searches didn't yield the results that you were hoping for, try searching the whole state of Massachusetts by using the Virtual Catalog. Start off by choosing which region you live in, for Agawam residents pick Western. Then type 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 two reasons; one, that you have requested non-circulating material that doesn't leave the owning library, or two, that the material requested is already available locally in the Western Massachusetts Regional Catalog.
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. 112, or by e-mail at reference@agawamlibrary.org . 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.
Many libraries, particularly academic libraries, charge borrowing and/or photocopying fees 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 the material.
