Research Help
- Reference Department
- Ask a Question
- Requesting Items in Massachusetts
- Requesting Items outside of Massachusetts
- Databases
- Recommended Websites
Reference Department
The Reference Department is committed to providing excellent customer service. Trained staff are available to: help you find information; locate a particular book, audio, or video; recommend a good book to read; place requests for items; and provide basic assistance in using the Internet and word processing programs.
Ask a Question
By Telephone
During library hours, staff are available by telephone to answer brief factual questions or to place requests for items at (413)-789-1550 ext. 112.
In Person
For all other inquiries during library hours, we ask that you visit the library to consult with our reference staff.
Via E-mail
When the library Is closed, please e-mail us at reference@agawamlibrary.org. Staff will respond to the question the next business day.
Use Online Chat Reference
Use MassAnswers, an online chat reference service that lets you ask questions and get answers, in real time, on the Internet, from reference staff at some of the best libraries across Massachusetts and the country, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Requesting Items in Massachusetts
Requesting through library staff
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 online, however you are allowed a total of 20 requests on your library card at one time.
Requesting online
You may also request the item yourself 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 CWMARS UNION CATALOG 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 follow 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 will only be denied for two reasons; one, you have requested non-circulating material that doesn't leave the owning library, or two, the material requested is already available locally in the Western Massachusetts Regional Catalog.
If the item is not available through Massachusetts, please click on Requesting Items Outside of Massachusetts for further information.
Requesting Items Outside of Massachusetts
To borrow something not listed in our library catalog, nor available from the Virtual Catalog, place an interlibrary 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 that in placing an ILL request that it can frequently take 2 - 4 weeks or more to receive the desired material from another library. 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.
