Q. Is interlibrary loan available for books?

The Treadwell Virtual Library will no longer borrow print books from other libraries. We will continue to fill interlibrary loan (ILL) requests for book chapters from print books.

If you need a print book please consider one of the following options:

1. Countway Library at Harvard Medical School
   • Your MGH ID allows you access to the library and copiers/scanners but please note photocopy machines accept only Crimson Cash.
   • MGH employees with Harvard appointments can utilize Countway’s Scan & Deliver and BorrowDirect services.
   • Countway Hours  
   • Getting to Countway
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2. There are several academic libraries in the area that grant the public access to their building and copying/scanning:
   • Boston College Libraries (excluding the Law Library) are open to the public. Guests may purchase photocopy cards.
   • Brandeis University Libraries are open to the public.
   • Healey Library at UMass Boston is open to the general public for on-site use of materials and electronic resources. Photocopy cards may be purchased.
   • Lamar Soutter Library at UMass Medical School in Worcester is open to the public. Healthcare professionals may borrow books for a $50/year fee.
   • MCPHS University Library (formerly Mass College of Pharmacy) is available on a limited basis to guests. Print resources not on reserve may be consulted and photocopy cards may be purchased with cash.
   • MIT Libraries are open to the public with certain restrictions. Scanners are available at no cost. Photocopies cost 15 cents/page with the purchase of Guest TechCASH. Non-MIT users with a scholarly research need may request books from the Library Storage Annex. Books will be held at the circulation desk of a designated MIT Library. Non-MIT users can also make on-site use of the Annex, but must make an appointment at least one business day in advance.
   • Mugar Memorial Library at Boston University is open to visitors. Scanning is free and photocopy cards can be purchased with cash. BU’s wireless network is available to guests.
   • Tisch Library at Tufts University (Medford) allows access to resources from public computers. JumboCash guest cards can be purchased for $1 (cash only). Members of the public can add value to these cards to use for photocopies at any publicly-available Tufts facility.
      
3. The Massachusetts Public Libraries Catalog consolidates the holdings of libraries across the state.
    
4. Find a public library near you. If a library does not own a book, they can try to order it for you through interlibrary loan. 
    
5. Boston Public Library interlibrary loan policy

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