- Home
- Using the Library
- Searching & Placing Holds
- Searching Far & Wide
Searching Far & Wide
When trying to find a book, movie, audio recording, or other item, we recommend that you start searching locally and gradually broaden your search until you locate the item.
You can follow these steps:
If you're looking for magazine, journal, or newspaper articles, see Finding Articles.
You can follow these steps:
- Search the Jones Library & branches
Find instructions and tips for searching and placing holds at CW MARS Help. - Search the CW MARS consortium (most central & western MA libraries)
Find instructions and tips for searching and placing holds at CW MARS Help. - Search the Commonwealth Catalog (many MA libraries, including UMass Amherst)
- Search & borrow directly from the UMass Amherst, Amherst College & Hampshire College libraries
Traditionally, Amherst residents can visit these libraries, get a free library card, and borrow items directly. However, community access may be restricted due to COVID. It's probably best to call ahead. - Search WorldCat to view library holdings worldwide
If U.S. libraries own the item you want, we can request it via ILL (see below). Request via Inter-Library Loan (ILL)
(most libraries across the United States)
Cost: $1 per request (non-refundable). Contact our Reference Desk to get started.
We can't guarantee we'll be able to borrow the item, but we're happy to try.
If you're looking for magazine, journal, or newspaper articles, see Finding Articles.
Updated October 25, 2022
Contact Us
-
Jones Library
43 Amity Street
Amherst, MA 01002Map & Directions
(via Google Maps)If you have questions about searching and requesting items, please call our Reference Desk at: 413-259-3096