4 Pond Road, Harvard, MA 01451
 978-456-4114

Interlibrary Loan

Reserving & Requesting Books from Other Libraries

As a member of the Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing network (C/W MARS), Harvard Public Library patrons can access and borrow the holdings from the 126 member libraries.  If Harvard Public Library does not own the materials you need, or should many patrons be researching the same topic, we can borrow the additional materials through the C/W MARS library system.

How can I get an item if it is out to another borrower?   
How can I get an item if Harvard Public Library does not own it?  
Where do I find the C/W MARS Catalog?  
How do I request an item online?  

Tips on Finding & Requesting Material

• Quickest - Find Material Available Locally

• If Not Available Locally

• If Not Available in C/W MARS  
  
  

How can I get an item if it is out to another borrower?

You may reserve Harvard Public Library’s and other C/W MARS items that are out in circulation by:

• Filling out a book request form at the Circulation or Reference Desk
• Phoning the Reference Desk (978-456-4114)
• Requesting it yourself through the online catalog.  (Click here for detailed instructions).

How can I get an item if Harvard Public Library does not own it?

If you find an item in the C/W MARS catalog that Harvard Public Library does not own, you may:

• Go to another C/W MARS Library Consortium library and use your Harvard Public Library card to check it out, or
• Complete a book request form at the Reference Desk, or
• Telephone the Reference Desk (978-456-4114) and request that we borrow the item for you, or
• Request it online (Click here for detailed instructions).  

If an item is not listed in the C/W MARS catalog, you may complete a book request form at the Reference Desk, or you may telephone the Reference Desk to request it.  These items usually take longer to obtain.

Where do I find the C/W MARS Catalog?

On Harvard Pubic Library’s home page there is a link to the C/W MARS catalog. 

To search the catalog click on the link that says “Search C/W MARS Regional Catalog”.  This will bring you to the C/W MARS Regional Catalog. 

You also access the C/W MARS catalog from the Harvard Public Library Catalog homepage by clicking on “Other Libraries” and then selecting, “Search all C/W MARS Libraries in Central MA .”

How do I request an item online?

If you find an item you would like to request in the C/W MARS Regional Catalog, click on the  button.  A window will appear asking for the following information:

• Library Card Number  

• Personal Identification Number    

If you have not set up a PIN for your library card, click here for detailed instructions.

Once you have completed the information click on the button.   

The pickup location is the location where you want the item to be delivered. If you want to pick the item up at Harvard Public Library choose Harvard Library.

A screen may next appear asking you to choose the library where the item should come from.  Choose one item from the list and click on “Request Selected Item.”

A confirmation screen will appear indicating if your request was successful and noting the item will be delivered to Harvard Public Library when it is available.