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:

1. Search the Jones Library & branches
   Find instructions and tips for searching and placing holds at CW MARS Help.


2. Search the CW MARS consortium (most central & western MA libraries)
   Find instructions and tips for searching and placing holds at CW MARS Help.


3. Search the Commonwealth Catalog (many MA libraries, including UMass Amherst)


4. Search & borrow directly from the UMass Amherst, Amherst College & Hampshire College libraries
   NOTE: These libraries are not currently open to Amherst residents due to the pandemic.



5. Request via Inter-Library Loan (ILL)

   (most libraries across the United States)
   NOTE: This service is currently unavailable. We plan to restart it when our buildings reopen.

Generally speaking, we are not able to borrow a new book (one published within the current year) via ILL. It can also be difficult to borrow a CD or DVD via ILL, though we can try. We might be able to purchase newly-published items for our collection instead. To request that an item be considered for purchase, please submit a Purchase Suggestion.

If you're looking for magazine, journal, or newspaper articles, see Finding Articles.