This guide will help walk you through the steps required for requesting items from other libraries, including Campus Request Circles, BLC WorldCat, and ILLiad.

Campus Request Circles

The first type of request is the campus request circles. This is for placing holds on items that are available at the other Tufts libraries, and can be done through the library’s catalog, which can be accessed from the library’s homepage at www.library.tufts.edu/hsl

Here’s what the library catalog looks like. From here you can search by title, journal, author, keyword, and more. You can also search the entire collection at Tufts, or limit your results to a specific library.

Once you find the item that you’re looking for and have selected its record, you can see here that it’s located at the Tisch Library in Medford. To request that the item be sent over to you at the Hirsh Library in Boston, click the “request item” button at the top.

If you are off campus, you will be prompted to sign in with your Tufts username and password. If you are affiliated with Tufts Medical Center, enter in your library barcode number and name in the fields on the right.

After you log in, verify the pickup location. You will also have the option to choose a cancel date if your request isn’t fulfilled on time. Once you make sure everything is selected correctly, click “submit” and you’re all set! You will be sent an email once your item is ready for pickup.

Boston Library Consortium

Sometimes when an item isn’t available at any Tufts Library, it’s a good idea to check the BLC World Catalog. From there you can search to see if what you want is at a partnering library. Requesting items from the BLC is free! To get there from the library’s homepage, click on “Request Articles & Books” from the Services menu on the center of the page.

From there, scroll down to the middle of the page and click on the link for “BLC WorldCat”. You can also get there by going directly to www.tufts.worldcat.org.

Here’s what the Tufts WorldCat homepage looks like. You can search for items in libraries worldwide, or you can limit your results to BLC items, or Tufts Libraries only. There is also an advanced search feature as well.

Once you select an item, you’ll be brought to the item record. From here you see what libraries own the item, and you can request a hold from any BLC library, or even a specific copy. Let’s select a copy from any BLC library by clicking the blue “Request Item from BLC (2-5 days)” button.

If you’re on campus, you’ll be brought straight to the request item screen. If not, you’ll have to log in again (same way as before). You have the option to cancel the request by a certain date, and you can also request a certain edition or volume if applicable. Once you click continue, your hold has gone through!

ILLiad (Inter Library Loan)

Say the item you’re looking for isn’t owned by Tufts or any BLC library. Not to fear! If all else fails, you can request an item through ILL. Our ILL department will find a library that owns the item and have them send it to us (or directly to you electronically, if available). This service is free to students, and costs $4 per item for everyone else.

Again, if you’re off campus you’ll have to login with your Tufts username and password. If you’re from Tufts Medical Center or are an Affiliate Member and have never used ILL before, you’ll have to register for an ILLiad Logon. To do so, click on “Sign up for ILLiad Now” under the ILLiad Logon fields.

Fill out the New User Registration form and create a username and password for your ILLiad account. Again, this is only for the folks over in Tufts Medical Center. If you are a student or faculty member, you’re already set up with your Tufts username and password.

Once you’re logged in, you’ll be brought to this page. From here you’ll be able to make requests, update your account info, make payments (if necessary), and look at your request history. To send a request, choose the type of item it is that you’re requesting on the left.

Let’s say we’re looking for a book. To request an ILL, you’ll have to know a little bit of information about the item already, including title, author/editor(s), and year of publication. Enter in as much extra information that you think would be helpful to us. Once you click on the blue “Submit Request” button at the bottom, you’re ILLiad request is complete!

Still confused? Need any additional help?

Not to worry, we’re always here to answer any questions you might have! You can call the library service desk at (617) 636-6705 or email us at hhsl@tufts.edu.