Search Alma: > Log-in to my Alma


Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Loan and MeLCat 

When the resources of the Alma College Library are not sufficient, Alma College students, faculty, administrators, and staff may borrow materials from other libraries and institutions through Interlibrary Loan and MeLCat, at no cost. Millions of specialized books and other materials are available from thousands of libraries throughout Michigan, the United States, and many other countries. 

Interlibrary Loan form

Search MeLCat

Questions and comments can be emailed to the Interlibrary Loan Assistant, Susan Cross, at cross@alma.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions About Interlibrary Loan and MeLCat

  • What is Interlibrary Loan?
  • What is MeLCat?
  • How do I request Interlibrary Loan materials?
  • How do I request MeLCat materials?
  • How long may I keep the materials?
  • How do I renew these materials?
  • How long does it take for materials to arrive?
  • How will I know when materials arrive, and where may I pick them up?
  • Who may use these services?
  • What kinds of materials may I request?
  • Is there a limit on how many items I can order?
  • How much do these services cost?


    What is Interlibrary Loan?
    Interlibrary Loan is a mediated resource-sharing system among libraries worldwide. Items unavailable through Alma College Library or MeLCat may be obtained through this free service. If you need to borrow a periodical article, Interlibrary Loan is your best resource.   

    What is MeLCat?
    MeLCat is the state of Michigan's virtual library catalog. Many Michigan libraries have pooled their catalogs to create a statewide system where users of one library can request and borrow items from another. Items unavailable through Alma College Library or Interlibrary Loan may be obtained through this service.  Periodical articles may not be borrowed through MeLCat. 

    How do I request Interlibrary Loan materials?
    ILL items must be requested by filling out a form (available at the circulation desk and online).  The green paper forms may be turned in at the Circulation Desk.  Alternatively, if searching in any of the FirstSearch databases, you may submit an ILL request by clicking Borrow this item from another library

    How do I request MeLCat materials?
    Search the Alma College catalog for the item that you seek.  If we do not own it, click on the button at the top of the results page, that says Try MeLCat.  MeLCat  items can also  be requested directly from the MeLCat home page

Tips for Using InterLibrary Loan:

  • Only one request per form. Each request requires a separate form, even articles from the same journal. (Note: If you have a list of complete citations, you may fill out the top part of the green paper form and attach your list, rather than filling out a separate form for each item).
  • Do not use abbreviations.
  • Please check the Alma College Library Catalog first to determine if we have the item.
  • Please note all relevant information available, such as ISBN/ISSN numbers and relevant page numbers, to speed the processing of your request.
  • Please supply a source for your information. This also speeds the processing of your request.
  • Fill out all personal information completely. We must have an accurate campus email address for electronic delivery of articles, telephone number and mailing address.


 

Alma's "green" residence hall, Wright Hall, was completed in January 2005. The modern, 60-bed apartment-style hall features a number of environmentally friendly features, including geothermal heating and cooling, recycled-content ceiling tiles and carpeting, energy-efficient windows, rooftop solar heating panels, energy-efficient showers and washing machines, and a computerized energy monitoring system.

 

Student Profile

Jason Latz

Jason Latz
Graduation: 2008
Major: Education
From: Elsie, Michigan
Interests: Sports, Habitat for Humanity

Spring Term courses offer students opportunities to break out of the “Alma Bubble.” Off-campus study, especially in a foreign country, shows you how you relate to the rest of the world and how the rest of the world views American people, politics and policies. You can then integrate your real world experiences into your academic programs and your future career.