CAMEO | Ask A Librarian |  Site Search | Home

Using Other Libraries FAQ

All Carnegie Mellon Students, Faculty and Staff

• How can I get books delivered to me from other libraries in Pennsylvania?
• How can I get books delivered to me from local libraries?
• How can I get all kinds of materials (articles, dissertations, books, microfilm, etc.) delivered to me from anywhere in the world?
• How do I get a borrower's card to check books out from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (public library)?
• Can I use online databases at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh?
• How do I check out books from the University of Pittsburgh?
• Can I check out books at every University of Pittsburgh Library?
• Can I use licensed online resources at the University of Pittsburgh?
• What if I want to go to another library in the city or region and check out books?
• How can I get access to government document collections at other libraries?

Graduate Students and Faculty Only

• Can I get a letter of introduction for admission to research libraries in other parts of the world?

Faculty Only

• Can I check out books from other academic libraries in Pennsylvania?
• How can I get a card to check out books at peer institutions throughout the U.S. and Canada?

All Carnegie Mellon Students, Faculty and Staff

• How can I get books delivered to me from other libraries in Pennsylvania?
  Use E-ZBorrow. This service allows simultaneous searching of participating libraries' catalogs and free delivery of books to the Carnegie Mellon library you use most. Made possible by our membership in the Pennsylvania Academic Library Consortium (PALCI). top
  
  
• How can I get books delivered to me from local libraries?
  If you use Other Library Catalogs and find something you need at the University of Pittsburgh or the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, you can have it delivered to the Carnegie Mellon library you use most. To request local delivery, use ILLiad. Include the local library location and call number in the "Notes" field.
  
  
• How can I get all kinds of materials (articles, dissertations, books, microfilm, etc.) delivered to me from anywhere in the world?
  Use ILLiad. This service allows you to obtain almost any information, from almost any library, free. top
  
  
• How do I get a borrower's card to check books out from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (public library)?
  Carnegie Mellon faculty, staff and students are eligible to obtain a library card from the main branch, located at 4400 Forbes Avenue. To obtain a card, go to the main desk and present a current Carnegie Mellon ID and proof of local residence (i.e. a bill or letter addressed to you in Allegheny County). Student cards are valid for one year from date of issue. top
  
  
• Can I use online databases at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh?
  If you have a current borrower's card, you can access online databases offered by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh at any of the libraries or from your home or office. You will need to type in the barcode number from your library card to gain access to the databases. The Access PA Power Library login is only for patrons in Allegheny County. Patrons of other libraries must login through their own library's website. top
  
  
• How do I check out books from the University of Pittsburgh?
  Carnegie Mellon faculty, staff and students may borrow books from some University of Pittsburgh libraries.
  
  1. Show your current CMU ID at the Hillman Library circulation desk to get a Special Borrower card.
  2. Show your Special Borrower card at these University of Pittsburgh libraries to borrow books.
  3. Books circulate for 28 days and one renewal is allowed.
     top
     
     
• Can I check out books at any University of Pittsburgh Library?
  

  No, but you can show your Special Borrower card (above) and borrow books from these libraries:

  • Business Library
  • Chemistry Library
  • Bevier Engineering Library
  • GSPIA/Economics Library
  • Frick Fine Arts Library
  • Hillman Library
  • Information Sciences Library
  • Langley Library
  • Mathematics Library
  • Music Library
  • Physics Library

  
  You CANNOT borrow books from these Pitt libraries:

• Barco Law Library
• Darlington Memorial Library
• Frick Fine Arts Library
• The Health Sciences Library System
  • Falk Library of the Health Sciences
  • Library of the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC)
• University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
• University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
• University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
• University of Pittsburgh at Titusville
  top
  

Can I use licensed online resources at the University of Pittsburgh?
Access to licensed online resources at the University of Pittsburgh requires an authorized University of Pittsburgh user ID and password. For further information, contact a Carnegie Mellon reference librarian. top


What if I want to go to another library in the city or region and check out books?

Carnegie Mellon faculty, staff and students are eligible to borrow materials directly from PALINET participating institutions. These include nearby Chatham, Duquesne, and Robert Morris, as well as dozens more libraries in Pennsylvania and neighboring states.

To borrow from a participating institution, a signed PALINET Reciprocal Borrowing Program Form and a photo ID must be presented at the lending institution's Circulation Desk. To obtain a form, go the Hunt Library or Engineering & Science Library reference desk or the office at Mellon Institute Library. The form is valid for one week from the date of issue.

Formed in 1936, PALINET promotes library cooperation and resource sharing among library-related organizations throughout the mid-Atlantic region. top

• How can I get access to government document collections at other libraries?
  The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) disseminates information products from all three branches of the government to nearly 1,300 libraries nationwide. See http://www.gpoaccess.gov/libraries.html for depository library locations. Federal Depository Libraries maintain these information products as part of their existing collections and are responsible for assuring that the public has free access to the materials. Many states maintain similar programs for state government publications. top
  

Graduate Students and Faculty Only

• Can I get a letter of introduction for admission to research libraries in other parts of the world?
  Visiting researchers are often required to present a letter of introduction from their home library in order to gain admission to libraries in other cities and countries around the world. Such a letter is typically on Carnegie Mellon letterhead and is written and signed by a librarian. Carnegie Mellon faculty and student researchers can obtain a letter of introduction from the liaison librarian assigned to their department, school or program. See http://www.library.cmu.edu/Services/sliaisons.html for a list of liaison librarians. top
  

Faculty Only

• Can I check out books from other academic libraries in Pennsylvania?
  Carnegie Mellon faculty are eligible to borrow materials directly from PALCI participating institutions.
  
  To borrow from a participating institution, a signed PALCI Faculty Direct Borrowing Authorization Form must be presented at the lending institution's circulation desk. To obtain a form, go the Hunt Library or Engineering & Science Library circulation desk or the office at Mellon Institute Library. The lending library will create an account in their circulation system for the faculty member.
  
  Formed in 1996, the Pennsylvania Academic Library Consortium (PALCI) is designed to promote and facilitate access to information, communication, and scholarly research among the participating institutions. top
  
  
• How can I get a card to check out books at peer institutions throughout the U.S. and Canada?
  Carnegie Mellon faculty are eligible to get a library card at selected peer institutions. If you are planning to visit another university in the United States or Canada, stop by the circulation desk at Hunt Library or Engineering & Science Library, or the office at Mellon Institute Library to obtain a form to be presented at the library you intend to visit. top

  Prepared by Jason Bugg and Jean Alexander on behalf of the library's Public Services Council, February 2004.