The collection at Grace Library is tailored to meet the needs of students at Carlow University. However, sometimes you may need to use other libraries to get the materials you need for your research. The following research guide lists your many options for borrowing from other libraries.

Before you Borrow from another Library
• Are you certain that Grace Library does not own the item you are looking for? If you’re not sure whether we own an item, search the library's online catalog or ask a librarian for help.

• Do you need a specific item, or something general to help you with your paper or project? Even if we do not own the exact item you want, we may have other items that will be just as, if not more, helpful.

• Leave yourself plenty of time. Borrowing from other libraries can take as little as one day to as long as a few weeks. Plan ahead!

Option One: Try E-Z Borrow
With E-Z Borrow you can order books from over 60 Pennsylvania academic libraries including the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State and University of Pennsylvania. In most cases, the ordered books will arrive at Grace Library within 5-7 business days. E-Z Borrow can be accessed from Grace Library’s online catalog or web page. Ask a librarian for more information about E-Z Borrow or see the Grace Library research guide entitled E-Z Borrow.

Option Two: Visit a Local College or University Library in Person
You may find something at another Pittsburgh College or University library while searching their catalogs by clicking on the Search Other Libraries link on the Grace Library web page. If you wish to visit the library yourself and borrow books, you can do this by requesting a PALINET Reciprocal Borrowing Form from any librarian at Grace Library. The librarian will check to see if the library you wish to visit participates in the reciprocal borrowing agreement. Take the completed form and a photo ID to the library you wish to utilize. Both the form and the photo ID are required for all patrons including faculty, graduate students, undergraduates, and staff.

You are welcome to visit almost any public or academic library to use their materials (such as periodicals) in the library. Be prepared to show your Carlow I.D. if requested.

Option Three: Visit the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
The Main Branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is located at 4400 Forbes Avenue in Oakland, a short walk or bus ride from Carlow's campus. The Carnegie is the city's main public library and offers a rich mixture of both popular and academic materials. Carlow students may freely use and borrow from the Carnegie. You can get a Carnegie Library Card if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• You are a resident of Allegheny County - you will be asked to show I.D. and to provide proof of residence.

• You are a Pennsylvania resident living outside of Allegheny County and you have a library card from your local Access Pennsylvania Library - you will be asked to show I.D., to provide proof of residence, and to show your local library card.

• You attend an institution of higher learning in Allegheny County - you will be asked to show I.D., to provide proof of local and home addresses, and to provide proof of attendance at Carlow.

• You are a non-resident willing to pay an annual fee of $30 - you will be asked to show I.D. and to provide proof of residence.

• For more information about the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, visit http://www.carnegielibrary.org.

Option Four: Interlibrary Loan
If you need a book or periodical article that is available only in a library outside the city, you may request the material by completing an interlibrary loan (ILL) Request Form. Bear in mind that interlibrary loans are made through the U.S. Postal Service and require an average of two weeks to complete. In the case of periodical articles, the lending library will usually not loan the periodical but will photocopy the article for you. Many libraries charge a fee for interlibrary loan and Grace Library will recover any costs from you.

Please remember that interlibrary loan requests are subject to the copyright compliance law stated below.

Copyright Compliance, Title 17, U.S.C
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, USC) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy for purposes in excess of “fair use”, that user may be liable for copyright infringement. Carlow University, Grace Library reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order or an ILL Request if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of the copyright law.

When borrowing from other libraries, you are taking full responsibility for any material you borrow. You are responsible for any fines, services charges, replacement costs, etc., which you incur at these libraries.

Paper copies of the ILL Request form are available at the Circulation Desk.   For more information about ILL, please contact the Coordinator of Public Services at 412-578-6139. 

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