NMU Library Collection
Always check our collection first by searching OneSearch.
MeLCat
- The fastest way to borrow something not available at NMU.
- Recommended for books, DVDs, CDs
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
- The best option for articles or book chapters.
- Cannot find the materials you need in the NMU Collection or MeLCat?
- WorldCat is a worldwide catalog of libraries that can help you find more information about the material you seek.
MeLCat FAQs
- Visit MeLCat.
- Search MeLCat by title, author, ISBN or other criteria.
- After finding the desired item, click “Get this from MeLCat.”
- You will be prompted to select a library account. Choose Northern Michigan University as your library.
- Enter your name and the barcode on the back of your NMU ID (14-digit number).
- Please do not click your browser’s back button after submission because this may duplicate your request.
MeLCat items typically arrive within 1 to 2 weeks.
You will be notified via email when the item arrives. Materials may be picked up at the Circulation Desk. The item will be available for pick-up for 10 days.
You may renew each item once. This will extend your due date by 28 days.* Media items may not be renewed.
Renew the items prior to the due date using the following instructions:
- Log in to MyMeLCat using your Name and the barcode on your NMU ID (14-digit number).
- Click the link for currently checked out items.
- You may select “Renew all” or click the appropriate checkboxes and click “Renew selected."
*If your initial loan was 90 days, as part of the MeLCat pilot program between Michigan public academic libraries, you will have the option of extending your due date by 30 days.
MeLCat (Michigan Electronic Library Catalog) is a service that allows Michigan libraries to share materials for free. If NMU does not own the material you seek, you may take advantage of the collections throughout Michigan. MeLCat items typically arrive faster than Interlibrary Loan (ILL) so we recommend utilizing it first.
MeLCat requests are free of charge*.
*However, if you lose, damage or fail to return the material, you will be charged fees.
A MeLCat item is due 28 days* from the date you pick it up. Media items are due 14 days from the date of pick-up. Items will be available for pick-up for 10 days.
*MeLCat is piloting a program to increase the loan period when Michigan public academic libraries are borrowing from each other. For example, if you borrow a book from Michigan State University, the loan period will be 90 days with the option for a 30 day renewal.
MeLCat is best for physical formats such as books, DVDs, CDs, etc.
As an NMU student, faculty or staff, you are eligible to use MeLCat with Northern Michigan University as your home library. If you live in Michigan but are not eligible through NMU, please contact your local public library to determine your eligibility.
Interlibrary Loan FAQs
To place an Interlibrary Loan request, login to your Interlibrary Loan Account. Select "Create Request." Click the appropriate Request Type: Article, Book, Other. Complete the citation fields with as much information as possible.
Arrival time varies for each request. Articles typically arrive within 2-5 business days. Books and other physical formats typically arrive within 3 weeks.
If you are requesting an article or book chapter, a PDF will be sent to your email address. If you are requesting physical material, an email notification will be sent when the material is available for pick-up at the Circulation Desk.
You are always welcome to ask for a renewal to extend the due date; however, the owning institution may approve or deny the renewal request. To request a renewal:
- Log in to your Interlibrary Loan account with your NMU username and password.
- Each request will have its own line of information. Find the request you seek to renew.
- Following the relevant row, click renew.
- You will receive an email with the approval or denial decision.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service that supports NMU’s research and scholarship. We borrow books, reports, journal articles and other material not owned by the Lydia M. Olson Library. We will do our best to locate the material anywhere in the world.
Interlibrary Loan requests are free to charge*.
*However, if you lose, damage or fail to return the material, you will be charged fees.
The loan period varies based on the institution that owns the material. The due date will be posted on the material itself and also in the email notification. All material is subject to recall at any time.
You may request any format through ILL.
NMU students, faculty and staff
Eligibility
To support scholarship, resource sharing services (MeLCat and Interlibrary Loan) are provided to NMU students, faculty and staff. Users outside of those groups are encouraged to contact their primary academic, public, or corporate library to determine resource sharing privileges elsewhere.
Charge for Services
The Lydia M. Olson Library covers the cost of all requests. Damage to an item or failure to return an item will result in fees being assessed.
Submission of Requests
| MeLCat | Interlibrary Loan |
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Maximum Number of Requests
| MeLCat | Interlibrary Loan |
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Fulfillment Time
Fulfillment times differ for each request. Typical fulfillment times are listed below:
| MeLCat | Interlibrary Loan |
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There are several factors to consider which may affect how long it takes for you to receive your request:
- Format (Can the material be sent electronically or does the item have to be shipped? Is the use of the item restricted?)
- Availability (How many libraries own the requested material?)
- Staff (Are staff available at other libraries to process your item?)
- Postal time and location of lending library (How far does the item need to travel?)
Picking Up Material
Harden Hall Renovation Project
The library's temporary location in Gries Hall has MelCat and ILL materials available for pick up from the Circulation Desk, on the ground floor.
Loan Periods
| MeLCat | Interlibrary Loan |
|---|---|
*As part of a pilot program, if the material is being borrowed from another Michigan public academic library, the loan duration is 90 days from the date of pick-up. |
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Renewals
| MeLCat | Interlibrary Loan |
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Restrictions
Copyright guidelines, Title 17, U.S. Code (https://www.copyright.gov/title17/), are adhered to by the Resource Sharing staff when providing service.
The lending library establishes the conditions under which the borrowed material may be used, especially if items are rare, fragile and/or extremely valuable. They may have to be used within the library only or photocopying may be prohibited.
Failure to comply with the conditions of a loan could jeopardize one’s interlibrary loan privileges and the University’s ability to borrow from that library in the future.
Returning Material
Please note that borrowed materials are subject to recall by the lending library at any time.
Failure to return material will result in an invoice to NMU from the owning library. Replacement costs and fees will be passed on to the user.
Failure to return material may impact the ability to borrow from that library in the future, either for yourself or for your fellow NMU students, faculty and staff.
Submitting requests:
- OCLC symbol: EZN
- RIDES code: 101-ZA008
- We accept: OCLC requests (preferred), ALA requests, domestic & international requests
Delivery and Payment:
- Consortium participation: LVIS, Michigan libraries
- We utilize Article Exchange for article delivery.
- Payment: we accept IFM (preferred), IFLA vouchers, invoice
- Charges
| Loans | Scans* | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | $15 | $10 |
| International | $30 / 3.5 IFLA vouchers | $10 / 1 IFLA voucher |
| Rush Service | Additional $10 | Additional $10 |
*Maximum of 40 pages
