Can I access the library research databases or borrow books if I am an MCLA alumni?

Answer

After you graduate from MCLA, you are welcome to come to Freel Library during our regular hours to use its resources.  Many of our online journal databases, including the EBSCO and Gale databases, and JSTOR are accessible on through guest internet access.  We recommend that you email or download to a flash drive any articles you want copies of.  Due to the limitations of our licenses with the database vendors, we are not able to offer alumni off-campus access to any of our subscription databases. 

If you want to borrow books, you will need a valid MCLA community borrower library card or you may be able to borrow our books with your public library card through the Commonwealth Catalog. We are unable to provide interlibrary loan services to alumni but your local library will be able to help you locate and borrow books and other materials.

Library Resources for Massachusetts Residents

Massachusetts Libraries Web Site

Residents of Massachusetts can access online journal article databases, ebooks and audiobooks with their local public library card. They can also request materials from member libraries, which will be delivered to their home library to be picked up at their convenience.  MCLA's Freel Library is part of this interlibrary loan system and we loan our circulating materials to libraries all across Massachusetts. For information on accessing these resources, please contact your local library.  For more information on accessing these resources, check the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Statewide Databases FAQ page. Access to these resources in funded by local townS, the MBLC, the Massachusetts Library System and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Boston Public Library eResources

People who live, work or go to school in Massachusetts can sign up for an ecard which will allow them to remotely access additional digital resources, including ebooks, magazines, journals and newspapers, from the Boston Public Library.  To sign up for your ecard, go here. Your local public library card will not give you access to the Boston Public Library resources.

Library Resources for Residents of Other States

If you are not a resident of Massachusetts, we recommend that you contact your local public library. They will be able to direct you to any statewide resources in your state similar to those offered in Massachusetts.
Below are links to the state libraries in New England and New York.  If your state is not listed, Google the name of your state and "state library".

  • Last Updated Jul 26, 2022
  • Views 117
  • Answered By Pamela Contakos

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