Five College Direct Borrowing (FCD)
Overview of Service
The libraries of UMass/Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges can provide delivery of books not available at the Amherst College Library, via the Five College Direct Borrowing (FCD) service.
Five College students, faculty and staff may order books from the main libraries and most branches. No journal volumes, articles, music CDs, or videos are included in the regular delivery service. Videos from other schools may be "booked" through a separate request.
How to Use the Delivery Service
- Search for a book you want in the Five College catalog and bring up its "Full View" (complete reference) or its "Call Numbers & Availability" on the screen.
- Click on the "Request Item" button above left on either screen.
- Enter the library bar code on your ID twice and click on "GO".
- If you are asking for a title that has more than one volume, choose which volume you want.
- When you have finished, the screen will read "The following request has been placed for ...."
- Note: books already out on loan will be automatically recalled for you; they will be held for you when they are returned.
- For books not owned by Five College libraries, Amherst College students, faculty and staff may immediately request an Interlibrary Loan from outside the Five College area.
How to Pick Up Books
- Books will usually be delivered with 2 to 3 business days. Books for Amherst College students, faculty and staff will be held at the Frost Library Circulation Desk for up to 10 days.
- If you want to check the status of your requests for books from other Five College Libraries, logon to " My Account " from the library homepage or in the Five College Catalog. FCD items are listed as your "Five College Delivery Requests".
Who May Borrow
- Amherst College students, faculty and staff may ask to have Five-College books delivered directly to the Frost Library. Other students and faculty may have books sent to their own libraries.
- If you have any questions about whether your are eligible for this service, please take you ID to the Circulation Desk in the Frost Library and check.
Send comments to Margaret Adams Groesbeck (magroesbeck)

