Request items

Registered Mott students, faculty, and staff may request items from other libraries’ collections through the services listed below. They are listed in the order in which you should check them, from most convenient to least convenient. When your materials arrive, we will notify you by email.

PALnet (Our library catalog)

Our library catalog, run by the local PALnet library consortium, allows you to request items from other PALnet member libraries. Simply select "all libraries"  instead of "Mott College" to view and request items from Baker College campuses. You will need both the 7-digit and the 14-digit ID numbers from your MCC ID card. Requested books, if available, will be sent to the main Mott campus for your use.

Search All PALnet Libraries

MeLCat (Michigan eLibrary Catalog)

MeLCat is a service of the Michigan Electronic Library which allows you to find and request materials from participating libraries throughout Michigan. From the Mott Library homepage, click on the MeLCat logo or use the MeLCat link above to search for an item, such as books, audiobooks, videos, music, and more! To use this service you will need your MCC 14-digit ID number, and you must have no holds or fines on your MCC library record.

Search MeL - Michigan eLibrary Catalog

ILL (Interlibrary loan)

Our staff can also request interlibrary loan from libraries outside of MELCat. To request an interlibrary loan we need the same information you would use on your "Works Cited" page (see citation examples). In order to use this service, you will need your 14-digit MCC ID number and you must have no holds or fines on your MCC library record. Use the following online forms to place your requests:

Request form for magazine/journal/newspaper articles

Request form for books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, and other formats

Things to consider:

  • Plan some lead time. It may take 3 days, 3 weeks, or longer for interlibrary loan materials to become available. We have no control over how quickly other libraries respond or ship items.
  • ILL requested materials may be unavailable, in which case we will let you know by email.
  • Some libraries will not interloan audio or video materials, but many MeLCat libraries will.
  • Faxed or scanned copies of articles from newspapers or magazines may be difficult to read.
  • Libraries that agree to loan their materials may have loan periods different from ours, or may impose other conditions which we are required to follow. For example, rare or fragile items may be restricted to in-library use.
  • When your materials arrive, we will notify you by phone or email that they are available.

ARS Card (Academic Resource Sharing)

Academic Resource Sharing (ARS) is a limited reciprocal borrowing project between Mott Community College and University of Michigan—Flint. This is an option of last resort, when you need the materials immediately. The responsibility of borrowing and returning the material is on you. This service is for academic research purposes only.
In order to qualify for an ARS card, you must:

  • Be a currently registered student or faculty/staff
  • Have exhausted the possibilities at the Mott Library
  • Have no holds or fines on your record
  • Have an ARS card issued from the Circulation Desk at Mott
  • Have a photo ID and the ARS card
  • You are limited to 2 books per visit/10 books per semester at the participating libraries