Borrow from Other Libraries

Questions about Borrowing from Other Libraries

Contact Brice Neugent, Library Technical Services Specialist, at leetb@lcc.edu or (517) 483-1655.

MelCat

MeLCat is a statewide library catalog and borrowing service. Using MeLCat you can search for and borrow millions of books, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs.

Request Items

There are two ways to search MeLCat:

• Library Catalog
• MeLCat Website

Search from the Library Catalog

1. Search the Library Catalog.
2. If you can't find the item, click on the "Michigan eLibrary" icon.
3. Select the item you want.
4. Click on the "Get this for me!" link in the middle of the page.
5. Select "Lansing Community Coll" from the drop-down menu.
6. Enter your last name and username and click "Submit."
7. A confirmation page will let you know what you have requested.
8. You'll receive an email at your LCC account to let you know about the status of your item.

Pick Up MeLCat Items

MeLCat items can be picked up at the Help Zone on the 2nd floor. You will receive an email at your LCC account when your item is available

• Items will be held at the Help Zone for 10 days

Off-Campus Delivery

Employees delivery services will return in Fall 2021. 

Loan PeriodS

MelCat's regular loan period is 28 days. Some AV materials may have a shorter period of 14 days. This is at the discretion of the lending library. 

Renewing Materials

MelCat items with a regular loan period may be renewed one time for 28 days. AV materials with a loan period of 14 days are not eligible for renewal. You may renew an item one week before the due date up until 6 days after it is overdue. However, renewals are not guaranteed. The lending library may deny your request if the materials are needed at the lending library. If the lending library chooses not to renew an item, you must return it by its due date. Call the Technical Services office at (517) 483-1665 or email Brice Neugent at leetb@lcc.edu to renew an item or with questions about renewals.

Fines and Fees

Fees for overdue, lost, and damaged materials are determined by the lending library and are the responsibility of the borrower. Difficulty in retrieving overdue items or failure to pay fees for lost or damaged items will result in the suspension of interlibrary loan service privileges, suspension of LCC Library borrowing privileges, and an academic hold for LCC students.

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Interlibrary Loan

Use Interlibrary Loan to request items such as journal articles owned by other libraries when the item can't be found at the LCC Library or through MeLCat.

Step 1: Before Placing a Request

Check to make sure the item is not available from LCC Library or MeLCat.

• If you are requesting a journal article, search the Library Catalog for the Journal Title.

Step 2: Place a Request

Journal Article Request

• Interlibrary Loan is available to LCC students, UC students and employees.
• Students may request up to 8 items at a time.
• Employees may request up to 12 items at a time.

Step 3: Receive Your Items

• Please allow up to 5 business days for it to arrive.
• You can choose to receive journal articles and book chapters by email or pick them up at the Help Zone.
• Students must pick up books at the Help Zone in the Library. Employees can have items delivered to their mailboxes at Off-Campus Learning Centers through the materials delivery service.
• Items will be held for pick-up for 10 days after notification is sent.

Step 4: Return Items

• Items should be returned at the Help Zone.
• Off-campus borrowers may return all materials to the location where you picked them up or to the Library Help Zone.

You may request

• Journal Articles
• Most books
• Government documents

You may not request

• AV materials (VHS tapes, DVDs, film, CDs, sound recordings, computer software)
• Entire issues of journals
• Textbooks for classes
• Fiction, historical fiction and/or popular books such as those on the "Best Seller" list
• Items owned by or on reserve at the LCC Library
• Reference books
• Items available through MeLCat

Renewing Materials

You must request renewal of items at least 3 days before the due date. Contact Brice Neugent at (517) 483-1665 or leetb@lcc.edu about renewals. However, the lending library may deny your renewal request. If the lending library chooses not to renew an item, you must return it by its due date.

Fines and Fees

Fees for overdue, lost, and damaged materials are determined by the lending library and are the responsibility of the borrower. Difficulty in retrieving overdue items or failure to pay fees for lost or damaged items will result in the suspension of interlibrary loan service privileges, suspension of LCC Library borrowing privileges, and an academic hold for LCC students.

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Area Libraries

You need a library card at the libraries listed below to check out materials.

Academic Libraries

• Michigan State University Library - Access to electronic resources is available to the public if they visit the Library. Michigan residents who are at least 18 can request community borrowing privileges.
• Cooley Law School Library

Public Libraries

• Capital Area District Library - If you live in the service area, apply for a CADL library card online.
• East Lansing Public Library - LCC students can apply for an ELPL library card online.
• Delta Township District Library - Anyone from the Greater Lansing area can apply for a digital only card online.
• Public Libraries in Michigan - Find your local library.

SPECIAL LIBRARIES

• Library of Michigan
• Michigan eLibrary - Michigan eLibrary (mel.org) provides Michigan residents with access to a basic set of online resources.

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