Mass Residents & Alumni

Massachusetts residents and UMass Amherst alumni may borrow items from the Libraries. 

1. Fill out the form at the bottom of the page (if you are not a UMass or 5 College Faculty, student or staff member.)
2. The process will be completed when you arrive in person to pick up your card.
3. We require a current valid state-issued photo ID and may require additional documentation for identity and address verification purposes. The card permits borrowing of print and media items from the UMass-Amherst Libraries physical collections.

PLEASE NOTE: This card does not grant you remote access to our databases. New applicants will be subject to a borrowing limit of ONE ITEM for up to 30 days until an address verification postcard has been received by the borrower and returned to the library.

Mass residents and alumni may access databases and digital journals while onsite, using our public computers. Some resources are restricted to current students, faculty, and staff. This card does not grant your remote access to our databases. We advise calling the Learning Commons Desk at 413-545-2623 before visiting campus to make sure the resource you are interested in is available.

Public computers are available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Learning Commons on the Lower Level of the Du Bois Library, on the entry level on the second floor of the Science and Engineering Library on the Amherst campus, and at the Wadsworth Library on the Mount Ida campus.

UMass Amherst alumni and Massachusetts residents have access to open education resources through our Database A-Z list

1. If you live in Massachusetts, you can get access to databases through the Boston Public Library.  You will need to apply for a Boston Public Library ecard.  The databases you can access remotely are listed here.  
2. If you live in another state, try your local public library (they often have a lot of online resources) or a local academic library with public computers.
3. For online journals, try the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), a community-curated online directory that indexes and provides access to high quality, open access, peer-reviewed journals.  
4. For online books, try to Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB) or OAPEN. 

All borrowed books and media items are subject to Recall with 7 days notice. If you have an item being requested by another user, you will receive a Recall Notice. You are guaranteed a minimum of at least 14 days with any book you check out.

*Some Reserve items are in-library-use only. You must return and renew Reserve items at the Learning Commons Desk on the Lower Level of Du Bois Library

• For overdue recalled items, replacement charges will be assessed and borrowing privileges will be temporarily suspended until overdue recalled items are returned
• For 4-hour Reserve items, replacement charges will be assessed and borrowing privileges may be temporarily suspended until overdue Reserve items are returned.

Replacement Charges

• When overdue library materials are not returned or renewed, a replacement bill is issued and a Replacement Charge notice is sent by email to the borrower.
• UMass books and media items: The standard replacement charge for books and media items borrowed from the UMass-Amherst Libraries is $60 plus a $25 processing fee, for a total of $85.
• Public Locker Keys: The replacement charge for unreturned 3-day public locker keys and carrel keys is $60, plus a $25 processing fee, for a total of $85.

Returns & Refunds

• If an item is not returned or renewed within specified time period past its due date, a replacement bill is issued. This period may vary from 2-3 days for short term (hourly and 3 day) loan items to 28 days for regular books.
• Replacement bills for books generally consist of a $60 replacement fee and a $25 processing fee. replacement charges for media and equipment items vary based on actual cost. Charges for high value books (such as art books) and some media sets or items may be higher, based on actual cost.
• When the item is returned within a specified period the bill is canceled.
• Credits for returns of billed items may not appear on your campus financial system account for 7-10 working days.
• The return of billed books and media after one academic year may not result in a bill adjustment.
• Replacement charges for short term loan high-demand items, such as Reserve materials.
• Charges for damaged materials are determined on a case-by-case basis and may be significantly higher, reflecting the actual cost of replacing the item.

For Massachusetts State Resident and Alumni borrowers, the Libraries accept direct payment (check or money order only) made payable to the University of Massachusetts Amherst.