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DIY: Research Help

A continually evolving suite of research help content focused on helping you navigate the research process.

How you access an item that you found depends on two things:

  1. Is it available in one of our library collections?
  2. Is it a physical item or an online item?

No matter the answer to either question, you can usually get access to the item! 

Accessing Online Items

Accessing Physical Items Located in the Library

Due to precautions caused by COVID-19, items in the physical collections housed in the physical Library space are not currently available. For help finding online alternatives, contact a librarian.

Request Items Not in the Library's Collections

Through the Library's ILLiad Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery service, you can request items that our Library doesn't have. We will try to find a library who has the item and get an electronic copy delivered to you when possible or borrow the physical item for you use.

Due to COVID-19 and the precautionary measures in place, requests may take slightly longer to process. Physical items are currently unavailable. We will make every attempt to fill your request with an electronic version of the item where possible. If we are unable to get a specific item, contact a librarian for help in finding an alternate resource.

Video Tutorial:

Learn how to request articles using the Fitchburg State Library's interlibrary loan service. *Due to social distancing measures, we can only guarantee digital articles. Book chapter availability may be limited. No physical materials until safety restrictions are lifted.*