Borrowing from Snell Library

Where can I find items?

Which items are available on site at Snell Library?

The following collections are available in our lower-level open stacks.

  • Stacks
  • Boston Books Collection
  • Oversize and Folio
  • Reference
  • Favat Children’s & Young Adult Collection
  • Faculty Publications
  • Periodicals

For help locating items in Snell Library, visit the Help & Information Desk on the first floor.

Which items need to be requested?

Library materials located off site (in the Remote Annex) and items from other partner libraries (through Interlibrary Loan) can be requested. Items located in open stacks at Snell Library are only requestable when on loan to another patron.

How Long Can I Have Library Items?

  • Stacks, Boston Books Collection, Oversize, Favat Children’s & Young Adult Collection, Faculty Publications, and requested items from the Remote Annex (Books & Media):
      • Faculty, staff and graduate students: 90 days
      • Undergraduate students and (beginning September 9, 2024) alumni: 28 days
      • All users are able to renew items up to 3 times, unless the title has been requested by another user.
  • Course reserve items: typically 3 hours, and items must remain in the library. Specific loan periods can be found in the back cover of the item. Reserve items cannot be renewed.
  • Interlibrary Loans: Loan periods vary depending on the policies of the lending library. Please log in to your ILLiad account or check the paper banding around the item for the due date and renewal options.
  • Periodical and Reference Items: Can only be used within the Library and can be returned to the Help & Information Desk on the first floor.

Can I Have the Library Item for Longer?

Information about item renewal is available on the library’s FAQ.

To request a renewal or check the status of your loans (including the due date), please log in to your library account or visit the Help and Information Desk.

How Do I Return Library Items?

All items on loan can be returned at the Help & Information desk located on the first floor of Snell Library.  

Items on loan from the Northeastern University School of Law Library may also be returned at the Help & Information desk of Snell Library.  

What if Library Items Are Returned Late?

  • Reserves: $1.00 per hour ($25 maximum).
  • Interlibrary loans: visit the Interlibrary Loan page for information about any fees associated with late interlibrary loans.

If items are overdue for more than 40 days, you may be charged a lost item fee of $80.  

The library reserves the right to block your library account for excessive fines or if you do not return items needed by other borrowers.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about borrowing in the library FAQ.

Other Libraries on Northeastern’s Boston Campus

Northeastern University School of Law Library

The School of Law Library is located on Northeastern’s Boston Campus at 416 Huntington Avenue in the Asa Knowles building on the corner of Huntington Avenue and Forsyth Street.  

Items labeled School of Law Library in Scholar OneSearch are in the Knowles building. These materials must be requested directly from the law library.

Access information about the Law Library on their website.

John D. O’Bryant African American Institute Archives

The John D. O’Bryant African American Institute Archives (JDOAAI) are located on Northeastern’s Boston Campus at 40 Leon Street. 

Materials in the JDOAAI may be consulted by appointment only, during the hours 8am-noon, Monday- Thursday. 

Please complete the appointment request form or email Simonne Ronk to schedule an appointment. 

Visiting & Borrowing From Other Libraries

For shared borrowing and lending, the Northeastern University Libraries are a member of the Boston Library Consortium, a group of research libraries in the Greater Boston area. 

We are also members of: 

Accessing Other Libraries in the Boston Library Consortium

View a list of BLC member libraries and any information available about access policies or restrictions. 

Current Northeastern students, faculty and staff can request a BLC card, by completing the BLC Card Application.

Accessing Other Libraries Through OCLC® SHARES

Snell Library is a partner in OCLC® SHARES – a group of libraries and institutions from around the world.

Check the list of partner libraries [PDF] and please contact libraries individually to ask about access rules or scanning services before your visit.

Searching Other Libraries Online

To see which other libraries have what you need, search WorldCat Local, which shows the North American (and some international) libraries that have the books, journals, media, and all types of materials you need. You may request delivery of many of these items from directly within the system.

Suggesting or Recommending a Purchase

If you don’t see a title that you believe the Northeastern University Library should own, please fill out the Recommend a Purchase form.