Using Libraries in Your Placement Area

As you work on your thesis or dissertation, you will need access to library materials. This guide will help you identify libraries near your placement. Our Getting Library Materials While on Placement  web page provides research hints and describes what Smith can do to supplement your local resources.

Residents of Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin Counties

Students living in the local area have full Smith and Five College library privileges: borrowing books, using Request Item in the Five College Library Catalog, working with reference librarians, submitting interlibrary loan requests, etc. If you live outside these counties, but within a 60-mile radius of Smith (e.g., Enfield, Pittsfield, Brattleboro), you may choose either to use Smith and its services on site or to send requests to Smith via email.

Residents of Boston and Surrounding Towns

At Simmons College’s Beatley Library and Boston College’s Social Work Library, you can use materials on site and borrow books but cannot use their interlibrary loan services. The Boston Public Library also has a strong psychology collection and offers borrowing and interlibrary loan for Boston residents. Many other academic libraries in Boston (UMass Boston, Northeastern, Boston University, etc.) will let you use their materials in-house. Smith will supplement these resources by sending you books and articles from our collections and by doing interlibrary loan for journal articles only. See Massachusetts Area Libraries for more information.

Residents of Greater Hartford

SSW students have access and borrowing privileges at the University of Connecticut’s Trecker Library at the West Hartford campus, which includes a strong social work collection. You also have access to UConn’s medical center library in nearby Farmington, but no borrowing privileges. Smith will supplement these resources by sending you books and articles from our collections and by doing interlibrary loan for journal articles only. See Connecticut Area Libraries for more information.

Residents of Other Areas

Click here to find information for SSW students about libraries in cities throughout the United States, including Boston, New York, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco and more. The libraries listed here allow outside researchers to use their collections. Each listing includes a link to the library’s web page. It also indicates whether borrowing is allowed, and, if so, whether you need a letter of introduction or will be required to pay a fee. You can also investigate other libraries through the LibWeb.

When you arrive at your placement, ask whether your agency has its own library or can arrange library privileges for you nearby. You should also visit local libraries immediately to become familiar with their resources and services. Depending on where you’re living, you may be using public, academic, or specialized libraries. If you are placed near your alma mater, be sure to ask there regarding library services for alumni. Please note the following guidelines for using the different types of libraries:

Public Libraries

Most public libraries are open to anyone for on-site use and will grant borrowing privileges to local residents. Their resources will vary widely, depending on the size of the library, and most will provide interlibrary loan service for materials they do not own. They may charge for ILL service.

Academic and Specialized Libraries

In college, university, research, and specialized (e.g., medical) libraries, policies for outside visitors vary widely. Some libraries will allow you to use materials on site; some will provide borrowing privileges; and others will charge hefty fees or won’t even let you in the door. If a library requires a letter of introduction (increasingly rare), please ask what specific information is needed and then contact Pamela Skinner (pskinner@smith.edu or 413-585-2961).