ILL Code for the United States [ALA/RUSA]
Interlibrary Loan
State-wide eContent via MLS & MBLC
Library for the Commonwealth (BPL)
Delivery Services
Related Services and Partners
Are you tracking your returns?
The Resource Sharing Team highly encourages using tracking labels when returning ILLs. Unfortunately, many ILL librarians had that option removed when USPS removed access to the free labels they used to distribute and replaced them with new labels, called 888-np. The 888-np isn't available to request from the USPS online store, but there are two methods to get new label stickers.
First: As USPS explains on their FAQ:
Create an USPS.com® online account to print USPS Tracking® labels, purchase mailing/shipping services, buy stamps, etc. The tracking label prints both the label affixed to the product AND a receipt with the tracking number. Access your USPS.com account anytime to retrieve tracking information or status of your item.
Remember that when you pair a USPS Tracking® product with a compatible Extra Service, you can receive proof of delivery, such as a signature. See Domestic Extra Services and International Extra Services for details.
Whichever option you choose — at the Post Office retail counter or online at USPS.com — you’ll have access to the same USPS Tracking® information. Just remember to hold on to your retail receipt! The Postal Service cannot track or locate an item without the tracking number.
Second: If you're a current Pitney Bowes customer with a machine that doesn't print barcodes, you may request the new 888-np labels through Pitney Bowes.
Even if you don’t currently have any packages going out, we recommend printing or ordering them now so you have them ready when you do. There has been a dramatic increase in packages being delayed or lost in the mail since the recent Postal changes, on top of delays that began in 2020. Knowing a tracking number can save you from being invoiced, as well as avoid a lender from being discouraged from lending to us in the future.
The "Private Notes" field in Clio is a great place to record your tracking numbers so you and the RS team can easily find them!
As always, please reach out to ill@masslibsystem.libanswers.com with any questions or concerns!
Resource Sharing Team
ill@masslibsystem.libanswers.com (best method for email)
866-627-7228 select option #4
Laura Bogart, Resource Sharing Assistant
laura@masslibsystem.org x318
Kathryn Bowen, Resource Sharing Assistant
kathryn@masslibsystem.org.org x321
Heidi Flynn, Resource Sharing Assistant
heidi@masslibsystem.org, x303
Vincent Nguyen, Resource Sharing Assistant
vincent@masslibsystem.org x316
Alison DeMers, Resource Sharing Librarian
alison@masslibsystem.org x317
Scott Kehoe, Library Resources Director
scott@masslibsystem.org x308
Announcement Lists
Subscribe to our MLS-ILL list for important announcements and messages about mediated interlibrary loan services. The archive of previous announcements are available to view in case you've missed them at http://mblc.state.ma.us/sympa/lists/regional.
Libraries in the the former Central, Southeastern, and Western Regions (formerly served by Thomas Crane/Quincy) can subscribe here.
Libraries in the former Boston, Metrowest, Northeast Regions (formerly served by Wellesley Free Library) can subscribe here.