- Finding items to borrow
- Finding items located in the library
- Where to check out items
- Loan periods
- Renewing items
- Borrowing limit
- Can't find something?
Tufts students, faculty and staff can borrow a range of items, including books, scores, DVDs, CDs, laptops, chargers, bikes, and cameras. Some items are not available at all locations, check with each library branch if you have questions.
If you are not currently affiliated with Tufts, see our visitors page to find out what you can borrow.
Finding items to borrow
You can search for available items in JumboSearch.
Equipment such as laptops, chargers, cameras, hard drives, audio recorders, and microphones are also listed in the catalog.
Finding items located in the library
- Tisch Book Stacks are on Level 1, arranged by call number. You can consult the floorplans posted in the stacks to find your way around, or you can ask us for help.
- Tisch Course Reserves are available at the Tisch Library Information and Circulation Desk on Level 2, immediately to your left as you enter the building.
- Tisch Oversize, Reference, DVD Collections, Current Periodicals, Microforms and Folio are on the second (main) floor of the library. Ask us for help if you can't find one of these items.
- Tisch Bound Periodicals are on Level G. You can also use our Scan & Deliver service to have an article from this collection sent to you.
- The Lilly Music Library is down the hill from Tisch. You don't need to be a music major to use this library. You can also use JumboSearch to request that a music item be sent to Tisch for pickup.
- The SMFA Library is in Boston. You don't need to be taking classes at SMFA in order to use this library. You can also use JumboSearch to request that an SMFA item be sent to Tisch for pickup.
Where to check out items
- Visit the Information and Circulation Desk at Tisch Library to borrow books, DVDs, and equipment.
- Visit the Circulation Desk at Lilly Library, located in Granoff Music Center, to borrow books, scores, and recordings.
- Visit the Circulation Desk at the SMFA Library, located on the Fenway campus in Boston.
See our library maps to find your way to the Information and Circulation Desk at each library.
You can also use one of our self-checkout stations at Tisch and Lilly libraries, or download the Tufts Library Mobile Checkout app to check out items yourself! Read more about self-checkout at the libraries.
You can also have items from any of the Tufts libraries pulled for you and held at that library, or sent to another Tufts library for pickup. Take a look at our Hold requests information.
Loan & renewal periods
Loan and renewal periods differ for various users, items, and libraries. You can see generally what you can borrow and renew, and for how long, in the tables below:
Renewing items
You can extend the due date of most items by going to the “Loans” section of My Account. To renew an item, click on the “Renew” button. The due date will be extended for 28 days for books, scores, CDs and DVDs. The number of times you can renew an item varies by user type. Learn more about loan periods.
Some items, such as equipment or course reserve material, cannot be renewed and must be returned by the due date/time.
When you can't renew an item
There are several reasons that you may not be able to renew your item:
- Someone else has placed a request for the item. Please return it as soon as possible.
- You have a block on your account due to unpaid fines. Information about blocks and fines can be found in My Account and on our website in Overdue and lost items.
- The item you are renewing is an Interlibrary Loan item. Renewal requests of Interlibrary Loan items need to be done via ILLiad.
I’m unable to renew my items, and I’m unable to return them
If you are unable to renew or return your items, please contact your home library to make alternative arrangements.
- Call Tisch Library at 617-627-3347 or email tischfrontline@tufts.edu
- Call Lilly Music Library at 617-627-3594 or email musiclib@tufts.edu
- Call the SMFA Library at 617-627-0080 or email smfalibrary@tufts.edu
Borrowing limit
As long as your account is in good standing, you can borrow as many books as you like—there’s no limit!
However, there may be some limits on borrowing digital equipment and some special items, depending on availability.
Can't find something?
If we do not have an item you need, you can request to borrow it from another library using our Interlibrary Loan service, ILLiad, or you can recommend a purchase.