All Meadville Lombard students, faculty, and staff have full borrowing privileges with both the Wiggin Library and I-Share. Materials held in the Wiggin Library are also available to community borrowers, including Unitarian Universalist religious professionals, lay UUs, and researchers of all (or no) faith.
Students (Wiggin Library and I-Share): Unlimited number of books checked out at a time for 4 weeks each, with renewals up to 4 months. Exclusive access to MLTS course reserves.
Faculty and Staff (Wiggin Library and I-Share): Unlimited number of books checked out at a time for 4 weeks each, with renewals up to 4 months
LIGHT Students (Wiggin Library only): Unlimited number of books checked out at a time for 4 weeks each, with renewals up to 4 months. Exclusive access to LIGHT course reserves.
Community Members (Wiggin Library only): 3 books checked out at a time for 4 weeks each, with renewals up to 4 months.
Alums (Wiggin Library only): 5 books checked out at a time for 4 weeks each, with renewals up to 4 months.
ACTS, University of Chicago, and Atla Reciprocal Borrowing Patrons (Wiggin Library only): 20 books checked out a time for 4 weeks each, with renewals up to 4 months.
If you'd like to become a Community or Alum borrower, follow the link below to complete a library account request form:
Request a book from the Wiggin Library
If a book is available at the Wiggin Library you will see a link labeled "Request from Wiggin Library" beneath the "Get It" heading:
Selecting "Request from Wiggin Library" brings up this request form pop-up:
Use the drop-down menus to select your preferred pick up:
Pickup Institution:
Select from any I-Share library in Illinois. "Meadville Lombard Theological School" will be the top choice in the drop-down under "My Institution." Local pick-up at the Wiggin Library circulation desk or home delivery requires you select "Meadville Lombard Theological School."
Pickup Location:
With "Meadville Lombard Theological School" selected as the Pickup Institution, there are two options for Pickup Location:
Wiggin Library: Select "Wiggin Library" to pick up books in person at the circulation desk of the Wiggin Library.
USPS Delivery (MLTS Only): Select "USPS Delivery (MLTS Only)" to have your books shipped to your home address. Library staff will use your home address in Populi. Leave a comment in your request if you need your book shipped elsewhere.
Clicking the green "Send Request" link will submit your request. A green popup will appear saying "Your request was successfully placed" when the request has gone through. You can review your requests on the My Account page, viewable by clicking your name in the upper right when signed in to the catalog.
Request a book from I-Share
If a book is available at one or more I-Share libraries you will see a link labeled "Request from I-Share" beneath the "Get It" heading:
Selecting it brings up this request form pop-up:
The details of the item being requested will be pre-populated, but editable.
Use the drop-down menus to select your preferred pick up:
Preferred Local Pickup Location:
By default, the Preferred Local Pickup Library drop-down menu will appear first with "Wiggin Library" selected, followed by "Meadville Lombard Theological School" selected as the Pickup Institution. If you'd like to pickup items in person at the Wiggin Library circulation desk, leave as is. Or, select "USPS Delivery (MLTS) Only" for home delivery:
Wiggin Library: Select "Wiggin Library" to pick up books in person at the circulation desk of the Wiggin Library.
USPS Delivery (MLTS Only): Select "USPS Delivery (MLTS Only)" to have your books shipped to your home address. Library staff will use your home address in Populi. Leave a comment in your request if you need your book shipped elsewhere.
Preferred Pickup Institution:
This option appears second, and by default shows "Meadville Lombard Theological School" as it is your home institution. Alternatively, select from any I-Share library in Illinois from the drop-down menu to pick up items at another school. If there is more than one pickup location available at the selected I-Share institution, another drop-down menu will appear for you to make a selection.
Your Preferred Local Pickup Location at Meadville Lombard will remain visible, even if you've selected a Preferred Pickup Institution other than Meadville Lombard Theological School. This does not affect your actual request unless there is an issue with pickup at the selected I-Share institution, in which case the item(s) will be sent to your Preferred Local Pickup Location.
Clicking the green "Send Request" link will submit your request. A green popup will appear saying "Your request was successfully placed" when the request has gone through. You can review your requests in your Library Card, viewable by clicking your name in the upper right when signed in to the catalog.
A resource with multiple volumes will be indicated in the "Details" section of the item record under "Contents" and "Format":
To request a specific volume, first select the Wiggin Library location listed in the "Get It" section of the item record. Only students enrolled in a course may request books held in Reserves for that course.
The item request form will pop-up to enter pick-up information and submit the request. The requested volume will be indicated beneath "Details" in the upper left of the form:
If requesting a specific volume from I-Share, put volume information in the "Comment" section of the request form:
Home delivery is a service available to Meadville Lombard students, faculty, staff, and community library patrons. Any book in the circulating collection published after 1870 (depending on condition) and I-Share items can be shipped. The Wiggin Library covers the cost of shipping library items to patrons, with patrons paying the return shipping. Library materials can be sent via USPS using library rate or media mail.
After placing a request...
You will receive an automated email when the item has been checked in to the hold shelf. There is no need to reply to take any action upon receiving this email if you have selected pick up at "USPS Delivery (MLTS Only)."
When the item has been charged, you will receive a second automated email confirming the item has been charged to you and indicates the due date.
A third email will be sent by the librarian fulfilling your request with a list of the items being shipped and a USPS tracking number for the package. Meadville librarians will use your current address in Populi for shipping. If you would like your items sent else where (like an office), either put a comment in your request from the catalog or email library@meadville.edu with that information.
To return library items...
Pack the item in a sturdy, secure box or padded envelope. If items are returned in damaged condition due to insufficient packing, you will be responsible for replacement costs. Mail items to:
Meadville Lombard Wiggin Library
180 N Wabash Ave.
Suite 625
Chicago, IL 60601
Send an email to library@meadville.edu to alert the Wiggin Library that your items are en route, and please include a tracking number. In the event there is an issue in the mail, this email and tracking number lets us know that you returned your items on time and in advance of the due date.
You will receive an automated email when your items have been successfully returned. Books borrowed with home delivery can also be returned in person at the circulation desk, if desired.
If you have any questions about the home delivery process, contact library@meadville.edu.
There are several options for returning borrowed material from the Wiggin Library and I-Share:
1. Return items in person at 180 N Wabash Ave to the Wiggin Library circulation desk (Suite 625) or in the book drop on the main Meadville floor (Suite 700). You can return books from the Wiggin Library and from other I-Share libraries.
2. Return items at any I-Share library: https://www.carli.illinois.edu/membership/i-share_part.
3. Return items by mail. See the USPS Delivery section above for detailed instructions for returning by mail.
Current Meadville Lombard students, faculty, and staff are eligible for borrowing privileges from a host of theological libraries through Wiggin Library's partnerships and associations. These are especially useful if you are a local Illinois student, or for doing in-person research when you are on campus for Intensives. Some partner theological libraries are members of I-Share, but not all. Contact library@meadville.edu to find out more about becoming a user and searching for resources with the following partners:
Meadville Lombard Wiggin Library
180 N. Wabash Ave.
Suite 625
Chicago, IL 60601
Library and Archives Phone: 312-546-6488 Library Email: library@meadville.edu Archives Email: archives@meadville.edu