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RaiderLoan Document Delivery & Interlibrary Loan: RaiderLoan Home

What is RaiderLoan?

Books to be mailed to your home

RaiderLoan is the name for Document Delivery & Interlibrary Loan Services at GRCC. We provide students, faculty & staff access to:

  • Resources (books, articles and media) not owned or licensed by GRCC's Library
  • Home delivery of borrowed items
  • Electronic delivery of articles

GRCC borrows and lends materials using two networks: MeLCat Michigan eLibrary database, and OCLC (EGP), a nonprofit, worldwide database.

MelCat: Michigan's Statewide Library Network

If you don't find the title you want in [RaiderSearch Catalog], click the [Search MeLCat] button:search MeLCat button

If your title appears in MeLCat, click on [Get this for me!].

  1. Select Home Library = [Grand Rapids Comm Coll] from the pull-down menu and click [Submit].
  2. Enter your [last name] and your [7-digit Raider number].
  3. Choose a [pickup location].
  4. Track your MeLCat loans by logging into [RaiderSearch My Account].
  5. Or, watch this video for more information and instructions from mel.org.

GRCC receives MeLCat and Michigan RaiderLoan Deliveries 5-days-a-week from all over the state of Michigan.  MeL Delivery is a free service for GRCC students, faculty & staff, along with community members with a photo ID.

How does RaiderLoan Work?

[New Users Create Account/Sign in to Place Request]

Who may borrow?  

  • RaiderLoan services are offered to Grand Rapids Community College students, faculty, emeritus faculty, and staff with a GRCC email address. Ferris State University affiliates may place requests through FSU.
How long does RaiderLoan take?
Your request will be processed by GRCC when it is received.  Delivery depends on the type of resource you are borrowing, and how long the lending library and the delivery systems take to get it to you. 
  • Articles:
    • Your article usually arrives in 1-7 business days.
    • Articles are delivered online to your RaiderLoan account.  You will be notified via GRCC email as soon as the article PDF is available to download.
  • Books and Audiovisual media:
    • [Pickup location - GRCC Library - 1st Floor] your title will typically arrive in 3-12 business days, and you can pick it up at the 1st Floor Circulation Desk.  It may take longer if in use at some libraries, so order right away!
    • [Pickup location - My Home (Slower)] the item will be mailed first-class as soon as it is received by GRCC, so allow extra time for mail delivery.

What can be borrowed?  

  • Books & Audiovisual Material
  • Articles in periodicals not subscribed to by GRCC

What cannot be borrowed?   Many libraries will not lend the following types of materials:

  • Textbooks
  • Entire periodical issues (but individual articles are okay to request)
  • Materials with local circulation restrictions
  • Genealogical material
  • Rare, valuable, or unique materials
  • New books purchased in the previous 6 months

How do I return what I borrowed?  

  • See the instructions on the [ Place a Request] tab. 

*For more information or assistance, contact RaiderLoan at 616.234.3749 or email ill@grcc.edu. You can also Ask-A-Librarian.

US Copyright and You

Visiting Patron

RaiderCard in hand graphicIf you don't have time to wait for RaiderLoan, you may want to consider the Visiting Patron Program which allows you to travel to Participating MeLCat Libraries,  and check out books using your RaiderCard and driver's license. When done, return materials to that library, or to GRCC's Library.