DocumentExpress Help/FAQ

DocumentExpress is an "interlibrary loan" service. It allows us to borrow books or obtain journal articles from another library on behalf of a patron when we do not own the material. 

If the material you need is not available from USMAI's library catalog or the full text of an article is not available online through UMGC's library databases or Journal List, you may request the material through DocumentExpress.

You may also want to check a local public, academic, corporate, or military library directly to locate the materials you need. (Use Libweb to help locate a library near you.)

See our Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Policy for details.  

What articles? 

All UMGC students, faculty, and staff worldwide may request articles that are not available full text in UMGC's library databases. These materials can be delivered electronically in PDF format. 

Submitting a request 

Requests are accepted through the library databases or Journal List (look for the  buttons) or directly through DocumentExpress.

Delivery  

Delivery time
1-2 business days on average, but can take longer. 

Notification
You will be notified by e-mail when your request is ready.  You may also modify or check the status of pending requests by logging into DocumentExpress and clicking the Modify Your Requests button.

Accessing your items
You can access your items by logging into DocumentExpress.  Items will remain available for 21 days.  

What chapters? 

All UMGC students, faculty, and staff worldwide may request book chapters (no more than 20% of the book) and tables of contents. These materials can be delivered electronically in PDF format. 

Submitting a request 

Requests should be submitted directly through DocumentExpress. When completing the form, provide as much information as possible about the material you are requesting.

Delivery

Delivery time
1 week on average, but can take longer.

Notification
You will be notified by e-mail when your request is ready.  You may also modify or check the status of pending requests by logging into DocumentExpress and clicking the Modify Your Requests button.

Accessing your items
You can access your items by logging into DocumentExpress.  Items will remain available for 21 days. 

What books?

Use DocumentExpress to request books not available in the library catalog. UMGC will try to obtain the book from another library system. 

See our Interlibrary Loan Policy for details. 

Note: DocumentExpress does not supply required text books.

Who can borrow books?

Current students, faculty and staff in the continental U.S. can request print books from DocumentExpress.

Submitting a request

Requests should be submitted directly through DocumentExpress. When completing the form, provide as much information as possible about the material you are requesting.

Delivery times

This generally takes 1 - 2 weeks for the book to arrive at UMGC, then an additional 5 - 7 business days for delivery to your home address (or an additional 1 - 2 business days for delivery to your UMGC office at Adelphi).  

Notification and delivery options

You will be notified by email when the book arrives and then given a choice of the following:

• Home delivery inside the continental US
  We will deliver the book, via UPS, to your home address as entered in MyUMGC. Books cannot be delivered to P.O. Box numbers.
• Office delivery if you have an office at Adelphi 
  When the book is ready, we will offer you the option to have it delivered to your UMGC office via campus mail.

Renewing a book

Log in to DocumentExpress one week before the due date and select Books You've Checked Out. Then click on the Transaction Number of the book. If renewal is allowed, you will see an option to Renew at the top of the screen. Some books cannot be renewed and ALL items are subject to recall by the lending library.

Returning a book

• Return it by UPS. 
  At least 1 week before the book is due, repack the book and use the free return label provided. If you have an older UPS label addressed to 1616 McCormick Drive in Largo, Maryland, please DO NOT USE it but contact the Document Management Team and request a new one. 
• Return it by campus mail.
  If you are at a UMGC location in Maryland, you may return the book to the UMGC Library by campus mail. Please send it back at least 2 business days before the due date.

Loans periods

Loan periods are determined by the lending library and vary, but 1 month is typical. Note: books are subject to recall, shortening the due date.

Fines

If books are not returned within three (3) weeks of the due date, you may be liable for a $50.00 to $500.00 replacement fee per item charged by the UMGC Library on behalf of the lending library.

Borrowing limits

• Students and Faculty
  Unlimited number of items per semester or eight-week term.
• Staff
  Unlimited number of items, but these must be directly related to job responsibilities. DocumentExpress items for personal use are not accepted.

There is no charge for using UMGC's DocumentExpress service.

Patrons who do not return DocumentExpress books within three weeks of the due date will be charged a $60 nonrefundable fee. Please review the Library's Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery Policy for more information. 

• Undergraduate students may request up to 20 DocumentExpress items per semester or 8-week term. This limit includes books and electronically delivered book chapters and articles.
• Graduate students and faculty may request an unlimited number of DocumentExpress items per semester.
• Staff are permitted DocumentExpress requests that are directly related to their job responsibilities.

Please review the Library's Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery Policy for more information. 

The UMGC Library staff makes every effort to ensure that documents are complete. However, occasionally, you may find that a page is missing. We apologize for any inconvenience this omission may cause you. Please contact us by phone or e-mail as soon as possible to have the missing page sent.

You may contact the Document Management Team.