About Us

About the Building

Freel Library offers a variety of study spaces and collections to support learning and teaching at MCLA. The library offers a quiet study atmosphere on the upper level and comfortable seating that allows for group study and collaboration in the Commons on the main level. Current hours are posted on the main library website.

• Constructed in 1970
• Named for North Adams State (Teachers) College president Eugene L. Freel (1955-1966)
• 30,000 square feet
• 160 seats

Library Collections

The library offers a full range of resources and services to meet the needs of the academic community. The collection comprises approximately 125,000 print volumes, over 200,000 ebooks, 40,000 streaming videos and DVDs, and over 80 research databases, which include full-text articles from 80,000 journals.  Students may access the library’s digital holdings and services from any location with internet access by visiting the library's website. In addition to its own extensive resources, the library offers an interlibrary loan program through which students can obtain materials from other libraries.

Computers in the Library

Freel Library offers wireless internet and printer access for MCLA laptop users. For additional information on the extent of the campus wireless network and how to set up your PC or Mac laptop for wireless access, please visit http://techhelp.mcla.edu/index.php/Network

Computers available for student use (unless otherwise noted you will need to log in):

Main floor

• Laptop computers available for in-library use or longer-term loan; please ask at the circulation desk
• Desktop computers for internet access, word processing, and email
• Library catalog lookup station (no login needed)

Upper level

• Computers for internet access, word processing, and email
• Library catalog lookup station (no login needed)

Printers, scanners, and a photocopier are also available to the MCLA community in the library.

Research and Reference Help

Librarians provide individual assistance as well as formal instruction in information and research strategies. Please call 413-662-5325 or visit our Ask Us page to speak with a librarian via chat, text, email, or videoconference. Chat reference is available 24/7 via a partnership with an academic librarian co-op.

Borrowing Books From Other Libraries

• Freel Library belongs to the HELM consortium, an association of Massachusetts college libraries in public higher education. MCLA borrowers may request books from other HELM libraries via the shared online catalog.  
• Books may be requested from many Massachusetts libraries via Commonwealth Catalog.
• Materials not available through HELM may be requested via interlibrary loan.  
• Massachusetts residents can apply for a Boston Public Library eCard and gain access to the BPL’s electronic collections (e- and audiobooks, streaming films and music, and more).