After searching your library’s catalog for a specific book, you’re bummed to find they don’t have it. Don’t despair, because all is not lost. You can request the book through interlibrary loan (ILL).
What is Interlibrary Loan?
Interlibrary Loan is a cooperative service that allows you to borrow materials your library doesn’t own. Basically, your library requests materials from another library on your behalf. Not only does this rad service provide you with access to a wider selection of books, but it’s also free! What’s not to love?
I’m a big proponent of interlibrary loan because it does wonders for my research. I use ILL in both public and academic libraries. Seriously, it’s a lifesaver. I wouldn’t be able to run Totally Historic without it.
Who Can Request an Interlibrary Loan?
In public libraries, patrons who have library cards can request interlibrary loans. To get a library card, provide proof that you live, work, go to school, or own property in your community. Getting a library card has so many benefits, plus, it’s free!
In academic libraries, faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students can use the ILL service.
What Can I Request Through Interlibrary Loan?
The materials you can request through interlibrary loan vary by library. In general, libraries across the board allow you to request books and articles. The articles may come as photocopies, but are increasingly in electronic form.
Sometimes you can request audiovisual materials like CDs, DVDs, and microfilm. Check your library’s website for its ILL guidelines.
However, there are restrictions on some materials. Libraries don’t allow you to request non-circulating materials such as archival collections, rare books, reserves, and reference books. You also can’t request e-books or scans of entire copyrighted works.
You can request scans of book chapters, though. But you will likely be limited to a certain number of pages (30-50) or a percentage of the book.
How Do I Make an Interlibrary Loan Request?
Requesting an interlibrary loan is easy peasy. Just follow these simple steps.
1. Check Your Library’s Catalog
The first step is to check your library’s catalog to make sure they don’t have the item. If you don’t know how to do this, see How to Look Up Books in a Public Library Catalog and How to Look Up Books in an Academic Library Catalog.
Don’t try to be sneaky and request an interlibrary loan for a book that is checked out by another patron and has a waitlist. Your request will be denied. ILL service is only for materials that your library doesn’t own.
2. Fill Out a Request Form
The process of requesting an interlibrary loan may vary slightly depending on whether it’s a public or academic library. In most cases, however, you’ll fill out a form.
You may also be limited to a certain number of ILL requests at any given time. See your library’s guidelines to find out what their max number of loans is.
Public Libraries
Most public libraries offer ILL services, even if they don’t advertise it. Simply go to your library’s website and search for interlibrary loan. There’s usually an FAQ about the service, along with an online request form. You’ll need to know basic bibliographic information about your item, like title, author, publisher, and publication date, to fill out the form.
Many public libraries use ILLiad, an online request system. Log in to your account to access the request form.
As always, you can contact a librarian if you need help!
Academic Libraries
Many academic and research libraries also use ILLiad. Log in using your academic credentials.
In many cases, you can also create a request directly from your library’s catalog. The process entails using the catalog to find the item’s record even though your library doesn’t have it. Instead of searching within your library’s collection, you search in other libraries and in WorldCat, a global catalog of library materials.
Check your college or university’s library website for step-by-step instructions. Or, ask your amazing, wonderful librarians.
3. Wait for a Notification
Once you submit the request, it’s time to wait. You can always check the status of your request online if you have an account. If you want to cancel your request for any reason, you might be able to do it in your account. If not, talk to your librarian.
Now, you may be wondering how long this is going to take. Well, it depends on which lending library your materials are coming from. It could take a few days, a week, or more. It may even take up to a few weeks if you request a doozie. This is especially true for physical items, which will be shipped. Just be patient!
When your book or article arrives, you’ll receive a notification. Hooray!
Finally, be prepared for the possibility that your library may not be able to get the item. This happened to me only one time in all my ILL requests. While it’s uncommon, it does happen.
4. Check it Out
If you requested a physical item, pick it up at your library. The borrowing period for interlibrary loan materials depends on the lending library’s policy, but it’s usually 3-4 weeks.
You might be able to renew if you need more time, but it depends on the library. Make sure to contact your librarians before the due date if you want to renew.
Scans of articles or book chapters are delivered to you electronically.
5. Return It
Don’t forget to return your physical materials when they’re due! All you have to do is bring it back to your library. Your wonderful librarians will take care of the rest and ship it back to the lending library.
Be sure to return it on time, though, because you might get slapped with late fees if it’s overdue.
Now that you’re aware of the wonderful world of interlibrary loan, I hope you take advantage of this kickass service!
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