Research Guides: Interlibrary Loan: Requesting Books & Other Items

Request Materials from Other Libraries (Loans)

To find books and items at other libraries, use the Advanced Search in the library's catalog. Before you search, scroll down to "Search These Libraries" and select Libraries Worldwide.
When you find a book that we don't have in our library, click the title. Look for the Request from another library button (under Access Options on the right-hand side of the screen). Follow the prompts to log in and request the item.

Screenshot displaying the "Request from another library" option

Requested materials will be physically shipped to us from the lending library via a local courier route or the United States Postal Service.

You'll get an email when they arrive and can pick them up at the Library's Information Desk. It usually takes about a week for books to arrive, so please plan ahead.

Note on Ebooks

Ebooks aren't usually available to borrow via ILL - this is a restriction set by ebook publishers.

If you don't see a Request from another library button, you might be viewing an ebook record.
Check to see if there's a print copy to borrow instead. Scroll down the page to the Explore Editions and Formats section and choose a different record.
You can also browse Google Books to see if part or all of your book has been digitized.
You can use the blank ILL form to request an item you are unable to find or request using the library's catalog.

Other Helpful Information

Don't worry about trying to identify a specific library to borrow from. We have internal lists of preferred partners and will make that determination once the request is submitted.
We have access to library collections nationwide, and a handful of libraries outside the U.S. We obtain over 90% of materials requested.
Requests can be autormatically processed (and delivered to you faster) when you fill in as many fields in the submission form as possible.
Lending libraries determine all due dates, which means they can vary widely. If your ILL loan isn't long enough, contact ILL staff and we'll see what we can do.
ILL items have a quick turnaround rate, but items can be delayed by factors outside our control. Weather, time differences, holidays and even institutional staffing levels have the potential to delay items longer than we anticipate. You can track the progress of your requests via My Account Online. If it seems to be taking longer than you'd hoped, don't hesitate to contact ILL staff - we're happy to investigate.