Answers to Your Questions About Interlibrary Loan

How do I place an ILL request?

Place your request through the InterLibrary Loan program, ILLiad. A link is also located on the library's homepage.

How long does usually take to obtain the items I have requested through ILL?

Our average turnaround time is 3-4 days. (Please be aware that this is an average, and that your ILL materials may arrive in a shorter, or longer period of time).

If you need the material right away, and can't wait for ILL, we suggest the following: try this link to local area library online catalogs. If you find that the item is held by another library, you may then go to the Circulation Desk (in our Library) to obtain a special library card that will allow you to borrow from other libraries in the Capital District.

Does it cost money to request materials through ILL?

Most of the time, no. We do our best to obtain the items you request for free, and most items are obtained at no charge. We are able to do this because we have reciprocal agreements with hundreds of other libraries around the country.

However, in some cases we cannot obtain the material without incurring a charge. If you not willing to pay for the item, simply put a zero on that line on the online form where it asks: “How much are you willing to pay?” If we can't fill the item for free, we will just send you a message explaining that. If you wish to resubmit the request and indicate how much you are willing to pay at that point, we can try again.

If you are willing to pay to obtain the material, please indicate how much you are willing to pay on the online ILL form. We will examine all the lender's charges and choose the least expensive lenders we can find. We then pass that charge along to you -- but only if it is equal to or lower than the amount you have agreed to pay. You may wish to note that the average cost to obtain ILL materials that we can't obtain for free is between $10 - $30.

Another option: you may want to look at the holdings of other local libraries, to see if they own the item/s you are looking for. Generally you may go to another library and photocopy journal articles, even if you are not a member of that library. You may also borrow from some other local libraries with a DAP card -- available for free at the Circulation Desk of our Library.

How will I know when the materials I have requested have arrived?

When creating your account, simply indicate the method by which you would like us to contact you. We will contact you when the materials come in. (Please note, however, that we cannot make long distance calls). You may pick up your requested items at the Circulation Desk anytime during Library hours.

Can I renew a book that I have borrowed through ILL?

You will not be able to place a renewal request once the book is overdue, so please plan ahead.

If your ILL book is not overdue yet, you may renew it online, if the lending library allows it. Most libraries will allow one renewal. Once you have placed a renewal request, you may assume that your book is renewed for 3 weeks, UNLESS we contact you and tell you to bring it back.

Please remember that materials borrowed through interlibrary loan do not belong to us. That means that the lending library may choose to ask for the material back at any time. If this happens, we can try to get the book for you from another lender. If you keep the material after the other library has asked that it be returned, you may be jeopardizing our good relationship with that library, and future student's abilities to borrow from that library.

Do you have any other questions, comments or suggestions about ILL? You may ask for help at the Reference Desk; or call the ILL Librarian: Kate Moss at 454-2154. You may also e-mail Kate at mossk@strose.edu. We welcome your thoughts about our ILL service!

More information can be found in the Student Guide to the Library [pdf].