Materials not available at Gustavus may be borrowed from other libraries.

• How do I request materials?
• How will I know when my books and articles are here?
• How long does it take?
• Can I track the status of my ILLs?
• Can ILL materials be renewed?
• I tried to renew my ILL and didn't receive a response before the due date. Now what?
• Where do I return ILL materials?
• What if I lost the paperwork?
• Materials generally not available through ILL

Adherence to statements on this page ensure our continued ILL privileges with other libraries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Need more information? Contact the ILL office (x7564) or the Circulation Desk (x7557).

How do I request materials?

Books:

• Complete a blank form (you'll need to log in first)
• Use MnPALS Plus to search for and request a specific item
• Search WorldCat and use the Find it! button to request items

Articles:

• Complete a blank form (you'll need to log in first)
• Search the databases and use the Find it! button to request articles (help)
• Print your citations and submit at the ILL counter. Please remember to include your name and the 14-digit barcode number from your Gustavus ID card (ex: 20110XXXXXXXXX)
  

How will I know when my books and articles are here?

When material arrives, you will be notified by email.

Books and other loaned materials may be picked up at the Circulation Desk.

Articles are usually delivered electronically one of two ways:

• An email with a URL and instructions on how to retrieve the article
• A PDF attached to an email message

Occasionally, photocopies will be delivered to you via campus mail.

How long does it take?

For books and other loans, time varies depending on the material requested, the location of the lender, etc. Please allow ample time - a week or more - to ensure you get your material.

Many articles can be delivered within a few days. However, this also varies by the criteria above, so allow ample time.

Requests are processed within 24-48 hours and ordered from local libraries if possible. The "need-by" date you enter does not speed up processing. Please allow sufficient time for your materials to be searched and delivered.

Can I track the status of my ILLs?

Sure. You can see the status of your ILL requests in Your Borrowing Record online. Most statuses simply mean "we're working on it." We'll email you important updates, but these are the most common statuses:

• Sent to Supplier Request has been sent to a lending library
• Unfilled No success yet, but we're still working on it
• Shipped Item is on its way to Gustavus
• Waiting for Renewal Reply Your renewal request has been sent
• Renewal - Accepted Your renewal request was accepted; watch for a new due date
• Renewal - Rejected Your renewal request was denied; return your ILL material promptly
• Overdue Your ILL is overdue; return material promptly
• Closed ILL transaction is complete

More detailed explanations of statuses can be found here.

Can ILL materials be renewed?

Some Interlibrary Loans can be renewed. The lending library makes the decision and determines the new due date. Please make your renewal requests before your ILLs are overdue. You will receive a courtesy notice a few days before to remind you.

To request a renewal, go to MnPALS Plus and click on the My Account link (help). You can also contact the ILL office for assistance (x7564).

I tried to renew my ILL and didn't receive a response before it was due. Now what?

Keep the item until you hear from us. You won't be fined in this situation.

If the renewal is denied, we'll send you an email. Please make sure the item is then returned promptly. Overdue items can jeopardize our ILL privileges with other libraries.

Where do I return ILL materials?

Books and other items should be returned to the Circulation Desk or one of the library book drops with all paperwork included. You may keep photocopies.

What if I lost the paperwork?

Missing paperwork has the potential to cause delays in the return process, so give the ILL item directly to a library staff member.

The yellow flag in your item is to help you keep track of the due date and also alert library staff that the book does not belong to Gustavus - we don't really need that back. The rest of the paperwork is used to track and route the item through the ILL process, and we do need that back.

Materials generally not available through ILL

• Gustavus materials owned and available
  
• Very recently published books and articles
• Articles with a status of "E-pub ahead of print"
  
• Multi-volume works
  
• Entire issues of periodicals
  
• Reference books
  
• Rare books or original manuscripts
  
• Many dissertations and theses
• Entertainment movies and popular music

Questions?

Call the ILL office at x7564 or the Circulation Desk at x7557.

updated February 8, 2010