How to Use the Library’s Interlibrary Loan Service
What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?
If the library does not own the book or have access to the full text of a journal article which you need, you can request the item through Interlibrary Loan.
Libraries all over the world participate in Interlibrary Loan (ILL) in a cooperative effort to provide articles, books, and other materials to researchers, students, and others.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
Almost all types of materials may be requested through ILL. However, certain materials are restricted or not readily available. These include:
- Books published in the current year
- Dissertations
- Video & Audio materials
- Periodicals (entire volumes or issues)
- Rare books & manuscripts
- Expensive materials or fragile items
- Special Collections
- Genealogical materials
- Textbook requests are not accepted.
An item owned by the Munday library may not be requested through interlibrary loan. Requests cannot be made for items that are currently checked out or on-order. No user may have more than twenty active requests.
Placing an Interlibrary Loan Request
Place a request using requests are placed using this ILL portal. Log in with your St. Edward’s University username and password. To create a new request, click on the Create button, and then choose from Article, Book, or Other (Thesis, Report). For each request, supply full & accurate bibliographic information. Requests are processed in the order in which they are received. If your interlibrary loan request form lacks complete or correct information, the request may be delayed or cancelled. If you request more than 10 items in one day, we will process them over a period of days so that all interlibrary users are served in a timely manner.
Loan Periods
Check the due date printed on the label of your borrowed item or check your Library account.
Because ILL books are owned by other libraries, the lending library determines the due date. This date will vary according to the policy of the lending library. We can sometimes request one single renewal of no more than two weeks. The lending library decides whether or not to allow the renewal.
You may request a renewal by logging into your Interlibrary Loan account and clicking “Checked Out Items” or by emailing library@stedwards.edu at least three days in advance of the due date. You will be notified of the lending library’s response either by phone or email. Some items may not be renewed: items marked “No Renewal”; items that have already been renewed once; and overdue items.
When will the material arrive?
In general, a journal article in 4-10 days or a book in 5-14 days. Most books usually arrive within ten working days. Items requested from Texas libraries and delivered via the TexPress courier service may arrive in less than ten working days. Articles may take even fewer days to arrive. However, factors beyond our control (availability of the item, efficiency of the lending loan department, speed of transit) ultimately determine when/if the material arrives to our library. In addition, items that are very recently published, unusual, or in a format other than a book or article may take longer or may be unavailable. Be sure to include your deadline on the request forms. ILL staff will try to meet your deadline and will keep you informed of any delays. You may check the status of your request by logging into your interlibrary loan account and clicking on “Interlibrary Loan Requests.” You will receive an email when your requested item is ready for pickup.
Where do I pick up my interlibrary loan items when they arrive?
Books may be picked up in person at the Munday Library any time the library is open. Check the library’s Web site for hours.
Most journal articles are delivered electronically to your interlibrary loan account. Please contact the Interlibrary Loan office via e-mail at library@stedwards.edu if you have any questions regarding book orders or electronic delivery of articles.
Copyright Restrictions
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction.
One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research”. If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use”, that user may be liable for copyright infringement.
This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.
The Munday Library follows guidelines set forth in the following documents: