Submit an Interlibrary Loan Request
Contents
What is Interlibrary Loan?
The Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Department provides students, faculty and staff with materials not owned by the Drew Library, but available from other Libraries.
Who may use Interlibrary Loan?
Currently enrolled students, faculty and staff of Drew University may use Interlibrary Loan.
Do I have to pay for ILL services?
New fall 2009: There is no longer a $1.00 fee for students. However, if a lending library charges a fee for an item, the requestor is responsible for the charge, if he or she has authorized it. We will email you to authorize the charge before requesting the book. You will save time by indicating “maximum cost” on the request form, which is the maximum you are willing to pay for the item if we cannot obtain it for free (typical fees are $10-$20 for a loan or photocopy) .
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL FEES, REGARDLESS OF WHEN AN ITEM ARRIVES. Fees will be charged to your library account if items are not picked up or fees not paid.
How do I make a request?
Requests may be submitted in 3 ways:
- Online using the ILL request form
- Directly through World Cat (“Borrow this item from another library” link on the item record)
- With a green paper form available outside the ILL office, on the main floor of the library past the Circulation desk.
(Please check the Drew Library catalog to ensure that Drew does not own the item before submitting your request)
Be sure to fill out the form completely with as much information about the requested material as possible.
What can I request?
- Journal and newspaper articles
- Books
The following items may be requested, but are more difficult to obtain and may incur a fee:
- Dissertations and theses
- Microfilm
- Non-print materials, such as videos, sound recordings and computer files
How long does it take?
It takes anywhere from several days to 4 weeks, depending on type of item ordered, location and availability.
Note: If you are in a rush, ask the ILL staff or a reference librarian if the material is available for on-site use at another library in the area, or to request an “ALA” form to borrow the item in person from another library.
What can’t I request?
Books or journal articles available at the Drew Library (Please check the Drew Library catalog before submitting your request). You may place ILL requests for Drew items that are checked out* or missing. *(You may also recall a checked-out item; see Guide to Online Recalls and Holds: http://www.drew.edu/depts/library/recall.aspx) Most libraries will not lend Reference Books, whole issues or volumes of periodicals, best-sellers, newly-published books, rare or special collections, or fragile items.
What happens when my materials arrive at the Library?
You will be notified by email (Drew email only) when the item has been received. You may pick it up at the ILL office. If the office is closed, request assistance at the Circulation desk. Please pick up items promptly. Fines and suspensions will be incurred for non-pickup of items.
What if I no longer need an item after it has arrived?
Please notify the ILL staff via email to ill@drew.edu as soon as possible.
Is there a limit on ILL requests?
No.
How long can I keep ILL materials?
The lending Library sets the due date, but material is generally loaned for 4 weeks. Due date is indicated on the green bookstrap. You will receive a reminder email on or before the due date. Please make every effort to return books on or before the due date. Some material may be restricted to “library use only”. Renewals may be requested via email to ill@drew.edu. Please request renewals at least 2 days before the due date. Renewals are subject to approval by the Lending Library. You may keep the materials until you receive a response to your renewal request. Fines and suspensions will be incurred for late return of books or non-pickup of items.
Photocopies are yours to keep.
Where do I return the materials when I’m finished with them?
Please return ILL books with the green strap attached to the book return slot outside the ILL office.
I am not a Drew student, faculty or staff member, but I need something from Drew’s collection. How do I request it?
Ask at your home library, which is any local, public, corporate or academic library where you have borrowing privileges.
New Fall 2009:
What happens if an ILL becomes overdue?
Every effort should be made to return ILL materials on time. Overdue items jeopardize Drew’s ability to borrow items from other libraries.
The following ILL Overdue policies apply to faculty, staff and students:
- Overdue fines of $1.00 per day per item start on the 4th day past the due date listed on the book strap. If you request a renewal before the 4th day, no fines will be placed. If a renewal is not granted, fines will accrue starting the day after email notification of the denial.
- If the item is not returned by 14 days after the due date, ILL borrowing privileges are blocked.
- If the item is not returned by 30 days after the due date, a replacement fine is sent to the business office (student) or controller’s office (faculty/staff) and accrued overdue fines are placed on the patron’s Library account. (Overdue fines stop accruing once the replacement fine is charged). ILL borrowing privileges remain blocked.
- When the item is returned and/or the replacement fine is paid, ILL borrowing is reinstated.
- If the item is not returned or the replacement fine paid by 3 months after the due date, ILL and Circulation borrowing is suspended. If the item is returned, or with proof that the replacement fine has been paid during the suspension period, all borrowing is reinstated; however, ILL borrowing is restricted to one book at a time for an additional 6 months. (No restriction on articles.)
- After the 6 month restriction, if borrower remains in good standing, additional ILL materials may be borrowed.
- Suspension remains in place indefinitely if book is not returned and/or fine not paid.
What happens if I do not pick up an ILL item that I have requested?
- If the item is not picked up within 14 days, or if we are not notified that you no longer need the item, fines of $1.00 per day, per item, up to a maximum of $10.00 per item, will begin accruing. Fines begin the 14th day after item arrival.
- On the 30th day after arrival, the item will be returned to the lending library, or if a photocopy, discarded. Fines are placed on patron’s Library account.
- After the third occurrence, ILL borrowing is suspended for 6 months.
Interlibrary Loan and Circulation services will be revoked permanently if 2 suspensions have been in effect for the patron.
If your Library Account is suspended in Circulation, it is also suspended for Interlibrary Loan Borrowing, and vice-versa.
If the account is clear, the patron may appeal the suspension, but all ILL items will be allowed on a “Library-use only” basis.
Other Services
Those pursuing more extensive research may want a letter of introduction to another library. Please see a Reference Librarian or the Theological Librarian to arrange this.
The Library also makes available to the Drew community a single card for access (but not borrowing privileges) to the Firestone Library at Princeton University. This card should be reserved in advance for a specific date; please inquire at the Reference Counter for details.
Faculty and Graduate Students may want to investigate VALE reciprocal borrowing services, which allows Drew faculty and graduate students to visit and check out books at other libraries in the VALE consortium.
Questions?
ILL office hours are 8:30-5:00, Monday through Friday. Please contact ILL staff with any questions regarding ILL:
Or:
ILL office: ill@drew.edu
