Audio and Visual

Audio and visual material (DVD's, VHS, audio tapes, CD's, LP's, etc...) can be difficult to obtain via ILL. If lent, the loan periods are often very limited with renewals not allowed. Please only request materials that are needed for research, and refrain from requesting popular or current movies or music that can be easily obtained from public libraries or other sources. Please note that we cannot guarantee the loan of audio / visual materials.

  • Instructors: if audio or visual material is needed for classroom use, before requesting please alert Interlibrary Loan about this condition and the time frame for use. This will allow us to better obtain a loan that fits to your schedule.

Books and Articles

Most material needed for research can be requested via ILL. When a physical item is borrowed for your use, the lending library will determine the length of the loan period, indicate whether that period can be extended by a renewal, and/or stipulate any restrictions on the use of the material. Articles from very current journal issues may not be available from lending libraries. Please note that  you will be directed to online resources for requested material, if available.

Journals

Libraries rarely lend the physical copy of a journal, especially those published within the last five to ten years. Most lending libraries will instead provide photocopies or electronic copies of journal articles. You may request a photocopy of the table of contents from a single issue of a journal, to help determine which pages to request.

Newspapers

Libraries may lend newspapers if they are part of a microform collection. Restrictions on the number of microfilm or other media lent may be imposed by the lender. Libraries rarely lend physical / archival copies of newspapers.

Textbooks

Textbooks generally cannot be obtained via interlibrary loan, as it is not standard practice for libraries to add these materials to their lending collections. The majority of requests for textbooks cannot be fulfilled.

Old and Rare Material

Most original / physical copies of materials published before the 20th century cannot be obtained via ILL. If lent, a “library use only” or “no photocopying” restriction may be imposed. Please note that microform versions of old and rare material may be obtained in lieu of a physical copy. Please also note that ILL staff may direct the end user to available online resources.