Inter-Library Loan: About Inter-Library Loan

• What is Inter-Library Loan? - Inter-Library Loan (ILL) is a service by which libraries request items from other libraries in a consortium.  The UC Libraries belong to the LibraryLinkNJ consortium, which spans the entire state of NJ and includes "multi-type libraries and library organizations" (LLNJ.org).

• Who is eligible for Inter-Library Loan? - Students, Staff, and Faculty may request items through interlibrary loan.  Physical materials are library-use-only for students; staff and faculty are able to borrow them from the library.

• How much does Inter-Library Loan cost? - ILL services are offered free of charge to borrowers!

• How do I place an Inter-Library Loan request? - Requests can be made by clicking the big green "request item" button on the ILL request page 

  • Alternatively, patrons can navigate to the ILL request page from our library homepage >> for faculty [tab] >> Inter-library loan (ILL) [dropdown]

  • First, make sure that the item is not in the UC Libraries catalog.  If you are having trouble navigating the catalog, ask a librarian for help!  If the item is not provided by us, fill out an ILL form (online).  Please be sure to fill out this form accurately and with as much information as you have. Inaccurate forms may result in delayed request fulfillment or cancellation of the request.
  • We ask that you please do not request ILL items in person or through email.  Our online form allows us to collect data on the usage of the service.  The form also makes it easier for us to input the data into the request system.

• What materials can I request?

  • Books and book chapters (physical and eBooks)
  • Journal and periodical articles (a digital version will be sent to your UC email)
  • DVDs and other audiovisual materials*
    • Note that many libraries have not gone back to their pre-COVID borrowing rules and will not loan out DVDs, CDs, etc.  Requests of these item types will most likely not be filled at this time 

• What materials can I not request?

  • Textbooks
  • Dissertations
  • Archival items
  • Rare and/or unique materials

• How long will it take for my materials to arrive? - Please allow at least two weeks for items to arrive.  Please understand that delivery time is dependent on the policy of the lending library; we do not have control over this.

• Once my materials arrive, how do I retrieve them? - Patrons will be notified via the email supplied on the ILL request form by the UC Library when their materials arrive.  ILLs are delivered to the Cranford campus, but are available to be sent intercampus to Plainfield or Elizabeth.  Please bring your valid school ID when retrieving materials. No other form of identification will be accepted.

• How are digital materials delivered? - Digital materials are delivered via a link and unique password sent to the patron's email address supplied on the ILL request form. At the end of the loan period access will be revoked.

• When are my materials due? - Loan periods for physical materials are determined by the lending library. The library will inform borrowers of the due date when they come to pick up their materials.  Make sure to let the UC Library know if you'd like an extension on the loan (see below).  Digital materials are available for 30 days or 5 uses, whichever is first.

• Can I renew materials? - Renewals are at the discretion of the lending library. Please contact the Assistant Director of Libraries, Kelsey Gallagher, for ILL renewal before the material is due: (908) 709-7507.  We need to ask the lending library to renew the item and they may not fulfill our request if the item is on hold for another patron and/or their ILL policies do not allow renewals.  If a renewal request is denied, materials will be due on their original due date.  Remember that you are borrowing this item on behalf of the UC Libraries from another library.  Please be respectful of our reputation within our ILL consortium and of the lending library's items/policies.

• Is there a late fee? - Late fees are determined by the lending library.  Patrons will be 100% responsible for all fees accrued for ILLs.  Exceptions cannot be made because we are not the library that is receiving the fine payment and cannot alter another library's policy.  We ask that borrowers return materials in a timely manner so as to maintain the College's reputation.

• What if I lose or damage materials? - Library users who lose or damage ILL materials are liable for the cost of replacement as determined by the lending library.

• What information do I need to request an ILL? - At a minimum, please locate and provide this information about your item: Item type (journal, book, etc.), title, and author(s).  Other information such as ISBN/ISSN, volume, issue, edition, etc. is not required - though the more information you provide, the more targeted of a search we can conduct.
  The UC Libraries may contact you before conducting the ILL request if more information is needed

The UC Libraries are part of the LLNJ ILL consortium.  Image from LibraryLinkNJ

The UC Libraries use OCLC WorldShare to search other library catalogs and request your items.  Image from OCLC

Kelsey Gallagher
Assistant Director of Libraries
MacKay Library, Cranford Campus
kelsey.gallagher@ucc.edu
908.709.7507