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Library Homepage: Inter-Library Loan (ILL)

ILL

Here's how:

  1. To determine whether or not the College Libraries offer what you are looking for, check the EDS Discovery tool  before requesting material from other libraries.
  2. To do an exploratory search for books beyond what the Library owns, search Worldcat.org
  3. Fill out the request form and the libraries will contact you when the item is available.
  4. Allow a minimum of 2 weeks for physical items and 3-5 days for journal articles to arrive.
  5. If you have any questions regarding the Inter-Library Loan service, please contact Casey Williams at 908-709-7678 or casey.williams@ucc.edu

Request Items

Inter-Library Loan is a service that provides access to resources at other libraries. When you've searched the Union College Libraries' catalog and databases and we don't have what you need, our free Interlibrary borrowing service is your best bet!

Click here ILL Request Form to request items

Allow a minimum of 2 weeks for delivery

 

What is Inter-Library Loan?

Inter-Library Loan (ILL) is a service by which libraries are able to request to borrow items from other libraries in a specific consortium

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 the UC Community

How do I place an Inter-Library Loan request?

Requests can be made by clicking the big green "request item" button on the bottom of the ILL subject guide homepage. Alternatively, follow this link.  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.

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. 

Is there a late fee?

Late fees, as determined by the lending library, will be passed on to the borrower who is late.

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?

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.

UCNJ LibGuides at Union College