Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
		Catalog	Site Index	Library Home	Help

What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

Interlibrary loan is a service that provides access to books, journal articles, dissertations, and other materials that are not owned by the UMW Libraries.  If you have a citation for an item that our Library does not own, you may make a request to borrow it. The ILL office will locate a lending library.

Who may use this service?

ILL requests may be submitted by any current student, faculty, or staff member of UMW. Guest patrons, secondary card holders, students auditing a class, and people not affiliated with UMW are not eligible for this service.

How do I request an ILL?

Requests are submitted electronically through the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) System.

How many ILLs may I request?

Students are limited to ten active requests at a time. Active requests include loans requested or received but not yet returned, and articles requested. All attempts should be made to use the resources available in the UMW Libraries first. Check our Library Catalog and our Full Text Electronic Journal Holdings List before submitting a request. If a UMW item is checked-out, you may recall it online or at the Circulation Desk.

How long does it take?

Allow 1 - 2 weeks for most requests to be processed and received. Some requests may take longer.

What does an ILL cost?

Students may submit up to ten requests each semester at no charge. A $2.00 charge will be assessed for each additional request, including resubmitted requests and requests for items that are owned by the UMW Libraries. Charges will be posted to the student's Library account. There is no charge to faculty and staff for interlibrary loan requests.

How will I know when my ILL arrives?

You will be notified via your UMW email account when your ILL materials have arrived.

Where do I pick up my ILLs?

Books and microforms must be picked up at the Circulation Desk in Simpson Library, unless arrangements are made to have the items sent by courier to the Stafford Campus Library. Some materials are designated building-use only by the lending library and must remain at Simpson Library for the entire loan period.

Most photocopies will be sent electronically to your ILL account unless otherwise requested, and you can access these articles by clicking on 'View Electronically Received Articles' in your ILL account. It will be your responsibility to print or download each article within 30 days of receipt. For students, articles received in paper format will be held at the Circulation Desk in Simpson Library for pick up. Faculty and staff will receive articles in paper format through campus mail.

How long may I keep my ILL material?

Photocopies are yours to keep. The electronic copy in your account will be deleted after 30 days. The due date for books and microforms, which is set by the lending library, is indicated on the label that is attached to the item. Students involved in semester-long research projects may need to resubmit requests for certain items. Libraries will not loan books for the entire semester.

Can ILLs be renewed?

ILL books and microforms may be renewed unless the label contains the statement 'No Renewal.' To request a renewal, click on 'Check Current Requests' and then 'View/Renew Checked Out Items' from your account in the ILL system. The borrower should continue to use the ILL material while the request is in process. Renewals are approved or denied by the lending library. You will be notified by email of the renewal due date or denial of the renewal request. Renewals may be requested only within seven days of the due date.

What if ILLs are returned late?

A charge of $2.00 per day will be assessed for each overdue ILL item. There is a seven day grace period before fines begin to accrue. Charges will be posted to the borrower’s Library account. Email notices for overdue materials will be sent one, two, and three weeks after the due date. Patrons are blocked from using the ILL system after the third overdue notice is sent.

Frequent late returns will result in the termination of ILL privileges.

A book drop is located in the front wall of the Library for after-hour returns.

Simpson Library University of Mary Washington 1801 College Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22401-4664 540-654-1125

Send page questions or comments to Carla Bailey Last updated Contact Site Manager: libweb@umw.edu