Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Loan FAQ

Who can use ILL?	Can I renew my materials?
Is it free?	What happens if I keep materials past the due date?
How do I request an item?	Can I borrow videos, microforms, or CDs?
How much information do I need to include about the item I request?	From where are the items borrowed?
Will I receive a confirmation of my request?	Can I request an item that is owned by Boley Law Library?
How long will it take for my item to arrive?	What's the difference between ILL and Summit (formerly Orbis)?
How will I be notified when my item arrives?	Does it matter if I order a book through ILL or Summit?
How long are materials held for me once they arrive?	Can I just go to another library to check out items myself?
How long can I keep materials?	Can I request an item that Watzek Library owns?
Can I get dissertations, and are they free?

Who can use ILL?
Lewis and Clark College graduate students, undergraduate students, faculty and staff can use ILL. We do not borrow ILL items for alumni, law students, or people not affiliated with the college. Law students, please contact the Boley Law Library for ILL services. Others may contact their local public library.

Is it free?
Yes. The service is free to all persons that qualify for ILL privileges (see above). However, if a multitude of items are borrowed from sources which charge to lend, financial contributions may be required. In addition, borrowers are responsible for any overdue fines levied by the lending library.

How do I request an item?
You can complete an electronic request in most research databases using the yellow Get Item icon. Sending requests via this method is the best way to make sure your citation information is correct.
You can use our Web ILL Request form, which is also the fastest way for us to process your requests.

How much information do I need to include about the item I request?
Complete citations are helpful. Book requests should include an ISBN, journal article requests should include an ISSN, volume number, year of publication, article title, and author if possible. Video requests should include director, year of release, and any actors. CD requests should include artist and year of release. If you do not have a complete citation, please ask a reference librarian for help. The more complete your citation, the more likely it is that we will find your materials.

Will I receive a confirmation of my request?
Using the Web ILL request form will generate an email confirmation that your request has been sent to ILL. If you do not receive materials within 15 days of your request, contact the ILL department to determine the status of your request.

How long will it take for my item to arrive?
Books usually arrive in 7-14 days. Copies of articles usually arrive in 2-7 days .

How will I be notified when my item arrives?
You will receive an email notification upon the arrival of interlibrary loan materials.

How long are materials held for me once they arrive?
Books and other returnable materials are held at the Circulation Desk until their due date. Articles are available online for 30 days.

How long can I keep materials?
The loan period is determined by the lending library. It is usually 2-4 weeks.

Can I renew my materials?
Renewals are not allowed.

What happens if I keep materials past the due date?
Late charges are $.50/day for the first 10 days, and $1/day thereafter. Replacement charge for lost items is $75, plus a $15 non-refundable service charge. The replacement charge could be greater if determined by the lending library.

Can I borrow videos, microforms, or CDs?
You can request anything, and we will attempt to get it for you. However, many libraries will not lend formats other than printed materials.

From where are the items borrowed?
We borrow items from other libraries. We first try libraries that are in the area, then expand our search to other parts of the country and even to other countries if a U.S. library does not own the item.

Can I request an item that is owned by Boley Law Library?
We do not borrow ILL materials for you from Boley. As a member of the Lewis and Clark community, you may go to the law library to check out books and use the periodicals there. You can request items from Boley in our online catalog by clicking the 'Request' button.

What's the difference between ILL and Summit?
Summit is a group of academic libraries in the region that have agreed to let other members borrow their books. The Summit catalog must be checked before requesting a book from ILL , this will ensure that you will receive your materials as fast as possible. Journal articles, and entire volumes of journals are not available through Summit and must be requested through ILL. If you have any questions about a Summit item, please contact the Circulation Desk because ILL does not deal with Summit borrowing.

Does it matter if I order a book through ILL or Summit?
Yes. In general, the ILL office will not process materials that you can order through Summit . If an item is not available through Summit for any reason (checked out, local use only, etc) please note this reason in the "additional notes" field of your ILL request.

Can I just go to another library to check out items myself?
You may do this at Orbis-Cascade Alliance libraries. You will need to have a current Lewis and Clark College ID card with you when you go to the other libraries.

Can I request an item that Watzek Library owns?
It depends on the item. If you are requesting something that is currently checked out or missing, then yes, you may request it through ILL and we will process your request. Please make note of the special reason in your ILL request. On the other hand, if the item appears to be in the library, available for use, then no, we will not process your request through ILL. Always be sure to check the library catalog before ordering through ILL. Otherwise, you may be spending valuable time waiting for an item from ILL that you could have already had.

Can I get dissertations, and are they free?
While some dissertations may be borrowed free of charge from lending libraries, others may be available for purchase at a cost of $29 each.  If necessary for research, Watzek Library will purchase up to five dissertations per person per calendar year, with the understanding that these dissertations are to be returned to the Library for possible addition to the collection. For undergraduate students, this limit is two per student per calendar year. Students and faculty are financially responsible for the purchase of any dissertations beyond their allotted amount, though  dissertations purchased directly by a graduate student or faculty member do not need to be returned to the Library. These purchases can be coordinated with the Interlibrary Loan Specialist ( ill@lclark.edu ).