Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service which helps eligible patrons obtain materials that are unavailable in the New York University or consortium libraries.
Contents
- Who may use interlibrary loan?
- Do I have to pay for ILL Services?
- How do I make a request?
- What can't I request?
- How long does it take?
- How can I check the status of my request?
- What happens when my materials arrive at Bobst Library?
- Is there a limit?
- How long will I have ILL material for?
- Can I renew my ILL material?
- Once I'm finished with the materials, where do I return them?
- I am not an NYU student, faculty member, or staff, but need something from NYU's collection. How do I request it?
- What happens if an ILL becomes overdue?
- Questions?
Who may use interlibrary loan?
NYU students, faculty, and staff; consortium students and faculty.
Note: CIMS, Law, Medical, NYUPoly, and Cooper Union have their own ILL services. If you attend one of these schools, please submit your requests there.
How do I make a request?
All ILL requests must be submitted online using Bobst Interlibrary Loan Request System. Login to your account using your University ID ("N" number) and your last name. Before submitting a request, please check BobCat to see that the item is not available on the shelf. You may place ILL requests for items that are checked out or otherwise unavailable from New York University or consortium libraries.
What can I request?
- A maximum of five (5) articles from any one journal title (as per copyright restrictions)
- Books
- Dissertations and theses
- Microforms
- Photocopies of journal/newspaper articles
- Non-print materials, such as videos, sound recordings, and computer files, can be requested but are often difficult to obtain.
What can't I request?
We do not accept requests for Bobst, branch or consortium items that are available for checkout or in NYU's full-text e-journal collection. You may place ILL requests for items that are charged out.
How long does it take?
Anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks, depending upon location and availability.
Note: Most interlibrary loans take 4 days from the time you submit a request until you have the item in hand. If you are in a rush, ask a reference librarian if the material is available for on-site use at another library in New York City.
How can I check the status of my request?
You can check the status of your request at anytime by logging into your interlibrary loan account. Click on "Outstanding Transactions" to view your requests.
Common Statuses and their explanations are:
- Awaiting Request Processing -- the ILL Department has received your request and is currently trying to locate potential lenders
- Request Sent -- the ILL Department has located potential lenders and is awaiting their response
- Checked out to Customer -- the item has been received in the ILL Department and is available for you to pick up at the Circulation Desk
*Note: this status will remain on your item until it returns to our ILL office.
- Awaiting Conditional Processing -- the lender would like us to agree to special terms before sending the item to us
- Awaiting Unfilled Processing -- potential lenders could not fill your request; we will try again.
What happens when my materials arrive at Bobst Library?
You will be notified by e-mail when the item has been received.
We will indicate (depending upon the type of material and restraints placed by the lending library) whether your items are available at the Circulation, Reserve, or Special Collections areas.
Photocopies are posted to your interlibrary loan account on the "Electronically Received Articles" page.
Is there a limit?
Faculty may submit ILL requests without limit. Students and staff may submit up to 5 ILL requests per day.
How long will I have ILL material for?
Material is generally loaned for 4 weeks. Some materials may be restricted to "library use only." Photocopies are yours to keep.
Can I renew my ILL material?
Renewals may be requested online and are subject to approval by the lending library. If the label on your book states "NO RENEWALS," you cannot renew the item.
To access your ILL account and renew a loan:
* Log in to your ILL library account
* Click "Request or Renew an ILL" and login
* From the menu on the left, under the "View" header, select "All Requests"
* Find the item you wish to renew and click on the Transaction Number
* Click "Renew Request" at the top of the screen
* If the item can be renewed, the new due date will appear at the top
You are able to request renewal only once online. For subsequent renewals or for problems renewing, please contact the ILL department at ill@library.nyu.edu or 212-998-2511.
Once I'm finished with the materials, where do I return them?
Please return ILL books, periodical volumes, bound dissertations, videos, microforms, and CDs to a staff member at the desk where you charged them out. Please do not put ILLs in a book return bin, or they may be shelved here at Bobst instead of going back to the lending library. Photocopies are yours to keep and need not be returned.
I am not an NYU student, faculty member, or staff, but need something from NYU's collection. How do I request it?
Ask at your home library, which is any local public, corporate, or academic library where you have borrowing privileges.
What happens if an ILL becomes overdue?
Every effort should be made to return ILL materials on time. Overdue items jeopardize NYU's ability to borrow items from other libraries. All users are charged an overdue fine of $1.00 per day per item for overdue ILL materials. In addition, an individual's library privileges may be suspended until the overdue material is returned.
Questions?
Any problems, special needs, etc. regarding ILL will be handled via telephone by ILL department staff. The ILL office is located on Lower Level 2, and can be reached at (212) 998-2511, Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The email address is ill@library.nyu.edu .
