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Interlibrary Loan - FAQ

Contact

ILL Office: (210) 458-4891, ill@liblist.lib.utsa.edu

Reference: JPL (210) 458-4573, DT (210) 458-2440, Ask a Librarian

Frequently Asked Questions:

Costs?

• How much does ILL cost for faculty & students?
  
• Do UTSA alumni and Friends have to pay for ILL services?
  
• Do I have to pay fines on late ILL books?
  
• If I don't pick up or use the material, do I have to pay?
  
• What happens if I request a photocopy of a journal article that is in the UTSA library?
  

How long...?

• How long does it take to obtain materials?
  
• May I submit a "rush" request?
  
• Will I be notified when ILL items arrive?
  
• How long may I keep ILL books?
  
• May students request and use ILL books during the semester break?
  

What...?

• What may be requested through ILL?
  
• May I request theses and dissertations from other universities?
  
• What material is usually not loaned through ILL?
  

How do I...?

• How do I request an interlibrary loan?
  
• What information do I need to request a book or a journal article?
  
• What information do I need to request a copy of journal article?
  
• How many requests for books and articles may I turn in?
  
• Where do I pick up filled requests and return the books?
  

Other restrictions...?

• Are there any other policy guidelines concerning ILL?
  

Costs?

Q: How much does ILL cost for faculty & students?
A: The Library underwrites all costs of ILL service for UTSA faculty and students.

Q: Do UTSA alumni and Friends of the Library have to pay to use ILL?
A: There is a processing fee of $5.00 per request for books or journal articles. Alumni & Friends of the Library are responsible for any additional costs that are charged by the lending library. Alumni must be active members of the Alumni Association. For information about becoming a Friend of the Library, see Friends of the UTSA Library/Alumni.

Q: Do I have to pay fines on late ILL books?
A: Yes, fines are charged for late return of materials obtained through interlibrary loan and are the same as for other library materials. See Library Fines for the current fines structure. The lending institution may impose additional fines upon the borrower. Overdue items must be returned and fines paid before another request will be processed. Suspension or termination of the patron's borrowing privileges will result if a patron repeatedly fails to abide by due dates for ILL materials.

Q: If I don't pick up or use the materials, do I have to pay?
A: Patrons are responsible for all charges whether or not the material is picked up. If not paid, the charges will be placed on the patron's record, resulting in a hold.

Q: What happens if I request a photocopy of a journal article that is in the UTSA Library?
A: We will scan the library-owned article and email it to you. If it's an e-journal article we may provide you a link to the article.

How long...?

Q: How long does it take to obtain materials?
A: Requests may be filled in 3 to 14, depending on the type of material, its availability and the time of the semester. Please make requests as early as possible and state the date after which the material is no longer needed. ILL requests are processed and sent as quickly as possible, however, interlibrary loan office schedules vary from place to place. Some do not process any materials over holidays. You will be notified if your deadline cannot be met. If you registered ILLiad, you are able to view the status of your request online.

Q: May I submit a "rush" request?
A: Yes, and be sure to indicate the date after which you no longer need the material. We will try to obtain your material by that date, but cannot guarantee results. Please provide both an email address and a phone number that is answered during the day.

Q: Will I be notified when ILL items arrive?
A: Yes, you will be notified by telephone, e-mail or regular mail when the ILL item you requested is available. If the material has not been picked up by the due date, the material will be returned.

Q: How long may I keep ILL books?
A: From the day that the book is received and processed at the Library, you have thirty (30) days to pick up, use and return the book. There are no renewals on books borrowed through ILL. If you wish, you may place another request about 10 days before the due date and ILL will borrow another copy for you. You must return the first book on time.

Q: May students request and use ILL books during the semester break?
A: Yes, if you are enrolled for the next semester.

What...?

Q: What may be requested through ILL?
A: You may request materials in any format you need -- microfilm, books, photocopies of journal articles, conference proceedings, theses, and dissertations.

Q: May I request theses and dissertations from other universities?
A: Master's theses and some dissertations are available for loan from most libraries. Many libraries will not lend post-1957 dissertations. Interlibrary loan will try to borrow these materials, but may not be successful. Doctoral dissertations from foreign institutions may be available by interlibrary loan through the Center for Research Libraries. No, if the item requested is not readily available, the title will be submitted to the Collection Development Department for possible purchase. You will be notified about the status of your request. Please allow 4-6 weeks if it is purchased.

Q: What material is usually not loaned through ILL?
A: Materials not readily available include reference books, newspapers, textbooks for classroom use, rare books, manuscripts, audiovisual materials and software, bound journals and current journals. Conditions for interlibrary lending are set by the National Interlibrary Loan Code of the American Library Association and by individual libraries. Some libraries will not lend certain types of materials, making them difficult to obtain on loan.

ILL will not request textbooks for graduate or undergraduate students, that are either required or recommended for courses taught at UTSA or another institution. Requests for textbooks will be returned to the requestor. New or used textbooks are generally available for purchase from a number of sources.

How do I...?

Q: How do I request an interlibrary loan?
A: ILL online form is now available with ILLiad.

Q: What information do I need to have in order to request a book or a journal article?
A: The book title must be given along with the author or editor, publisher, place of publication, edition, and/or the date of publication that can be used. For copies of book chapters, in addition to the above, the chapter title is required and the page number(s) of the chapter. A full citation is required including the title of the journal, volume, issue, date, the author's name, title of the article and the page numbers.

Q: How many requests for books and photocopies may I turn in?
A: Multiple requests for books and copies of journal articles may be turned in at one time. The patron should indicate the items needed first by the 'no longer needed by date' or other comment. If you have further questions, you may ask at the time that you place your requests.

Q: Where do I pick up ILL books and return the books?
A: ILL items may be picked up at the Circulation desk (John Peace Library or UTSA Downtown Library) that you have designated. Any charges are due at that time. ILL books must be returned to the Circulation desk at either Library. Please do not place in the book drop.

Other restrictions...?

Q: Are there any other policy guidelines concerning interlibrary services?
A: Just one or two comments.

• ILL requests will be processed only for patrons in good standing with the UTSA Library.
• The ILL borrower must abide by the terms set by the lending library.
• The Interlibrary loan office monitors the Library's compliance with copyright clearance requirements and with consortial agreements related to ILL and courier services.