What is Interlibrary Loan?

Libraries share books and articles from their collections via Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Interlibrary Loan is a free service for current Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff. Please use the link to the right to create an ILLiad account; then use Interlibrary Loan to get the scholarly resources your research requires!

How Does Interlibrary Loan Work?

The Interlibrary Loan Process:

• The Interlibrary Loan Office sends your request to 15 lending libraries at a time.
• Each library has four days to fulfill or decline the request. If declined, because the title is checked out or the volume/issue is missing, the request goes to the next lender in the string.
• If all 15 lenders decline the request, it comes back to the Interlibrary Loan Office, and we submit the request to another group of 15 potential lenders.

Interlibrary Loan materials can be picked up at the Circulation Desk. Failure to pick up Interlibrary Loan requests may result in a $10 fine on your library account.

Since books and media may be unavailable, non-circulating, or shipped from afar, requests could take anywhere from 3-15 business days to fulfill. Articles usually take between 1-4 business days because they can be scanned and sent electronically or faxed. It is unlikely that we will be able to obtain textbooks, CD's, DVD's, or Blu-Ray materials.

Distance Learner Interlibrary Loan Policy

As a distance learner, you may borrow materials if you:

• Do not have holds on any of your library accounts
• Provide proof that you are enrolled in a class, or a letter from the department stating you are currently eligible to receive distance ILL services
• Follow all Interlibrary Loan and Circulation policies. You are responsible for any fees and fines occurred.

Remember: Use the note field every time you put in a request stating that you are a distance learner.

We can only provide you with books that E. H. Butler Library currently has in regular circulation, within the continental U.S. Materials will be sent via UPS and insured, items must be returned the same way and you are responsible for the return postage.

We can provide chapters of materials we have in our catalog as long as it does not violate copyright law. Articles can be provided from anywhere they are available and sent directly to your ILLIAD account.

Use the note field for any and all special instructions.

Graduate Student Interlibrary Loan Policy

As a graduate student, you may borrow materials if you:

• Do not have holds on any of your library accounts
• Follow all Interlibrary Loan and Circulation policies. You are responsible for any fees and fines occurred.

E. H. Butler Library's Interlibrary Loan office reserves the right to request proof of enrollment or a letter from the department stating you currently eligible to receive ILL services.

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Interlibrary Loan FAQ