Using the Library Search & Discovery

When you want to place a request for an interlibrary loan, you can simply fill out the Interlibrary Loan Form. This will send a request to our librarians and library staff who will begin the process of locating and receiving the request. 

There are several ways to reach this form. One of them is on the left of all of our research guides under the "Contact Us!" box. Just click "Request Interlibrary Loan" to get started.

Another way to reach this form is under the Library Search and discovery system. If you are already using the library discovery system, click the button at the top of the page that says "Library Links," or the three bars on mobile.

 

Then, click the link to the Interlibrary Loan Form.

 

Simply fill out the required and relevant information in the request form, including your full Carlow User ID Number (the full student ID number, starting with "000"). Filling out the form correctly will ensure a faster turn-around time. Be sure to fill out all fields and make it all the way to the end of the form. The form is not sent to a librarian until you click "Submit" on the last page.

 

Librarians monitor interlibrary loan requests at normal business hours, from 9-5 Monday through Friday. 

Terms

Interlibrary Loan: A process by which libraries share resources with one another, be it a book, audiovisual media, or copy of an article or chapter. You can make use of interlibrary loan to have materials that Grace Library does not own sent directly to you (if an electronic copy) or to the library desk for pickup. This way you will not have to visit another library to use their materials!

• Interlibrary loans usually take around one week to receive - sometimes shorter for article copies, and sometimes longer for books. Plan ahead and start early!

The Library Search and discovery system allows you to search other libraries' materials as well as materials held by Grace Library. You simply need to learn how to use what is called the "Libraries Worldwide" scope within the Library Search.

You can request an interlibrary loan yourself straight from the library's discovery system using the "Libraries Worldwide" scope. If you are using the library search and happen upon a title you would like to access, but the full-text is not available, use the following steps to place an interlibrary loan request directly from your search result.

First, visit the library website and conduct a search using the library search box. If you know the title of the book or article you would like to request, you can type the full title. Click "Search."

 

Remember, if the article has the "View full text" or "View eBook" button underneath, click this button to instantly view the full text of the item. This means the library owns an electronic copy of the item and you will not need to place an interlibrary loan request.

 

Next, you will want to search items that Grace Library does NOT own. To do this, select "Libraries Worldwide" checkbox from the filters on the left side of the screen. On mobile you may have to click the button that says "View Filters" at the top, and then select the "Libraries Worldwide" checkbox.

 

You will now see different results. Many of the results will be titles Grace Library does not own. This is a good thing if you want to request an interlibrary loan.

The next step is to click the title of the article or book you would like to request. Make sure there is no "View Full Text" or "View eBook" button underneath, as seen in the following example.

 

When you click the title, the following pane will open. Under the "Libraries Worldwide" holdings section, you will see a button that says "Request Item through Interlibrary Loan." Click this button to begin your interlibrary loan request.

 

Next, simply fill out the relevant fields. Your name, email, and user ID number (your full student ID, including "000" at the beginning) are required, as well as "Type of request" where you will select either "Article - Copy" or "Book/Media - Loan." Provide as much detail as you can in the "Comments" section - this will help our librarians locate the material for you faster.

 

Once you have filled out all of the appropriate boxes, simply click the "Submit" button and you're done!

 

The turnaround time for interlibrary loan varies, depending on the lending library. Article requests may take several days, whereas book/media requests can take several weeks. The average wait time is approximately one week for interlibrary loans, so remember to plan ahead!