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Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Services

What is Interlibrary loan (ILL)?

Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a resource share service.  Participating libraries within the ILL community provide patrons with the ability to access materials which may not be a part of their current collection.  ILL, in essence, grants an opportunity to borrow resources from other libraries. 

The process begins with a patron's request at their home library.  The home library acts as an intermediary.  As the liaison, they identify other libraries with the desired item, places the request, receive the item, makes it available to the user, and also arrange for its return.  Due dates and overdue fees for the borrowed material are set by the lending library. 

Books and journal articles are the most frequently requested items.  It is best to verify with your home library if items such as audio recordings, video recordings, maps, or sheet music are also items they choose to borrow.  Additionally, it is recommended that patrons verify with their home library if there are any associated fees for particular interlibrary loan services.

Who can use our ILL services?

undefinedThe Booher Library's mission  is to provides space, resources, and services in support of Seminary of the Southwest’s community of learning and formation. Traditional library practices are paired with new and innovative approaches to fostering information literacy and a lifelong love of learning.

In keeping with this mission, Booher offers ILL services to the following patrons:

  • Students
  • Faculty
  • Staff

 

How much does it cost?

Interlibrary loan is a free service offered to eligible Booher Library patrons.  ILL requests are fulfilled by Booher obtaining requested research resources through the ILL community.  There are no associated fees for seeking to obtain these items on the patron's behalf.  However, in extremely rare circumstance lending libraries may impose a nominal fee.  If this happens patrons will be contacted to verify if they agree to payment prior to Booher library proceeding to filling the request. 

 

How to use ILL?

ILL - Step 1

Begin your search in Seeker at the library home page - https://ssw.edu/academics/booher-library/

Type in your search word or phrase in the search box.  In this example the patron is searching for - Augustine's theology of the New Testament. 

Click the "search" button to begin your search. 

ILL - Step 2

After clicking the search button you will be taken to a search results page like this one.  It displays a list of results based upon your entry.

You may navigate through your results by:

  • scrolling up and down the page - or -
  • locate at the bottom of the current list - "Page: 1, 2, 3,..Next" - clicking on the page number or next will allow you to proceed to other search result pages  

ILL - Step 3

If your desired item is not a part of the Booher Library collection you will see this statement which we have circled in red above.  This indicates the item has to be obtained through interlibrary loan (ILL).

Click on the statement.

Note:  We recommend doing further research to make sure the item is not part of our collection or cannot be located elsewhere on the internet.

ILL - Step 4

After clicking on the statement "Request this item - for use by current faculty, staff, students, & alumni only" you will be taken to the request form.

Fill out the required fields of the form.  Click the submit button at the bottom.  The request will be sent to the interlibrary loan department to locate a copy of the resource.

Where do I pick-up and return?

Physical items (books, dvds,  other):
Patrons will be notified via email when the item is available to be picked up.  These items will be located at the circulation desk.  Simply notify one of the friendly staff that you are their to retrieve your ILL item.  Please have your student identification card with you for verification purposes.
Returning ILL items is just as easy.  You may choose one of the following options:
  • Circulation desk 
  • Book drop - located outside near the library entrance

Digital items (articles, chapter copies):

Patrons will receive an email with a copy of the document attached to the email.