What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?
ILL is a service that borrows materials from other libraries.
What can be borrowed through ILL?
- Most books and journal articles can be borrowed.
- Dissertations and audio-visual materials may or may not be available for borrowing.
What cannot be borrowed through ILL?
- Archives/Special Collections items
- Entire issues of journals
- Books owned by VWC but checked out; please request a hold.
- Electronic books (e-books) cannot be borrowed or lent.
- Current textbooks
Who can use ILL?
Current VWC students, faculty, and staff (ILL is especially valuable for students enrolled in upper level courses.)
What does ILL cost?
The service is free; however, we reserve the right to assess a $15 late fee. Charges for lost ILL books include replacement costs PLUS an additional $25.00 processing fee. (For
more information, see Interlibrary
Loan Overdue/Replacement Policy.)
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How many books or journal articles can I get?
As many items per semester as needed to complete your research; however, there is a weekly limit of 10 requests. If you need to make additional requests, please contact library staff, x3224.
How long does ILL take?
Allow approximately one week for receipt of articles and two weeks for receipt of books.
How long do I get to keep ILL materials?
- Due dates are set by the lending library and range from 2 - 6 weeks.
- Renewal requests must be made at least 4 days before the due date.
- Renewals may or may not be granted by the lending library.
- Journal articles are yours to keep; it is not necessary to return them.
How do I pick up ILL materials?
- You will be notified by campus e-mail when books are available for you to pick up at the ILL office. Books not picked up will be returned to the lending library on the due date and cannot be requested again until the following semester.
- Journal articles are sent as e-mail attachments to your VWC e-mail account. Adobe
Acrobat software must be installed on your computer in order view
ILL documents. (Contact Computer
Services Help
Desk x3111 for assistance.)
How do I make an ILL request?
E-mail request to illrequest@vwc.edu or give your printed request to library staff. Include:
- Where you discovered the resource
- First and last name
- VWC e-mail address
- Status (junior, senior, etc.)
- Department/major and course (title or number)
- Complete, accurate citation
Other information about ILL?
- Interlibrary Loan Overdue/Replacement Policy
- ILL assistance is available at 455.3224
- VWC follows VIVA Interlibrary Loan Guidelines
- VWC complies with copyright guidelines
- View the library's privacy statement & guidelines
- ILL Request Form (Complete form and send as attachment to illrequest@vwc.edu.)
- During a single calendar year, a maximum of five articles published within the past five years from any single journal may be requested. This guideline is generally known as "The Rule of Five."
- During any calendar year, an individual patron may request only one article per issue from any single journal. This guideline is generally known as "The Rule of Two."
Please note the following copyright restrictions:
These guidelines are based on section 108 of the Copyright Law of the United States of America.