RAMble, the University Libraries' blog

Five Ways Interlibrary Loan Can Save Your Academic Life During Finals

1.) Interlibrary Loan Is Free

Using Interlibary Loan is phenomenal because it allows you to borrow items for free. ILL includes E-ZBorrow and ILLiad. That means you get high quality academic and popular resources for free. Speaking from experience, saving money by using ILL makes a huge difference if you are on a student budget. Especially if you already spent lots of money on textbooks early in the
semester.

2.) Interlibrary Loan Gets You The Sources You Need

If our libraries do not have a source you need, chances are you can get it from another library through Interlibrary Loan. You can request articles, book chapters, and print books from our partner libraries. E-ZBorrow is the service to use if you are looking only for books. ​ILLiad allows you to borrow books, as well as videos, CD'S, DVDs, and microfiche. You have access to a whole world of knowledge you can use to for your projects and papers. This service can seriously save your academic life during finals when you need to finish projects and write papers.

3.) The Items You Request Arrive Quickly

When you request online sources, those materials are sent to your E-ZBorrow or ILLiad account. You also get an email in your West Chester email address telling you the item is ready to view. That means you can access articles and book chapters quickly. If you request a book through E-ZBorrow, it normally arrives at our library in 2-3 days. Book deliveries for ILLiad take 3-10 days.

4.) Books are Delivered to the FHG Library Help Desk

As soon as we receive the book you requested, you get an email notification saying your book is ready for pickup. All you have to do to claim your book is visit the Library Help Desk on the second floor of FHG Library and show a valid ID. Seriously, this process of how a book arrives on our shelf still seems like magic to me.
 

5.) The Staff Members in Interlibrary Loan are Friendly and Helpful

If you ever need help getting a source through Interlibrary Loan, do not hesitate to ask for help. Jenn, Annette, and Neal are ready to answer your questions. They are tremendously dedicated to helping you find what you need. Their compassionate service makes the process of getting sources easier and less intimidating.


​From Left to Right: Jenn O'Leary, Neal Kenney, and Annette Hamilton.