InterLibrary Loan (ILL) is a free service for WCU students, faculty, professor emeritus, and staff that gets you a book, article, or other material not available at West Chester University Libraries. We work with libraries around the world to get you this material.
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If you need a: |
Please use: |
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Book |
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Article, thesis, microfilm/microfiche |
ILLiad (Have a DOI? You can now populate your request form automatically using the DOI!) |
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Book chapter |
ILLiad, please include both the book title and either the chapter title or page numbers of the chapter. Please submit one chapter at a time. |
| DVD, score, multimedia | ILLiad |
| Something WCU Libraries owns | Search here, login to request, and choose your pickup method. For those not living on campus, we can ship items to your home address! |
INTERLIBRARY LOAN POLICIES AND FAQ
WHO MAY USE INTERLIBRARY LOAN?
WCU students, faculty, professor emeritus, and staff may all request materials through ILL, using their campus username and password.
Community members, alumni, and retired faculty and staff do not have access to InterLibrary Loan services. Please contact your local public library.
ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT I CAN REQUEST THROUGH ILL?
The InterLibrary Loan Code of the United States limits what libraries may request on behalf of their patrons. You may request as many items as you like, but we may not be able to obtain the following types of materials:
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Bestsellers/recently published titles
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Multiple copies of the same title
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E-books
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Textbooks
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Certain dissertations and theses
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Archival materials, rare items, or manuscripts
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Certain video, CD, DVD, and microfiche/microfilm materials
We encourage you to try to request these items, and we will let you know if we are unable to obtain them for you.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO REQUEST MATERIALS VIA THE INTERLIBRARY LOAN SERVICE?
There are two types of InterLibrary Loan services: EZBorrow and ILLiad.
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EZBorrow is for books only. Your book will be available in 2-3 business days and you will have it for 84 days (no renewals). Try EZBorrow first for books, as it is usually faster.
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ILLiad is for all types of materials; articles and book chapters will generally be available in 2-3 days. Books can take from 3-10 business days, and you will usually have them for 28 days (it varies, and renewals are sometimes possible).
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET MY REQUESTS?
Articles and book chapters may arrive as quickly as 1-3 days. You will get an email alerting you that a PDF of the requested article is in your ILLiad account. All articles are delivered electronically. Articles from more obscure or international journals may take longer to obtain. Pre-publication articles may also take an extra amount of time depending on publisher embargoes.
In general, books and other physical materials arrive in 2-10 business days. We order books from all over the country, and internationally as well, so it also depends on who is supplying the book to us. We will always try to find the closest supplier. Popular, new, and rare titles can sometimes take much longer to obtain depending on availability and willingness of the institution to share.
HOW DO I GET THE BOOK OR ARTICLE I REQUESTED THROUGH ILL?
You will receive an email letting you know when your item is ready. Articles, book chapters, and other shorter materials are usually delivered online. You will have the option to specify where you want to receive physical materials: Presser Music Library, FHG Library Help Desk, or sent to your home via UPS (including pre-paid return label).
WHERE SHOULD I RETURN MATERIALS?
Articles do not need to be returned. You can return other materials to FHG Library, Presser Music Library, or via UPS with the pre-paid mailing label that was provided to you when you received it in the mail. If you did not receive your book in the mail, but cannot physically return it, we can email you a prepaid return label. Email us at: illoan@wcupa.edu to request one.
CAN I RENEW MY MATERIALS?
EZBorrow books cannot be renewed. ILLiad books may be able to be renewed, depending on the loaning library’s policy. Try requesting a renewal in your ILLiad account, email us at illoan@wcupa.edu, or call 610-436-2380 or 610-436-3066.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M LATE RETURNING MY ILL BOOK?
WCU Libraries does not charge any fines for ILL books. However, the university that owns the book you borrowed may charge you a replacement fee if the book is not returned by the due date.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOSE MY ILL BOOK?
The university that owns it will charge a replacement fee. You may be able to buy a replacement copy instead, but the lending university must approve it. Since it’s so variable, please give us a call or send us an email to discuss what you can do at this point.
WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR BORROWING INTERLIBRARY LOAN MATERIALS?
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Please honor all due dates and return materials on time. If a renewal is needed, please request one well in advance of the due date.
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If a material is recalled by the owning library, it must be returned as soon as possible.
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You will be responsible for paying for replacement costs for lost or damaged materials.
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Once an item is considered lost, a hold is put on your university account. If you have one or more lost items on your library account, you will be unable to borrow new items until that item has been returned or the replacement fee has been paid. For students with lost items, a university hold will block the receipt of diplomas and transcripts. Once the item is returned or the replacement cost has been paid, we will remove the hold from university account. Please see WCU Libraries’ Borrowing Policies for more information.
HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION NOT ANSWERED HERE?
Please email us at illoan@wcupa.edu or call 610-436-2380 or 610-436-3454.
