What is Interlibrary Loan?
With Interlibrary Loan (ILL), borrowers can obtain books, articles, and other materials not held in the Levi Watkins Learning Center's collections. This service is extended to members of ASU for research projects or course-related assignments.
Who can use it?
Current faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students of Alabama State University.
Where is it located?
Interlibrary Loan pick-up and drop-off is at the Information Desk on the first floor of the Library. A Current ASU I.D. Please schedule an appointment and the ILL Librarian will assist you. We depend upon other libraries to lend the materials we do not own, so it is important that all materials be returned on time.
What types of materials are available to borrow?
The most frequently requested items are books, music scores, CDs, DVDs, dissertations, and articles from journals. Other types of materials, such as LP records, VHS tapes, bound journals, archival materials, special collections, and reference books/scores, are generally not available for loan. However, you can always ask. We will make every effort to find the materials you need.
How much does it cost?
We always try first to borrow from libraries that do not charge for loans. However, some items may only be available from libraries that charge a lending fee. Lending fees can range from $5 to $25. On the request form please specify the maximum amount you are willing to pay to borrow a particular item (even if the amount is 0).
How long does it take?
We generally request material from a minimum of 5 libraries within one week of receiving your request. If the first library on the list cannot provide the item, the request automatically gets sent to the next library on the list, and so on. We usually receive items within a week, but the process could take up to two weeks, depending on the number of libraries the request has to go through.
If you have a deadline date by which you need to receive the material, please be sure to specify that on the Request Form. We will make every effort to try to accommodate your request.
May I request a textbook?
Textbooks for current ASU courses are not allowed to be requested at this time.
Are items borrowed through Interlibrary Loan able to be renewed?
Items borrowed through Interlibrary Loan are generally allowed to be renewed once.
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