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Interlibrary Loan: Home

What is Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary Loan is a service that allows you to borrow print materials and request electronic copies of articles and book chapters from libraries across the United States.  The print items are shipped here to the Salisbury University Libraries for you to pick up and return.  Most items are available free, but some libraries charge a small fee. 

It's best to begin your research by checking SURF to see what is available in the SU Libraries and University System of Maryland (USMAI) libraries first, and if you can't find what you need there, feel free to request it through Interlibrary Loan!

General Information

How do I access Interlibrary Loan?

You can access your Interlibrary Loan account on the My Library Accounts page by signing in with your SU username and password.  The first time you log in, you will be prompted to create your account.  If you are a student enrolled in a fully online program, please be sure to choose the "Distance Student" status.  

You can also access the service through your searches in SURF.  If there is an item you want that is not available from the SU Libraries or the University System of Maryland, click on the Request Through ILL button to create your ILL account and request the item.

After you submit a request, we'll send you an email when the item is ready to view online or pick up at the Library Service Desk.

What can I borrow?

We try our best to find the materials you need, including

  • articles
  • book chapters
  • print books
  • DVDs
  • theses and dissertations

Most libraries will not loan textbooks, entire issues of journals, audio materials, or computer disks.  Ebooks are difficult to find, and we generally cannot borrow materials in archives or special collections.  

Who can use Interlibrary Loan?

  • All current SU students, faculty, and staff.  
  • Alumni and community borrowers are not eligible to use ILL, but they can request borrowing privileges for books in the SU Libraries collections. 

How soon will my items arrive?

  • Books take an average of 1-3 weeks to arrive, and articles and book chapters arrive more quickly - usually within a few hours or 1-2 days.  
  • Start your research early for best results!  You may want to come in person to the Research Help Desk, submit a Research Help Ticket, or contact your librarian liaison for help locating other in-house or online materials.  

How long can I borrow books through Interlibrary Loan?

  • The lending library determines how long you can borrow a book, and the due date will be printed on the paper sleeve/sticker covering the book.
  • Like any library book, ILL materials can be recalled at any time if someone else requests them from the lending library.  If this happens, you will receive an email telling you the new return due date.
  • Most lending libraries allow you to renew items on loan, but renewals are not guaranteed, so please plan to return items on/before the initial return due date. 
  • Some materials may be designated "In-Library Use Only" by the lending library, meaning you must use them in the Guerrieri Academic Commons and may not take them home with you.

Requesting Articles and Book Chapters

Start your search for articles and book chapters in SURF.  If we do not have access to the article or book chapter, you can place an Interlibrary Loan request by clicking on the Request Through ILL button.  Fill out the form as completely as possible, including the volume, issue, page numbers, and ISSN (for articles) and the book title, chapter title and number, page numbers, and ISBN for book chapters. 

Articles and book chapters arrive quickly - sometimes within a few hours. You will be notified by email when they are delivered electronically to your ILL account.  You have 30 days to log in to your ILL account and view and/or download the article or book chapter, so don't delay! Articles and book chapters delivered through ILL are to be used only by the individual requesting them, according to applicable copyright law. 

Requesting Books and DVDs

First check SURF to see if the book or DVD is available from the SU Libraries or from a library in the University System of Maryland.  If so, please use those request options rather than requesting through Interlibrary Loan.  If the item is owned by a library in the University System of Maryland, you can request it by clicking the Request from UM System Library button; if not, you can place an ILL request by clicking on the Request Through ILL button. 

Books and DVDs take an average of 1-3 weeks to arrive.  You will be notified by email when the item arrives, and you can pick it up at the Library Service Desk. 

Contact Us

Cassy Lewis

Asst. Head of Circulation and ILL Borrowing Specialist
cklewis@salisbury.edu

Amy Jones

Head of Circuation
amjones@salisbury.edu