Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary loan (ILL) assists scholarly research by obtaining library materials unavailable at the University of Evansville Libraries. ILL personnel locate requested materials in other libraries, borrowing items and/or obtain photocopied material on behalf of eligible UE patrons.
Patrons are responsible for the safe return of book loans to the Circulation Desk. Failure to observe ILL rules may result in the loss of borrowing privileges for the library user.
- Department Contacts
- Who is eligible to borrow materials?
- What materials can be requested?
- What is the cost?
- How do I know if my requests were submitted?
- How long will it take?
- How long can materials be kept?
- How to apply
- Renewing ILL books
- Request forms
- How will I be contacted when materials arrive?
- How do I delete a request?
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BORROW MATERIALS?
The ILL service is available to currently enrolled UE students, currently employed faculty and staff as an aid to research. Library users are encouraged to consult reference librarians to determine if the information is available at UE.
WHAT MATERIALS CAN BE REQUESTED?
Many materials, such as books, videos, and photocopies of journal articles, are available from lending libraries. Though we will attempt to fill almost any request submitted, the following types of material often are difficult to obtain through ILL:
- Recently published items
- Textbooks, study guides and workbooks
- Entire volumes or issues of periodicals, especially if less than 3 years old
- Reference works
- Rare books and original manuscripts
- Newspapers and other bulky materials in their original format
- Audiovisual materials and computer software
- Works of genealogy or heraldry
- Dissertations and theses from outside North America
WHAT IS THE COST?
Usually there is no cost for ILL service. However, if the cost exceeds $20, the ILL department will contact you about covering the difference.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY REQUESTS WERE SUBMITTED?
All successfully submitted requests sent via ACE Catalog or Find it @ UE! display a "ILL Request was Successful" message. Look for it. Additionally, after the item has been ordered, a barebones citation gets added to your Request Pending area in the MY ACCOUNT page in ACE Catalog (see example below).
Note that the item's status says expires. Ignore this! The date listed is when your item was requested from other libraries. If you want an update on an item's status, please call 488-1062.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
It may take 5-7 days to receive materials, depending on location and availability. Materials located within Indiana will be sent via courier. Because we cannot predict the location or availability of an item, we cannot guarantee that material will be received within a specified time period. Borrowers are encouraged to submit ILL requests well in advance of deadlines.
HOW LONG CAN MATERIALS BE KEPT?
The loan period, usually three to four weeks, will be indicated on the gold book strap encircling each ILL book. Due dates are determined by the lending library and cannot be changed. Photocopies of journal articles may be kept by the user.
The lending library may also specify conditions for use of materials, such as "no copying permitted", "No Renewals" or "IN-LIBRARY use only". These restrictions will be noted on the gold book strap.
RENEWING ILL BOOKS
ILL books is now automatically renewed for all patrons. UEL allows patrons to renew ILL books ONE TIME. You will get an email from an ILL staff member listing the new due date of the ILL book(s) or a message noting that the lending library would not renew the item. Some libraries are not willing to grant renewals, so please plan to pick up and use ILL materials promptly. If you have any questions, please call 812.488.1062 or stop by the library.
HOW TO APPLY
Verify that the required material is not owned by the University of Evansville Libraries by
checking the Journals A to Z and ACE Catalog for books and periodicals. Complete an
ILL Request for each item needed by using one of the forms below or by clicking 
when viewing a citation in one of UEL's databases.
REQUEST FORMS
- Books & Article Forms - after logging in, select the appropriate form
- ILL Book Renewal
HOW WILL I BE CONTACTED WHEN MATERIALS ARRIVE?
When books are received the borrower is notified by email. Books may be picked up at the Circulation Desk when the library is open (hours). Photocopies of journal articles are sent to the requester via email.
ILL books will be sent back to the lending library if not picked up within 2 weeks of receipt.
HOW DO I DELETE A REQUEST?
If you need to delete an ILL request, please call 488-1062 or email loansrus.
