Interlibrary LoanInterlibrary Loan (ILL) Services are an attempt to connect students and faculty with information that we do not have within our own collection and so that our Library might aid you in filling that information need. In some instances there may be restrictions placed on borrowed materials (e.g. textbooks or fragile materials may be designated as "in-library use" only). If you have questions or need assistance requesting an item, please call the Reference Desk (563) 333-6245, or the ILL Department (563) 333-6467.
Borrow a Book
Borrow an ERIC Document
Borrow a Journal Article
Click to view the question.
How will I know when it comes?
May I request a required textbook for a class?
Book Requests
Should you require a book not held at SAU Library:
Books are usually free of charge due to reciprocal agreements with other area libraries, but please carefully read information on the cost of interlibrary loan.
Periodical Requests
There are two ways to request an article you cannot find among our holdings or in our online databases:
Articles are often free of charge due to reciprocal agreements with other libraries, but please carefully read information on the cost of interlibrary loan.
This depends on where we have to go to get the material. If the book is listed in RiverShare (the library catalog) we can generally get the item within 2–5 days (depending on the lending library). If the item is located outside the Quad Cities area, expect it to take 10 days to two weeks or longer. Articles from magazines and journals should arrive within the 2–5 day range.
When we receive the requested materials, we will call you or notify you via email. The items may be picked up at the SAU Library Circulation Desk, or special arrangements can be made for other forms of delivery.
Photocopies of magazine/journal articles are yours to keep. Books and other materials are due in accordance with the due date established by the lending library, so due dates will vary. To avoid jeopardizing your interlibrary loan lending privileges, please return your books on time. If you need an extension on a loan, please ask your interlibrary loan librarian and make this request prior to the due date.
Normally, there is no charge to borrow materials from another library. On occasion, a fee will be asked by a lending library. You will be contacted for permission to proceed with the request should an item necessitate a charge. The student, not the library, is responsible for any expenses incurred for the interlibrary loan process.
The Quad Cities area libraries do not charge for interlibrary loans. However, many college and university libraries do charge. We try to order items from the libraries that do not charge; however, there may be a time when the item is only available from a library that charges a fee. Recent budget cuts have also increased interlibrary loan costs and may result in charges from a library that previously did not charge.
Yes, you may request a textbook. However, should one be sent from another library, the use of the textbook will be limited to "in-library use" only and may not be kept past the loan period stipulated by the lending library. Few libraries lend current textbooks, preferring to reserve them for their own students. Acquiring your own copy through the bookstore or other vendor is always preferable to borrowing one from another library.
Contact Cheryl Arnold
563/333-6467
