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Overview

Overview


What is interlibrary loan (ILL)?

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a free service that allows NIC students, faculty, and staff to borrow books and articles from other libraries. ILL is a cooperative effort among many libraries in North America. 

Who can submit ILL requests?

Molstead Library's interlibrary loan (ILL) service is available to current NIC students, faculty, and staff, as well as emeritus faculty, NIC Board of Trustees members and NIC Foundation Board of Directors members. We will attempt to borrow materials requested by the above patron groups from any OCLC member library in the United States or abroad with the following exceptions:

  • audio-visual materials (exceptions are made for NIC faculty only)
  • material that the library already owns
  • course textbooks
  • reference materials
  • special collections materials
  • copies of articles available in one of the library's online subscription full-text periodical indexes or in serials to which the library subscribes.
     
Is this service free?

No charges or fees are assessed NIC students. NIC will pay up to $10 for materials for current NIC faculty and staff.
 

How many requests can I submit?

NIC students are limited to 20 ILLs per semester, though the Circulation Supervisor or Division Chair may waive this limit when circumstances warrant. No limit is placed on faculty requests. Any patron may be referred to a local public library if the library holds the requested item(s), as this may be preferable to waiting for the item to arrive via ILL.
 

How long will it take for my book or article to arrive?

ILL requests are processed daily by the Circulation Supervisor, who will notify patrons when their items have arrived. Depending on the scarcity of the item requested, it can take 7 to 30 days for a book to arrive. Articles in digital format generally arrive much quicker, from the same day to 14 days.


Last Updated: 08/28/2024