Welcome to InterLibrary Loan Information and FAQs

The purpose of interlibrary loan is

• to borrow library materials not found in the Wellesley collection on behalf of our faculty, students and staff
• to lend Wellesley’s library materials requested by other libraries.

No library can be completely self-sufficient in meeting the needs of its users. Interlibrary loan is essential to the vitality of libraries of all types and sizes. It is an important element in the provision of library service, and it is in the public interest to encourage such an exchange. There is no charge for this service at Wellesley and the number of requests is not limited, but responsible borrowing habits and adherence to due dates and renewal policies are most important.

Always check the Wellesley catalog before requesting through ILL.

1. What can be borrowed? Books, DVDs, CDs, recordings, scores, journal articles, book chapters, dissertations, patents, etc.

2. Who can borrow? Current faculty, staff and students with a valid OneCard.

3. How will I know it is here and where do I pick it up? Return it? Email notification will be sent when your material has arrived. Pick up and return is at the Clapp Circulation desk. If your item has been delivered electronically, the email will contain viewing instructions.

4. How long can I have it? 28 days with renewals available through your Library Account and ILL account. Copies are yours to keep.

5. How do I make an ILL request?

For Books, etc: otherwise known as “returnables”

Use NExpress for patron initiated, expedited borrowing from Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Northeastern, Middlebury, or Williams. Most materials are available for pick up at Clapp circulation within 3 business days. If the materials you want are not available from NExpress, use Interlibrary Loan. To check the status/ history of your requests, Logon to you Library Account from the Library home page

Use Interlibrary Loan to have ILL staff place a request for you. First time users must create an account and Register their username (email name, not including @wellesley.edu) and a password. Request forms are available after login. Delivery is 3 days to 2 weeks because materials are requested from libraries worldwide. To check the status/ history of your requests, Logon to ILL from My Accounts.

Use WorldCat to search and request directly from the OCLC catalog of books and other materials in libraries worldwide. Once you have found the item you want, click on the Find it @ Wellesley icon. You will be directed to login to ILL and it will populate the request form for you. These requests are then processed by Interlibrary Loan staff. To check the status/ history of your requests, Logon to ILL from the main library menu.

For Articles: otherwise known as “non-returnables”

When you're searching in an A-Z database you can just click on to request through ILL.

Use Citation Linker if you have a citation in hand from a bibliography or a reading list. You can use citation linker to find online full text articles or to pass the request to NExpress/ILL. The default method of receiving copies is by electronic delivery. You may receive an electronic copy through ILL or NExpress. When the document is available you will be sent an email with viewing information and which service provided the copy.

• Documents will be available for 30 days from date of email notification
• Documents will be in PDF format and you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• By using this service you are agreeing to uphold the copyright restrictionsapplicable to all library materials.
• If the document is unavailable in electronic form, the ILL office will obtain a paper copy for you. Please contact the ILL office with feedback or problems with viewing documents.